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AIBU?

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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:
SixteenClovesOfGarlic · 30/07/2025 14:01

My answer is always no, so I prefer to be asked, instead of having to bin it myself.

KrisAkabusi · 30/07/2025 13:59

It might not be much per receipt, but add up the millions that are printed every day and it becomes a lot.

I'm in Ireland, we do this too. And maybe the other countries you've been to should be doing it.

DappledThings · 30/07/2025 13:58

I much prefer it to being automatically given it. Plenty of times I've taken my purchase and put the receipt straight back on the counter with a quick "no thank you". Sometimes they call out to offer it after I turned and the cheery "no thank you" is with my back turned as I've already left.

So much better when they ask before printing it.

Bunnybenty · 30/07/2025 13:56

KrisAkabusi · 30/07/2025 13:55

So as to stop paper waste. Most receipts can't be recycled. So if you don't need a receipt don't ask for one and it won't be printed.

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.

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 30/07/2025 13:55

So as to stop paper waste. Most receipts can't be recycled. So if you don't need a receipt don't ask for one and it won't be printed.

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.

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