Returning an item (Paris)

Has anyone had any experience with returning an item to Auchan or other large stores? I bought a travel iron last week and tried to return it the next day because I need something larger and I believe I was told that it had to be broken to be returned. I don't speak French well, but that is what I think I was told. I took it home to find that it does actually leak so I am going to try again today. I do have the receipt. Do you think they were taking advantage of my lack of French language, or is this true that something does have to be broken in order to make a return?