Poll: Do You Bring a Laptop to Shows? Rethinking Its Necessity

[wadesgirl]

I started taking mine last summer when I got it! The pluses are that I don't have to worry about entering orders in when I get home, the totals are always correct, I have past information on guests right there (products they purchased, when their last show was), etc. The only negative is when I forget to bring my power cord!

 

[WLMcCoy]

I always take mine! I've never went to a show w/out it.. IDK what I would have done when PC first started! haha

 

[Crystal Patton]

I take mine and have since I started. The first month I did this my Laptop was being shipped to me so I didn't have it and I got EVERY order total wrong. It wasn't much, but it added up and I didn't want to call every customer and tell them they owed me X number of cents, so I paid it.
To speed up the checkout process I input all the guest info before the show. I have it all because I send out the invites for my Hosts and it's so nice to scroll down and pick out their name.

 

[chefshawna]

I don't have one, but don't know if I would take it or not. I don't think that manual checkout is hard, as long as I have a calculator for the tax, I'm good. There are a lot of people who don't have laptops and many of my customers don't even have computers or internet service, so I think that showing them that it is definitely do-able without one is essential!

 

[Jules711]

I usually bring mine. I love it b/c I can give the host a very accurate total before I leave so she knows just what she is shooting for with remaining outside orders. Plus, people appreciate that their credit card isn't written down anywhere. I mention that this is my favorite write-off and that it was paid for with the commission from just a few shows (less than that actually since I sold my old one). You definitely don't have to have one, but it works for me. I don't feel that it disconnects me since they are typically sitting next to me looking at what I have in the check-out area. It also seems to make it more official because I have people come sit and wait for the few moments instead of just giving me their order forms. I do not typically set it up until I'm ready to check people out b/c I don't want to worry about the computer. I also love that I don't need a cord b/c it can last for 3 hours and I don't turn it on until the checkout.I have a consultant that is so thrilled at the concept of bringing the laptop. It's made her job easier and that's great when you first start. She bought a new laptop right away (old one happened to die after joining) so she also has a great write-off!

 

[~*Heather*~]

I take my laptop to my shows and I absolutely love it. I would be lost without it.

 

[maassl]

There are a lot of people who don't have laptops and many of my customers don't even have computers or internet service, so I think that showing them that it is definitely do-able without one is essential!

I am not sure how I would work my Pampered Chef business w/o a computer. When we didn't have internet for a while and I had to go to the library to do it it was a pain and I am not sure how you would get P3 on a library computer. Without a computer would they just do everything manually and mail the stuff into HO?

 

[chefshawna]

I am not sure how I would work my Pampered Chef business w/o a computer. When we didn't have internet for a while and I had to go to the library to do it it was a pain and I am not sure how you would get P3 on a library computer. Without a computer would they just do everything manually and mail the stuff into HO?

Yes, I believe that is how they would have to do it without access to a computer. It can be done and I have heard of quite a few successful consultants who do just that! You have to remember all the years the world went on without computers and the businesses that were successful then. I know computers make things so much easier and I love having one and would be very lost for a while without one, but life would go on and so would business!

 

[BlessedWifeMommy]

Nope, I do everything at home. Take my calculator to the show and just double check my work. I personally wouldn't want the wear and tear on my laptop, we have had enough trouble with them when they don't leave the house.