Free returns sucks IMO; I want cheaper prices because I want to buy what I need to begin with. It seems I’m in the minority though.
I kind of felt guilty, because I genuinely wasn't trying to game anything.
For example, I've got zero qualms about buying something I merely might want because it's a on a good sale, and then making the actual decision over the next 30/90 days. And if I've already got a pending return somewhere, then doubling down with more speculative buying is essentially free. Holiday shopping season is basically an extended project season.
Or when items arrive damaged, I'll optimize the presentation of my complaints such that I'm less likely to have to actually return them to get replacements. This saves me the time of doing so and makes up for having to deal with the situation in the first place.