The Deal Messiah Return Rally Challenge: How I Made Over $100 By Going Shopping

The Deal Messiah is unfortunately living in a boring fiefdom, devoid of character and interest. Thus, he has to create his own “fun”. Last weekend, the Deal Messiah created a “Return Rally Challenge”. It seems that Mrs. Messiah had been out shopping several times, and was letting unused items pile up. It was time for action, and a little fun with the local merchants.

I decided to attempt to return items to 4 different stores without a receipt. Most of the items were used, such as the shampoo from Target. I went 4 for 4, and surprisingly didn’t have a single issue with a manager. With this many outrageous returns, I normally prepare myself for at least one rebuttal, or at least a raised eyebrow. Not that it would matter, I have an answer to every rebuttal.

Bed Bath & Beyond: Returned a gimmicky kitchen tool without a receipt, received $10 in credit, which I rolled into a head massager and a candle. The candle was on a clearance rack, retailing for $25, I got the clearance price of 50% off, and it was also improperly marked down an additional 50% off. I had to get the manager out for it, but he submitted, and manually marked it down. My total out of pocket was $.27, but I asked the cashier if she could spot me $.02, which she did, so I could get 3 quarter back as change.

K-Mart: Bread & Butter style. Returned a strand of used Christmas Icicle lights we didn’t like, and an extension cord for $12.73 back on the plastic.

Ross: Returned a pair of work out pants that shrank in the dryer on me, $18.57. Rolled the credit into a heavily discounted dog bed for the back of our suv, for the new puppy.

Target: Returned a variety of used bathroom products, including some fancy shampoo that Mrs. Messiah didn’t like. No receipts, naturally. $48.25 back on the plastic.

Total time, under 2 hours. Nice work.