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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get asked for a receipt for a Xmas present ?

26 replies

Jayne266 · 25/12/2012 14:31

I don't really know what I feel about this my dad asked my mum if she had the receipt for a item he didn't like, then my brother said the same for a item he already had. (apple doesn't fall far from the tree)
I always keep receipts for electrical items Incase they are faulty but not really for other presents. Should I be keeping receipts do other people ask for a receipt for items to be returned?
Please share have you/ do you do this? And how do you feel if someone asks you?

OP posts:

JingleJohnsJulie · 25/12/2012 14:33

Usually I give gift receipts to save any embarrassment on either side.

HECTheHallsWithRowsAndFolly · 25/12/2012 14:38

god no. I would NEVER do this. It's just so rude. I'd rather have a hundred items I couldn't use than be so rude as to throw a gift back in someone's face. I couldn't do that to someone. Imagine how hurt they'd be?

No. Nobody's ever done it to me.

Possibly everyone knows my very strong views on the subject

foreverondiet · 25/12/2012 14:42

I always enclose receipts in an envelope along with gift. Would much rather the person changed it for something they liked / would use than they ended up a gift they didn't want / like. Can't bear the waste of money of a gift that's no use.

eg my mother in law bought me a copy of "The Life of Pi" - (i already have a copy) - I asked for the receipt because otherwise I'd have to regift to someone else who might have, this way I could choose a different book that I actually want.

Not really sure why you are uncomfortable?

foreverondiet · 25/12/2012 14:47

Very polite HEC but that's why I enclose the receipt - I can't bear the wastage of an unwanted item.

Would only ask close family members for receipt, though, and only if it was something I really couldn't use (like a book I already had).

SIL bought me v expensive candle as a present for last birthday which I had no use for (don't do candles, don't see point) so gave to my sister who likes candles, didn't ask for receipt as I knew she put a lot of thought into it (she told me she'd spend hours deciding).

Original poster

Jayne266 · 25/12/2012 14:51

Lol not sure why it makes me uncomfy I thinks it's because this year am on SMP and don't have much money to buy expensive things so am guessing I don't want them to know how much I spent. Am just being silly.

OP posts:

holidaysarenice · 25/12/2012 14:58

I think its okay if you have it, eg bought a dvd box set, saying something like 'you know me too well, I love X but I'm really sorry dp also bought it, would you mind if I exchanged for ....different series?'

Just asking for the reciept cos ur arrogant/want the money/didnt want a gift is wrong.

MrsDimples · 25/12/2012 15:08

I'm of the opinion, if someone has spent their hard earned cash on something, there is no point in it not being used.

I am a major changer of presents, preferable to have the gift receipt, but you can normally change it somewhere.

If it's someone close, parent, partner I have no qualms asking for the receipt.

I always give a gift receipt with my presents.

Wouldn't you rather the recipient have something THEY wanted / need

HECTheHallsWithRowsAndFolly · 25/12/2012 15:21

Yes. Which is why I make sure I know that they will like it!

eg. the cologne my husband loves.
the perfume my sister has been enthusing about all year
the whisky fudge for my brother in law who loves both whiskey and fudge
the dove for my auntie after nebbing in her bathroom to see what she uses
the hot choc for my grandma after finding out what she likes to drink
the owl necklace for my niece who loves owls and sheff weds (mascot - owl)
etc etc

I play it safe

talkingnonsense · 25/12/2012 15:38

I put the receipt in- after all if your brother already has it you clearly chose well, and I assume he can't use two! As long as he asked nicely, I'd be glad he felt ok to tell you.

Narnia34 · 25/12/2012 15:47

I would rather someone love something they chose, than put up with something I chose. I know what people's likes and dislikes are, but, if I have bought a duplicate of something they already have, or they would prefer something else, then I'm fine with it. I've just chucked receipts for all the non-electricals as everyone seems happy, but I wouldn't have been offended had son told me he would have preferred x guitar strings instead of the ones I bought, and could he have the receipt.

Not u, just over-sensitive

Bunbaker · 25/12/2012 15:53

"Just asking for the receipt cos you are arrogant/want the money/didn't want a gift is wrong."

So what do I do with the two Monsoon tops that SIL bought for DD and that she loathes and just won't wear? Shall I give them to charity an DD not have a present from her auntie?

I'm afraid YABU.

Without a gift receipt I could change the Monsoon tops, but at the after Christmas sales price and maybe only getting one top in exchange, or give them to charity. A gift receipt would make it easier to exchange the clothes.

We have this every year when SIL buys clothes for DD, and each time I have asked SIL to enclose gift receipts, but she doesn't. As Christmas and DD's birthday fall just before the sales we need the receipts to be able to exchange the clothes at the price paid for them rather than the value they are in the sales.

Unless you are absolutely certain that the gifts are exactly what the recipient wants it is far better to let them have gift receipts as well.

zlist · 25/12/2012 16:05

Generally speaking I put the receipt in with gifts, in a sealed envelope. I would never ask for a receipt. I try very hard to avoid the whole gift exchange though...

susanann · 25/12/2012 17:01

If its close family and you put it diplomatically I dont see a problem tbh. I often say when giving a gift "Ive got the receipt if you really dont like it/it doesnt fit etc" covers it then. No point in something sitting there being unused/wasted.

lurkerspeaks · 25/12/2012 17:12

I hate waste (must be my canny/ tight Scottish genes). I don't like getting presents that I won't use and I don't like giving stuff knowing that it won't be used.

My family joke that they have pre-donated my gifts to the charity shop as coming from a long line of hoarders I don't like allowing stuff I won't use to fester. Therefore everyone who knows me well either gives me consumables (wine/ chocolate/ gin/posh shower gel) or gives me items with a gift receipt. I am a master at exchanging items without a receipt but you do lose out financially eg. I just bought my Gran a radley bag. I paid full price but it is now in John Lewis sale if she decides to return it (which she might as it isn't the most obvious choice for a 95 year old, but I think she might like it) I want her to get the full price not the sale price in credit. Therefore I always include the gift receipt (they don't have prices on) with the presents I give (virtually every shop I used this year - M&S, Gap, John Lewis do a gift receipt option) either in a sealed envelope or increasingly stuck to the label so they don't get lost.

MrsApplepants · 25/12/2012 17:17

I always enclose the receipts. That way, it shows ive made the effort to choose something and they can still take it back if they don't like it/ doesn't fit.

kim147 · 25/12/2012 17:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HaveYourselfAMardyLittleXmas · 25/12/2012 17:47

I want to be in Hecate's family and get one of her thoughtful gifts.

(garlic chocolate anyone?)

Narked · 25/12/2012 17:51

It's really rude to ask for the receipt. The people that don't mind already include them.

whois · 25/12/2012 17:51

It's thoughtful and considerate to enclose the gift receipt.

My aunt got me a gift but I already have exactly the same thing, such a good gift for me that my brother got it for me last year! No drama's she's kept the gift recept and I can go and choose something else. Surely that's preferable to just regifting or not using what is actually a super super gift?

crashdoll · 25/12/2012 18:01

I think it's really bloody rude and I'm suprised people think it's ok. I add receipts for clothes because I'm not great with sizes but otherwise, it wouldn't have crossed my mind.

BackforGood · 25/12/2012 18:06

See, this is why I ask for a wish list in the first place, then you know you are getting them what they want.

Bunbaker · 25/12/2012 18:06

"I think it's really bloody rude and I'm surprised people think it's ok."

It depends on who it is. With close family (who live miles away and only see DD every few months and therefore have no idea about clothes sizes) it is acceptable. Currently we have a couple of tops under the tree that DD won't wear, so SIL will have wasted her money unless I can swap them over.

crashdoll · 25/12/2012 18:09

I think clothes are a different matter. With other gifts, I don't think it's acceptable.

ItsIgginningToLookALotLikeXmas · 25/12/2012 19:04

I couldn't give anyone the receipt because I don't keep them. And did all shopping online. And often used vouchers/discount codes to get them.

Bunbaker · 25/12/2012 21:59

Have spoken to SIL about DD's clothes and she is happy to send me the receipt.

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