Sephora Return Policy ~ Part Deux

Sephora has changed its former lax return policy. It is now requiring that returns made without a receipt are accompanied by a State issued id.
Returns with receipt are still accepted without ID and in the same manner as before.

I see this being a problem for tourists and others without state ID. But I guess this can always be remedied by keeping the receipt until you are satisfied with the product.

It's rumored that the change in Return Policy is due to a number of things including chronic returners (many, many, many people buy stuff for either special occasions or just the novelty of having the pretties and then return when either the occasion passes or guilt sets in)
Another things that prompted this is shoppers buying (and sometimes even lifting) make up products elsewhere and then returning them to Sephora for credit.
Some make up artists have even talked of returning the "Gratis"* (periodic monthly allowance of make up and fragrance gifted to them by the company that employs them) and returning the merchandise at Sephora to get other things. <-Yes, this is a fire-able offense. But so is selling your "Gratis" on e-Bay; but somehow it still happens.

We have been spoiled here in the US by having the most lax cosmetic return policy in the world! People return things that they have been using for a while, things that should be re-purchased but instead are exchanged for a brand new one, and things in such a deplorable state of filth that they should be burned instead of accepted by the store with a smile.
But we have always been a nation that takes the customer's word above all else. "The customer is always right" Unfortunately, a few (and growing number) of unscrupulous returners have made things more difficult for the rest of all.

Honestly, I see even more stringent return policies in the future for the U.S. market. Not only for Sephora, but across the board and affecting even the most plush of retailers...

The consumer's answer to what I see as inevitable change? Making more informed, less impulsive buying decisions and being diligent about keeping receipts...

How will these changes affect your shopping habits?

Things that make you go....WTF?!?

Illamasqua is make up brand newly carried by Sephora. And this atrocity of a promo picture is the best they could find as an introductory visual for the brand.

The brand is supposed to capture the essence of Berlin in the 1920's.
Ahhh, the 20's, a decade that I totally adore.
I guess the deep crimson lips are representative of the time.
And I like the hot pink blush. A nice anachronism. Adds to the artistic flair of the line (I am partial to hot pink, after all)
But what's with the eyelashes that most closely resemble a hippies unwashed pit?
Not to knock on all the earthy types out there. But that type of hairy wilderness I can deal with when confined to the secrecy of a tree hugger's underarm. I do not wanted flaunted or batted at me in a promotional campaign.
Don't get me wrong, I love dramatic make up. I adore fake eyelashes. Not just the "natural type" either. I love huge fake eyelashes, particularly those that resemble feathers or anything surreal.
This is a bit much.
Even for me, or for RuPaul, this is....just yuck.
This type of advertisement is supposed to lure me. It's supposed to whisper "buy me", "take me home" ~ Instead this one says, "wash me", "trim me" then "run away"
No thanks.
Carry on.

Sephora Return Policy

Word on the street is that beauty giant Sephora will toughen its lax return policy.
From now on, customers wanting to return products without a receipt will be required to show ID.
So the outcries have started:

• What if the cashier happens to be a serial thieve that wants to steal my identity?
• What if the cashier is a stalker waiting to get her hands on an ID and stalk a new prey?
• What if I must make an emergency return and I don't have my I.D on me?

I feel compelled to remind people that the answer to all of this issues is: If you usually return products, for any reason: keep your receipt, until you are sure you'll keep the product.
I think here in the U.S we are a little spoiled by our cosmetic return policies. I mean, most other countries don't even allow any returns on beauty items at all.
I think we should be grateful for these policies. Not abuse them and try to avoid unnecessary returns by researching and practicing responsible shopping techniques.
What do you think of the latest change in return policies?