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Original poster

Why wouldn't I want my receipt?

131 replies

Lorrymum · 29/04/2023 12:20

I've recently noticed that every time I buy something Im asked if I want the receipt. I always feel a bit awkward when I say "yes please" and it feels as though Im being a bit of a pain.
Why wouldn't I want it? How would I return something if I don't have one? Is it to save paper or ink?

OP posts:
RedRobyn2021 · 29/04/2023 12:21

I often say no because it will just go straight in the bin, like if I'm buying fuel for eg

It's literally to save the waste of the paper and ink

If you want it I doubt anyone minds

Aylestone · 29/04/2023 12:21

Well yes, obviously because it’s a waste of paper and ink. You don’t need a receipt for absolutely everything, do you? That’s why they ask.

readbooksdrinktea · 29/04/2023 12:22

Yes, of course, it is.

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Lifesyoungdream · 29/04/2023 12:22

I don’t take them unless it’s for an item I might need to return.

Mrsjayy · 29/04/2023 12:23

Well sometimes I don't take it so its not rolling about in my pocket/purse/bag . If its clothes or whatever yes I'll take it.

SleepingStandingUp · 29/04/2023 12:24

Well a Mars bar from Spar vs a £599 dress from Mark's and Spencer

Big difference. I wouldn't take both receipts.

timetochangeagainagain · 29/04/2023 12:24

I only ever take the receipt if it's an expensive item or something I'm not sure about...otherwise it just seems like a waste of paper to me.

elm26 · 29/04/2023 12:25

I only take them for fuel or clothes.

Farmageddon · 29/04/2023 12:26

This annoys me too, if they want to be eco friendly most shops could avoid so much plastic useless packaging on everything instead.

Without a receipt it's really difficult to return things or get a full refund, why are they trying to make that more difficult?

A bit like automated checkouts, it doesn't actually seem to be for the customers benefit.

Floralnomad · 29/04/2023 12:26

I take the receipt in shops in case I go in other shops , get stopped on my way out of the shop etc but I never take it when I’m buying petrol as it would just go straight in the shredder .

Roomba · 29/04/2023 12:28

I always turn down receipts, unless it is for something like clothing or an electrical item that I may need to return if faulty.

They are a waste of paper. But mostly it is because the plasticy coating and the printer toner that is heated and sprayed onto them contains some very nasty carcinogenic and hormone altering chemicals. I don't really want BPA all over my hands tbh.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 29/04/2023 12:30

I've told my DSs that they are to ALWAYS take receipts. They're teenagers and I'm not going to have them accused of shoplifting because they didn't take a receipt.

Mrsjayy · 29/04/2023 12:31

Tbf that's good advice getting Teens to take a receipt.

Hugasauras · 29/04/2023 12:33

I never take it except for clothes or electrical stuff (and tbh I rarely buy those things actually in a shop anyway). If I'm buying a pint of milk and three peppers in Co-op I don't need or want a receipt.

SleepingStandingUp · 29/04/2023 12:33

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 29/04/2023 12:30

I've told my DSs that they are to ALWAYS take receipts. They're teenagers and I'm not going to have them accused of shoplifting because they didn't take a receipt.

Yes think that's a valid point at their age. I also keep it if I self service for this reason and at Aldi where my pushchair sets off the alarm every time

CharlotteStreetW1 · 29/04/2023 12:35

I think this is also fallout from covid and touch-me-not.

Krustykrabpizza · 29/04/2023 12:36

Depends what it is surely, clothes I need to try on, yes, a drink in a pub, no

Shade17 · 29/04/2023 12:37

They are a waste of paper. But mostly it is because the plasticy coating and the printer toner that is heated and sprayed onto them contains some very nasty carcinogenic and hormone altering chemicals. I don't really want BPA all over my hands tbh.

Receipt printers don’t normally use toner though I don’t think?

blahblahblah1654 · 29/04/2023 12:38

I don't always want a receipt for food, petrol etc. clothes and toys and stuff I might return yes.

Growlybear83 · 29/04/2023 12:46

For various reasons, I always have a receipt for everything I buy, whether it's in case I get stopped leaving a shop, want to return something, or need the petrol receipts when I'm doing my accounts.

ApolloandDaphne · 29/04/2023 12:48

I almost never want a receipt unless it is for an expensive purchase or something I may want to return. They are a waste of paper and always go straight in the bin.

ThisSingleMama · 29/04/2023 12:48

I would think it's obvious it's to save paper/ink!!

You are not entitled to return ANYTHING unless it's faulty, in which case you would not always need the actual receipt!

FixMyEyebrows · 29/04/2023 12:49

Now the till will prompt the member of staff to ask because they have the option to not print it if you don't want it.

reluctantbrit · 29/04/2023 12:53

The paper has a coating and can't be recycled so it's additonal waste.

For normal grocery shopping I don't ask for one. I do take it if I buy clothing in case there is an issue and it needs returning. Lots of places won't even return broken items without one as they can't be sure that you haven't just taken it from the shelves and try to return it.

OttersMayHaveShiftedInTransit · 29/04/2023 12:54

If you get stopped on the way out you can say I went through till X or self service point two minutes ago and paid cash/on a bank Z debit card. I did this recently when I realized I had picked up the wrong milk and needed to swap it.