There's lots of variation from one locale to another in the US, and lots of retail sales places have restrictive "return" policies. A lot of software sellers say no refund, but allow exchange for a "like piece of software."

A few US places, usually in state laws, have "merchantability at point of sale" clauses, that say in effect the the one who sells it has to take it back and give you a refund if it's "unmerchantable." This is sort of vague, but something that doesn't work as reasonably expected would usually qualify. An unusual or unexpected restriction on use would probably qualify for a refund under most such statutes.

The problem with these laws is that none of the sellers seem to know they exist.

I've been known to carry a printed copy of the local statute in with me when I took something for return. Even when they see it in print, they may refuse to believe it, but it's usually enough to get a refund since they "don't want a dissatisfied customer who yells a lot in front of other customers."

John