Unhappy Loyal Customer

About a week a go I purchased denims and exchanged it at the waterfront branch Wednesday. After trying it on at home I decided that I no longer wanted it. I then wanted to return and because of a mistake made by the cashier when I exchanged it on Wednesday I cannot get a refund. She put the exchange through as though I had purchased with a gift card and my hands never touched a gift card! I understand the principle behind what is being done but why do I have to suffer at the hands of the cashiers error?! I am extremely unhappy as I was forced to accept a gift card when I had initially purchased with cash! I was told that I would have to go all the way back to waterfront and query with the actual cashier?!