Chris Maclean: pointless procedures

I've just been told off by the van sales lady who supplies our crisps and nuts.

I am refusing to sign her invoice for the goods.

I've paid cash, to the penny, I have a receipt from which I can recover the VAT, I have made a note for the book-keeper and I have made an adjustment to my figures so that the till can be reconciled.

So why must I sign her invoice? She tells me she will get into trouble with her auditors if I do not sign the form but this is absurd. Each time she raises an invoice she should have the money to go with it. If she was extending me credit then perhaps a signature will confirm I have had the goods and will, at some time in the future, pay her the outstanding money. But the money is the evidence I have had the goods, surely? I do not need to sign anything.

The old legal principle about a sales contract was based upon an understanding that "the buyer agrees to buy and the seller agrees to sell for a consideration". No mention of procedural paperwork in that.

It is extraordinary how people insist we perform unnecessary procedures because that is what we are told to do. Last week I visited a shop where I could see an old camera I wanted to buy. But it wasn't for sale. It hadn't gone onto the computer. I could see it. It would be for sale. But it wasn't at that time. Procedures. Stupid procedures that help no one.

My crisp salesperson is upset because I will not follow her procedures. So I have marked the page with a huge cross.

Now she is more angry.

She will go around muttering because I haven't been obedient. She will feel my actions stupid because she has been told to adhere to this procedure and I am not helping her.

It is a pity because I only get my crisps from her so that I can get the gossip on how general trade is in the area. Now I might just have to resort to the wholesalers in future. They don't make me sign anything.