Disappearing Ink on Thermal Paper?

dpippenger asks: "A few days ago my rear projection TV made a soft clicking noise and the color balance suddenly went a bit blue. The set was only about 3 months old and I neglected to get the in store warranty. I decided to try and cash in on the 1 year manufacturers warranty which only required an original sales receipt as documentation. I quickly opened up my file cabinet and retrieved the receipt in question. I was fairly upset to find the sales receipt was printed on a slippery thermal paper (pretty common these days) and after only 3 months was noticeably degraded. The paper was discolored slightly and important blocks of text like the model number were just gone. After some conversation at the TV repair shop they finally accepted it as proof of warranty. The problem is this receipt is my only evidence of warranty for an entire year. I have to wonder what the receipt will look like in another 9 months and if it will be unacceptable as proof of purchase next time I need repairs. Have any other readers had a similar experience or have tips on preserving these thermal receipts?"

Comments

duh

[demian031]

1. a photo-copier
   
2. a scanner
   

Re:duh

[pbox]

Laminate it. It seems that both inkjet and thermal printers are harmed by the air just as much as by sunlight. Keep it in the dark, and laminate it...

The $50 Cookie`

[NanoGator]

I bought a Replay a few months ago with a $50 rebate. I placed the receipt and form on my desk at the office so when I could find a minute I'd fill it out. When I finally got around to it, I noticed something very bizarre about the receipt. There was no text on it! Puzzled, I moved the stack of papers and discovered a half eaten cookie I thought I was going to finsih the week before.

Dammit! The oil from the cookie soaked through the receipt making it, I shit you not, transparent. Remember that episode of the Simpsons where they were at Krusty Burger and somebody rubbed the to-go bag on the wall making it transparent, and then a bird flew into it? It was just like that! Well okay a bird didn't fly into it, but I guarantee you a bird was flying when I realized I couldn't get my rebate.

Yep, that cookie cost me $50. Didn't even finish the damn thing.

Re:The $50 Cookie`

[Anonvmous Coward]

"Then it cost you $50 and half a cookie."

He's an optimist. He lost $50, but he got 100% more cookie than he wanted.

Re:Freezer??

[Anonymous Coward]

"Throw-in one of those "do not eat," gel packs and you are done."

The sour gel packs or the slightly sweet ones?

It's a industry wide conspiracy

[Lead Butthead]

To sleez their way out of any obligations.

1. Print receipt on thermo paper designed to degrade.
2. Refuse to honor warrenty/exchange on broken products with unreadable receipt.
3. Profit!