All I can say is that I was having an idle conversation with the sales person at a store I was buying something else at about my frustrations with the shoes I had. I brought up the conversation with no expectation of having them solve my problem. It was them, in fact, who suggested that I bring them in. They were shipping a box back to the manufacturer anyway, and said it was no big deal to include my stuff. In fact, they said since it was coming from the store and not me as an individual, I'd get quicker service from the manufacturer.

Now that's what I call retail customer service. Needless to say I am a loyal customer to that store now, and I'm sorry that having dabbled in retail you didn't see the value in extending such service to your customers.

Where I do think you have a very valid point is in the choice of store. The only stores I'd try to approach would be the smaller boutique stores, and I'd only try it with higher-value items (for which it is more worth their while to be of service). Big box store employees certainly wouldn't have any vested interest in helping or being of service to this extent.