Customized Receipt book

[Fresh Cut]

Today I went to the printing guy that does my business cards and asked about a receipt book with my logo on it so I will be able to give everybody a receipt. He showed me what he had and one example of how it may look. He said he didn't have anything for a lawn service and that he could put my logo at the top of whatever form I come up with. He said that I could bring him something such as a template that has all the fields on it that I would need and he could go from there. So, I've been online for a few hours now looking for a form for lawn service and I can't find anything. I see a lot of sample invoices, templates, etc. but nothing that would fit what I need. To give you guys a better idea, I'm planning on using software this year for invoices and to keep track of my money, but what about when I'm in the field, on a clients yard and the neighbor comes out and asks me to hit his next? Of course I'll do it, but I wanna be able to give him a receipt as well as have a record of it for myself. So I wanna be able to just fill in the blanks right there at my truck, sign it, have said client sign it, and tear his copy out the book. I want my logo and company info to be at the top just like a letterhead. Is this practical or is there a better way of doing this?

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

What about using a laptop and small printer in your truck? We have seen others on here do that as well. You could create a mobile office. Check out this blog article on a mobile lawn care office.

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[Fresh Cut]

Originally Posted by Steve

What about using a laptop and small printer in your truck? We have seen others on here do that as well.

You could create a mobile office.

Check out this blog article on a mobile lawn care office.

Steve, I can't afford that right now. I'm limited on my funds and trying to do as much as possible with what I have.

[Steve]

I can understand working on a limited budget.

Is this practical or is there a better way of doing this?

I'd say if it keeps your expenses down, do it!

I'd love to see what they look like if you get them printed.

[picframer]

All of my crews have a receipt book, we buy them at Staples for $1.57 for 50 duplicates and they are stamped with our company information, they get the customer name and address and email.

Each evening they hand this in and Holly will set the new customer up and our software sends them an invoice followed by a receipt via email. We have never had a customer refuse to give us their email.

This is for times when the person next door or walking buy says since you are in the area could you............Then they are sent an email asking if we can add them to our newsletter.

For one off's I have a sales guy starting in April, he will go after these first.

[Steve]

This is for times when the person next door or walking buy says since you are in the area could you............

In such situations, how do you suggest to handle payment? Should they get credit card information or is the customer simply billed later?

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

In such situations, how do you suggest to handle payment? Should they get credit card information or is the customer simply billed later?

Credit Card or Cheque and the new client is told before they even start that when they are finished a hand written invoice will be presented, payment is due and our office will send an invoice and receipt for the service, they note on the receipt if we are to come back so they get into the scheduling software.

Sometimes they do take cash but I ask they to avoid this at all costs, the areas we work most, almost all, is credit card. I bet we took less than $500.00 in cash last year and we will not do cash jobs without tax, employees know they would be fired no matter what, I will not work under the table and I make that very clear to every new person.

[Steve]

Good idea. Why chase people down for payment at a later date when you can get paid the same day you do the work.

[justin_time]

Originally Posted by picframer

Credit Card or Cheque and the new client is told before they even start that when they are finished a hand written invoice will be presented, payment is due and our office will send an invoice and receipt for the service, they note on the receipt if we are to come back so they get into the scheduling software.

Sometimes they do take cash but I ask they to avoid this at all costs, the areas we work most, almost all, is credit card. I bet we took less than $500.00 in cash last year and we will not do cash jobs without tax, employees know they would be fired no matter what, I will not work under the table and I make that very clear to every new person.

How do you accept someone's credit card ? Do you use Paypal to do that ?

[Fresh Cut]

Originally Posted by picframer

All of my crews have a receipt book, we buy them at Staples for $1.57 for 50 duplicates and they are stamped with our company information, they get the customer name and address and email.

My sister suggested I look into this method because it may be cheaper, but I want a format thats specific to what I'm doing, lawn care.

I want fields that specify if they want continued cuts or that this is a one time cut, etc. Some things I tend to forget when I'm focused on getting my cutting time down on my 4th yard of the day and I got a blower on my back when the neighbor slows down in her Infiniti I35 and rolls down the window.

I guess I could start with a generic receipt book, but I really want something specific to my application.