Apple has much less consumer friendly return policies in many non-US markets. Take Hong Kong for example: "All products purchased at Apple Store in Hong Kong cannot be returned or exchanged. Exceptions for exchange will be allowed for defective products only." https://www.apple.com/hk/shop/help/exchange_return
I'd have a hard time arguing that the AirPods are defective because the non-bundled mat on the box didn't ship.
This is...exactly the same as nearly every other retailer in HK. Off the top of my head - of places I’ve bought from recently - only Ikea allows random returns in HK. Everyone else is the same as Apple.
Unlimited returns for any reason at every store is quite an American thing.
I actually think it's a good policy that while emotionally one may be hesitant to offer, but in reality it generates more profit for the retailer so long as they're not doing anything shady or anti-consumer in the first place.
Or unless you’re in a business that has disproportionate number of asshole customers. Sony probably couldn’t afford to offer unconditional returns in the PlayStation store...
