Change in Service and Attitude at Office Depot

"Some four or five years ago, I purchased a Chair Mat. After three or
four years, it began splitting and coming apart."

Yeah, that's funny about products sometimes. They don't last forever.

Seriously though, how long do you expect a chair mat to last? Frankly,
I'm surprised in the first case that the mat lasted that long.

By the way, the 30-day return policy is not only stated on your
receipt but also in the store. Trust me; I've shopped there before.

The product was clearly inferior the first time. Why did you buy it
again and then try to return it again. Speak with your wallet and
switch brands.

Is it just me or is it absurd to try and return something after FIVE
years? Really? FIVE years???? Even after one year it's really, really,
really pushing it. I would have been surprised if they did agree to
take it back. Computer mats are abused daily by being constantly
rolled over- I wouldn't expect one- even an expensive one, to last
more than a year or so with daily use and I would never expect a store
to take a used item back after a year- receipt or no receipt. If that
were the case we would never have to replace any of out worn out
items. We could buy clothes only once and then just keep returning
them over and over as they wear out. How 'bout cars? When yours gets
old, just take it back to the dealership and exchange for a new one-
no charge. All I can say is, wow.

The policy is on the back of the receipt. All you have to do is turn
it over and read it.

I don't know how much you spent on the office mat, maybe it doesn't
matter. I'm guessing however that maybe you purchased a lower end
model?

I cheeped out and bought one from Walmart a couple of years ago for
$18. I knew I was taking my chances and sure enough, it started
cracking and breaking just a month or two into owning it. It wasn't
because of wear, but because the mat was so brittle and had been
rolled up. Of course I forced it flat by rolling it out and it never
fully adjusted. Lesson learned: I should have spent more to get a
higher quality mat in the first place.

I don't believe anyone should get a refund after a year or more of
use. 6 months seems a bit of a stretch.

Forgive my ignorance, but is this a wear item? With a chair rolling
back and forth over it, it seems like this would naturally be under
stress in use.

If that is the case, unless there is an expressly stated warranty, it
seems unlikely the store would do anything after it has been used for
a year. You mention the first one was used for 5 years, and it would
be really shocking if they agreed to replace that.

Where does one draw the line? It sounds like the manager draws it at
30 days, but I wonder if there is any discretion to allow 60 days, or
maybe longer? the manager may have felt a year was too long and
pointed to the 30 day policy to avoid further discussion.