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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think I shouldn't have to give an email address to get a receipt?

158 replies

BabyYodasGotMyTeacher · 21/04/2025 19:46

My DD(11) was buying something in New Look today and was asked for her email address for the receipt. I said no as I don't think it's appropriate for her to be giving out her email address, but was told that they had "gone paperless" so that was the only option.

She hadn't actually tried on the item so we definitely wanted a receipt in case it needed to go back - so I got very cross at being forced to hand over my email.

I am completely in favour of cutting down on receipts and having the option to choose paper/email/none but AIBU to think one shouldn't be forced to hand over email addresses just to get a proof of an in person purchase?

OP posts:
Brefugee · 23/04/2025 20:54

Phew. I don't have to go in Claire's any more. That's a bit of a relief!

purpleme12 · 23/04/2025 20:57

Claire's have never offered a receipt by email to me

BlueMum16 · 23/04/2025 20:59

BabyYodasGotMyTeacher · 21/04/2025 20:25

That's my normal approach but today I got told they'd gone paperless and couldn't give out a paper one.

Show quote history

I would have asked what their solution was as I needed proof of purchase and didn't have an email.

It's for the to find a solution not you to give an email.

itsgettingweird · 23/04/2025 21:02

I’d say “DD is a minor and it’s not acceptable to ask her for personal details. You can provide a receipt so please do or provide a refund immediately for the item you’ve just rang through”.

The paper will always suddenly appear!

I like the stores that ask if you want a receipt (also and b and m here) and I always decline because it’s not stuff I intend to or may want to return)

stayathomegardener · 23/04/2025 21:08

I am always terribly apologetic and say work won’t let me use my email for personal matters despite being self employed with two perfectly good email options.

I just can’t be bothered unsubscribing afterwards.

Always given a paper copy.

BearyNiceEars · 23/04/2025 21:11

GammonAndEgg · 21/04/2025 23:14

This is from New Looks own website!

They say you can have a paper receipt if you prefer

This all the way! I refuse e-receipts in store but if I do ever have to get something from NL, I’m directing the cashier to read their own privacy policy, I might even load the web page up on my phone if they need their memory jogged 🤣

squeaver · 23/04/2025 21:22

I had to buy an emergency umbrella in Accessorize today. Ahead of me, a poor woman was badgered into joining their rewards programme (she didn't), then for her email address for a receipt, then to rate their service from 1 to 10.

When it was my turn, I just said, "please don't ask and I don't need a receipt".

I feel so sorry for the shop staff. It's not retail any more, it's just data-mining.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 23/04/2025 21:34

Claire's have never offered a receipt by email to me. They ask if you want to give your address and subscribe for 10% off next purchase, or something similar.
If they don't gather enough email addresses monthly, they miss kpi target.

purpleme12 · 23/04/2025 21:38

EmeraldShamrock000 · 23/04/2025 21:34

Claire's have never offered a receipt by email to me. They ask if you want to give your address and subscribe for 10% off next purchase, or something similar.
If they don't gather enough email addresses monthly, they miss kpi target.

Oh yes I'm sure they do
Sorry thought you meant for email receipt
Personally I think Claire's is the best reward points system out there. I'm often getting a free £5 to spend there and I don't really spend loads to get it. There's nowhere else I get that much rewards back so it's well worth it

AliBaliBee1234 · 23/04/2025 21:41

Never mind the giving out your email in front of a que of people. Never liked that part either

AnSolas · 23/04/2025 22:07

Gettingbysomehow · 23/04/2025 08:15

They want to bombard your DD with emails about their products. I won't buy online from any shop that wants my date of birth either. It's none of their business.

1/1/ 2000
Legal adult and easy to remember and if you are buying "granny stuff" or "trendy teen" for your digital self.

If enough people use the same data point it kills the big data analysis which geo-social pigon holes the customer

HollyIvie · 23/04/2025 22:22

I hate this. Make sure you complain to their head office - the more people that do the less they will insist on this stupid practice. Why should an individual shout out their email address - how about confidentiality!!. I complained to their main customer email and they said the customer should have the choice!!! I say this every time a shop assistant tries to get me to have an emailed receipt. River island are also awful for this!!!

Badbadbunny · 24/04/2025 08:04

EmeraldShamrock000 · 23/04/2025 20:14

Unfortunately for retail staff, who ask if you'd like an email receipt, are impacted on their commission as gathering email address is marked in their KPI report.
My niece works for clres accessories and email addresses are part of the target.

Edited

That’s no excuse for the sighing, eye rolling and general attitude when you ask for paper instead! They’ve asked which is what they have to do. After that they should respect customers wishes!

EmeraldShamrock000 · 24/04/2025 09:07

@purpleme12 They do very good deals and keep the children busy with the 3 for 3 offer.

Plumedenom · 25/04/2025 13:28

Octopusespunchforfun · 23/04/2025 08:12

It’s not though it’s the principal. They pretend they’ve gone paperless for environmental reasons when in fact it’s so they can get your email address and sell your data. It’s the pretending they can’t give you a paper one so you’re forced to surrender your data that annoys me. It’s so dishonest. Why not just say do you want a paper or virtual receipt?

Show quote history

The law should be clear. They should be made to offer both options and the question should be asked in those terms too. And people should know they have this right. In the US, they have the right to a paper receipt, in Italy, all retailers are obliged to give a paper receipt. Seems like the UK is lagging behind on this basic consumer right.

MaltipooMama · 25/04/2025 13:33

I also hate this and tend to say I’ll have a paper receipt, so far it’s not been declined. I have a very complicated name/email address so when I have given it in the past I’ve had to repeat it two or three times, I’m also not keen on a queue full of people knowing my email address (obviously not that they’d care!) but I don’t know, kind of feels like giving your phone number out!

SweetnsourNZ · 31/07/2025 12:40

If you were with daughter could you not just give them your email address?

Michele09 · 31/07/2025 12:51

Same in Mountain Warehouse.

AnSolas · 31/07/2025 13:05

SweetnsourNZ · 31/07/2025 12:40

If you were with daughter could you not just give them your email address?

Why?
its excessive data collection if the business is collecting one off data points and storing it in a data center.

PerfectTuesday · 31/07/2025 13:07

I just say pleasantly "I'd prefer a paper receipt please" and I have never been challenged on that, they just print one off.

SweetnsourNZ · 31/07/2025 13:20

AnSolas · 31/07/2025 13:05

Why?
its excessive data collection if the business is collecting one off data points and storing it in a data center.

Show quote history

I thought you were just objecting to this as she was only 11. If it's the whole concept then just refuse altogether. They can still keep their own record of the sale for accounting purposes surely. If you need to return product maybe difficult though especially if you paid cash.

anothernamechangeoccurs · 31/07/2025 13:23

ExtraOnions · 21/04/2025 19:58

Set up an email specifically for receipts… then you have them handily stored in one place.

That’s a great idea

AnSolas · 31/07/2025 16:17

SweetnsourNZ · 31/07/2025 13:20

I thought you were just objecting to this as she was only 11. If it's the whole concept then just refuse altogether. They can still keep their own record of the sale for accounting purposes surely. If you need to return product maybe difficult though especially if you paid cash.

Show quote history

Why difficult?
its a contract that both parties need to be free to enter into.

No business needs an email address of the customer to keep their records. Once they have till data they have a record of the sale.

You could give them the data get your email and then demand that your data be removed from the system. If the only reason to collect and process was to deliver a proof of purchase then they have no reason to keep the data anymore. The staff at the till will not have the access nor authority to do that.
So the data policy has to be complex.

The OP could put in a data request for the shops till video (or for the whole shop) which is an expensive thing but the OPs right.

If the company offer a change of mind return it benefits them to establish when they sold the goods by having a proof of purchase but it has to be fair and open to everyone.

Its age and disability and faith discrimination to insist only selling goods to someone who can use tec.

At rhe moment its cheaper for the shop to run a paper backup or get staff to hand write proof than risk a court challange.

TheBookShelf · 31/07/2025 17:26

New Look's website clearly states that they DO still provide paper receipts on request. It's in their digital privacy notice (direct link won't post as it's long, but google 'new look paper receipt'.)
Might be useful to have the privacy notice ready on one's phone to show in store to assistants who claim otherwise.

purpleme12 · 31/07/2025 17:34

TheBookShelf · 31/07/2025 17:26

New Look's website clearly states that they DO still provide paper receipts on request. It's in their digital privacy notice (direct link won't post as it's long, but google 'new look paper receipt'.)
Might be useful to have the privacy notice ready on one's phone to show in store to assistants who claim otherwise.

It does say earlier in this thread about where it says on New Look website that you can still have the paper receipt