GEORGE NEWS - When a garden worker could not show a till slip to his employee, Geraldine James, for purchases he had made on her behalf at her nearest superette, she went to check up on the shop herself.

James says the cashier told her that she could not give her a till slip. "She called the manager, who said that they did not supply till slips. He said that the paper was too expensive. I told him that it was law to give slips, but he said he was not aware of it being compulsory. Surely it is illegal not to provide a cash slip?"

The George Herald visited the superette in question, Henmars Superette, after receiving James's complaint and bought a few items. When asked for a till slip, it was provided immediately.

Upon enquiry, the owner, Helen Liang said, "We used to give every customer a till slip, but many said they did not want it because they throw it away. Our long-time customers usually do not want a slip, but it is their choice. Anyone who wants a cash slip, can ask."

According to Ashley Searle, director of the Consumer Protector's office in Cape Town, section 26 (2) of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) makes it an obligation for a supplier to provide a receipt to a consumer. Currently only the street vendor sector is exempted from this requirement. 

"All other sectors of business must provide a customer with a receipt. An exemption is granted by the national minister of trade and industry and must be contained in a regulation."

Searle said that Section 26 (3) of the CPA goes further and stipulates what must be contained in a receipt:

• Full name of owner or registered business name;
• VAT registration number (if registered for VAT);
• Address of business where goods are supplied;
• Date of transaction;
• Name or description of goods;
• Unit price of goods;
• Quantity of goods;
• Total price before any tax;
• Amount of tax;
• Total price including tax.

Searle said the National Consumer Commission deals with allegations of prohibited conduct and the enforcement of the legislation rests with them. A company, if found guilty of prohibited conduct by the National Consumer Tribunal can be liable to a fine to the maximum of R1 million or 10% of their annual turnover.

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