Lost your receipt. Do you still have a warranty?
For a warranty claim it doesn't have to be the till receipt. You need to show you bought it there, when and for how much. A bank statement, an order email or a photo of the receipt can be enough. Exchanging without a receipt is different: that's a favour from the shop, not a right.
How it works
Does something break that should have lasted longer? Then you’re entitled to a solution. That’s called the legal warranty. For it, you need to show you bought it at that shop.
You can do that with the till receipt. But also with:
- your bank statement (date, amount and shop),
- the order email or invoice from a web shop,
- a photo of the receipt.
Bought it in a shop? Ask whether they can look up your purchase using the date, time and amount on your statement.
Exchanging is something else
Something broken? Then it’s about the warranty. Does it just not fit, or don’t you like it? Then you want to exchange it. In a regular shop that isn’t a right. The shop sets the rules, and almost always asks for the receipt.
The tricky part
Receipts are small, disappear into coat pockets and fade in a drawer. And you only need them once they’re gone. With big appliances, only after a year or two.
Your washing machine breaks after a year and a half. The receipt was in a drawer. It has turned white: the paper has completely faded.
Often asked
Can a shop refuse a warranty claim without a receipt?
A till receipt isn't a legal requirement. You do have to be able to prove you bought it there. According to the ACM, a bank statement can serve as proof. It doesn't show which product you bought, so help the shop with the date, time and amount.
What counts as proof?
A photo or scan of the receipt, your bank statement, the order email or digital invoice from a web shop, or the shop looking up your purchase in its till system using the date and amount.
Can I exchange without a receipt?
That's up to the shop. Exchanging isn't a right but a service, and the shop may ask for the receipt.
My receipt has faded. What now?
Till receipts are often printed on heat-sensitive paper and fade. An unreadable receipt no longer helps you. So take a photo of your receipt right after you buy something.