An Australian shopper has sparked debate over receipt laws after being asked to produce proof of purchase for an item bought at another store.
Posting on Reddit’s AusLegal page, the customer explained they had entered a Coles store in Victoria with a trolley full of groceries from Aldi.
A Coles self-checkout staff member questioned a 30-pack of Coke cans and demanded to see a receipt, suspecting the item was stolen.
The shopper said they typically don’t keep receipts unless it’s for a high-value item that may need to be returned.
Despite explaining this, the staff member insisted that receipts from other stores should be kept to prove items weren’t stolen.
Legal expert Jahan Kalantar told media that retailers like Coles have no legal authority to force customers to produce receipts for goods purchased elsewhere.
He clarified that while stores may ask to inspect bags, security guards cannot compel shoppers to comply and must involve police if they suspect theft.
“If staff detain a person without legal cause, it could potentially lead to a false imprisonment claim,” Kalantar said.
He added that most people comply to avoid confrontation, though legally they are not obligated to show receipts.
Kalantar shared an example where a customer showed a bank transaction to prove a purchase in the absence of a receipt.
He emphasized that individuals have a right to privacy and assumptions alone are not sufficient grounds for action.
There is no legal requirement to produce receipts for items from other stores unless there is clear evidence of theft, such as CCTV footage.
