Those illegal returns will help put a store out of business. If it was legal, a lot of people would be returning items to a store that was purchased at another to make money. I'll give you a small figure example: Imagine the item was $2 cheaper at a different location. If it was legal, at least 50 people would be trying to return the item to make some money. That will be a $100 lost for that store. Now imagine 10 different items the same day. That will equal a$1000 lost. Or picture someone buying $500 of the item on clearance (50% off, $5 each). Next that person would take the items to a store that sells the same items with no clearance ($10 each). The store will be loosing $500. The item was probably on clearance at one store because of low sales. The other store was selling the item full price because of good sales. If the returns were legal, it would keep away all clearance sales away unless the same company stores would try to put each other out of business.