square register

[pcpete]

Our business is mainly residential with some small offices, less than 5 computers on a work group. We are planning on pushing screen repair in the near future. We are brick and mortar.

The system we have used to manage jobs for a long time is a highly organized online doc that we start at checkin, use it for documentation of the whole work history, along with check lists, all interactions with clients. This also serves to keep track of any followup calls for the job. A client can call back at any time and we can look at the doc and know everything about the job we did in detail. That part of our system is great works well for us. We use a visual system to keep track of workflow supplemented with colored post-its. If a computer is in a certain area we know it needs testing, another area means it is ready to go on the bench, another area means we left a message for a client and are waiting to hear back. The different colored post-its let us know when they were checked in to make sure we do them in the correct order. At a visual glance of the shop we are organized and know what we need to do.

When a client comes to pick up their computer or pay for their service, we then link this document to a quickbooks sales receipt or invoice. This part is a bit clunky, but it has worked for us for years. Maybe we could be doing this smarter.

This system is really lacking in some areas. Currently for service calls which are paid with a credit card, the tech calls in and has someone create a sales receipt in QB and has us process the credit card; this is a waste of time, it pulls the inshop tech from what they were doing. If the client pays with a check or cash, they give the client a hand written paper receipt then come back and enter it into quickbooks.

The weakest area is we do not have a good system to keep open tickets for a remote job or an onsite job that takes several visits to finish. I suspect on occasion we miss invoicing them or at the least use to much energy making sure we did invoice everyone.

We just want a system that will allow us to keep using our online document along with a simple system of keeping track of open tickets and the ability to complete and close tickets on site.

Do you think square register would meet these needs?

(yes we have looked at products like repairshopr and are considering them, but they seem more than we need or conflict with our current system)

 

[Markverhyden]

Sometime ago Square created an API for others to offer add on apps. Much like you can get with Synology, Salesforce.com, etc. While I've not looked into any of them it is a pretty comprehensive selection. So I'm sure you could get what you want/need.

https://squareup.com/app-marketplace

 

[pcpete]

From what I have read it has open tickets and invoicing available without add-ons. I was curious if anyone uses these and what there experience is.

 

[kwest]

From what I have read it has open tickets and invoicing available without add-ons. I was curious if anyone uses these and what there experience is.

I use both and they work well.

 

[kwest]

Download the app on an iPad and check it out for free.

 

[pcpete]

One possible drawback I see if you are unable to use a computer to create a ticket. This is not a deal killer, but a negative in my eye(s)

 

[kwest]

One possible drawback I see if you are unable to use a computer to create a ticket. This is not a deal killer, but a negative in my eye(s)

You can use a computer phone or tablet to crest invoice or ticket

 

[pcpete]

Does that mean you can create a ticket but not actually process on some devices?

https://squareup.com/help/ca/en/article/3887-devices-compatible-with-square-register

 

[drpcfix]

(yes we have looked at products like repairshopr and are considering them, but they seem more than we need or conflict with our current system)

Hey - When I started RepairShopr it was always missing features.. People keep asking for stuff, so I guess at some point we crossed a threshold and became *more* than you need.. Never realized it..

I'd love to chat and see if we can make it not conflict with your current system

 

[pcpete]

Hey - When I started RepairShopr it was always missing features.. People keep asking for stuff, so I guess at some point we crossed a threshold and became *more* than you need.. Never realized it..

I'd love to chat and see if we can make it not conflict with your current system

I am also looking at repairshopr and am considering it highly. Using authorize.net, does that allow card reading via mobile? What about the new chip cards?

 

[pcpete]

You can use a computer phone or tablet to crest invoice or ticket

It seems you can only create an invoice using the computer, but not create tickets. I may be wrong and would love to be corrected.

 

[Markverhyden]

It seems you can only create an invoice using the computer, but not create tickets. I may be wrong and would love to be corrected.

I checked using my iPad and I could not find a way to create an invoice with the app. And processing a payment is the same as smart phone. But you can access the full site using a browser with an internet connected smart phone/tablet.

 

[kwest]

You are correct. The register is not available on the computer so you cannot create a ticket on a PC. That is part of the register app which is not on the PC or website.

 

[kwest]

I checked using my iPad and I could not find a way to create an invoice with the app. And processing a payment is the same as smart phone. But you can access the full site using a browser with an internet connected smart phone/tablet.

When collecting payment there is an option for invoice on my iPhone and iPad.

 

[vickie thivierge]

OUCH....good IT ticketing systems are big bucks but well worth the price if you have the clients to support the cost.

I'm using a manual system....yep I'm old school....but it works and it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg however it dose cost me some extra time each day to finish out my billing and logging in my work. I use a three part invoice that I designed myself to handout to my clients when in the field. I use the QB invoices in the office Most of my business accounts are mailed an invoice after the work is done and so far I haven't had any problems with this. My old school system is working so until I double my production I'm going to stick with this. Once I'm ready to move over to a better system I'm probable going to jump into Connectwise which is pretty much becoming an industry standard and supported by everyone. I've worked with this system before and it really covers everything we need, from tracking work, processing orders, billing, scheduling to sales and marketing.

Also....you can get QB for your I-Pad or Phone and email an invoice but as far as handing out an printed invoice in the field, unless you're going to hardwired a printer into your truck....that application is not going to be easy to find.

 

[Markverhyden]

When collecting payment there is an option for invoice on my iPhone and iPad.

Ahh... I see, I see said the blind man. I was thinking in the conventional method of click on create invoice. But now that you mention it I do remember that part.

 

[drpcfix]

I am also looking at repairshopr and am considering it highly. Using authorize.net, does that allow card reading via mobile? What about the new chip cards?

We have an app that's in beta that allows swiping cards, but it requires moving over to mercury payments.

They are priced like square, but cheaper - no contract, no monthly fees, and they will meet or beat current.

We will support chip cards in USA soon-ish, when Mercury or Authorize provides a solution. Neither are ready yet.. We are going to do something as soon as it's possible. For those worried about chip/EMV - we have an FAQ page on it.

It really only affects a tiny percentage of shops. Those that process stolen credit cards basically. Most of you here probably don't do that..