Jules, I think when some commenters talk of "return and rebuy" they mean they take the item to Nordstrom and tell the SA they want to return it and repurchase it on the spot. I think the idea is that the SA can see that the item hasn't yet been worn, so technically it could be returned and repurchased. It sounds like some SAs will do this and some won't.
I too have had Nordstrom refuse to adjust my price if my size/color isn't still in stock. So this is indeed their policy. It's OK by me. As some others have said, you have to decide whether the item is worth full price to you.
As a side note, I returned a dress today to Anthro (not Nordstrom, but the situation is similar) because I had been on the fence about it. The zipper stuck a bit, and it wasn't as comfy as I had hoped. I couldn't justify keeping it for the price I paid. It was on sale on the website at a price I thought was fair, but I was outside the price adjustment window. I told the SA that I would keep it for the sale price, but she didn't offer to do the return and repurchase. So I had to return it and walk away (my size had long since sold out). So it's a matter of deciding whether the item is worth to you what you paid.
