The rules and issues around the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve and information changes consistently. Please take note of when our content was written and always goâŻtoâŻthe sources weâve provided for the most current guidance.
With information from the health experts in BC, here are some ways you can make your shopping and paying experience safer.
Cash payments during a pandemic
Itâs no secret that money can carry germs and bacteria. But are cash and coins a risk for COVID-19 transmission? The BC Centre for Disease Control says that while there are no documented COVID-19 cases related to cash and coin payment, itâs important to clean your hands frequently if you deal with money.
5 payment tips for shopping safely during COVID-19
- Contact the store ahead of time to find out if you can pre-pay (to limit your time in store) and get your receipt via email
- Remember to ask about the return and refund policy. Can you return items through the mail?
- Pick up your items quickly and maintain physical distancing when interacting with staff. Remember the guidelines around physical distancing.
- Try to use touch-free payment methods when possible, such as debit cards, credit cards, or mobile phones.
- If you donât need a receipt, donât take one.
Did you like this? You might like these posts too!
How to make the most of your trips to the grocery store.
Handling cash payments safely: what we know right now
Do you use a digital wallet? You should read this
COVID-19: returns, refunds, and exchanges
Look throughâŻall ofâŻour COVID-19 related information on our website.
Where do we fit in?
Yes, we are a provincial regulator. We are responsibleâŻforâŻsome very specific transactions in BC. WeâŻarenâtâŻexperts on COVID-19. WeâŻwonâtâŻâ and shouldnât â ever give medical or legal advice. But we are in a unique circumstance right now and we want to help peopleâŻnavigate the current reality. We donât have all the answers, but we will do our best to share information from reliable sources, put it in ways that are easy to digest and understand, provide referrals and help you navigate this situation.
About Consumer Protection BC
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If weâŻcanâtâŻhelp you directly, we will be happy to provideâŻyou with as much informationâŻasâŻpossible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website atâŻwww.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
If I don’t take a receipt for my credit or debit card payment and for some reason I am mis-charged on that account? How can I get it corrected? My sister took the receipt at a gas station thankfully when she purchased gas, her card was mis-charged, luckily she had her receipt to get it resolved …. so now I usually take my receipt just in case…..such a waste of paper etc…
Hi Rhonda, thanks for your question. Generally speaking, refund policy is set by stores/businesses so it is really up to them to decide if a dispute like this requires a receipt. It comes down to talking to the business directly, especially the manager or the owner, and see if they can provide you with a satisfactory resolution. I know that this is not a straight forward answer but I hope it makes sense. Also to your point, taking and keeping your receipt is always a good idea, just in case! We’ve recently written a post about resolving issues with businesses during COVID-19. If you’re interested, here’s the link. If you have further questions, please let us know!