making billing cheaper!

[Larson Lawn Care]

Sending out invoices was expensive this year for me. Stamps, paper, envelopes, ink, the software, the expense of hiring someone to handle the billing, have really added up.

I am considering printing the invoices and leaving them at customers doors, or mailboxes if they are okay with that. I am usually in a hurry, I have the get it done and move on to the next one attitude when I'm working. Even if it is a short day. If I have to get out of routine, it is a set back to me. But if it is cheaper, I will just have to break the normal routine.

Does anyone have any good ideas for cheaper billing? I have roughly 70 residential clients.

[Ronniecoleman]

Most of my customers get there bill by email.

[White Gardens]

Originally Posted by Larson Lawn Care

Sending out invoices was expensive this year for me. Stamps, paper, envelopes, ink, the software, the expense of hiring someone to handle the billing, have really added up.

I am considering printing the invoices and leaving them at customers doors, or mailboxes if they are okay with that. I am usually in a hurry, I have the get it done and move on to the next one attitude when I'm working. Even if it is a short day. If I have to get out of routine, it is a set back to me. But if it is cheaper, I will just have to break the normal routine.

Does anyone have any good ideas for cheaper billing? I have roughly 70 residential clients.

I use carbon-copy books for billing when doing standard maintenance and the occasional small job. I just take 2 minutes to fill it out and drop it at the front door.

For the bigger jobs, or people who prefer the internet, I just use a pre-made template in publisher or word and send them via e-mail as a PDF or JPEG file. Works great, and I'm already paying for the internet.

[mowerbrad]

I like White Gardens' idea about using the carbon copy books. I use those books for when I do estimates. I makes it really easy actually because then you have a copy and the customer will have a copy. And really you can just fill it out after every time your at the customer's house and at the end of the month, drop it off at the door.

[lawncuttinfoo]

I advise againse the carbon copy thing. You either have to input into a program later anyway negating all time saved or you chance it with no digital backup of your business.

[zturncutter]

We use Quickbooks pro. We e-mail the ones that we can and let Quickbooks mail the rest for .79 cents each. I figure I am paying about .26 cents extra for them to handle it and all I have to do is click the mouse.

[jasonnau]

Originally Posted by zturncutter

We use Quickbooks pro. We e-mail the ones that we can and let Quickbooks mail the rest for .79 cents each. I figure I am paying about .26 cents extra for them to handle it and all I have to do is click the mouse.

I've never looked into the quickbooks invoicing. Is it really worth it. I use quickbooks pro 09. It always likes to throw that little pop up in when I'm on my 60th or so invoice (wouldn't you like to be done by now, use quickbooks invoicing.... something like that). Have you had any problems with their system doing it for you?

[zturncutter]

One time about a year ago the system missed 5 out going invoices to be mailed for some reason. I noticed it in about a week because of thier payment reminder system. I called and they apologized and made sure they were sent out that day. No problems since.

[jasonnau]

Originally Posted by Larson Lawn Care

Sending out invoices was expensive this year for me. Stamps, paper, envelopes, ink, the software, the expense of hiring someone to handle the billing, have really added up.

I am considering printing the invoices and leaving them at customers doors, or mailboxes if they are okay with that. I am usually in a hurry, I have the get it done and move on to the next one attitude when I'm working. Even if it is a short day. If I have to get out of routine, it is a set back to me. But if it is cheaper, I will just have to break the normal routine.

Does anyone have any good ideas for cheaper billing? I have roughly 70 residential clients.

I tried this a couple of years ago. It lasted for one month. I would forget to drop it off and have to turn the rig around and go back. No matter how hard I tried to remember to drop it off, I'd forget every thrid one. It just seems there is always too much on my mind when i'm actually out working. It might be different for you though, I couldn't do it very well. Plus, when you mail it, they really don't have any excuse. Plus some people never use their front doors and go through the garage, etc. If I mail it, I know they get it. The e-mail idea seems best to me, but, it's just another step to me. Trying to figure out who has e-mail, sending some by mail, some by e-mail. I'm best off just sitting down and doing one repetitive motion. I won't forget things that way. Plus, no excuse of the computer having issues.

[zturncutter]

When they mail out for you they also send a return envelope and a perforated invoice that looks just like your invoice but it is in black and white. The return envelope is even bar coded.