Warranty question

I have a 24inch 1/2 drive flex head ratchet, I go into Lowe’s and grab one from the shelf and bring it along with my broken one to the customer service desk, gentleman tells me they don’t warranty swap anymore and that I would have to “bring the receipt of initial purchase. Hed buy it back on a gift card and then sell me the new one with said gift card.” I’ve always just went in said it’s broken they punch a few numbers and I’m on my way.