I have little experience or knowledge about stores return policies, but it used to be that return policies were a little more liberal immediately after Christmas when lots of people were wanting to return gifts. I once returned something in that period just after Christmas and was given the lowest price (sale price) that the item has sold for months earlier. That apparently was one safeguard they put in place.
But again that was years ago. In this day and age, of the same products being sold at discount options like amazon and other online retailers, and even discount membership places like Sam's Club or BJ's, I would think full service retailers would be even more careful in protecting themselves, meaning receipt with no exceptions.
But some of these people like to claim they are able to do things that defy the way things really work. In gambling and now I guess with return policies.