Why Every Purchase Needs a Receipt: A Legal Proof of Transactions

You walk into a shop at Challenge to buy a new phone. You test it, pay, and walk out without collecting a receipt. A week later, the phone starts glitching, and you rush back to complain. The shop owner looks you straight in the eye and says, “No be for here you buy am (you didn’t buy it from here).” At that point, you realise you have no proof of purchase. It’s just your words against theirs. This is why every purchase needs a receipt.

This scenario happens to many people in Ilorin every day and it’s not only limited to phone issues. Yet, what most people don’t know is that a receipt is more than just a piece of paper.

It’s your legal shield. It’s a document backed by Nigerian law that protects both the buyer and the seller.

Receipts Are More Than Paper

For most traders, they don’t issue receipts because it looks like a formality. For most buyers, they feel like it’s also a waste of time. But in reality, receipts are mini-contracts.

The moment money exchanges hands, the law expects proof and that proof is your receipt.

Receipts record what you bought, how much you paid, when the transaction happened, and who sold it to you. They may look ordinary, but they carry legal weight, should any dispute occur.

According to the Evidence Act (2011), receipts are admissible in court as proof of a contract. In other words, when there’s an argument, your receipt can speak louder than your voice.

Why Consumers Should Care

Think about how often you buy things: phones, foodstuff, clothes, even paying for tailoring services. Without receipts, you are walking around with no protection.

Here’s why every purchase needs a receipt:

1. Proof of Ownership

Imagine buying a generator from Tanke Junction and later finding out it was stolen property. With a receipt, you can prove you bought it in good faith and from the exact buyer. Without one, you may be dragged into a police case.

2. Legal Protection

If you ever need to return faulty goods or demand a refund, a receipt is your strongest weapon. No court will listen to “I swear I bought it” without evidence. In fact, it shows what is expected of you as a citizen.

3. Accountability

Some sellers are quick to deny responsibility after taking your money. A receipt keeps them accountable in any case.

Why Businesses Should Care

On the flip side, many small businesses in Ilorin haven’t formed the habit of giving receipts. Some say, “It’s too expensive to print.”

Others believe receipts only matter for big companies. But the truth is, issuing receipts is in their own interest too.

Here’s why:

1. Tax Compliance

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) requires registered businesses to issue receipts for every transaction. Failure to do so can attract fines or penalties.

2. Customer Trust

A shop at Taiwo Road that issues receipts instantly looks more credible than one that doesn’t. Customers are more likely to return because they feel secure.

3. Professionalism

Receipts are a sign that you take your business seriously. Even something as small as a handwritten receipt for a ₦2,000 Ankara cloth at Oja-Oba sets you apart from other traders.

What the Law Says

It’s not just common sense to give receipts. They are also backed by law in Nigeria.

• Consumer Protection (FCCPA 2018): Every consumer has the right to a written proof of their transaction. That means every buyer should leave with a receipt.
• Tax Laws (VAT Act 2004; Companies Income Tax Act): Businesses, especially those registered with CAC, must issue receipts for sales and services.
• Evidence Act (2011): Receipts are admissible in court and serve as proof of contract or payment. This shows that refusing to issue receipts isn’t just bad practice. It’s illegal.

Conclusion

The next time you buy something, whether a bag of rice at Ipata Market, a shirt at ShopRite, or even a service from a mechanic, ask for your receipt. Don’t treat it as an optional formality; see it as your legal armour.

And for business owners, start making receipts a habit. It doesn’t matter whether you’re selling clothes in a kiosk at Saw-Mill or running a boutique at GRA. Giving receipts sets you apart, protects you legally, and earns you trust.

So next time you’re tempted to walk away without one, remember why every purchase needs a receipt: because it is your undeniable proof that you matter as a consumer.