must retailer in England give receipt if customer asks?

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?
I think they must give a VAT receipt if you ask them, but must they always
give a receipt, if asked, regardless of what you've bought?
Harry

Yes it is needed. No matter what you want/purchase. In my local
shops they ask 'do you want the receipt?'

All shops are expected to give you a receipt for your puchases. I
believe it is part of evidence from the shop so as you can show where
you bought something. (For example, you go to your local Londis and
buy a newspaper. You then go to the local Tesco's. They sell the
same paper= how else do you prove you bought it elsewhere?)
Sounds like sense to me
TC

Tired

2011-11-07 21:10:39 UTC

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?
I think they must give a VAT receipt if you ask them, but must they
always give a receipt, if asked, regardless of what you've bought?
Harry

Yes it is needed. No matter what you want/purchase. In my local
shops they ask 'do you want the receipt?'

That isnt a requirement. A business is under no obligation to give out a
receipt. Special rules might exist for VAT invoices though.

Peter Parry

2011-11-07 18:45:32 UTC

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

No. The only legal requirement is a VAT receipt must be issued if a
VAT registered purchaser asks for one. However, as there is no
practical way of checking if the person making the request is
registered for or acting on behalf of a VAT registered company in
practice asking for a VAT receipt will always get you a receipt.

totallyconfused

2011-11-07 18:56:51 UTC

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

So Mr Parry...'explain...how do you have a copy of a newspaper in your
bag but our EPOS system shows you didn't buy it here? As you have no
other evidence and our EPOS systems evidence you stole it because you
didn't buy it here and you have not got a receipt from elswhere.'
System says you are guilty.

Please correct me and assume there is no CCTV.

This should be good...can't wait.

TC

Mark Goodge

2011-11-07 19:50:40 UTC

On Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:56:51 -0800 (PST), totallyconfused put finger to

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

System is wrong, and such a case wouldn't stand up in court. It's for the
prosecution to prove that he did steal it, not for him to prove that he
didn't.

(Obviously, having the receipt would be a lot more convenient, as it would
then be the work of a moment to demonstrate to a suspicious member of staff
that no theft has taken place. But "a lot more convenient" is not the same
as "essential".)

Mark

--
Blog: http://mark.goodge.co.uk
Stuff: http://www.good-stuff.co.uk

totallyconfused

2011-11-07 20:39:52 UTC

Post by Mark Goodge
On Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:56:51 -0800 (PST), totallyconfused put finger to

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

System is wrong, and such a case wouldn't stand up in court. It's for the
prosecution to prove that he did steal it, not for him to prove that he
didn't.
(Obviously, having the receipt would be a lot more convenient, as it would
then be the work of a moment to demonstrate to a suspicious member of staff
that no theft has taken place. But "a lot more convenient" is not the same
as "essential".)
Mark
--
Blog:http://mark.goodge.co.uk
Stuff:http://www.good-stuff.co.uk- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

You are forgetting something....everyone in the UK is assumed guilty
until they prove they are innocent,

That is how the 'system' works now.

TC

Steve O

2011-11-08 00:44:39 UTC

Post by Mark Goodge
On Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:56:51 -0800 (PST), totallyconfused put finger to

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

System is wrong, and such a case wouldn't stand up in court. It's for the
prosecution to prove that he did steal it, not for him to prove that he
didn't.
(Obviously, having the receipt would be a lot more convenient, as it would
then be the work of a moment to demonstrate to a suspicious member of staff
that no theft has taken place. But "a lot more convenient" is not the same
as "essential".)
Mark
--
Blog:http://mark.goodge.co.uk
Stuff:http://www.good-stuff.co.uk- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

You are forgetting something....everyone in the UK is assumed guilty
until they prove they are innocent,
That is how the 'system' works now.
TC

Guilty of a crime.
It is not a crime to be in possession of a newspaper, which is the only
evidence present here.
IE-
Was he seen acting suspiciously?
Was he seen to remove a newspaper from the display?
If so, where did it go and is it the same newspaper he was found with?
Has the stock been checked and is a newspaper missing?
Without any of these factors there is no evidence of any crime, and
therefore no assumption of guilt or reasonable suspicion.

--
Steve O

Mark Goodge

2011-11-08 07:52:56 UTC

On Mon, 7 Nov 2011 12:39:52 -0800 (PST), totallyconfused put finger to

Post by Mark Goodge
On Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:56:51 -0800 (PST), totallyconfused put finger to

Post by totallyconfused
So Mr Parry...'explain...how do you have a copy of a newspaper in your
bag but our EPOS system shows you didn't buy it here? As you have no
other evidence and our EPOS systems evidence you stole it because you
didn't buy it here and you have not got a receipt from elswhere.'
System says you are guilty.

System is wrong, and such a case wouldn't stand up in court. It's for the
prosecution to prove that he did steal it, not for him to prove that he
didn't.
(Obviously, having the receipt would be a lot more convenient, as it would
then be the work of a moment to demonstrate to a suspicious member of staff
that no theft has taken place. But "a lot more convenient" is not the same
as "essential".)

You are forgetting something....everyone in the UK is assumed guilty
until they prove they are innocent,
That is how the 'system' works now.

Sorry, my mistake, I thought I was responding to someone with a clue.

Mark

--
Blog: http://mark.goodge.co.uk
Stuff: http://www.good-stuff.co.uk

Derek Geldard

2011-11-07 21:02:41 UTC

This post might be inappropriate. Click to display it.

Steve O

2011-11-08 00:45:35 UTC

Post by Mark Goodge
On Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:56:51 -0800 (PST), totallyconfused

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

So Mr Parry...'explain...how do you have a copy of a newspaper in your
bag but our EPOS system shows you didn't buy it here? As you have no
other evidence and our EPOS systems evidence you stole it because you
didn't buy it here and you have not got a receipt from elswhere.'
System says you are guilty.
Please correct me and assume there is no CCTV.
This should be good...can't wait.

Lets explain it this way ...
Just because a bus says "Beecham's Pills" on the back it doesn't mean
it's going for a shit.
Derek G

Lol!
Nice one- I might use that!

--
Steve O

Zapp Brannigan

2011-11-07 22:15:04 UTC

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

So Mr Parry...'explain...how do you have a copy of a newspaper in your
bag but our EPOS system shows you didn't buy it here? As you have no
other evidence and our EPOS systems evidence you stole it because you
didn't buy it here and you have not got a receipt from elswhere.'
System says you are guilty.
Please correct me and assume there is no CCTV.
This should be good...can't wait.

The question you are addressing is whether it is sensible for a customer to
have a receipt. The answer is obviously yes, but that was not the question
asked by Harry Davis. His question was whether a retailer *must* give a
receipt if a customer says they want one. Peter has correctly stated that
this is only required where VAT is involved (you will be aware that many
small traders operate below the HMRC threshold).

Here's little TC walking down the street, and she stops to buy an Evening
Standard from a vendor. 50p is handed over, and a newspaper is handed to
her. TC demands a receipt, the vendor tells her not to be silly. TC
calls the Police, and asks them to enforce the legal duty upon the vendor to
give her a receipt.

Please state the specific legal duty which compels him to give you a
receipt, TC.

This should be good...can't wait.

totallyconfused

2011-11-08 11:17:04 UTC

Post by Zapp Brannigan

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

So Mr Parry...'explain...how do you have a copy of a newspaper in your
bag but our EPOS system shows you didn't buy it here? As you have no
other evidence and our EPOS systems evidence you stole it because you
didn't buy it here and you have not got a receipt from elswhere.'
System says you are guilty.
Please correct me and assume there is no CCTV.
This should be good...can't wait.

The question you are addressing is whether it is sensible for a customer to
have a receipt. The answer is obviously yes, but that was not the question
asked by Harry Davis. His question was whether a retailer *must* give a
receipt if a customer says they want one. Peter has correctly stated that
this is only required where VAT is involved (you will be aware that many
small traders operate below the HMRC threshold).
Here's little TC walking down the street, and she stops to buy an Evening
Standard from a vendor. 50p is handed over, and a newspaper is handed to
her. TC demands a receipt, the vendor tells her not to be silly. TC
calls the Police, and asks them to enforce the legal duty upon the vendor to
give her a receipt.
Please state the specific legal duty which compels him to give you a
receipt, TC.
This should be good...can't wait.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

And so after I buy said Evening Standard, I go into Tesco's....what
protection do I have to prove I purchased my paper somewhere else?

Which is why I buy my newspaper with other goods (such as Tesco's, WH
Smiths, Sainsbury's, etc) so if I go to another shop, I can prove when
and where I bought it.

Oh and if someone refuses me a receipt, then I cancel the
transaction. (Thinking of things such as getting my house rewired,
plumbers, buying white goods, computers, etc)

i don't give a toss about 'legal duty'. There is a reason the phrase
'Buyer be Aware' has stood the test of time.All parties in a financial
exchange should cover their backs. What is so hard to understand
about that?

I also retain all my tax records in date order since 1989- you gotta
problem with that Zapp?

TC

Simon Finnigan

2011-11-08 12:41:20 UTC

Post by Zapp Brannigan

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

So Mr Parry...'explain...how do you have a copy of a newspaper in your
bag but our EPOS system shows you didn't buy it here? As you have no
other evidence and our EPOS systems evidence you stole it because you
didn't buy it here and you have not got a receipt from elswhere.'
System says you are guilty.
Please correct me and assume there is no CCTV.
This should be good...can't wait.

The question you are addressing is whether it is sensible for a customer to
have a receipt. The answer is obviously yes, but that was not the question
asked by Harry Davis. His question was whether a retailer *must* give a
receipt if a customer says they want one. Peter has correctly stated that
this is only required where VAT is involved (you will be aware that many
small traders operate below the HMRC threshold).
Here's little TC walking down the street, and she stops to buy an Evening
Standard from a vendor. 50p is handed over, and a newspaper is handed to
her. TC demands a receipt, the vendor tells her not to be silly. TC
calls the Police, and asks them to enforce the legal duty upon the vendor to
give her a receipt.
Please state the specific legal duty which compels him to give you a
receipt, TC.
This should be good...can't wait.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

And so after I buy said Evening Standard, I go into Tesco's....what
protection do I have to prove I purchased my paper somewhere else?
Which is why I buy my newspaper with other goods (such as Tesco's, WH
Smiths, Sainsbury's, etc) so if I go to another shop, I can prove when
and where I bought it.
Oh and if someone refuses me a receipt, then I cancel the
transaction. (Thinking of things such as getting my house rewired,
plumbers, buying white goods, computers, etc)
i don't give a toss about 'legal duty'. There is a reason the phrase
'Buyer be Aware' has stood the test of time.All parties in a financial
exchange should cover their backs. What is so hard to understand
about that?
I also retain all my tax records in date order since 1989- you gotta
problem with that Zapp?
TC

I think you've made a mistake here. You've posted a rant that doesn't give
any facts about the legal obligation to provide a receipt. Please try
again.

Steve O

2011-11-08 13:07:42 UTC

Post by Zapp Brannigan

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

So Mr Parry...'explain...how do you have a copy of a newspaper in your
bag but our EPOS system shows you didn't buy it here? As you have no
other evidence and our EPOS systems evidence you stole it because you
didn't buy it here and you have not got a receipt from elswhere.'
System says you are guilty.
Please correct me and assume there is no CCTV.
This should be good...can't wait.

The question you are addressing is whether it is sensible for a customer to
have a receipt. The answer is obviously yes, but that was not the question
asked by Harry Davis. His question was whether a retailer *must* give a
receipt if a customer says they want one. Peter has correctly stated that
this is only required where VAT is involved (you will be aware that many
small traders operate below the HMRC threshold).
Here's little TC walking down the street, and she stops to buy an Evening
Standard from a vendor. 50p is handed over, and a newspaper is handed to
her. TC demands a receipt, the vendor tells her not to be silly. TC
calls the Police, and asks them to enforce the legal duty upon the vendor to
give her a receipt.
Please state the specific legal duty which compels him to give you a
receipt, TC.
This should be good...can't wait.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

And so after I buy said Evening Standard, I go into Tesco's....what
protection do I have to prove I purchased my paper somewhere else?

You have the full protection of the law which states that evidence is
required before you can be found guilty of an offence.

Post by totallyconfused
Which is why I buy my newspaper with other goods (such as Tesco's, WH
Smiths, Sainsbury's, etc) so if I go to another shop, I can prove when
and where I bought it.

I'm not sure why you feel you have to prove where you bought it.
Like most people, it wouldn't even occur to me to demand a receipt for a
newspaper- nor have I ever heard of anyone being accused of stealing a
newspaper simply because they did not have a receipt or proof of
purchase for it.

--
Steve O

David McNeish

2011-11-08 13:23:58 UTC

Post by Steve O
I'm not sure why you feel you have to prove where you bought it.
Like most people, it wouldn't even occur to me to demand a receipt for a
newspaper- nor have I ever heard of anyone being accused of stealing a
newspaper simply because they did not have a receipt or proof of
purchase for it.

And anyway, a receipt isn't incontrovertible proof that you paid for
the particular item you're carrying.

Donald

2011-11-08 13:30:54 UTC

Post by David McNeish

And anyway, a receipt isn't incontrovertible proof that you paid for
the particular item you're carrying.

Yes all you need do is buy an item walk out of the shop give it to
someone else who takes off then go back into the shop and pick up
another of the same item. You have a receipt for it.

The Todal

2011-11-08 13:11:08 UTC

Post by totallyconfused
i don't give a toss about 'legal duty'. There is a reason the phrase
'Buyer be Aware' has stood the test of time.All parties in a financial
exchange should cover their backs. What is so hard to understand
about that?

I don't think it has stood the test of time - in fact I've never heard of
that phrase. But you may perhaps be confusing it with a slightly different
phrase. There's also a Latin version - Caveat Bognor.

Zapp Brannigan

2011-11-09 22:22:24 UTC

Post by The Todal

Did Magna Carta die in vain?

Zapp Brannigan

2011-11-09 22:13:58 UTC

Post by Zapp Brannigan
Please state the specific legal duty which compels him to give you a
receipt, TC.

i don't give a toss about 'legal duty'.

So you agree that Peter was right. OK.

Peter Parry

2011-11-07 22:48:47 UTC

On Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:56:51 -0800 (PST), totallyconfused

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

As others have explained, not quite. However, even if it did, it
doesn't alter the fact that there is no law compelling a retailer to
give a receipt except as I explained for a VAT registered dealer when
a VAT registered customer asks for one. If you feel differently
perhaps you could point out which law it is you think gives such a
right?

Steve O

2011-11-08 00:48:36 UTC

Post by Mark Goodge
On Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:56:51 -0800 (PST), totallyconfused

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

Can't really see the police turning out for that one.
My guess is that they would simply advise the newspaper buyer to report
the vendor to Trading Standards.
Not sure if Trading Standards would be interested either.
Maybe the VAT office?

--
Steve O

Steve O

2011-11-08 00:40:11 UTC

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

No it doesn't.
Simple possession of the newspaper alone is not evidence that it has
been stolen.

--
Steve O

Simon Finnigan

2011-11-08 12:41:21 UTC

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

So Mr Parry...'explain...how do you have a copy of a newspaper in your
bag but our EPOS system shows you didn't buy it here? As you have no
other evidence and our EPOS systems evidence you stole it because you
didn't buy it here and you have not got a receipt from elswhere.'
System says you are guilty.
Please correct me and assume there is no CCTV.
This should be good...can't wait.
TC

How does having a receipt prove the newspaper in the bag was the one paid
for at a different shop? Surely the paper bought elsewhere has been dumped,
and Mr Parry has now stolen a copy from the shop he is in, prove otherwise.

Bertie Doe

2011-11-07 22:23:53 UTC

Post by Harry Davis
Must a retailer in England give a receipt if a customer says they want one?

/No. The only legal requirement is a VAT receipt must be issued if a
/VAT registered purchaser asks for one. However, as there is no
/practical way of checking if the person making the request is
/registered for or acting on behalf of a VAT registered company in
/practice asking for a VAT receipt will always get you a receipt.

This refers to the Sale Of Goods Act

http://www.br0wn.co.uk/lawofshopping/This refers to the Sale Of Goods Act
about halfway down:-
"Do I have to produce a receipt to claim my rights? No. In fact the trader
doesn't have to give you a receipt in the first place so it would be unfair
to say that you had to produce one."

Bertie Doe

2011-11-07 22:26:08 UTC

Try again

http://www.br0wn.co.uk/lawofshopping/

Steve O

2011-11-08 00:57:16 UTC

Post by Bertie Doe
Try again
http://www.br0wn.co.uk/lawofshopping/

Useful info.
With regards to the section on Retailer's Goodwill (returning something
if you don't like it) - I recently returned a coffee machine to Argos -
not because it was faulty, but because I didn't really like the coffee
it made. ( I have since found another machine which makes coffee exactly
the way I like it)
They were good enough to refund it-no questions asked- even though their
30 day goodwill refund policy for unwanted goods normally applies to
items which are unused and still in their packaging.
Well done Argos!

--
Steve O

Bertie Doe

2011-11-08 21:46:19 UTC

Post by Bertie Doe
Try again
http://www.br0wn.co.uk/lawofshopping/

/Useful info.
/With regards to the section on Retailer's Goodwill (returning something
/if you don't like it) - I recently returned a coffee machine to Argos -
/not because it was faulty, but because I didn't really like the coffee
/it made. ( I have since found another machine which makes coffee exactly
/the way I like it)
/They were good enough to refund it-no questions asked- even though their
/30 day goodwill refund policy for unwanted goods normally applies to
/items which are unused and still in their packaging.
/Well done Argos!

Yep Argos are pretty good with the PR. I have a Zaffiro coffee machine but I
can't stand the taste of milk frothed from the steam arm. Not Zaffiro's
fault, but steam arms tend to scald the milk. I prefer instead, to zap the
milk in the microwave and use a Bodum battery frother.
Well the Bodum broke after 2 weeks so I took it back to Argos. They didn't
put batteries in the frother to test it, they took my word that it was kaput
and replaced with a new one - good for them.

--
Steve O

Harry Davis

2011-11-09 11:46:13 UTC