I would be FAR to embarrassed to even try to take it back after all this time.

Have to tell you my sisters story... She had one of those box fans that she had bought at TG&Y (remember those stores) about 10 years prior and it went out after all those years of use and went back to get another one. They were out but expecting some in the next day. She made the remark to the the store clerk that hers had went out and what a good fan it had been and how long it lasted and that is why she wanted another one just like it.. The store manager overheard the conversation and told my sister that if she brought the old one back, they would replace it.... and they DID! 10 years later!