Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 17:07

FourIsNewSix · 30/07/2025 16:38

Right i haven't lived in France. But I have lived in two other European countries, where they just gave me the receipt.

This is exactly what you've written. How immature of me to assume you've meant by that that you've lived in 2-3 EU countries.

As for myself, I've lived in enough countries to know that the law and practice about receipts differs.

I generally don't join the big kicking, but you've made it really hard to resist...
Coming to the UK forum to complain about UK habits.
Skimming instead of reading and than kicking around that the PP accused you of thieving was a brilliant move.
Using absurd analogies (printed book has some value, automatically printed receipt no-one will ever read not so much)

Show quote history

Omg.

How to even explain something to you.

OP posts:
GonnaeNoDaeThatJustGonnaeNo · 30/07/2025 17:05

how much of a hurry are you in that you get wound up because they ask a question?

AutumnFoxe · 30/07/2025 17:03

I work in retail and always ask now because about 50% of the time i hand out a receipt the customer hands it back to me and tells me to bin it, so why would i bother printing it out if its going to be given back to me?

Sillysaussicon · 30/07/2025 17:01

The printing ink is also carcinogenic. Lots of people don't like to handle it. Many till operators wear gloves for health and safety reasons. I surprised no one had said this yet.

phoenixrosehere · 30/07/2025 16:54

I don’t really see the issue here.

If you don’t want one, say no receipt needed before they ask.

Not everyone wants a receipt or requires one so they ask and it stops them having to print out a receipt unnecessarily.

I take a receipt if I’m going to other shops jic (have been accused of shoplifting once in another country for having a bag of food underneath my stroller, that I bought from the same shop yesterday and kept my receipt for with the same cashier) or if I may need to return an item.

The only places that I know that don’t ask about receipts are the self-service with gates that print out receipts so you can use it to go through the gate to leave.

Chonk · 30/07/2025 16:52

HoskinsChoice · 30/07/2025 14:43

I really, really hope you're not a teacher. What an appalling attitude you have.

Show quote history

I'm getting pupil vibes, not teacher. Year 8 possibly!

PandoraSocks · 30/07/2025 16:49

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

Ooh, which forum please? I like the sound of it.

Icanttakethisanymore · 30/07/2025 16:38

I rarely want a receipt so I prefer to be asked so I can say no. I've also never been allowed to walk away from the till before being asked, so it's never held me up at all.

FourIsNewSix · 30/07/2025 16:38

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 14:57

Lol you are so immature. Maybe ask before asusming, you know like an adult would so.

No I have lived in way more countries than 2-3 EU countries. I used them as an example.

Have you ever lived in another country?

Edited
Show quote history

Right i haven't lived in France. But I have lived in two other European countries, where they just gave me the receipt.

This is exactly what you've written. How immature of me to assume you've meant by that that you've lived in 2-3 EU countries.

As for myself, I've lived in enough countries to know that the law and practice about receipts differs.

I generally don't join the big kicking, but you've made it really hard to resist...
Coming to the UK forum to complain about UK habits.
Skimming instead of reading and than kicking around that the PP accused you of thieving was a brilliant move.
Using absurd analogies (printed book has some value, automatically printed receipt no-one will ever read not so much)

itsgettingweird · 30/07/2025 16:36

Just say no.

I don’t get one for simple groceries.

And I say I don’t have an email address if asked and ask for a paper one for items I may need to return.

Takes 3 seconds and helps do my bit for the planet 🤷‍♀️

SandyLanes · 30/07/2025 16:35

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 14:27

Jesus you're so serious! Get over yourself.

I am embarassed fot you that you think that i was only in Ireland one time. I didn't write that I've only been to ireland ONCE. Did I?

I wrote that I have been to Ireland recently. Thst was just the most recent time that I went.

That poster is not the only person who has ever lived in Ireland. A lot of us move countries for work.

I lived in Ireland all of last year, and I was never asked did I want a receipt at that time.

Now living in the UK, i go back and visit friends in ireland every month.
I have never once been asked this year in Ireland, if I want a receipt.

Edited
Show quote history

Chill out Op.

grumpygrape · 30/07/2025 16:33

Quite an interesting topic if one can wade through the usual detritus.
I'm afraid I'm very environmentally unfriendly because I want a receipt every time thanks. If I paid cash, I want proof of payment and if I paid by card I still want that proof of payment but more importantly I want to be able to reconcile my credit card or other account statements.

JohnTheRevelator · 30/07/2025 16:32

60andcounting · 30/07/2025 13:48

I think because it saves paper if you don't want one. I can't stand the " can I have your email address" I say no now.

I was just going to say the same thing. As for the ones who ask for your email address so they can send it to you,they can just piss off. Just a ploy to to start bombarding you with emails. Or selling it on to third parties.

BeardofHagrid · 30/07/2025 16:32

All part of “the New Normal”.

Chonk · 30/07/2025 16:30

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

You should stop walking off before the transaction has finished then. It's not difficult.

HappilyUrbanTrimmer · 30/07/2025 16:26

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

In the Netherlands all the shops I went in had "do you want a receipt" on the self-service tills, and I was asked if I wanted a receipt if using a human checkout, and the shops that have barriers that require a receipt for exit (to deter shoplifters) have a "short receipt" option that just prints out 15mm of receipt paper with a bar code to scan ratter than a full receipt, so it's definitely not just UK.

TheOGBethDuttton · 30/07/2025 16:16

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!

I also recently moved back to UK and was surprised too, but why not simply tell them if you'd like a receipt or not. Problem solved, you're not slowed down and therefore no reason to get wound up. Simples!

johnd2 · 30/07/2025 16:14

When I was a kid it was whether you wanted the receipt handed separately or put in the (heavyweight) plastic bag that they gave you automatically (even for one item). Not to mention that tubs for butter and ice cream were stronger than purpose made actual lunch boxes that you buy nowadays.

Now it's do you want a receipt and a bag will be 30p!

But if we're rapidly trashing our planets resources, better do it on wine and flowers than receipts and plastic bags...

Pluvia · 30/07/2025 16:12

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

Well, why not go and live somewhere where they automatically give you receipts and be happier, then?

CoastalCalm · 30/07/2025 16:06

I just say I don’t need a receipt when paying - simple

familylawyer01392 · 30/07/2025 16:04

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 15:31

I meant in comparison to other things.

Obviously.

Receipts are not causing more paperwaste than all of the printed books out there.

Show quote history

Yes but books are actually useful whereas a lot of people do not need receipts!

and before you ask me whether i only read books electronically, yes i only use my kindle.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 30/07/2025 16:03

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 16:03

You have been. As everyone can see.

Show quote history

OK.

Original poster
Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 16:03

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 30/07/2025 16:01

I haven't been caught out lying at all, as others on the thread will be able to see. I just don't want to engage in a debate with you for the reasons that I've already given.

Show quote history

You have been. As everyone can see.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 30/07/2025 16:02

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 16:01

Haha. So funny.

I predicted it.

Look back at my earlier post where i wrote about how we can easily predict what bullies om here will write.

On my list was:

"A bully will come on and write that the OP is unwell"

You wrote exactly that.

Thank you for proving my point so perfectly.

It's hilarious

Edited
Show quote history

OK.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 30/07/2025 16:01

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 15:58

That' what people say when they have be3n caught out at lying. You have no defence left.

Ok bye.

Show quote history

I haven't been caught out lying at all, as others on the thread will be able to see. I just don't want to engage in a debate with you for the reasons that I've already given.

Swipe left for the next trending thread