Would you like a receipt? That's usually a simple question to answer. Most people want to make sure their purchases were rung up correctly or make returns easier.
The tougher question these days is this one: paper or digital?
Digital receipts – electronic versions sent via email, text or app – are growing in popularity and can be handy to track purchases, make returns, keep to a budget or prepare for tax season. Paperless proponents also argue that printed receipts are environmentally wasteful.
On the flip side, digital detractors raise privacy concerns. And recent surveys show consumers still prefer old-fashioned physical receipts more than 3 to 1.
But experts say we may be nearing a tipping point.
They expect momentum for paperless receipts will grow at cash registers and with consumers, driven by the habits of millennials, who tend to spurn paper.
Even CVS, whose receipts are so epically long they've spawned scores of internet memes and Halloween costumes, has moved into the post-paper age and offers a digital option.
"Unlike paper receipts, digital receipts won't fade, get crumpled or lost," said Regina Conway, a consumer expert at Slickdeals.net. "This is especially helpful during the holiday season when it comes time to return unused or unwanted items."
But there's more to weigh before chucking paper forever. Here's what to consider and when you should still walk away with printed paper in your hand.
First, the basics
Every year in the United States, receipt use consumes more than 3 million trees and 9 billion gallons of water, according to Green America's Skip the Slip report, which also notes that generating receipts produces more than 4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide and 302 million pounds of solid waste during production.
Any receipt is better than no receipt for proof of purchases, and they're crucial for warranty issues, especially on big-ticket items like appliances and electronics. Having an original or gift receipt in whatever available format should make the return process go more smoothly, improving your chances of getting a full refund.
Choose Paper, a global campaign supported by the paper industry, did a survey in April and found 62% of consumers are concerned that their personal information held electronically is at risk of being hacked, stolen, lost or damaged.
The survey also found 62% of U.S. consumers are concerned they'll receive unsolicited marketing if their transaction history is stored.
Nearly seven out of 10 Americans say they prefer getting a paper receipt, compared with 19% who'd rather get an electronic receipt and 8% none at all, according to an August 2018 YouGov survey of close to 24,000 people.
Personal preference
Just like picking up a book or an e-book, it sometimes boils down to preferences.
Beth Porter, one of the authors of Skip the Slip and Green America's climate campaigns, said the nonprofit recommends businesses ask customers their preference to reduce automatic printing of receipts. Earlier this year, California lawmakers considered a bill to require businesses to offer a digital receipt option and provide a paper receipt upon customer request, but the measure failed.
Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com, travels a lot for business and says digital receipts are easier to keep organized "rather than having to keep track of a ton of paper receipts that are easy to misplace.”
When will we ditch paper receipts?
Similar to the cashless movement, there's a long way to go before total conversion.
“I can foresee a day when we make it so easy that consumers get comfortable with it as an alternative to that actual paper receipt,” said Rod Sides, vice chairman and retail leader of consulting firm Deloitte. “I think in the next three to five years, we’ll find more and more people accept it.”
Where can I get a digital receipt?
Apple started the digital receipt movement in 2005. Now the early adopter is joined by Best Buy, CVS, GNC, Kmart, Kohl's, Lowe's, Macy's, Nordstrom, Publix, Sam's Club and Walmart with its mobile payment program Walmart Pay.
At Target, if you pay for an in-store purchase with a card associated to your Target account or by using the Wallet in the Target app, you can access a return barcode and print a gift receipt from the retailer's website.
Some stores that don't have digital receipts also can look up purchases with a credit card or loyalty program.
Avoiding e-receipt overload
If you’re worried about a security breach and looking to keep your inbox less cluttered, consider setting up a separate receipt email account.
Schulz suggests moving digital receipts into a designated folder in your email to help keep track. "It’s simple to do and it can save you some time if you go looking for that receipt in the future," Schulz said. "Also, consider saving the digital receipt as a PDF and saving them in a folder on your computer. It never hurts to have extra copies of these things."
Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, recommends using an email management service like unroll.me "so all those types of marketing and shopping emails go into a separate folder and not your inbox."
Tips and strategies
Make money: Saving receipts also can net you some money whether it's on cashback apps like Ibotta or Shopkick, both available for in-store and online purchases, or grocery rebate apps like Fetch Rewards or SavingStar. You also have higher odds at larger payouts with class action lawsuits that pay more with proof of purchase like receipts.
Double up: Take both receipts when offered, especially for major purchases, said Sara Skirboll, RetailMeNot shopping and trends expert. “If I'm only offered a paper receipt, and there's a small chance I may return the item or I'm giving it as a gift, I will always take a photo with my phone,” she said.
Digitize receipts: In addition to taking photos, if a store doesn't offer digital receipts, you can use apps including Receipt Hog and ReceiptPal, which both reward consumers for uploading receipts. When using a phone's camera, consider making an album of receipts. For the highly organized, make an album per store.
Holiday return tips
Gift receipts: Always ask for gift receipts and then keep it with the gift. Also save all of your original receipts (physical or digital) to ensure your friends and family receive the full price you paid if they need to return or exchange your gift. At Target, returning an item with a gift receipt often means the person returning item will get a merchandise return card, which unlike a regular gift card can be used only in-store.
"A gift receipt is actually somewhat of a gift itself. It means that if the person doesn’t like what you got them, they don’t have to just stash it in a closet or put it on the curb on bulky-trash-pickup day," Schulz said. "They can easily swap the item out for something they’d like more."
Know the policies, deadlines: Read policies at store websites, on store signs or on the back of receipts.
No receipts? Returns without a receipt usually result in a merchandise credit for the lowest recent sale price or possibly no refund or exchange at all, depending on the store's policy.
Exchange it: Like the gift but want it in another color or size? Look for the item or ask for help, and if it’s not in stock, ask a store associate if it’s available online or at another store location.
Bring your ID: Even if you have a receipt, some stores require a government-issued ID.
Mail in rebates: If giving a rebate item as a gift, something to consider is whether you feel comfortable cutting off the UPC from a package. Some of the items are good deals because of the rebate.
Extra fees: If you are returning any electronics or an item that has been opened, be prepared to pay a restocking fee of up to 15 percent.
Talk to a manager: If you have a problem returning a gift, contact the store manager or the retailer's customer service department.
Sell or donate it: If you can't return or exchange gifts, consider selling them on eBay or similar apps and websites. Or donate them.
