Why Herbalife Doesn't Give Receipts

by Francisco
(home)

When you buy products from Herbalife they dont give you receipt as proof of purchase. Do they not pay tax ? or what ?
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Francisco, yes they do. Speaking for myself, I believe it is important to give sales receipts to all customers.

When I make a sale in person I always ask if the customer wants a receipt. When I make a sale on the Internet I always send a receipt for the order.

Here is how it works. Herbalife products are only sold through independent distributors. The distributor is a private business person.

When you buy Herbalife products you purchase them from the independent distributor not directly from Herbalife. The independent distributor purchases products from Herbalife and delivers them to the customer.

It is up to the distributor to issue the customer a receipt not Herbalife Inc. Herbalife does keep very good records on purchase orders and do issue invoices. That means the distributor is responsible for giving receipts to their customers.

However, issuing a receipt is not an obligation for the distributor. It is the customer's choice to ask for a receipt (if they want one). Strangely many customers don't want or ask for a receipt.

On the Internet things are a bit different. When you purchase online the transacting institution is required to give you a (proof of purchase) invoice. This is typically done through email.

That's why online merchants always ask for an email address. It's not so they can send you advertising, it is so they can send you your purchase information and receipt.

When you purchase online with a credit card or PayPal the transaction can be approved or rejected instantaneously. In this case the invoice you get is considered a receipt. That is why it is so important to supply the correct email address.

Also, most online merchants ask for a telephone number in addition to the email address. The reason for this might surprise you. The phone phone number is asked for to verify identity and other details, like shipping address.

Herbalife's primary shipping company is Fedex. Fedex is very diligent about making deliveries. Surprisingly many customers do not supply accurate delivery details. If this happens Fedex will call the supplied phone number to verify the correct location for delivery.

Herbalife and Fedex require a phone number and an email for all transactions. If you order from a distributor and don't supply a phone number and email then the distributor will enter their own.

Yes Herbalife does pay tax. Independent distributors also must pay tax. But tax varies from place to place. Some distributors do not charge tax to their customers as a sales tool, and pay it themselves. Other distributors charge tax depending on location. So if your distributor doesn't charge you tax consider it a discount.

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Tips for ordering Herbalife products or anything else.

1. Always ask for a receipt from the merchant. This is the customers responsibility not the merchants.
2. Always supply an accurate email address and phone number. For identification and delivery.
3. Make sure the merchant is reputable. Ask for identification if it isn't obvious. Most online merchants readily supply this information. Typically on the Policies page
4. Establish a relationship with the distributor. This is good practice for any merchant/customer business transaction.

Hope this helps

Tim