At a glance
Receipts are effective for making a warranty claim. But sometimes the printed ink fades. So make photocopies!
Receipts are effective for making a warranty claim. But sometimes the printed ink fades. So make photocopies!
When a copy of a receipt is as good as the original
Photocopying a receipt? It sounds like a ridiculously simple trick... but a very useful one!
Until recently, the law required that proof of purchase of a product be the original invoice or receipt. But when the receipt faded, the unlucky customer often lost any means of recourse.
Thanks to the new regulation, if you keep a copy of your receipts, they will be considered legal proof of purchase, and you'll still be able to claim your warranty.
How can a receipt fade?
The use of thermal printers has become widespread, especially in large retail chains. As the name suggests, the receipt is printed through a heat reaction on special paper. These printers are popular because they're faster, quieter and more economical than traditional ink printers.
But thermal printing fades easily when exposed to light. Some receipts can therefore become completely illegible after just a few days. The new law requires that receipts from thermal printing carry a notice informing the consumer of the risk that the printed data may fade.
