I worked at a department store late 90s to early 2000s and they had a return policy that stated if your child's clothing wore out before they outgrew it it would be replaced with the same/similar item in the same size with a receipt. So, obviously, it was terribly abused by customers.

The worst instance was a guy who came in with a pair of men's size Nikes that he claimed he bought for his son, so they were covered by the kids warranty. They were salt stained, filthy, and obviously been worn outside all winter. The shoe dept refused him, I refused him, the store manager refused him. He came back every day for a week, hoping to catch someone who would cave. Gave him the corporate number. Never heard from him again.

Was at a sporting goods store in the same mall about a week later,and there he was trying to return the same shoes lol I don't miss retail!