What action should be taken when processing a return for a product bought on sale?

When processing a return for a product bought on sale, it is important to refund based on the price at the time of the return. This means if a customer purchased an item during a promotional period or at a discounted rate, the refund should reflect that sale price rather than the original retail price.

This approach ensures fairness to both the customer and the business, as it aligns the refund amount with what the customer actually paid for the item. It also helps to maintain clear policies regarding sales and returns, preventing any confusion and ensuring consistency in how returns are handled for promotional items.

Issuing a gift card or not accepting the return would not be consistent with general retail practices and may lead to customer dissatisfaction, while refunding the full price would undermine the significance of the sale pricing initially offered.