A Baltimore woman’s frustration over trying to return a car part at Advance Auto Parts has sparked conversation about cash return policies and customer service practices. Her 39-second TikTok documenting the encounter has resonated with viewers who’ve faced similar situations at auto parts stores nationwide.
BeautifulSoul (@beautiiiful.soul) posted the video on No. 27, which has since garnered over 224,000 views. The clip shows her standing at what appears to be an Advance Auto Parts counter, with a receipt and card terminal visible, as she explains her predicament.
"Welcome to a world where you can’t pay in cash because if you pay in cash, you won’t get your money back," BeautifulSoul says in the video. "You’ll have to get it back on a card and you’re gonna have to wait those three to five days up to two weeks to get your money back."
According to her video caption, BeautifulSoul had paid $150 in cash for a Cadillac part but later realized she didn’t need it or needed a different part—a common occurrence in auto repairs. When she attempted to return the item, she says the store refused to provide a cash refund.
"You can pay in cash and you can’t get your cash back. Like that’s crazy to me," she continues. "Yeah, with Advance Auto Parts, by the way, so you might not want to use it. Advance Auto Parts. I suggest you all not go there."
The text overlay on her video reads: "Welcome to a world where you can no longer use cash and get cash back."
Industry Standards and Store Policies
BeautifulSoul’s experience highlights an irritating tension between traditional cash transactions and modern retail policies. While standard retail practice typically involves refunding customers to their original payment method, no federal law requires businesses to refund cash purchases in cash. Retailers are generally free to set their own return policies as long as they clearly post them.
Several states and cities have enacted laws requiring businesses to accept cash payments to address concerns that cashless policies discriminate against unbanked populations. However, at the federal level, there is no statute requiring private companies to accept currency or coins as payment for goods or services, and this extends to return policies as well.
Auto parts purchases present a particular challenge because customers often buy parts based on symptoms or educated guesses, only to discover they need different components after further troubleshooting or installation attempts. This trial-and-error approach makes flexible return policies especially important for automotive customers.
Viewers Weigh In on Cash Return Rights
The comment section erupted in debate, featuring input from current and former retail employees, managers, and frustrated customers sharing similar experiences.
"If you paid cash they are supposed to pay you back the same way. I was a manager for a parts store. Don’t let them lie to you," wrote user ISTILLownaVCR.
Lex supported this, "As someone who has been in multiple management positions you’re loud and wrong, cash paid cash back, paid card returned to the same card."
DBZMEL provided additional context: "Still not at all, the return is the same way no matter the day and they keep extra money in the safe for occasions like this they just don’t like doing that because it’s a lot of extra work."
Some defended the store. One challenged the legal requirement for cash returns, writing, "Private property. Cite the exact statute that legally mandates being paid in cash back…"
Multiple users claiming to be current or former Advance Auto Parts employees weighed in with conflicting information.
Mike Jones wrote, "They were supposed to give you your money back in cash. I worked there last year."
EzYMarK-ArT provided a different perspective: "u have a water pump which is a No refundable item. u lucky u got money back even on ur card. (u should have gotten in store credit on an Advance Auto Parts card) ppl want to record but don’t know how to look up information on the Internet about the company or the policies of that company."
This comment raises questions about whether BeautifulSoul’s specific part was subject to special return restrictions, though her video doesn’t specify what type of Cadillac component she purchased.
Several commenters referenced company policies, with RetiredGenX stating, "Their policy clearly states they need to refund cash for cash so what are you even talking about. Google is free."
Publicly available information about Advance Auto Parts’ return policy indicates the company typically processes refunds to the original payment method. However, specific details about cash refunds are not clearly documented on their official website.
What Customers Should Know
While no federal laws dictate refund methods, many states require retailers to post their return policies conspicuously and to honor the policy they promise customers at the time of sale. Some states have specific disclosure requirements—for example, California requires retailers with limited refund policies to display them clearly, or else customers can return items within 30 days for a full refund.
Standard retail practice across major retailers typically involves issuing refunds in the same form as the original payment, with Best Buy explicitly stating that "the method of refund will be in the same method the payment was originally made, in most cases." However, they make exceptions for large cash purchases over $800.
For auto parts purchases specifically, customers should inquire about return policies before completing transactions, especially for expensive components or items that might not be the correct fit. Many parts stores offer core exchange programs or special-order services to help ensure customers get the right parts the first time.
BeautifulSoul’s advice to viewers was clear: "If you go to Advance Auto Parts and you pay for something, you won’t be able to get your cash back. Even though you paid in cash, you won’t be able to get it back. You have to put it on the card and wait three or five days. So I’m telling you you don’t want to do that."
Motor1 reached out to BeautifulSoul via TikTok comment for additional details about her experience. We also contacted Advance Auto Parts via email regarding their cash return policies. We’ll update this if they respond.
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