A sales draft is a detailed record of a credit or debit card transaction, typically generated at the point of sale when a customer makes a purchase. It serves as proof that a transaction took place and includes essential information such as the date, time, merchant name, card number (partially masked for security), the amount charged, and an authorization code. Sales drafts are used by both merchants and financial institutions to verify and process payments, and they play a critical role in dispute resolution and chargeback investigations.
Traditionally, sales drafts were printed receipts that required a cardholder’s signature to authorize the transaction. While modern technology has largely replaced paper signatures with digital approvals, especially in contactless and mobile payments, the concept of a sales draft remains important. In many cases, digital versions of these drafts are stored electronically by the merchant or payment sales staffing services. This documentation becomes especially useful when a customer questions a charge or requests a refund, as it provides concrete evidence of the original purchase and the terms agreed upon.
For merchants, maintaining accurate sales drafts is vital for record-keeping, tax purposes, and resolving customer service issues. In cases of a chargeback, where a customer disputes a transaction, the sales draft may be requested by the card issuer or payment network to determine whether the transaction was valid. A missing or incomplete sales draft can result in the merchant losing the dispute, which may include losing the payment and incurring additional fees.
Sales drafts also offer consumers a sense of security by providing them with a reference for purchases made using their cards. They can review these drafts through receipts or transaction histories to ensure all charges are legitimate. With the rise of digital wallets and online shopping, the format of sales drafts has evolved, but their core function remains unchanged—serving as a record that verifies a financial transaction occurred. As commerce continues to shift toward digital and contactless methods, the importance of maintaining accurate and accessible sales drafts remains a critical aspect of secure and transparent financial transactions.