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The suspicious receipt for a $1.29 candy bar

August 05, 2013 08:42PM
Howdy,

So I did a quick in and out convenience store today. Were the cases full? Were you greeted? 2 minutes in and out, purchase anything. So as I walk back to the car, I realize I didn't get a receipt for my $1.29 candy bar. Would have never noticed otherwise, as I certainly wouldn't have cared, but also would have never been paid without the doggone receipt. So I go back in, purchase an identical candy bar, (just couldn't bring myself to ask for the receipt for the previous one), muttering "these are my husband's favorites", (which is true). I then say, "Would it be possible for me to get a receipt?" With a suspicious look, the cashier prints it out PLUS the former candy bar receipt.

Anything like being sneaky and anoynmous, right? Now there is an additional requirement for the shop, and that is to take a pic of the front of it. Wondering in case they don't believe the dated and addressed receipt stating that you were there at a certain time, or if they are trying to check for cleanliness, etc.
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More About Candy & Chocolate
August 05, 2013 09:11PM
95% chance they knew you are the shopper

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There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
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When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
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August 05, 2013 09:53PM
Been there, done that.

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer
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August 05, 2013 09:56PM
I don't have any problem going back and asking for my receipt. It's suspicious as hell anyway asking for a receipt for a candy bar so why not....
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August 05, 2013 10:39PM
I ask for a receipt for any purchase I do especially when tax is involved. I don't understand why so many do not give a receipt. I just don't get it.
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August 05, 2013 11:37PM
Suspicious? Perhaps.

However, they likely have so many customers a rotation of two or three months will likely put any memory of you out of their consciousness.

Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut
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August 06, 2013 02:01AM
Well imo it doesn't matter if we think it's suspicious or if it outs us as a shopper. It's a requirement of the shop and we're probably better off just asking for the receipt and not offering an elaborate story as to why we need same.
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August 06, 2013 02:22AM
Even before I started MSing I asked for receipts. When I worked in retail customer service I always handed the receipt to the customer. I think that’s the way it should be, but times change.

They sometimes make us ask if we want it. I'll ask ever time and give them the "funny look" if they hesitate to give it to me.

"All we want are the facts." Sgt. Joe Friday
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August 06, 2013 02:40AM
I had a problem with that one, too. The first time I did it, the clerk didn't offer me a receipt, and I forgot to ask for one. I remembered it while walking out of the store, but I couldn't make myself go back into the truck stop and ask for a receipt for a candy bar. Just couldn't do it. Naturally the shop was rejected and I got the one and only "1" of my shopping career.
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August 06, 2013 03:16AM
I forget to get a receipt about once every month. In fact, I now photograph every receipt before leaving the lot so that I'm not trying to go back much later to ask them to search the system for my miniscule purchase from hours before - this way I never leave the lot without remembering I forgot the receipt.
I usually apologize profusely and say that my spouse will absolutely kill me if I come home without a receipt for every penny spent. Sometimes there's sympathy, sometimes a quizzical look, usually indifference.
Just for kicks, last year at a particularly distant location that I'll probably never return to, I just wanted to see their reaction, so I said that I had to provide a receipt for absolutely everything that I spent money on every week to my probation officer. Got raised eyebrows, quickly broken eye contact, a receipt, and no words spoken at all. I told the cashier, "Thanks. I owe you one." The cashier offered as a friendly expression of farewell, "Don't worry about it."
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August 06, 2013 05:43AM
Damn! That's the best reason I've ever heard.

"I've got to turn in everything to my probabtion officer or its a parole violation."
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August 06, 2013 12:17PM
When I started Msing in 2005, I vowed to ask for a receipt for every transaction, regardless of wether I was MSing or not. If we all do thi, all the time, no one should ever assume that they are being shopped just becasue a receipt is requested.

My excuse is usually, "If I don't have receipts, I won't know where all my money went at the end of the month!"

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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August 06, 2013 05:01PM
It's none of their business why anyone wants a receipt, anyway. Chances are they just figured you're crazy! Here's a thought: When you get back to your car and realize you didn't get a receipt, take some bright red lipstick and smear it on your lips. Then they WILL write you off as crazy. Especially if you're a man.

*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
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August 07, 2013 06:19PM
I blame Dave Ramsey.

MissChele - Shopping KY, IN & OH
Thread Killer
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August 08, 2013 03:42AM
This happened to me (forgetting to grab receipt)

I told them I need the receipt for business purposes... makes ya sound professional and all business like, even if it's just for a candy bar. The cashier was happy to oblige in my experience.

Silver Certified ~ Shopping all of Toronto and beyond
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August 08, 2013 03:28PM
I like the parole officer one. I usually say I itemize my deductions at tax time.
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August 09, 2013 03:11PM
jpgilham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't have any problem going back and asking for
> my receipt. It's suspicious as hell anyway asking
> for a receipt for a candy bar so why not....

That is why I use a debit card for convenience store shops. A receipt is automatically generated, and it looks like you just ran out of cash.
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August 09, 2013 03:38PM
I always ask for the receipt if not given. The reason is you never know when there will be a problem with a purchase of any kind or amount and without a receipt, you go through heck trying to get the issue resolved. They do not need to know why you need a receipt, so just ask for it........they should offer one no matter what.
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August 09, 2013 04:08PM
I needed that, thank you!!!!


SandiAigo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's none of their business why anyone wants a
> receipt, anyway. Chances are they just figured
> you're crazy! Here's a thought: When you get
> back to your car and realize you didn't get a
> receipt, take some bright red lipstick and smear
> it on your lips. Then they WILL write you off as
> crazy. Especially if you're a man.
Reply
August 09, 2013 04:12PM
amshopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jpgilham Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I don't have any problem going back and asking
> for
> > my receipt. It's suspicious as hell anyway
> asking
> > for a receipt for a candy bar so why not....
>
> That is why I use a debit card for convenience
> store shops. A receipt is automatically
> generated, and it looks like you just ran out of
> cash.

Some shops do not accept debit/credit receipts on their own and must have the store's receipt attached. While a great solution, I just thought I'd mention shoppers should pay attention to specifics of the shops. I did a few this months for a MSC that would not accept the debit/credit card receipt on its own.

Silver Certified ~ Shopping all of Toronto and beyond
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August 09, 2013 04:26PM
I was told by a convenience store clerk, that they don't even print receipts for cash purchases. So, unless it's specified that the purchase has to be cash, debit card it is, even if it's only $0.99.
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August 10, 2013 12:46AM
I would not think of giving my accountant my expense report without receipts. $1.29 for a candy bar? Did you share that with a client? Sounds personal to me. Mystery shopping irritates him. The MSP's wants you to do WHAT? It is entertaining to see him react. Just another reason to mystery shop.
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