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Original poster

Do you want a receipt

531 replies

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 13:45

I moved to England not that long ago.

In other countries that I lived in, they just gave me a receipt in the shops, everytime that I bought something. The receipt was always handed to me with the purchase.

Why in the UK do they not just give the receipt to you,

instead they always ASK you if you want a receipt.

What annoys me about it, is that it slows the shopping experience down so much.

Many times I have been called back to the till, to be asked if i want a receipt.

Example: I was in a small shop this morning. I only had a certain amount of time, as i was on the way to work. I was walking out of the door, when the woman at the till shouted at me "Wait. Come back! come back!".

I thought maybe my payment hadn't gone through, so I walked all the way back to her.

She said "Do you want a receipt?".

It drives me mad!

OP posts:
QuantumLevelActions · 31/07/2025 06:49

This is hilarious.

MaidOfSteel · 31/07/2025 06:43

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 13:56

It can't be that much paper waste. If loads of other countries give a receipt every time.

It is only the UK that I have experienced this in.

Show quote history

Then maybe all the other countries need to follow our example.

Floof79 · 31/07/2025 06:43

What role do you have in a school, OP?

ChompandaGrazia · 31/07/2025 06:36

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 15:49

Oh go away. Fuck sake. Mumsnet has to be the absolute cesspit of humanity at times.

I'm on another chat forum. People talk about all manner of things. They complain abput shopping, about relationships, about friends.

Normal people on that forum come on and reply like adults

on Mumsnet, which is supposed to be an advice forum for adults, it just attracts the most immature crazy posters that write like ten year olds.

How did it get to be like this here?

Show quote history

Mumsnet has to be the absolute cesspit of humanity at times

yet here you are.

The only person who has been rude and swearing is you.

TrustyRusty68 · 31/07/2025 06:32

Just googled it & found this:
Over 11.2 billion paper receipts are printed in the UK every year and the majority of these are non-recyclable – a real bane to both the retail industry and shoppers alike as both actively strive to be more sustainable. Recent research from Yocuda, the world leaders in digital receipt solutions, has found that 76% of shoppers would choose a digital receipt if they knew how many trees are cut down to generate paper receipts.

Thats a huge amount!!

TrustyRusty68 · 31/07/2025 06:28

Imagine how many receipts are given out a day & thrown in the bin. It’ll be hundreds of thousands. The waste is immense. Just because other countries don’t do it, means nothing. I can’t believe it adds that much to your shopping time!!

Wigtopia · 31/07/2025 06:19

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 13:56

It can't be that much paper waste. If loads of other countries give a receipt every time.

It is only the UK that I have experienced this in.

Show quote history

They always ask in Finland

Mumtobabyhavoc · 31/07/2025 06:09

Ivy888 · 31/07/2025 05:21

I’m guessing you lived in the other European countries a while ago. Asking if you want a receipt is a thing in every European country now. It’s to save paper and to reduce waste. It also has the added benefit of saving money for the seller😉
It is definitely done in Ireland! As well as Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Austria…

Edited

I'm in Vancouver, Canada. Most cafes don't give a receipt unless you ask because no one wants them. 🤷‍♀️
A lot of places don't automatically give them anymore.

UseOfWeapons · 31/07/2025 06:08

I agree, I alway want and expect a receipt.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 31/07/2025 05:41

I do wish they’d ask. They rarely do in some places (local Costa) I get work expenses but need a receipt so I have to ask.

Biscuit12 · 31/07/2025 05:39

Bunnybenty · 31/07/2025 01:49

Rude nasty person.

You wrote "god forbid anything interferes with your ability to spend and consume as fast as possible"

I wrote that i was in a hurry to get out of the shop, to you know, go to my job. I work in a school. We cannot be late.

Show quote history

What job do you have in the school OP just out of interest?

CommissarySushi · 31/07/2025 05:35

You're bonkers, OP 😂

Ivy888 · 31/07/2025 05:21

I’m guessing you lived in the other European countries a while ago. Asking if you want a receipt is a thing in every European country now. It’s to save paper and to reduce waste. It also has the added benefit of saving money for the seller😉
It is definitely done in Ireland! As well as Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Austria…

Mercedes45 · 31/07/2025 04:46

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 14:02

I don't thnk it happens in ireland

Because i visited my friend in Ireland recently.

I went into a tesco in Ireland, I bought items at the till, I was handed a receipt automatically

If i Go into tesco in england, i am asked if i want a receipt .

On that trip in Ireland, I also went into a Centra (small supermarket) and i was handed a receipt with the purchase.

I also went into a clothes store in Ireland and i was handed the receipt with the purchase. They didnt ask me if i wanted it.

Show quote history

I live in Ireland 24/7/365 and always get asked. Its better. Im expecting the question and already know my answer based on the purchase. Everywhere should be doing it

StarlightLady · 31/07/2025 04:40

The difference is in the legislation. In many countries if you are not given a receipt you are not obliged to pay. Under UK law, there is no obligation to give a receipt.

autienotnaughty · 31/07/2025 04:26

For food I say no. Anything that can break/ need returning I get a receipt. I definitely prefer to be asked.

redrose115 · 31/07/2025 03:48

I think you could preempt it by saying, “I don’t need the receipt, thanks.” Easy.

Missanimosity · 31/07/2025 02:28

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 14:11

It is annoying when I am halfway out the door and i get called back, because they forgot to ask me if I wanted a receipt when I was at the till.

This has happened to me three times this week

Edited
Show quote history

I really can not believe you were on your way out 3 times this week and you were asked to come back for the receipt, simply because the receipt question comes right before the transaction is completed, and you can not close the transaction without selecting yes or no. Is hard to believe they stay with the transaction open after you left the till. You say it can not be so much paper, it absolutely can, did you see how many people shop every day in a normal supermarket? Now quantify in your head number of shoppers to number of shops and you will be horrified.not to say that many people litter and discard it wherever they can if the don't need it. I twist it and I say it can not slow you down that much, it takes 3seconds to ask. Why am I doing this at 2:27am?

Mumtobabyhavoc · 31/07/2025 02:13

Aren't there better things to get indignant about?

Original poster
Bunnybenty · 31/07/2025 01:49

ThorsRaven · 31/07/2025 01:15

How is this happening?

If you want a receipt, why do you leave before you get one? If you don't want a receipt, and you're in a hurry, why don't you say "I don't need a receipt, thanks" as you leave?

If you stand and wait while the cashier finishes what they're doing, they'll remember to ask (even if they initially forgot).

TBH it sounds like you are (rudely?) immediately walking away from the till after paying, without waiting for your receipt, and without saying anything. And then you complain that you didn't get a receipt, or that people ask.

If this keeps happening for you, this sounds like a you problem. Because it's never happened to me.

You say you recently moved here. Maybe you're struggling to fit in. Instead of complaining to British people about Britain not being how you want it to be, maybe you could try fitting in.

What annoys me about it, is that it slows the shopping experience down so much.

Oh god forbid anything (such as politeness, manners and social niceties) interferes with your ability to spend and consume as fast as possible.

Show quote history

Rude nasty person.

You wrote "god forbid anything interferes with your ability to spend and consume as fast as possible"

I wrote that i was in a hurry to get out of the shop, to you know, go to my job. I work in a school. We cannot be late.

OP posts:
Samscaff · 31/07/2025 01:21

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 13:56

It can't be that much paper waste. If loads of other countries give a receipt every time.

It is only the UK that I have experienced this in.

Show quote history

That is completely illogical! Why does other countries doing it mean it can’t be a waste?

ThorsRaven · 31/07/2025 01:15

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 14:11

It is annoying when I am halfway out the door and i get called back, because they forgot to ask me if I wanted a receipt when I was at the till.

This has happened to me three times this week

Edited
Show quote history

How is this happening?

If you want a receipt, why do you leave before you get one? If you don't want a receipt, and you're in a hurry, why don't you say "I don't need a receipt, thanks" as you leave?

If you stand and wait while the cashier finishes what they're doing, they'll remember to ask (even if they initially forgot).

TBH it sounds like you are (rudely?) immediately walking away from the till after paying, without waiting for your receipt, and without saying anything. And then you complain that you didn't get a receipt, or that people ask.

If this keeps happening for you, this sounds like a you problem. Because it's never happened to me.

You say you recently moved here. Maybe you're struggling to fit in. Instead of complaining to British people about Britain not being how you want it to be, maybe you could try fitting in.

What annoys me about it, is that it slows the shopping experience down so much.

Oh god forbid anything (such as politeness, manners and social niceties) interferes with your ability to spend and consume as fast as possible.

Topsyturvy78 · 31/07/2025 00:39

General day to day shopping most don't want a receipt so why bother with 1. The only time I get a receipt is if I have bought clothes. My ds lives in sheltered housing I have to keep all his receipts when he's out with us. I always ask but staff sometimes forget so then I have to replace it out of my own pocket. Really annoying I would rather they double check than just not bother.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 31/07/2025 00:10

I am always asked before the receipt is printed. For clothing etc I'll take one, not for a sandwich meal deal.
I think it is a good idea.

NewbieYou · 31/07/2025 00:08

Because I don’t want a receipt so why waste the paper. It’s a lot of paper worldwide. More deforestation for something most people don’t use.