Has anyone had issues exchanging items at the outlet stores?

Today I made the journey to my outlet which I go to once a month. I bought a ton but I also had a couple of candles and a few wallflowers to exchange. I've never exchanged anything at the outlet before (also hesitant with me being an associate) but they told me “this is a clearance store, you can't exchange things you bought here, maybe go try it at your store, you should know better”. They were all unused and I had the receipt even though I know we don't need them. I have exchanged people’s completed empty and 10 years old products at my store so I'm confused. Has this been anyone else's experience exchanging at an outlet?