If you're like me, you've been shopping up a storm this past month and have acquired enough receipts to wallpaper a room. I'll hang on to them for a few weeks after Christmas just in case something is broken, doesn't fit, etc. But, once I see everything is good to go, I usually shred the receipt unless it is a big ticket item or electronic device.
Here's a friendly holiday tip: if the product has a warranty, don't throw away the receipt! I learned this lesson the hard way. About two years ago I purchased a Lifetime 4' fold-in-half adjustable height table as a gift for my mom. As a former employee of Lifetime, I was obviously familiar with the strength and durability of Lifetime tables and had seen first-hand the outstanding manufacturing process. However, I also should have known that, unfortunately, even the highest quality products can sometimes have a manufacturing defect.
After only using the table for a few months, my mom's table developed a small crack/hole in the plastic right on the seam of the table. For some reason the plastic is just too thin right in that spot. I can assure you, this is rare for Lifetime tables! It's very minor and doesn't affect the strength of the table or the usability. But, it definitely shouldn't happen.
The bummer of the whole thing is that since I was confident in my purchase and it wasn't a big ticket item or electronic product, I didn't keep the receipt! I also didn't get a gift receipt for my mom since I knew it was something she wanted and wouldn't return. Double bummer. Lifetime (as well as most other companies) clearly states in its warranty that you must provide a "copy of your dated sales receipt". I suppose if I really wanted to, I could have tried to beg and plead my case to the good people in Lifetime's Customer Service department. But, I'm not that kind of person...especially when the crack did not affect the usability of the table. Rules are rules and they are made for a reason. I need to own up to my mistake (er, stupidity) of not keeping the receipt for a product that carries an awesome 10-year warranty. DUH!
Anyway, long story short...if you purchase a product this Christmas that has a warranty, be sure to keep your receipt. And, take advantage of the store's offer for a gift receipt so your gift recipient can utilize the warranty if needed without ever knowing how much you paid.
Happy Holidays!