Many years ago when i worked at Penneys, we took shoes and boots back no questions asked, even if they were worn out.
I bought a lot of Haggar suits at my local Penneys.
A few years ago I tried to take back some catalog dress shoes that didn’t fit out of the box.
The clerk argued with me, refused to take them back then smirked as if she had `won.’ Never went back.
L.L. Bean is still excellent on taking their products back, no questions asked. Sure a few people buy something wear it out and bring it back five years later, but those numbers seem small.