In the paperless future, all receipts will be 10 feet long

rite aid receiptFast Company highlights the "insanely long" receipts produced by CVS. This is a long-running issue (get it), and it's not just CVS -- all sorts of stores do it now. (Don't get us started on the coupons that now accompany supermarket receipts -- on a separate strip of paper -- for stuff some algorithm thinks we might buy (but we never do).) [via @AlbBizPhilip]

Comments

Yeah, these coupon receipts are beyond ridiculous. Last weekend I was in a CVS and saw a coupon deal for 2-liter Cokes. The sign said it would be 74 cents with a coupon printed at the in-store coupon center. OK, I thought, I'll grab that coupon and use it. So I swiped my card and expected to be prompted for the item I wanted the coupon for...of course not. Instead the machine pumps out a five foot long strip of coupons that I then have to scan looking for my Coke coupon. But it isn't even there!

I go to the check out and show them. They say the deal must have expired. I point the display case out to them (it was right in front of the cashier) where the date of the deal is plainly visible.

They gave me the discount anyway and then after I paid they handed me another 5 foot long roll of coupons! Ten feet of paper to save a few cents.

There's much about this wasteful practice that I don't understand. Why don't they ask if the customer wants them and if not have an option on the register to not print the coupons? Why don't they make all of these deals automatically apply when you swipe your CVS card? If they did the latter, they could automatically eliminate the extra coupon receipts for everyone who uses a CVS card (we all have them, right?).

The key with CVS coupons is to combine them with a Manufacturers coupon (stack) so that you get the best price for an item already on sale. So cool, it is addicting!

We can help!!!!!

Since I seldom need to keep paper receipts from CVS, I make a point of crumpling up the receipt and leaving it on the counter in front of the cashier, or, if I do need the info, I tear off just the part I need and leave the rest. I take great joy from the bemused looks I get from the employees.

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