Refusing to assist with warranty info

I bought an AEG electrolux vacuum cleaner but lost the reciept. I have kept the box which has got barcode and serial number. I called in and asked if there is a way to trace if this machine is still under warranty as it has got a problem but I am told that they will never trace it for me if I do not have a recipient. It is not possible to keep reciepts safe at all the time. Does this mean that it is my loss if the machine happens to still be under warranty but I lost the recipient?