A question about refunds and manner of payment?

ok so i have tried to return things before and when i expected to get cash back they said they would have to put it on my credit card because that's how it was originally paid. well anyway i bought this expensive *** book for one of my classes that turns out "isn't really necessary just helpful" for my class. wish my teacher would have told me that sooner. anyway do u guys know if i return this would they put the money in my account or would i be able to get cash. also don't say everyplace is different cause i am really poor so i try to return most of my Christmas presents every year and i am never able to return the ones paid with credit cards because the money would go to the person who bought it for me. so the policy of returns is pretty much the same every where u go. i mean obviously the policy of what u can return and for how long u have until u cant return it is different but i mean the policy for how u get ur money back is the same everywhere