Demand your receipt - CAC

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) is urging shoppers to demand their receipts when making purchases this Yuletide season.

According to the CAC, consumers need to use their knowledge wisely and be vigilant and selective when conducting any transaction.

"Unfortunately, at this time of year, in particular, some merchants are so busy that they do not write receipts or they offer bargains where discounts are given but no receipts provided.

"However, without a receipt, there is no proof that the item was purchased from a particular establishment or individual. This, therefore, means that if there is no receipt, the redress is more difficult to obtain," said the CAC in its latest quarterly report.

CONSUMERS' RIGHT

The commission pointed out that some shops do not give receipts, but consumers have a right to get one regardless of where they shop.

The Consumer Protection Act states that receipts must have certain basic information such as the amount paid by the consumer, the date on which the purchase was made, a description of the goods sold or service rendered, where applicable, the professional fee charged, and such other information as may be prescribed.

"If these basic details are not present on the receipt, then the vendor is not obeying the Consumer Protection Act, which clearly says that suppliers and service providers must give consumers a receipt for goods or services purchased.

"A vendor who fails to provide a receipt would have committed an offence and is, therefore, liable on summary conviction before a resident magistrate to a fine not exceeding J$50,000 or to imprisonment for a term of 30 days or to both fine and imprisonment," the CAC noted.

For businesses, the importance of a receipt translates to completeness of records, claim as deduction or refund, facilitates audit queries, and serves as hard evidence that the transaction did take place.