Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 21/02) - Forget about the hairdresser knowing all. These days it's the local Sears agent.

Jewelry is returned when relationships end. A bed is brought back by a woman with a new boyfriend because it's too squeaky.

The Hay River Sears is just getting over the second hump of the Christmas season.

Of course, it's busiest before the holidays, but then there's the post-season returns hangover.

Customers feeling guilty about returning things feel they have to tell a long story explaining why.

Debbie Zeb-edee has been listening to those since landing her job at Pages in 1996.

"I haven't heard that one before," she says after hanging up the phone. A customer's new bed has a chemical smell.

Over the years, Zebedee and store manager Linda Greer have noticed a distinct returns pattern. It all revolves around bingo.

"We get a lot of returns on bingo day. You can track it. The larger the jackpot, the more returns we'll have," Greer said.

Last year she sold the business, formerly Lida's, to a town bank manager. It's also a film shop, book and video store.

"Some people feel bad while others return everything, and with them it's always someone else's fault," Zebedee said.

A woman walks in with a shoebox, holds up a black rubber-soled affair and announces: "This is a seven and a half, and look how big it is. Could I order this in a seven?"

The next moment, someone strolls in with a cheap, broken camera. "Where can I get this fixed?"

She's told it would be less expensive to buy a new one.

Zebedee said Sears is starting to crack down, wanting to see more receipts

The retail giant has a generous returns policy, but people are pushing it when they want their money back six months later.

Shoes and bras, it turns out, are the most frequently returned items.