How Do You Feel about Shops Only Providing Email Receipts?
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It seems to be the trend now that all shops ask for an email address at checkout to send you a receipt rather than a paper copy. Recently on a trip to newlook at the till the lady mentioned they only offer email receipts to save on paper however when I said I only wanted the physical copy she was happy to give it to me.
I personally feel like its just a way to send you more marketing/junk emails? and don't want to give my email out in a shop. I always ask for the physical copy. Do you prefer this new way or not?
Well I have to say I did it with JD sports and I haven't had one marketing emails from them being honest I'd rather had the email as I'm not likely to lose it
I think it’s better really, paper receipts are easily lost anyway and it saves paper. If they do send spam though that’s cheeky
I like the paper on, as sometimes I like to look at it to check it is correct. You can ask for both also.
possy Yeah I always ask for the paper one. The little speech the lady gave before I did though sort of seemed like they didnt want to though and I could only have a email version. Its probably just to put people off asking though if they are genuinely trying to save on paper
I agree. I never give out my email unless for a good reason. I will if it’s only way to get a discount for example. Otherwise I like a physical paper receipt as I have immediate proof if any questioning before leaving the shop. If I do get marketing spam I would just try to unsubscribe or delete.
When you think of how many paper receipts you might receive each year it makes sense and would save paper . However, I only learned recently (being the thick old bird I am) that each time we use our tech it adds to our carbon footprint. Can't begin to understand how.
Anyway very many people still do not have any form of tech let alone email so they would have to issue paper receipts for them.
Lynibis Each time we use tech it adds to our carbon footprint? Can you elaborate on that? Im genuinely curious, maybe they're both just bad as each other then both options!
HannahSunderlan I'm afraid I can't elaborate as I don't understand myself. I was just reading something about 'we add to global warming' etc
when we send loads of emails. Let me know if you find out
Lynibis Any use of technology consumes power, be it you looking at receipts or the computers that send them out via email etc. Energy consumption has a carbon footprint. People like to think of the efficiency of solar power or wind turbines etc but still electricity is a lot more expensive than gas. I remember years ago seeing an interview stating that in the future electricity would be cheaper than gas but I think the price difference has only narrowed slightly. I realise for some perverse reason gas is more heavily subsidised than electricity but its not just that.
BonzoBanana I knew someone on here would kindly explain. I obviously knew electricity was being consumed but I thought there were other things going on as well.
Lynibis I think still nuclear, oil and gas are the backbone of our energy supply that can always supply power whatever the weather is doing. We got rid of the coal power stations but still lots of power is generated in a messy way with a high carbon footprint and even solar, wind and wind has some carbon footprint mainly in the manufacture and setting up of them I would of thought. It's hard to make any assumptions really about what is better for the environment when there is so much to consider. No point having too much solar, wind or wave if it is weather dependent.
How can you check (on the way out of the shop) that you have been charged the right amount if they email you the receipt? I live half an hour from the nearest town with half decent shops and wouldn't want to have to make a return journey because of an error on the receipt! I attach my paper receipts to the credit card bill so that they are always there if I need them in the future.
tumblespots That's a really good point I had not thought of! I always opt for the paper ones, maybe I'm old fashioned like that haha. I rarely go out shopping anyway so hopefully I am not adding too much to my carbon footprint by still having the paper!
I know Argos has been doing this for a while now. Not sure about the other retailers. I haven't had any marketing from Argos so thats good. It does save the paper which eventually gets lost or thrown In your drawers.
Emerge11 I'm glad you haven't had any marketing, maybe it is me being sceptical! I see your point of view, surely the paper could always be recycled though? Although I am sure most people probably aren't like you say they get lost or thrown in drawers
I'm happy with an email copy. I never know how long to keep paper ones and some get lost before the end of shopping trip
Imnotcheap yes, and it is easy to pop them in a separate folder so they are not clogging up your inbox.
Lynibis yes I have several folder in my email. I should probably go through them and get rid of oldest ones sometime
Id prefer to get both! I like to see a paper copy at the point of sale - but I am more likely to save and file a receipt if its been emailed
I always get a paper receipt as I put them on certain apps to get rewarded. So I always ask one or get one printed out in the supermarket.
I've not been asked too much, only a few times, I always ask for a paper receipt as a back up, JD sports do it and it makes returns quicker with an electronic receipt
Happy to have an email receipt for a one off purchase, in places like Aros ,Currys etc, but wouldn't want one from a Supermarket as I like to check my receipts there to make sure it's correct before going home. Also sometimes security in supermarkets check receipts at the door especially if the alarms go off which they do quite often
I always ask for a paper receipt, it's easier if you need to return something.
The only time I ever had that happened to me was at a CeX when I traded a game or something, but he did ask me if I wanted a physical receipt so there was the option. Elsewhere, they provide me a physical receipt and it's useful to have as evidence in case I'm asked about the items in a different store.
Personally I always ask for a paper receipt and it goes straight into my receipt box and then about once a year I sort out the out of date ones and shred them.
Shops should offer a paper receipt or an online one. My mother in law can only answer her mobile.
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