Why do shop assistants ask if you would like a receipt?

Ally Dick

There may be a simple answer to this. I am just wondering what is the main reason. Every time I go in to a supermarket, whether it be Spar or Marks & Spencer or other shops, I am asked would I like a receipt by the cashier. Surely this is not some kind of fiddling going on, is it?

armaghlad

Ally Dick wrote: »

There may be a simple answer to this. I am just wondering what is the main reason. Every time I go in to a supermarket, whether it be Spar or Marks & Spencer or other shops, I am asked would I like a receipt by the cashier. Surely this is not some kind of fiddling going on, is it?

Saving paper.

kippy

Ally Dick wrote: »

There may be a simple answer to this. I am just wondering what is the main reason. Every time I go in to a supermarket, whether it be Spar or Marks & Spencer or other shops, I am asked would I like a receipt by the cashier. Surely this is not some kind of fiddling going on, is it?

Some people like receipts for a number of reasons. Some don't want the wasted paper.

Wesser

So you can prove you paid for the goods?

Samuel T. Cogley

Some people don't want the receipt. Other want the receipt and feel that there is some massive conspiracy involving over-charging for baked beans, probably funding ISIS, and asking if they want the receipt draws attention to the fact they got it, lest they become ' that eejit' that's standing there giving out about nothing while the queue behind them slowly dies of old age.

biko

They will only print it if you ask for it, no need for them to have loads of paper hanging out of the machine if no-one wants them.

The machine will record each purchase in memory and can print them all out later for audits.

Alf Stewart.

Expenses for work.
Vat receipts.
Proof of purchase.
Warranty.
Exchanges.

Any number of reasons.

Armchair Andy

Because underneath every cash register there's a hood of mafia mice with their AK47s aimed at the cashier.
It's a racket they got going bleeding the mice printing unions.
The more gets printed the more they gets paid capische?

Im a manager in a retail store and apparently the Revenue send out tests that your offering receipts ...one of the stores got checked for it....most customers refuse the receipts so its just to save paper...and some odd ones ask you to do contactless but still want the visa slip

Beyondgone

Boss is on the fiddle and wants the least paper-trail possible. "Never give them a receipt unless they ask for one, ok?". Cash is King.

Arghus

I think the real question after reading the thread is - why do people ask questions with such obvious answers?

wakka12

kippy wrote: »

Some people like receipts for a number of reasons. Some don't want the wasted paper.

/thread

corner of hells

I've changed my diet slightly, eating more vegetables , eating a proper breakfast and drinking more water and I've noticed I'm ****eing better and more regul. ... I'm in the wrong thread , aren't I ?

biko

I bought a doughnut and they gave me a receipt for the doughnut. I don't need a receipt for the doughnut. I'll just give you the money, and you give me the doughnut. End of transaction.

We don't need to bring ink and paper into this. I just can't imagine a scenario where I would have to prove that I bought a doughnut. Some skeptical friend: "Don't even act like I didn't get that doughnut! I got the documentation right here. Oh, wait it's at home. In the file. Under 'D.'

Mitch

nice_guy80

they'd never ask you that in Greece
Never

freshpopcorn

Generally in supermarkets the receipt is printed automatically. The cashier asks do you want it because often people don't and they just pop it in the bin at their counter. So the receipt doesn't end up being littered somewhere!

.........

It's always painful seeing how much VAT is tagged onto everything.

PARlance

......... wrote: »

It's always painful seeing how much VAT is tagged onto everything.

Until you're in a position to claim for Diesel... you almost like the fact that we're being rode.

biko

biko wrote: »

Mitch

The wonderful wonderful Mitch, RIP. My first thought too when I read the title. And now I'm off to Youtube, to laugh yet again at the bouyancy of citrus, rice and hungry for 2000 of something etc. etc.

Beyondgone

PARlance wrote: »

Until you're in a position to claim for Diesel... you almost like the fact that we're being rode.

gramar

This is why...

http://www.thejournal.ie/jambon-courts-3310881-Mar2017/

Robsweezie

ask the fella who ''robbed'' the jambon

Doctor Nick

gramar wrote: »

This is why...

http://www.thejournal.ie/jambon-courts-3310881-Mar2017/

I like the way they have a photo of a jambon with the narrative "file photo of a jambon".

mrcheez

Ally Dick wrote: »

There may be a simple answer to this. I am just wondering what is the main reason. Every time I go in to a supermarket, whether it be Spar or Marks & Spencer or other shops, I am asked would I like a receipt by the cashier. Surely this is not some kind of fiddling going on, is it?

Because a lot of people don't want receipts (for some bizarre reason imho).

I always ask for a receipt even when not given one, partially to keep track of spending, but also because I oft get wrongly charged in places like SuperValu :rolleyes:

armaghlad

armaghlad wrote: »

Saving paper.

They are always printed though from my experience and they bin them if people don't want them.

I always want my receipt anyway as I check back over them to ensure things are correct. Also need to be in the habit of it for when I'm travelling for work as I have to produce every original receipt in order to get my expenses back.

fiachr_a

So you can flash it at the security guard who's making it a bit too too obvious you're being watched.

Ally Dick

Ally Dick wrote: »

There may be a simple answer to this. I am just wondering what is the main reason. Every time I go in to a supermarket, whether it be Spar or Marks & Spencer or other shops, I am asked would I like a receipt by the cashier. Surely this is not some kind of fiddling going on, is it?

M&S?

Well Lah Dee Dah

the_syco

Ally Dick wrote: »

There may be a simple answer to this. I am just wondering what is the main reason. Every time I go in to a supermarket, whether it be Spar or Marks & Spencer or other shops, I am asked would I like a receipt by the cashier. Surely this is not some kind of fiddling going on, is it?

By law they must offer the receipt.

BOHtox

No I don't want a receipt I'm eating my breakfast, Kate

freshpopcorn

You should always ask for a receipt if your buying petrol or diesel.

snowflaker

I don't like receipts and will only take it if the total seems wrong

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

freshpopcorn wrote: »

You should always ask for a receipt if your buying petrol or diesel.

Why? I've put fuel in the car for over 50 years - at least 2500 times - without needing to get a receipt.

freshpopcorn

Makenzie Shallow Hairdressing wrote: »

Why? I've put fuel in the car for over 50 years - at least 2500 times - without needing to get a receipt.

If you buy dirty petrol or diesel and it damages your car. It could cost in the 1000's to repair and having a receipt may help you claim off the garage!

Ave Sodalis

the_syco wrote:

By law they must offer the receipt.

They do? I'm not sure this applies in Ireland.

Frida Long Eggshell wrote:

They are always printed though from my experience and they bin them if people don't want them.

Usually they don't print out under a certain amount. So if the total is less than a tenner, it won't automatically print as many people don't want a receipt for that much unless there's a reason.


I hate people who request receipts and then stand at the till, in everyone's way, to read them. They're usually the people who can't read receipts and will complain about something they've misread.
For example: "you've charged me three times for this bag of carrots!!" "No sir, the third entry is a correction of the second as the scanner picked it up twice. You were charged for one." "But it has three on the receipt!" "No sir, as you can see, the third entry has multiple minus signs as well as a *COR* in front of it." "Oh well those firelogs were meants to be 4 for €5 and it clearly says €7.49 here" "Sir, if you continue reading down, there's the €2.49 deduction before the final price with Special Offer Firelogs beside it" *adds up everything at till, still blocking the way* "my loyalty points were supposed to come off the price of shopping" *I add everything up* "They have sir" "No they haven't, I just counted!" "As have I sir, with a calculator. I can assure you they have come off the price" "I don't have time for this! I'll be coming back in tomorrow and you better have the money you owe me ready"*


This happened me only last week. I'd say with confidence that most people who complain have read the receipt wrong in some way or another.

Armchair Andy

PARlance wrote:

Until you're in a position to claim for Diesel... you almost like the fact that we're being rode.

You'll feel the pain when the minus is smaller than the plus every 2 months.
I know I do:-(

nosilver

freshpopcorn wrote: »

If you buy dirty petrol or diesel and it damages your car. It could cost in the 1000's to repair and having a receipt may help you claim off the garage!

Very very rare for "dirty" diesel and considering most fuel station tanks hold 50,000 litres, there'd be about 1500 angry customers.

Dirt / deposits in a fuel tank build over time. If you don't get close to empty often, the deposits stay til one day it affects the engine.

Those who don't understand always blame the last fill when the reality is not understanding how the fuel system works.

Think - domestic kerosene tanks are always at a slight angle away from the outlet to push the impurities to the opposite side.

freshpopcorn

nosilver wrote: »

Very very rare for "dirty" diesel and considering most fuel station tanks hold 50,000 litres, there'd be about 1500 angry customers.

Dirt / deposits in a fuel tank build over time. If you don't get close to empty often, the deposits stay til one day it affects the engine.

Those who don't understand always blame the last fill when the reality is not understanding how the fuel system works.

Think - domestic kerosene tanks are always at a slight angle away from the outlet to push the impurities to the opposite side.

Well I know a lady this happened to and she did a lot of research on the matter and got legal advice and anybody who got their car repaired by the station always had the receipt.

Widdershins

nosilver wrote: »

Very very rare for "dirty" diesel and considering most fuel station tanks hold 50,000 litres, there'd be about 1500 angry customers.

Dirt / deposits in a fuel tank build over time. If you don't get close to empty often, the deposits stay til one day it affects the engine.

Those who don't understand always blame the last fill when the reality is not understanding how the fuel system works.

Think - domestic kerosene tanks are always at a slight angle away from the outlet to push the impurities to the opposite side.

I also know people it happened to, all had bought fuel from the same place on the same day. The older the tanks the more likely it is. And you'd know soon enough if you got a dirty batch so you only need to keep receipt a little while.

Capt'n Midnight

Wesser wrote: »

So you can prove you paid for the goods?

In Italy it's the exact opposite , it's so the shopkeeper can prove it's on the books and not part of the black economy.

https://www.livitaly.com/surprising-facts-italy/

When you purchase an espresso or a pizza, the cashier will hand you your receipt without asking. This is because in Italy, they are required to ensure the customer leaves with the receipt. If they don’t, the owner could face a large fine! Once you leave the establishment, Italian police even have the right to stop you and ask for it. After a few days, you will most likely have a ton of receipts in your wallet!

mayobumblebee

where i work a reciept prints every time, automated, we have no choice. i will ask on smaller sales if they want one because we recycle and i can at least recycle it because they will only dump it or sometimes get thick that i give them it. but that's for cries of retail...

cnoc

I paid a bin company last week by credit card and requested a receipt. I was informed that the company does not issue receipts. Is that in order for the company?

taylor3

I thought it was only me that wondered why so many shops don't automatically hand it to you with your change. But what bothers me more is this situation, shopping for example in Super Valu (they always do this) the cashier scans all your goods through and then just sits there and I'm like "eh can you tell me what I owe you please" and she goes "€22.49" ...... Arghhhhhh why do they do that as a customer you cannot always see the screen on the till to see the figure that's come up. I hate that. Why dont they scan the stuff through and volunteer to tell you the figure instead of sitting there like an egjit.

Tigger

cnoc wrote: »

I paid a bin company last week by credit card and requested a receipt. I was informed that the company does not issue receipts. Is that in order for the company?

they will have issued you an invoice ?

pickarooney

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

In Italy it's the exact opposite , it's so the shopkeeper can prove it's on the books and not part of the black economy.

https://www.livitaly.com/surprising-facts-italy/

In Croatia/Slovenia the receipts are all bounced off a government server where they're signed digitally before being printed.

In several European countries the government holds free draws for big prizes (e.g. cars) with receipts as tickets, thereby ensuring everyone gets a receipt and nobody throws them away.

DopeTech

Brayden Rotten Sunscreen wrote: »

and some odd ones ask you to do contactless but still want the visa slip

They could still need a receipt if they are claiming back expenses.

philstar

either way the receipt is going to issued....so you might as well take it...

anyway who knows the milk could be sour and you might have to return it

Yourself isit

taylor3 wrote: »

I thought it was only me that wondered why so many shops don't automatically hand it to you with your change. But what bothers me more is this situation, shopping for example in Super Valu (they always do this) the cashier scans all your goods through and then just sits there and I'm like "eh can you tell me what I owe you please" and she goes "€22.49" ...... Arghhhhhh why do they do that as a customer you cannot always see the screen on the till to see the figure that's come up. I hate that. Why dont they scan the stuff through and volunteer to tell you the figure instead of sitting there like an egjit.

Totally agree. Even if I can see the price just say it so we know we both agree.

cnoc

Tigger wrote: »

they will have issued you an invoice ?

Yes.

talkto

I thought the receipt got printed whether you answered yes or no to the "Do you want a receipt?" question. In which case the "to save paper" reason would be wrong.