Amy on Organizing Records

   The lowly receipt is such a common document that most of us don’t even think of it as a document. We toss them out or let them accumulate in our wallets, pockets, drawers, or car seats. But a document it is, with the details of your purchase.

   Holiday surveys conducted by Consumer Reports have found that less than half of adults usually give gift receipts, half don’t check a store’s return policy before buying, and more than a third don’t check online retailers’ policies. 

   However, if you think you may need proof of purchase or there is a possibility you may need to return an item, your receipt is the document you need. While some stores will accept a return without a receipt or use your credit card to look up a transaction, other stores still require an original paper receipt. Before you accept an electronic receipt, Consumer Reports recommends that you verify that it will be valid for returns, rebates, or other purposes that require proof of purchase. 

   Documenting online purchases is easier because each purchase generates an order number that is more readily tracked. Beware that some stores have different policies for online and in-store purchases. When in doubt, read the back of the paper receipt or go to the retailer’s Web site.