Disappearing ink on reciepts...anyone?

braggscowboy · #1 03/08/12, 11:18 PM

While going through reciepts the other day looking for one from WM, I noticed that many I had in my safe, in the dark, the ink was gone. The ones that were completly gone were from Bass Pro. I could only see a little of the fish and could not see what they were for. I think the companys that tell you, you need to keep this reciept, knows, yea right, try to bring this one back in the future. Anyone had that problem?

kasilofhome · #2 03/08/12, 11:27 PM

Yes, also think IRS---yeah those blank slips will really help you. Now I am writing on the back of the slip for IRS stuff the amount and date and transaction number. I figure that it is at least an attempt. I really should just scan them.

||Downhome|| · #3 03/08/12, 11:34 PM

yes photo copy them or scan them.

wingnut64 · #4 03/09/12, 01:52 AM

Yep. Thermal paper receipts are bad for that.

BarbadosSheep · #5 03/09/12, 05:59 AM

Scan or copy receipts that are important. The originals will not last.

mamita · #6 03/09/12, 07:42 AM

yes! my hubby was just complaining of this the other day. he keeps every receipt for everything under warranty, etc. pulled something out the other day...poof! it was like vanishing ink. now we will copy for sure!

hippygirl · #7 03/09/12, 09:35 AM

Yep...it's the thermal paper. Lost many faxes back in the day when fax machines using thermal rolls were common.

ldc · #8 03/09/12, 10:46 AM

Never knew why this was happening! Thx everyone; so important at tax time!

Joshie · #9 03/09/12, 05:56 PM

One problem is that some retailers/manufacturers require an original receipt.

blooba · #10 03/09/12, 09:54 PM

i made a purchase at home depot with the thermal paper receipt for some power tools with lifetime warranties. made a copy and kept the thermal (blank by then) went to redeem my warranty and they tried saying the needed the original but i showed them its blank and showed the copy and they honored it.

travis91 · #11 03/09/12, 10:32 PM

Lowes gave me a card that keeps track of all my purchases and receipts electronically.. called a MyLowes card

ELOCN · #12 03/09/12, 10:44 PM

I had a couple of receipts I left out in the car over the summer. They faded away to where you couldn't read them.

Coloneldad5 · #13 03/10/12, 04:30 AM

The IRS will accept digital copies of reciepts. Stores may be another thing. However, I would highly recommend scanning everything as that takes up a lot less space than file cabinet after file cabinet of reciepts and papers. Just make sure you keep multiple back ups of all those documents.

**ladycat** · #14 03/10/12, 07:38 AM

It's not disappearing ink. It's thermal paper. No ink is involved.

This explains it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_paper

tinknal · #15 03/10/12, 10:36 AM

I've found that covering with transparent tape will preserve the printing.

**ladycat** · #16 03/10/12, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinknal

I've found that covering with transparent tape will preserve the printing.

On thermal paper?

poorboy · #17 03/10/12, 09:12 PM

Bought a $400 fuel pump from a local auto parts about ten years ago..going through the receipts from that auto parts none of them over a few months old were readable....Checked through canceled checks and BINGO there was a canceled check with fuel pump wrote on it for that date...As it had a lifetime warranty this was a very good find...

T. Stine · #18 03/11/12, 03:42 PM

I just had the same problem with a Zales jewelry receipt!!! Someone, somewhere came up with that tricky idea. The idea of printing your important receipts is a great idea, just make sure you staple the two together as proof. Crazy world!