I'm noticing myself getting increasing irritated at having to tell cashiers at grocery stores and convenience stores "I don't want the receipt." Is it just me that thinks in this debit-card, eco-conscious world it's time to rethink the idea of giving out paper receipts for a bottle of water and pack of gum? Or for a burger from the drive-through?
Cashiers usually plop the receipt in my hand along with my change or hold it out for me to retrieve. I then have to figure out where to put it in order to put my change back into your wallet. I can throw it into my already unorganized purse, toss it onto the floorboard of my car, or find a trash can and immediately throw it away. Granted, it doesn't take much effort to do any of these things, but when I'm having a particularly busy day, even the simple task of dealing with the receipt feels like a major annyonance.
In these days of credit and debit cards a purchase will automatically be reflected in your monthly statement so you don't need to diligently bring your receipts home and keep them safe. With all the recent eco-conscious programs - particularly in Austin - why do we need to waste paper on printing out a receipt for a pack of gum and a bottle of water? Don't get me wrong, I still want receipts for non-perishable big-ticket items in case I need to return something. But it feels impractical and grossly out-dated to keep handing out receipts that (I think) in most cases are simply thrown away.
Am I the only one that's having a problem with this? Does this bother you? I'd love to know what you do with your receipts.
Preston S. says:
what do you think of receipts being emailed to a specific folder in your email account?
Elizabeth Golembiewski says:
hmm... interesting idea but is it really necessary?
Cris Bisch says:
Yes, it bothers me. What happens to me is that I say "no thank you" and the cashier prints a receipt out anyway and tosses into the trash. Another pet peeve is that I'm often given more than one receipt... one for the debit/credit transaction and one from the cash register.
Elizabeth Golembiewski says:
I notice that too...and what about the cashier telling you to take the receipt and go online and see if you've won something--?
Elli A. says:
In the sturbucks I sometimes go to they ask if you want a receipt every time. If you don’t say yes you will not get one. Good practice that should be the norm. This is where public pressure works. Companies care about their public image, this is the easiest thing for them to do. I don't know how much impact it has in the overall scheme, comparing to lets say a paper cup that you get your coffee in, but it’s definitely a low hanging fruit in both reducing waste and reflecting a "green image".
Nancy J. says:
Hi Elizabeth,
I completely agree!
At the gas pump, it would be great if all gas stations gave the option as well. Some do, but not all.
Glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. :)
Nancy