What happens when you return a bag?

Surely if you have an SA that you are that worried about upsetting, you would be better off doing your return through them so that they could maybe give you a better deal on a replacement?
 
Even in stores where they do not work on commission they usually type in an associate number when a purchase is made. When a return occurs, the deduction happens under the same associate number. While in non-commission stores this would not affect the SA's paycheck, they still often have sales goals they are supposed to meet. In most situations an SA could not help but notice the return under their associate number, even if they were not present when the return took place.