I agree. Anyone that would run a image retention test for 15 minutes to see if they have image retention has a few screws loose. What real world scenario would one need to do that? Yea, when I use my ipad, I leave it on the same image for 15 minutes and just stare at it. People are nuts.
Clearly you have not used your iPad for anything outside of games and media that constantly moves because ...
I can think of one. Cooking from a recipe on the iPad.
Of this. I use my iPad in the kitchen and have the settings turned off so that it stays on while I get through a recipe.
No. I have never returned anything to Apple. Like a normal person, I research products before buying them. And I call BS that you intended to keep the Air. Sounds like you bought the Air to tide you over until the rMini came out.
I research just about everything I buy and sometimes it just doesn't work out. Not that I am defending anyone who buys knowing what they want isn't out yet (iPad Air to iPad Mini) but sometimes research isn't going to help you if the product isn't right for you. On the other hand, if someone repeatedly returns things because they changed their mind, they deserve to be flagged.
I've returned a bunch of stuff. Looking back, I'm at about 15 items this year, just switching things around. Never heard of this.
I have yet to find an official policy on it but it has happened and will continue to happen. A right to refuse service is being exercised.
In that case, I'd be more concerned with spilling something on it than image retention.
Don't be silly. There are stands that will keep the iPad safer in the kitchen than it is even on someone's lap. In fact, since the iPad 1 I've used it in my kitchen extensively and you want to know how one iPad was damaged? Not in the kitchen.
OP: This store, as I said, has exercised their right to refuse service. While you may not agree that your returns were excessive, they have. I think you should have thought about the purchase more especially since a mini was available prior to. It wasn't the retina one, but the form factor hasn't really changed.