SM
Shirley Meng
Apr 1, 2026
When I bought an instant pot 5 days ago, I asked for the return policy at the checkout. I was told that
1. I need to return in 7 days
2. I need to bring the receipt with the original tag on the item.
3. The refund will be made as a gift card
I was fine with the policy. Today, when I went the store for a return, I was told that I also need to show them my ID and give them my phone number, otherwise I could not return, because that was the policy (the return policy I did not see anywhere else). I asked the manager to show me the policy, the manager said that's the corporate policy, but not written anywhere, not on the receipt/the store wall/their return policy sign at check out. She told me to call the corporate if I am not happy with her response. It's definitely not acceptable that they did not tell customers that I need to give them the personal information as well for a return when I asked for the return policy at the checkout, and when I went for a return they told me if I did not give them the personal information, I could not return even if I met the return policy written on the receipt.
TLDR: check your receipt for random extra charges at Redmond Goodwill, in Washington State, the cashiers and the manager Alex , may give you mysterious charge for roundup donation that you didn’t agree too.
Details:
This is my personal experience at the Redmond Goodwill, during the closing time on a weekend.
I took the selected items I was interested in purchasing to the cashier.
I was looking at the purchase prices on the electronic screen , and saw the 2.00 round up pop on quickly and then was told my total.
I took out $41 dollars and gave it to Karla the cashier.
As I am walking and reading the receipt, I see a $2 round up donation (I thought round up meant rounding to a dollar , say if your bill totaled $12.60 then they will ask if they can round it to $13).
I walk back (mind you, I was still in the store , right near the cashier isle. I asked Karla the cashier who rang me up what is this .
She said oh you would have pressed yes for the donation option on the machine. I said I paid cash. She said “oh right !! “
She without further conversation , started attempting to refund the $2 but said she needs manager’s assistance.
The manager, Alex, stated the same thing, that I most have pressed yes for the donation round up .
I told him I paid cash , he insisted that I pressed the button for “yes”.
I said you can look at the camera , I paid with cash . If you wanted the money , just ask. He said “yes I will look at the camera”, but just stood there asking my name and phone number . Alex became combative. I felt cornered , just for asking my money back .
He asked for my name and phone number for the $2 refund . I said I haven’t returned anything , and I paid cash, so why do you need my name and number. Then he said we can’t do it otherwise.
Frustrated, I said “take back all the stuff and give me my money back “
He said they can’t do it a return without name and phone number. At that point I forget to give them a fake information and gave my full detail.
They both proceeded to refund me the money.
Now, there is my problem with this whole incident. If you need money, just ask.
I am not new to Goodwill, as I am an avid bidder on Goodwill auctions , spending my money frivolously on random things that I think I like.
So if the cashier had asked me for money instead of jipping me I would have given her money.
She didn’t even remember my method of payment even though the transaction was about less than 30 seconds from my purchase to me confronting her about the two dollar donation charge.
I’m not sure what was going on but Karla looked spacey , however , but she was apologetic. The manager, Alex started having an argument because I called out the charge .
So I want to say keep your eyes open and if you need to call the police do so while you’re in the store, because this is not acceptable. Arguably most people go to Goodwill because they don’t have money and they are buying clothes and items for their household and so sushing them away fast while they don’t have the time to read the receipt is concerning.
Also, it’s not about the two dollars, it’s about the moral value of their action.
It may not seem like a lot of money, but imagine if they are doing this to customers all day every day because perhaps they are not paid enough. I’m not sure.
Anyway, keep your eyes open for Goodwill Redmond for putting a donation that you didn’t approve.