Optimizing Your Show Orders: Laptop vs Manual Calculations - Is it Worth It?

[Chef Becca]

Replacement PartsHey Cindy - just reading your post about the replacement parts order form. Just wanted to make sure you knew this...

You don't HAVE to use the paper order form.

Under non-commission orders (where you place supply orders) you can do replacement part order forms via pampered partner. You simply put in the customers address under "replacement shipping" and if they give you cash or a check put it on your pc debit card/credit card or use the customers personal credit card. I didn't realize this option was even on pampered partner for the longest time but it's great.

For instance, last night I had a man show (it was super fun by the way) and this guys wife had told him to buy a new slicer (and he demonstrated the motion that it makes so that I knew which one he was talking about, haha) and it was the egg slicer. She said the wire had broken and needed a new one. So he was pleasantly surprised when I informed him that he could just order the wire frame & not have to order an entire new egg slicer. So I just went under non-commission orders, did a replacement part order for the wire frame - put in his shipping address and charged it to my pc debit card because he gave me cash. Too easy!

You probably already knew this but just thought I'd shrare!

 

[Tash]

Just a thoughI got mine from Best buy, it was a good deal but what I really appreciate is their product replacement plan. You pay extra for this but it is worth it. I bought a gameboy for my nephew and it broke after about 1 year, they mailed me a gift card for the entire amount. So I was able to get him the latest version.

I figure that if I am lugging my laptop around (as it is designed for ), I am still at a higher risk of something happening to it, also apparently the most common problem are power surges, which whipe out the mother board, with this plan they will replace the computer outright.
They also have a no interest 12 month option so you can get it and pay it off as you earn your commission. Most CC's have card insurance that covers loss or theft, so if you buy it with the CC and you loose it or it gets stolen, you are covered.


Moral of my story is....yes I have a point , although I might of been able to get a cheaper option elsewhere, I like the piece of mind. Just something else for you to consider if you are going to buy one.

Tasha

 

[rwesterpchef]

Bringing a Laptop to ShowsYes, I use a laptop at my shows. Having paying a $27 difference at the very first two shows (combined) because I fat-fingered the calculator, I decided I'd let my laptop do it the "dummy-proof" way.
1) I can confirm the number of line-items with the number I see on the receipt, ensuring that I keyed everything.
2) I don't have to go home and do duplicate work by entering it when I get home.
3) I can use it as a recruiting tool by usually saying something like "Most consultants start by simply bringing a calculator and manually tallying your order. After just a couple of months working Pampered Chef part-time, you can afford to buy your own laptop and use at your shows."

Also, ALWAYS bring a calculator in case of computer glitch, dead battery crisis, anything. Having a backup is better than not being caught offguard with technical difficulties.

AND, my laptop fits neatly in the Show-to-Go!

 

[ChefSandyK]

Show to GoRita, you have yours already? You go, girl! Is it as wonderful as I'm hoping? Is there room for SA pieces?

Congrats again,
Sandy

 

[Sk8Mom209]

WooHoo!Rita - you so girl! I just received the new TTA tote, it is so much nicer than the original!

 

[ChefSandyK]

I got one!Okay...I couldn't resist. Was so excited about the buzz on here...had to get one so that I don't have to fight the silly adding machine at shows anymore. For those of you still looking...STAPLES is having an unadvertised sale on Compaqs....really powerful notebook for $500. Worth looking into if you are interested in using it for the PP software, etc...

Have a great day,
Sandy

 

[pamperedbecky]

Which one did you get? There are so many different models and memory, etc. I get so overwhelmed when I start browsing the ads for laptops because there are so many choices! Thanks for sharing that Staples is having a sale on them. We have a friend who is SO knowledgable about computers keeping his eyes open for us because I want one! If I have another big commission check (August's should be about $625.....woo hoo!!!), which I'm expecting I will, that will be the next purchase I hope.

 

[Cindycooks]

Target has the cutest little laptop bags - I could not resist. All colors, dotted, striped....just thought I'd let you know!!!

 

[ChefSandyK]

Staples saleBecky,
I got the M2105US. I also got a wireless router (also on sale for 1/2 price) so that I can go wireless...and work downstairs while watching my son play. I love technology!

Have a great day,
Sandy

 

[LuvStoneware]

I honestly find that using my LT at my parties, I have more time to talk to those who are interested in the business. I put all the sales in and zap ready to sit and talk about them joining my team. Its awsome. I could not close my show without my LT.

 

[pamperedbecky]

AFter having NO time to research laptops because I've been so busy, I've recently had a little time to devote to it and I'm finally getting ready to buy one. I'm so excited! It's a gift from my hubby for my birthday and Christmas. We're going to do the wireless thing too and I can't wait! That's just so cool. My next show isn't until mid-January, so I hope it's up and running by then. Do those of you who use one at shows enter all the guests info right then and there too? Like addresses and stuff? I wonder if that would take too much time? But then that sort of defeats the purpose of using one at shows because then you'd have to go home and enter that stuff anyway.

 

[janel kelly]

I don't think I could ever go back to figuring up everyone's totals on a calculater. I love having the laptop. Becky, I personally don't put everyone's info in until after my show when I'm home or the next day. That way I can look at their survey slips more closely and take the time to type in all the info. I can't imagine having the time to do it at my shows. It would take time away from my customers anyways. I guess you have to find what works best for you. I would rather have the time to talk to the guests and see if their interested in doing their own show rather than sit their and put in their addresses and all.

 

[pamperedalf]

I love having the laptop with me at shows. It's easy and fast. I only put their name and first digit of last name at show. I put address, phone, credit card info all at home. I would have never thought of it, except my director showed me how much easier it was. I only use a calculator if I am at a fair or open house with no room.

 

[beepampered]

Thanks for all the replies to my original questions. I now have a few more:

* Wireless technology. Don't know much about this but what do you do to protect all the those credit card numbers on your machines? Do you have some sort of firewall?
* I'm new at this so this might be obvious. Right now, I enter a name into the contact area then go back to the show button and choose the show and then do Add Order. It seems rather inefficent. Can you enter a contact name when you're in the Show screen so that you're not going back and forth?
*Does your battery hold up throughout a show or does it run low? (Obviously, I've never really had a laptop and don't know how long the batteries last.)
* Do you have a mouse? That seems to be my slow thing with laptops is moving the thumbpad.

Thanks...BEE

 

[AFwife]

Thanks for all the replies to my original questions. I now have a few more:

* Wireless technology. Don't know much about this but what do you do to protect all the those credit card numbers on your machines? Do you have some sort of firewall?
* I'm new at this so this might be obvious. Right now, I enter a name into the contact area then go back to the show button and choose the show and then do Add Order. It seems rather inefficent. Can you enter a contact name when you're in the Show screen so that you're not going back and forth?
*Does your battery hold up throughout a show or does it run low? (Obviously, I've never really had a laptop and don't know how long the batteries last.)
* Do you have a mouse? That seems to be my slow thing with laptops is moving the thumbpad.


Thanks...BEE

I can only answer a few...I don't turn mine on until they are sitting down writing in there order in the order form. That way it's not on during the 3 or 4 hours I'm there. I don't have a mouse yet, but plan on buying one soon. Just cause I'm tired of the thumbpad as you called it. lol

You should have protection on your computer if it connects to the internet. Mine is McAfee and it's great.

If you are just using the laptop to make math easy at the shows, and you don't have internet on it, then you don't have to worry about it being hacked into.

Hope this helps!

 

[Sk8Mom209]

Thanks for all the replies to my original questions. I now have a few more:

* I'm new at this so this might be obvious. Right now, I enter a name into the contact area then go back to the show button and choose the show and then do Add Order. It seems rather inefficent. Can you enter a contact name when you're in the Show screen so that you're not going back and forth?
*Does your battery hold up throughout a show or does it run low? (Obviously, I've never really had a laptop and don't know how long the batteries last.)
* Do you have a mouse? That seems to be my slow thing with laptops is moving the thumbpad.

Thanks...BEE

Bee,

I do not have a mouse, you will eventually get used to the mousepad.

You can enter a customer directly in the show with all of their address,etc. There is a box at the bottom of this screen regarding contact management. Check this box, and PP will update your contact information and set a general activity (about 2 months) to follow-up with the customer.

I hope this helps.

 

[Christa]

I know this is quite an expense, but dh was thinking of getting one, and now I'm thinking about how I could enter orders at the shows and save time at home. Anyone do this?

 

[Christa]

Sorry! Didn't see the 5 page thread about them below! Now I eally want one!

 

[pmp414]

Fun Accessory For Your LaptopHi all! I'm new to this group. My DH bought me my laptop when I got promoted 2 years ago and I LOVE it. I don't have a mouse for it, but I did purchase a number keypad that plugs right into the USB port. It saves a ton of time when I am keying in item numbers and quantities and cc numbers. It costs about 15.00 and is a GODSENT. so anyone using a laptop check it out. Every customer who comes up to my table to place orders comments on it.. I should get commission on the sale of these..LOL
Just my 2 cents..

 

[sherriel]

I bought one too!I actually took advantage of an after Thanskgiving Sale through Dell, and bought it as an early x-mas present to myself. I am so excited to use it at my shows. I am one of those people who really can't relax after I do a show until it is in PP, so this is going to be awesome to have everything in there already, and less of a chance of errors. My only concern is scaring off potential recruits. I really want to build a team this year and hope this doesn't hurt that.

Sherrie
~IKC 3yrs.

 

[pmp414]

scaring off new recruitsHi Sherri! I understand how you feel, but I have to tell you it has actually increased my recruiting in a way. When people ask me if they have to have a lap top to do shows I tell them my experience of how it took me 6 years to finally get my lap top. That it was my husbands gift to me when I became a director and that for those 6 years I did everything by hand. It was my "trophy" for working so hard..They think it's wonderful that I am so successful after 8 years with a truly wonderful company. I have recruited more since I got it than I ever did..So use that computer as a tool. I show them that my Pampered chef business helped me get that lap top I never could have been able to afford otherwise.
Just a fun way to look at it..

 

[chefkeri]

I love all the advice. My director has been using her laptop for years! I haven't tried it yet, because as someone mentioned, it's just more to carry. But I think I'm going to start.... I am calculator illiterate too! Mistakes and MAC calls ~ too embarassing....

One thing I was checking on for faster service is an external numeric key pad. They hook right into your port if you have a newer computer model. It's much easier for me having been in the bookkeeping business. Like a telephone or a calculator, numbers are faster to find.

They go for usually under $10 on "e-trouble" bay for those who don't know, or sometimes you can find them at computer swaps. My director said that it makes her fingers move easier too.

Thanks for all the advice. It really helped me make a good decision.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[email protected]

 

[sherrypampersme]

Laptop usageI use ONLY my laptop at home for my PP software, so there is/would not be, any duplication of information to be entered. However, I think the only bad thing would be that you would have to either transfer the totals to their receipt, or print all the receipts for the customers' and deliver them to the host at a later date. Also, you'd have that additional cost of forms (using TWO receipts per customer). It'd be interesting to know how it works for you. I have had a few very large parties (16 and 28 guests) and I'm not sure how that would have worked.

 

[ChefSandyK]

One thing I was checking on for faster service is an external numeric key pad. They hook right into your port if you have a newer computer model. It's much easier for me having been in the bookkeeping business. Like a telephone or a calculator, numbers are faster to find.

They go for usually under $10 on "e-trouble" bay for those who don't know, or sometimes you can find them at computer swaps. My director said that it makes her fingers move easier too.

Thanks for all the advice. It really helped me make a good decision.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[email protected][/QUOTE]

Just wanted to let you know that you can get them at Staples for about the same price...either hard wired or wireless. No sense paying the shipping on E-Bay.....

Have a great night,
Sandy

 

[its_me_susan]

I am a new consultant and have already done a couple of successful shows. However, i am finding that even though I love doing the shows and all that goes into a show - I hate when it comes time to add up orders and then figure out the hosts benefits and totals. In the few shows I have had, I have already had a couple of errors...one guest did all of her own math and I "trusted" it was correct. Once I got home and entered it into PP, I saw an error and she had overcharged herself by over $10 and was no longer at the $50 mark for the free cookbook. Another order I goofed on some addition and overcharged someone who wrote a check by about $1.50. There was another guest error who didn't include one of her items and carried her totals to the columns and I just worked off that to add the tax and shipping. So she didn't get an item she orginally wanted (and I have since added it to another order).

Anyhoo, I know I could have caught the guest errors by just double checking, but I assumed they had done it correctly - I have learned not to assume anything anymore! But this is what I am thinking about doing for my show this week... I loaded PP onto my laptop and plan to key in each guest and their order as they bring me their order form. I will only type in their name and order - none of the other info. Then when all the guest orders are in, I can sit down with the host and have exact sales numbers and have all of her benefits right in front of me to plug in her order to.

Here is where I am wondering if this is a good idea or bad idea... First of all, will the guest feel like I am taking up too much time by using a computer to punch in the item numbers?
second - is it worth my time to enter all the info into PP when I would have to reenter it all on to my computer at home that I transfer my orders from online.
third - am I making too big of a deal out of a simple part of my business?

What do you think? Should I just do it as a test run at my show this week to see if it goes better? Has anyone else done this and if so, how does it go over?

I bring my laptop to everything! So much easier ~ stress free. You can see your hosts benefits and get her excited, and so much less work when you get home (you already have the orders entered). I usually enter the addresses and drawing slip info later on at home. I also feel more professional having it, and half the guests ask me if PC gave me the laptop, to which I say no, but that it is tax deductible ~ this I think intrigues potentials.

I have left my computer home when I did a boutique once ~ there just aren't the sales, and since I'm the host there there's no problem figuring it out later. I do all the math with my calculater.

 

[chefjill]

I got my laptop about 2 yrs ago, and what a difference it's made!!! With the new triplicate order forms, I can give my guests their copy after plugging in their order. I don't have to worry about adding wrong (I, too, am mathmatically challenged!!), and they can take a copy of their order home with them.
I enter all their personal info at home, which takes a lot less time at the show. It also makes it easier for my host to see exactly what her benefits are ~~ they love that!!!



Jill Wright
Director, Benicia, CA

 

[Sonia_J]

My husband bought me a laptop fo Christmas, he says since he knew it would help my business. part of me wanted to beat him to death for spending the money but the rest of me is SOO thrilled.
I have all my pampered info on it and I cant wait to take it to my next show!

 

[DeeisPampered]

I get my laptop next month as I have been saving up for it for several months now!! I am so excited and know it is going to make PC much easier.

I kept reading how everyone is printing out their PP receipts to give to the hostess? My question is why are you wasting this money?

I do this now and have for several months. I use the outside order forms at the show. If you print them up both sides now they are a legal receipt. I called and specifically asked this. Home Office comfirmed it! So now I bring home the order forms, enter them in and then mail or drop off the same order forms to the host. It has saved me so much in money from not having to order triplicates or PP receipts.

I decided that when I get my laptop, I will let the customer keep their order form so I don't have to worry about get them a reciept, and since PC sends a detailed order list to the host if you turn in your order via PP, I will not even have to worry about getting to her what the customers ordered.

To me, this makes my life so much easier and costs me a whole lot less in postage.

God Bless,
Dee

 

[mrssyvo]

Laptop use-questionI have been using my laptop at my shows- I enter the orders right there, and it makes things very easy, and I know the tax is correct- 1 problem though, and I hope someone can help me- last night I had a GREAT show, 20 guests, 17 orders just from the show, my problem is, it took me almost 1 1/2 hours to get everyone's orders done- to save time, I just entered the name under contacts, and then went to the show, and pulled up the contact and entered the order. I thought about just adding guest at show screen, but then I would have 2 listings in contacts for that person when I went back to add the information. I hope I have not confused anyone, but does anyone have any ideas to speed things up a bit?

 

[Sk8Mom209]

, I just entered the name under contacts, and then went to the show, and pulled up the contact and entered the order. I thought about just adding guest at show screen, but then I would have 2 listings in contacts for that person when I went back to add the information.

You do not have to enter the person in the contacts first. Just enter them in as a guest. Once you are home and inputting in addresses and other contact info, check the box at the bottom of the address screen - something like update contacts. It will save the information to your contact database.

This is what I do and it does not take much time.

Hope this helps.