Reading a Grocery Store Receipt
Grocery store receipts give you information about food pricing that can be
useful in budgeting and in deciding on where to shop.
Produce listed with
weight and price
information
This is useful for
comparison to
prices in other
stores
Payment
information
Date and time
Barcode to make
product returns
easy
Name of store with
address and phone
number
Subtotal (no tax)
Taxes (GST and
PST in Manitoba)
Total cost
Total amount paid
Number of items
sold
Other information that might be on your receipt includes:
- List of savings through individual offers, coupons and other discounts
applied.
- Points collected or redeemed if the store has a points system.
It is a good idea before leaving the store to take a look at the receipt. Make
sure nothing stands out as an error and all of the items purchased are in the
right quantities. If you find errors or overcharges on your receipt, visit
customer service in the store.
Some stores in Manitoba have a policy in place also known as Scanning Code
of Practice (Walmart, Real Canadian Superstore, Safeway/Sobeys, etc). If an
item with a barcode scans incorrectly and you are overcharged for the item,
the customer may be entitled to either receive the product for free (if the
overcharged item costs less than $10) or receive $10 off the price (if the
product costs more than $10). Read more about the Scanner Price Accuracy
Code and the retailers who participate from the Retail Council of Canada.
Should I keep receipts?
It is also a good idea to keep grocery receipts for a couple weeks just in case
any product needs to be returned. If you are not satisfied with your
purchase or there are any quality issues (dents to cans, spoiled or stale
products), bring the item and the receipt back to the store and explain the
reason for the product return. Most stores are happy to exchange the
product or for a refund.
Another reason for keeping receipts is to track spending and to use in
comparing different store prices. Budget numbers will be more accurate if
you have actual receipts to track your expenses.
Created by the Manitoba Association of Home Economists for HomeFamily.net
