You know, I feel your pain!! I've also thought about the same issues. I really don't like the fact that all people are NOT treated equally all the time at every store...and I've done enough "experimenting" as well as observation to confirm this!! I also don't like to return things, I admit. I'm not one to order multiple bags knowing that a couple will definitely be returned, because somehow that doesn't feel honest to me... or rather like I'm taking advantage of the company's return policy. I also know some SAs are nasty about that, whereas some have encouraged me to do it. But the bottom line is that the company has a liberal return policy, and if you have not used the bags and are not satisfied (for whatever reason), you should return them! If you feel uncomfortable, then maybe what you can do is return a few items to one store, and then the others to another location rather than doing it all at once But the bottom line is I would go for the bag you really want!
As for level of service, I also feel that changing as well. I tend to be a very loyal type of person, and like to make certain my one SA gets the credit whenever possible. However, I can also develop a new loyalty when I feel I'm not treated the same. I admit I'm kind of ticked about the coupon thing...perhaps trivial, but the way I figure it is I just purchased $800 worth of stuff between two bags and a heart luggage tag just a few days ago, and she knew the coupon was out at the time (whereas I did not). I do know from reading this forum, that some stores honor the coupon if you ask. I asked, and she keeps telling me nothing is showing up under my name. I figure I will never get the promos anymore because I'm buying too much, and they know I will continue to do so...so it's time to find another store or stop buying at the boutiques and give my business to the nice SAs at my local dept stores!
I admit I'm also the type of person that sometimes changes my mind when I see something else new...or sometimes I don't buy something that's very pricey because I figure I can get more bags for that one bag. I don't always think it's worth the price, but that's the key. If it's worth it to you, then that's what is important! Like you, I also don't have credit card debt, and we pay the cards off completely each month. I want to keep it that way too, so I can fully appreciate where you're coming from on this score as well. If that new bag is important to you, and you want to keep it off your c. cards, then I would definitely return the others. I have been told that it doesn't matter how much you return (a SA in another store just told me this yesterday), but I do have the feeling they look at this. I would simply say that you've changed your mind, and don't want these to sit in your closet unused when someone else can purchase them and love them more than you could. I don't know...this is hard for me too. Let me know what you decide! I'm still sitting on that tattersall satchel that if I returned that, and got the coupon, I wouldn't have to pay a huge amount to get the pleated satchel...or not much at all to get the sunflower Bridgit!
By the way....I have never been loyal to only one handbag company!! I think it's totally fine to diversify your collection. There are many other brands out there that have some lovely bags!! Some years I buy more Coach, and other years I buy another designer. It just depends on what appeals to me and is a good value to me at the time. I've tried to get rid of a lot of bags I know I will never wear and don't really want to keep.