Forum Topic

Receipts Sainsburys

On my last few visits, (Acton) having purchased goods the cashier asks"would you like a receipt"?I find this strange & feel one should be given automatically.What happens if there is a dispute about an item not paid for?Something is faulty & needs returning?My suspicion is staff keep them for the Nectar points, as the other night I wasnt even given a choice if I could have a receipt & had to ask for one.

Peter Yale ● 2818d13 Comments

I'm no tree-hugger but 10 million trees a year used to produce receipts for the USA alone sounds like it will be having far more drastic repercussions than your minor personal inconveniences.

Nick Foote ● 2798d

"Why are you even asking me?"Because based on the clear observation that almost everybody either leaves their receipt behind or immediately throws them away the acceptable assumption is now that any given individual will NOT want a receipt, thus to save money and resources a receipt is not printed by default. It would save further time and therefore money at the checkout if it was left to the customer to ask unprompted for one if they required one, however as a courtesy the cashier still asks the question to cover said minor chance.To be frank, you are in a shrinking minority and from a global resource point of view you will hopefully find one day there is no ability to issue a non-digital receipt.

Nick Foote ● 2798d

If the receipt is for the collection of information about spending couldn't that be done more easily by the information provided by online banking?

Andy Jones ● 2799d

its the fact it can have repercussions.Theft accusations, issues returning goods & Nectar points diverted to others

Peter Yale ● 2805d

If being asked if you want a receipt with your goods is a problem or inconvenience, I suggest that you must have a very easy life with nothing else to worry about.If I require a receipt it takes just a few seconds to ask, or press yes please I'd like a receipt (on automated devices). I can't think of much else more simple to do.

Lee Page ● 2811d

I DO want a receipt as I always pay by contactless card and my memory isn't what it was. I need the receipt to enter the amount into my computerised files when I get home. My response to 'Do you want a receipt?' is 'Yes, of course I bloody do. Why are you even asking me?'

Susan Kelly ● 2812d

This is because many people don't want a receipt and it saves them the bother of throwing them away.l

Sarah Michie ● 2812d

Not giving receipts by default is not only saving the store money but reducing heinous waste from paper and printing. I don't have any evidence to hand but I'd wager large sums that the vast majority of people have for a long time immediately thrown away receipts for low value items such as supermarket shopping. You only have to look at the number of uncollected ones at the selfcheckouts that do still print by default to get a suspicion.In my experience most large brands will replace low value items without a receipt without a fuss to avoid the hassle and build customer relations.As already noted there a numerous "e-receipt" options becoming available. Like cheques and plastic bags, receipts are on the way out as part of our wasteful shopping experience. After quick google of receipt waste; "Over 250 million gallons of oil, 10 million trees and 1 billion gallons of water are consumed each year in the creation of receipts for the *United States alone*, generating 1.5 billion pounds of waste"Not printing receipts by default and asking shoppers if they want one is a minor inconvenience for a few and a major resource saving for us all.

Nick Foote ● 2812d

I use CASH therefore I need a receipt.

Jean F Fernandez ● 2816d

If someone uses their phone to pay, the purchase info is kept on the phone; when someone uses contactless then to get a refund/return the item, the retailer uses the card reader to call up the details. So people using these methods don't need paper receipts.

Terry Freestone ● 2816d

I personally find it very annoying to be asked 'Do you want a receipt' even in M&S self checkout. As mentioned what happens if we need to return faulty goods, without a receipt I doubt they would accept the item.Also, customers could be accused of theft if they had no receipt as proof of purchase.At home I keep my receipts briefly then just put then in my recycling bin when no longer required.

Jean F Fernandez ● 2817d

The self check-out at Marks also asks if you want a receipt. Started some months ago.I often see receipts left behind at the self check-outs, especially Tesco, so it is probably more to do with saving paper.

Terry Freestone ● 2818d

Your suspicion about Nectar card fraud appears to be unfounded as I am asked if I want a receive one after I have claimed my points. Also Poundland and Tesco Express have the same policy. It may simply be to save paper and reduce litter.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2818d