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Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

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Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#12
post #6
post #2

Anything with toxic thermal paper immediately goes to the trash if I can help it. Other than arguably being bad for the environment (so much paper wasted) they can also be harmful to you simply from touch . E.g. "A significant increase in urinary total BPA concentration was observed for cashiers handling daily thermal paper receipts. " [1][2] [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927604/ [2] https://www.c…

I can’t stand when I go to Mcdonals and ask to hold the pickle. They print a grill order receipt and tape it to the burger. It is a little receipt that states no pickle. All I can think when I see them is their ink is rubbing off on my fries.

Not to bash the obvious, but If you're eating McDonalds there are more pressing health concerns than the ink on the fries.

Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#13
post #6
post #2

Anything with toxic thermal paper immediately goes to the trash if I can help it. Other than arguably being bad for the environment (so much paper wasted) they can also be harmful to you simply from touch . E.g. "A significant increase in urinary total BPA concentration was observed for cashiers handling daily thermal paper receipts. " [1][2] [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927604/ [2] https://www.c…

I can’t stand when I go to Mcdonals and ask to hold the pickle. They print a grill order receipt and tape it to the burger. It is a little receipt that states no pickle. All I can think when I see them is their ink is rubbing off on my fries.

What I noticed last time at McD's, is that the ink literally rubs off from the colorful paper mat (on the tray) on which I have been putting ketchup and fries my whole life. Try rubbing it with your finger next time, yikes.

Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#14

I've wondered for some time why card processors don't have an API to accept receipt data so that they could handle storing receipts along with the transactions. It would be a little less wasteful but also allow some of the newer banks to create some interesting products. Your bank or card issuer already knows which store you visited, when, and where. Knowing what products your purchased doesn't add too much more dime…

The Visa VCF format does this, but like any old legacy format, it can be a pain to work with. Data quality is up to the merchant, and consistency among merchants is lacking even within a single industry with documented attributes like travel tickets, which AFAIK is still the primary use case.

https://online.ogs.ny.gov/purchase/biddocument/22712rfp_VCF4...

Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#15
I wish we could just get rid of paper receipts by default. At the end of more or less every retail transaction, they kindly hand you a few inches (or feet) of trash, which is a waste.

Many places are kind enough to ask if you need the receipt, but it still prints out if you say no - the cashier just throws it directly away for you.

I get that some people need or want receipts for various reasons, but judging by the trash can outside many stores exits, many people don't want them. The world generates enough trash as is.

Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#16

I've wondered for some time why card processors don't have an API to accept receipt data so that they could handle storing receipts along with the transactions. It would be a little less wasteful but also allow some of the newer banks to create some interesting products. Your bank or card issuer already knows which store you visited, when, and where. Knowing what products your purchased doesn't add too much more dime…

My Amex card does this for purchases at Square terminals. There's a "view receipt" link next to the transaction on my statement that opens the Square receipt. I haven't seen it for anything else though.

Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#17

I've wondered for some time why card processors don't have an API to accept receipt data so that they could handle storing receipts along with the transactions. It would be a little less wasteful but also allow some of the newer banks to create some interesting products. Your bank or card issuer already knows which store you visited, when, and where. Knowing what products your purchased doesn't add too much more dime…

This would also be really useful for increasing automation of expense reports if you are using a corporate credit card.

Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#18
post #13
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can’t stand when I go to Mcdonals and ask to hold the pickle. They print a grill order receipt and tape it to the burger. It is a little receipt that states no pickle. All I can think when I see them is their ink is rubbing off on my fries.

What I noticed last time at McD's, is that the ink literally rubs off from the colorful paper mat (on the tray) on which I have been putting ketchup and fries my whole life. Try rubbing it with your finger next time, yikes.

Did you expect that paper to be food grade? It isn't

Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#19
post #12
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can’t stand when I go to Mcdonals and ask to hold the pickle. They print a grill order receipt and tape it to the burger. It is a little receipt that states no pickle. All I can think when I see them is their ink is rubbing off on my fries.

Not to bash the obvious, but If you're eating McDonalds there are more pressing health concerns than the ink on the fries.

Given the "traditional" way of wrapping fish and chips was with newspaper, a bit of non-lead paint is an improvement

Re: Why are CVS receipts so long? (2018)

#20
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What I noticed last time at McD's, is that the ink literally rubs off from the colorful paper mat (on the tray) on which I have been putting ketchup and fries my whole life. Try rubbing it with your finger next time, yikes.

Did you expect that paper to be food grade? It isn't

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