One day, Jem and Sasha arrived at work on beautiful, brand-new bicycles. They were happily showing off their purchase to us. But imagine our surprise when Sasha announced she wasn't planning to pay a cent for it. She bought this bike at Walmart (a large hypermarket similar to O'Key or Auchan) for $100. But in two weeks, Sasha plans to return to the store and exchange it for a new one. This way, at the end of the summer, she will simply get her money back, effectively riding a new bike for free every two weeks.

(Veronika on Sasha's "free" bike)

In America, you can return literally anything! Didn't like the cereal from the store? They will take it back, refund your money, replace it with new ones, and add a bunch of apologies on top. Products don't have to be spoiled; they might just not be to the consumer's taste—and that is sufficient grounds for returning the item to the store. By the way, this same method works in restaurants too—a dish you don't like will be replaced with another.

(Evaluating the crab - aren't you a bit small?)

(By the way, crabs cooked in special Old Bay seasoning are a hallmark of the state of Maryland)

Even the smallest shop, just like a big company like Walmart, protects its reputation with the client; and returning goods, whether in person or online, doesn't turn into a headache as it often does in Russia, but into a standard, normal, everyday procedure that Americans use so easily. Veronika managed to return some gummy candies to the store that she found tasteless. She even convinced the manager to try them, although he would have made the exchange anyway:

• "You try it yourself! How can anyone eat this?"
• "Yeah... you're right... this is nonsense..." the manager grimaced after biting the head off a gummy bear.

(Store with gummy candies)

(Veronika choosing gummy candies)

(Customer review)