Paper receipts - why?
I recounted my amusing shopping experience yesterday, but when I was up there another thought crossed my mind. Now, I know a lot of people keep their receipts to track their spending, and I tend to take mine when I do a big grocery shop - but when I buy something little, (such as yesterday, when I needed to buy a new collar for Gob and a little spray bottle for watering my mushrooms), I either tell the cashier that I don’t want the receipt, or end up throwing it away.
As I watched yet another piece of paper being thrown away by a cashier yesterday, it occurred to me - why don’t we have a choice in whether we get a receipt printed or not? Honestly, most shops scan everything through a computer for their records, so shouldn’t I be able to say “no thanks, save the paper”?
I use an EFTPOS machine at work, but as I’m charging for a service, rather than a product, there is nothing to scan, and I write out a receipt by hand for our records, as well as printing the EFTPOS receipt. It prints automatically, and as far as I know there is nothing I can do to stop it. Perhaps someone could include this option in the next generation of EFTPOS machines?
Or maybe it’s already there and I don’t know about it. Either way, I think it’s a darned good idea.
June 16 2008 10:19 am | Reduce and frugal living
June 16th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Mmmmm I wonder if there isn’t some legal requirement that technically we need to be supplied with a receipt (even though we don’t want it). Although in regards to the EFTPOS, you aren’t required to take one when using an ATM.
Take it home and throw it in the recycling
June 16th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Lee, there probably is - but is it to be supplied one or offered one? But yes, I think I’ll just keep recycling them, as you said
June 16th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Yeah I don’t know the legalities regarding receipts I suspect you’re right that you only need to offer the receipt.
I suspect a lot of it is also as you discovered with the EFTPOS that the machinery is designed with producing receipts and not giving the option.
Now if only someone could staple those bloody green bags to my sleeve so I don’t leave them in the car!!!!
June 17th, 2008 at 10:57 am
You and me both, Lee
Although at the moment, considering my No Bags challenge, it’s going to be very amusing for a lot of other people if I forget them when I go to do my big grocery shop…