this recent experience with a verbal price I gave a client, then charging them more when I made out the invoice (I forgot)has me looking at my current invoices and thinking I should re-word the fine print.
I'd like to see what others have for the fine print at the bottom of thier invoices.
A:)
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
A, my invoice shows nothing but readable text, no fine print. This way there aren't any excuses. In between the heading, description of work and the amount due upon completion at he bottom it reads as follows.
Now that both of us have come to the decision of what is going on your vehicle and a price has been established, there are a few things that come to mind. One is design change, design change or extra work causes havoc and nervousness on my part and therefore a price change. Extra work such as adding a little here and there which your spouse considers nice costs money, your money. NOTE : Initial design work done on paper $150 minimum. Pinstriping and design are my lifes work, this is no party for me as all my work is guaranteed Show Quality and done by hand using the same methods as masters before me. Also take note that if this work is performed at your residence or business, a travel fee is in order at $1. per mile each way. If your vehicle is taken care of as meticulous as your love for your family, my work on your vehicle will last as long as the vehicles paint itself. Prices are of cash value.
Thats word for word on my private party invoice.
Posted by Kristi Percell (Member # 255) on :
Hi Adrienne,
The bottom of our invoice has the following:
50% deposit on all Manufacturing, balance due upon completion of Manufacturing Service. Contracted Installation requires a 10% deposit and balance due upon completion of Contracted services.
We usually break apart the Manufacturing portion from the Installation, with 2 separate invoices. Installation does not occur until the Manufacturing portion has been reviewed, accepted and paid in full.
When dealing with a large company, they usually ask us for a firm price on installation. We will give them a flat fee, but we expect and outline in the installation contract/invoice that the final check must be on-site and ready to be picked up once the installation has be "OK’d" by someone on-site.
By breaking the 2 services apart, it really minimizes having to chase a check for the balance. And if we are stalled (not very often) for payment, then it is just on the installation portion, not the signs themselves. If they don’t pay for the sign before installation, then it does not get installed until they pay.
As far as customers who only want manufacturing services, then it is the standard, 50% down and balance due when you pick up the sign. The invoice states it and we ALWAYS inform them when we take the deposit.
Hope this helps!
Take care,
Kristi
Posted by Source Signs (Member # 1164) on :
Adrienne, No matter how easy the quote, I always try not to give quotes 'off the cuff'. I have a notebook by my phone and write things down as they are said, size, colour, logo, date, etc. FOR EVERY CALL I GET, because... I am naturally blond and very forgetful....go figure!!! When I am approached on the street, in a parking lot, or on another job, I try never to give a verbal quote (it always gets me into trouble). If they are serious they will give you their phone number so you can call them from your office. This is for two reasons... It allows me to continue doing what I was doing without a major interuption, and it allows me to write the quote on a 'quote sheet', so I can give a more accurate quote. When they call back wanting the sign, I have the original facts closeby in my quote file. If the details change..the price changes too. I hope that helps. My terms are similar to these others.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Adrienne, This is what the bottom of my invoice looks like... "Payment due upon pick-up or delivery unless otherwise noted. Original designs are copyright 2003 Brushwood Studios for immediate use only. Any other use of artwork (logos, advertising, etc.) should not be done without permission of Brushwood Studios."
I think the wording just about covers it all.
In a seperate area I also have "Please make all checks out to Brushwood Studios" (I guess the police dept, didn't see that part last week...Brookview Studios???) To avoid any other hassles, I carry a note book for estimates, measurements and notes pertaining to any jobs I pick up while out on the road. I keep a tape measure and utility blade with me at all times. Tape measure for obvious reasons. The blade is for testing adhesion on vinyl I might have to clean off, scratching a sign that is weathered to see if it is restorable, and a number of other uses.
All jobs over $200 start with a 50% deposit or they don't start at all. Jobs under $200 I use my discretion on. It often seems pointless to take a $20 deposit on a small sign for a regular customer and making two trips to the bank.
"Net orders" are 10 days, never 30. That makes sure that they have a paycheck to get caught up, and I get a paycheck that week, too.
