Lap Boards: The Pros, Cons & Alternatives

[chefjeanine]

I splurged back in December and got the lapboard from Merrill (Merry Christmas to me! ) I LOVE THEM! I used to use homemade ones, and while that met my need at the time, these just look so nice.

Melinda

Melinda,

I don't think this question was ever answered (or perhaps it came up on a similar thread), do the order forms fit in the lapboards? At one point someone made it seem that neither the write-in or the itemized forms will fit. I use the itemized form so I'm particulary interested in knowing about how it will work.

I have been using the "homemade" ones for well over a year (maybe even two) and I'd love to update to something more attractive with all the bells (pen loop and business card holder) and whistles.

Thanks for the information.

 

[tashayoung]

The write in ones will fit if you take the wish list off the back.

 

[chefjeanine]

The write in ones will fit if you take the wish list off the back.

But what about the itemized?

 

[melindag]

I don't use the itemized forms, so I don't know, but I would think they would need to be folded. When I do use the write in forms, I just fold it and tuck it in the catalog. Mostly I use a home version

Melinda

 

[Chef Kearns]

The itemized forms fit.

 

[chefjeanine]

The itemized forms fit.

Chef Kearns,

Thanks for your detective work! I may get these afterall.

Jeanine

 

[GourmetGirl]

Chef Kearns ~ I too thank you for that info... I was second guessing myself on if I should order these after reading that the order forms may not fit, but I think once I get a commission check, they are mine

 

[gilliandanielle]

I love the idea of taping spoons to my pens and keeping them in a crock (won't do the forks... too pointy... i can see me stabbing myself!) My director made me some pen flags that Nancy's used to have, but they still went missing, so I think I may hit up the Goodwill this weekend...

Also, I am so on the verge of splurging at Merrill and getting a dozen lapboards! We'll see how my shows go tonight and Sun and if I hit my $15,000 (I need $700 more!!!) I may have to go ahead and get them!

They have the pen flags at www.thebooster.com if you want more. I think you can search for Pen Pals and it will pull them up!

 

[GourmetGirl]

Thanks Gillian! Actually, I earned 2 sheets of them at my meeting on Monday... yay having picks from the goodie basket!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Awesome! I just ordered the PC pens from Merrill, so I thought I would flag them too just in case. I just can't decide which "saying" I like best...

 

[GourmetGirl]

I like the "like what you see, but your wallet says no, collect 6 orders and call it a show" that one is catchy... they also have the one that has 4 different sayings, that's what i probably would have done if I didn't just get some

 

[gilliandanielle]

I really like that one, and I also saw another one that had booking and recruiting sayings on the same pen but I can't remember what it said now.

Do you think you will get people with 6 small orders thinking it will qualify as a show??

 

[GourmetGirl]

I think that the saying would be enough to intrique them and then you could tell them a bit more about it when they are checking out... I just think it is catchy.

 

[smarteez2]

Okay....Ok I got my lapboards today!! I am so excited!! AND I have a show March 10, so I will get to use them soon!! They look so professional!! I cannot wait to get them loaded up and ready to go!!

 

[Brigitte]

Ok, so here is another question for those of you who make your own. Do you use any type of clip to keep the catalogs in place until you hand them out?? I was looking at the lapboards from http://www.expressyourselfonline.com/ . I kind of like the pocket and the pen holder on theirs.

I bought the ones from Express Yourself Online. I love them and they were cheaper than Merrill. I got the black ones. A friend of mine borrowed them for one of her shows and ordered the red ones for herself. I think you can also get them in green and blue. I also received two pages of stickers for free due to the monthly promo they had.

 

[hoosierchef]

I bought the ones from Express Yourself Online. I love them and they were cheaper than Merrill. I got the black ones. A friend of mine borrowed them for one of her shows and ordered the red ones for herself. I think you can also get them in green and blue. I also received two pages of stickers for free due to the monthly promo they had.

Yep I got those exact ones too! Everyone was impressed at my first show. I'm excited to dig them out for my show tonight. I loved the stickers they sent too......

I put my label on one corner at the top and a sticker that says, "If the checkbook is low, then book a show!" on the other!!

I really liked the idea of the black lapboards as hopefully they will hide marks/dirt.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I really like that one, and I also saw another one that had booking and recruiting sayings on the same pen but I can't remember what it said now.

Do you think you will get people with 6 small orders thinking it will qualify as a show??

The quote about 6 orders is an old one - it dates back to the old points system, when a qualifying show was 5 orders (plus the host = 6 orders) OR $150...when we went to the Free Product $$, it changed to just $150 to qualify as a show. I think it might be a bit deceptive to tell people if they collect 6 orders it's a show...and I think one reason they changed it is because people were manipulating the system (NO! ) to call orders a show.

 

[speedychef]

Seriously? You don't think that you can find 6 orders to total $150? See, there's my snottiness coming out again...I feel like that should NOT be a challenge...

 

[lilscrapmama]

My show last night, was $134 in sales (before shipping & tax...there were 6 orders!!, YIKES) THANKFULLY she is pushing some catty's around & closing the show Friday...she says she has 7-9 people wanting to order.

I did the decorate your banana, FUN, FUN, FUN! I knew this show wasnt going to be a HUGE sales show, so thats why I went ahead & tried something new w/ the theme, got an email from a guest today saying she had been to 3 PC shows lately, & had a blast at mine Most of my guests just didnt have a lot of cashola

 

[chefjeanine]

The quote about 6 orders is an old one - it dates back to the old points system, when a qualifying show was 5 orders (plus the host = 6 orders) OR $150...when we went to the Free Product $$, it changed to just $150 to qualify as a show. I think it might be a bit deceptive to tell people if they collect 6 orders it's a show.

That's why I got rid of these stickers once we made the change. It would seem that 6 orders should be $150 but if it's not, you're going to have some angry hosts on your hands.

 

[chefjeanine]

BTW, I now know that the Merrill lapboards will fit the 3-ply itemized forms. Will the Express Yourself boards hold them without problems? I think those boards may be priced better.

Thanks for your help!

 

[chef_kimmo]

I use homemade lapboards & maybe someday will use Merrill's to look a little more professional.

On a side note, I still put on every catalog a sticker that says collect 6 orders and get something free. It does not say it will be a show so if I ever have someone come to me with 6 orders that does not qualify as a show then they will get something free from me like a Season's Best. If anyone comes up with a new catchy sticker for that type of idea, I would love to see it.

Thanks

 

[hoosierchef]

BTW, I now know that the Merrill lapboards will fit the 3-ply itemized forms. Will the Express Yourself boards hold them without problems? I think those boards may be priced better.

Thanks for your help!

I have had to Fold the receipt over on the perferation (sp?) but that hasn't caused any problems for me yet! Everyone has been really impressed by them too!!