Ryan wrote:

That’s a really good point. Maybe what they should do is always provide all of your statements in a PDF format that can be downloaded and stored on your computer at anytime. That way if you switch companies you can download and save all the statements to your computer.

Actually, now that you mention it, my internet & phone providers supply PDF’s. One sends it per email, the other lets you download it (after login). I think the first option is the best, because most people won’t go through the trouble of clicking a link, logging in and then finding the bill to download. Plus they only keep the last 12 statements. It’s about time more companies do that

Sprint emails statements as a PDF as well, and it is pretty nice not having to go download it later on. None of my other services do that though.

That’s a really good point. Maybe what they should do is always provide all of your statements in a PDF format that can be downloaded and stored on your computer at anytime. That way if you switch companies you can download and save all the statements to your computer.

Actually, now that you mention it, my internet & phone providers supply PDF’s. One sends it per email, the other lets you download it (after login). I think the first option is the best, because most people won’t go through the trouble of clicking a link, logging in and then finding the bill to download. Plus they only keep the last 12 statements. It’s about time more companies do that

On a semi-related topic I have a gripe about some of these stores like Target and Wal Mart on how much paper they waste with their receipts. Yes, I want a paper receipt, but Target for example 1/3 of the total paper used is for the receipt itself. The other 2/3 is the gift receipt (which should be upon request) and their call-in sweepstakes. Wal Mart is just as bad, but at least they do their gift receipts upon request.

I’d like to see receipts get trimmed down as well, and having worked at Target I can confirm that the printing of gift receipts automatically is a waste. They do analyze your purchases though to see what you’re buying and how much your spending to determine whether a gift receipt should be given. For example, if you go in to buy just groceries you’re actually not supposed to receive a gift receipt.

That’s a really good point. Maybe what they should do is always provide all of your statements in a PDF format that can be downloaded and stored on your computer at anytime. That way if you switch companies you can download and save all the statements to your computer.

The thing I do not want to use paperless advantages for is financial stuff. Since you have to keep 5 years of financial history for taxes, I need access to that history going 5 years back. Statements online only go back 12-24 months, so I am forced to still request paper statements

This would also count for all services you use that you can deduct from taxes. If you don’t have them on paper and you switch companies, you’d lose all access to your previous statements if you don’t have them on paper. They should think of a solution for that.

On a semi-related topic I have a gripe about some of these stores like Target and Wal Mart on how much paper they waste with their receipts. Yes, I want a paper receipt, but Target for example 1/3 of the total paper used is for the receipt itself. The other 2/3 is the gift receipt (which should be upon request) and their call-in sweepstakes. Wal Mart is just as bad, but at least they do their gift receipts upon request.