I have read that Customer Factor can handle invoicing. Anyone know about it or use it? I do mostly resi and collect payment and give a receipt right then. Never had to bill anyone after the fact but I’m sure it will come up. Any thoughts on Customer Factor?
Customer Factor Kicks @#!% - That’s all 
If you aren’t using software for your day to day, you really should check it out. Steve’s awesome and will spend hours explaining it (Although it’s simple enough it won’t take hours 
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Do any of you use triple-duty forms? I mean…do your estimate forms turn into your invoice when you schedule the job, then get marked paid and used as a receipt?
A lot of you posted your estimate forms/invoices…do you have them printed on carbonless paper or do you buy carbons so you can keep a copy too?
I think that’s pretty common in our and other service industries, Renee.
Bumping thing up to a Quickbooks or other formatted amd printed invoice certainly adds to ones professional image.
Find the balance in what works best for you and your targeted demographic.
Where do you guys get your invoice templates? And are those invoice templates the same as a receipt that is left with the customer? I am just starting out going door to door with my little business I started to help pay for College. But, to be professional, I would like to leave them with some sort of document that verifies that they had the services done. Do I just make my own template (with services listed), have them mark the boxes that they want, write down the payment, and print it with a carbon copy so they can keep it? Should I get a merchant account that can take credit cards through my Iphone? Does a merchant account email them a receipt when the transaction is done? Anyway, I am clueless on this.
For credit cards, look up Square, it’s free and there are no minimums. Yes you can email a receipt at the end of the transaction.
I email most invoices,others i print and had to customers on the next clean after the 4 weeks and collect then… I don’t invoice any residential just commercial I also use window cleaner pro i can mark off jobs on a pda and sync up it later, saves time on the pc.
They dont charge for the equipement?
[QUOTE=JfromtheD:103718]It’s interesting to see the different terms we use…
To me:
[INDENT]Residential = houses/apartment complexes
Commercial = office buildings
Storefront = storefronts
Snaking =
I’m in the UK,
Commercial = office and shops and housing association
Residential = houses, flats, bungalows and cottages
I’m not saying every thinks of it this way, its just my class of these two.
I got my card reader free and so was the app for my phone.
Same for my Intuit GoPayment reader and app.
Ok, but how do you get the money into your business account? Do you just use your business account at the bank and have them set up a way to receive payment? Basically, I just need to know the steps I need to take to be able to give someone a receipt or invoice, and charge a credit card.
So far I have only drawn up my own template (Place for my logo, customer information, services given with price, total price, and signature to verify that the transaction happened).
Should I just bid the job, tell them how much it is, do the job, then take a check afterwards? Or, should I get a carbon copy of the template so that they can have a copy of what has been done? Also, what process do I need to go through after getting a card reader and app? I got a card reader app last week, but it said I need a merchant account. Is it necessary to get a merchant account, or can I just set something up with my bank and have them switch on some sort of magic button that allows credit transactions to enter my bank account from the card reader. Anyway, I am a bit lost on how to do everything.
Nope, as Tony said the reader is free. They’ll even send extras if you need them. Which is a good thing too because it’s easy to lose…it’s tiny, maybe an inch by an inch, and plugs into the headphone jack.
They walk you right through it during the registration process – you provide routing and account information to your checking account.
Like Larry said… go to squareup.com. Put in your email address and choose a password. Follow the rest of the registration – it’s going to ask for your name, address, and social security number OR EIN if you have one. They need that info to verify who you are. Then, you just have to put in your bank account information – account number & routing number for them to send the money to. This doesn’t have to be a business account, it can be your personal. (It’s a good idea to get a business account soon, but that’s a different topic.) Once your reader arrives and you download the app on your phone you’re ready to go. You swipe the card, charge the amount, and the funds are automatically deposited 1 business day later minus your 2.75% processing fee. There are no other charges at all.
Your bank has nothing to do with it, it simply receives the money sent from Square or any other credit card processor.
PS: The short answer is [B]yes,[/B] you need a merchant account. They need to verify your identity to make sure you’re not some fly by night operation that’s going to charge stolen cards. It’s a very easy process though, and free, so don’t let it scare you.
Thank you a ton. I had just done a lot of research one what needs to be done and that is exactly what I found out. I wish I would have read your quality replies sooner, ha ha. I actually went with Intuit’s program since I liked the look of the machine a little bit better, but I am sure they are both great products. I just used my personal bank account for now, until I go and register for a business account. But, here in Washington, I think I need a UBI, so I had to apply for a UBI first with the State. So my UBI and my EIN will both be used. It may be different in other states, but every online application I went to requested a UBI. Anyway, thank you a ton for all your help. I am well on my way to get this business rolling.
Squareup is excellent! What I like best about them is that the funds hit your account shortly after midnight every day. It also looks really pro and boss when the customer signs your phone with their finger.
I also switched to Invoice2Go for all my invoices, estimates and receipts. The Droid app is $10, the desktop app is $99, but its so worth it.
Going paperless this year was a great decision.
I have a printer in my truck and I invoice while on the job.
I dont think square is free any more. i believe the charge a 2.7% survices charge.
but paypal might be free
use which everyone works the best
