Refunding PayPal payments + Using Store Credit

[Alinax]

Recently I posted about missing the original order summary and return form for a 3-week old unopened and unused online order that I wanted to return. I was advised by a moderator on here to take the purchase to store since my 30-day deadline was relatively close, and so I did.

I really wish I hadn't listened to them and had instead re-read the return policy more carefully and returned it by mail because once I went to the store, the cashier said she wasn't able to refund my payment directly to the card I'd used and would instead have to issue me store credit. I'm pretty positive that I've had prior PayPal-funded purchases I've tried to return at Sephora which were refunded to the card I presented, but this time around I ended up accepting store credit.

Now, as it turns out, store credit can't be used online as per the instructions on the back, something that absolutely wasn't made clear to me by the cashier who processed the refund even though I think it's worth mentioning for someone returning an online purchase, and it's apparently only good for merchandise purchases? 😕

Does that mean that I can't possibly go to a Sephora store and use my store credit to purchase a gift card or something that's actually redeemable online? I've been getting conflicting answers for this answer with some people saying yes and others saying no. It just seems objectively stupid to me that my online purchase is refunded to me using a method that can't actually be used online.

Is there any particular reason for such a policy, because I've never encountered such a thing in any other stores that have processed my PayPal refunds. The balance isn't anything big but this whole situation has left me with a sour taste in my mouth. The store credit card also says that photo ID might be required for some reason? So if I want to just give the card away to a friend or my sister since I personally refuse to make the trek to shop at a Sephora after this, there's a possibility they might not be able to use it at all??

[keelybt]

Hi @Alinax I'm so sorry for the confusion with your return. At this time, our stores are unable to process refunds back to PayPal. I recommend reaching out to the store directly for specifics on how you can redeem your store credit.