it shouldn't be an issue of "finding somewhere else to work" the company should be accomodating to both customer and employee. I mean it is US selling the stuff not any of the brothers running Nordstrom. Unless you have personally experienced this one can't fully understand.
like i said before their return policy is abused. i'm not sure why someone would keep something for so long and then want to return it. They would complain if they purchased something that someone did the exact same thing with and its not "brand new". Folks dont want your stuff that sat in the closet for months. Common courtesy, atleast return in a reasonable amount of time. i dont even work there anymore but i know how it feels. ok i'm done.
ETA: and regarding the SA and commission statement. Their system is designed to require a employee number. regardless if they helped you or not. a number HAS to be entered to complete the transaction. so if months down the line you return and that person still works there. they paycheck will be hit.
Off topic, and I don't disagree with you, but doesn't that mean the cashiers get a huge amount of commission simply for ringing you up? I VERY RARELY use an SA to find anything for me, and usually just bring my own item up to the cashier.... is that who is getting my commission? Even though he/she did not do anything to help me besides ring me out?