Can you do a return from Department Store @ a Stand Alone?

I just came back from LV store. I was trying to return a card holder bought in Nordstrom LV in Seattle. but I am in NJ. They said they cannot refund and even a credit is not possible as its leased LV in department store and also there are different state taxes involved. Finally the manager stepped in and said, I can pick exact same value. So I exchanged to another canvas. I think its discretion of manager.