I remember using a paper form. I remember the Roma slide rule and calculating the price. I remember the hassle of adding or subtracting a mat and not adjusting the molding length. I remember starting with a thin molding and swapping to a larger molding and not recalculating the molding length. Then after giving the hand written price having the customer ask if I "could do better". I remember leaving money on the table.
So, added mat adds a foot or two of molding, I gave that away by not recalculating. Thicker molding added 2 or 3 feet of molding. I didn't recalc so I gave that away. Ran a "special" second mat free, so I gave that away. 5 feet of molding and a mat lying around free on the counter and then I am asked for a discount, or lose a customer.
I remember putting an order together, money on the table and the price list 8 months out of date. Oops more money sitting there. Order the job, oops, molding is discontinued or out of stock for 6 months. Use a higher priced backup for the same price. More money on the table. Mat price list out of date, boards up $2 since last quarter. Bainbridge number discontinued but Crescent has a substitute, for $3 more. More money sitting there on the table.
Yeah I remember hand written forms.
I love my POS. No one asks the computer for a discount, and the computer recalcs and adds in the mat. Discontinued mats and molding up dated weekly. Prices updated weekly.... I remember hand written forms. I love my POS and I am not going back! Even if I "could do better" back then!
Does your accountant ask for Quick Books compatible data? Then use Quick Books or Quick Books pro. You can make your own invoices in their editor. And print them out on your printer. Color, Black and white, one copy or in triplicate. Change a number and not have to go out and order new forms. Don't have to dig through boxes to find a customers old order. It is all right there with the click of your mouse. No digging through the 1 year old box only to find out that the order you wanted was 3 years and 6 more boxes ago.
You have a computer, you are using it now. Get a show deal on a POS, ask if they'll waive the initial fees. Ask your reps if they have a deal on the POS or can get you one. $300/$400 a year for the license is about double what you pay for the triplicate forms isn't it? And out of date price lists? Discontinueds? Recalling old orders. Keeping the customer at the design counter happy because they aren't waiting for you to run out back for a different box to find that old order. POS is not a panacea but it does beat the alternative in my book
I think the time spent trying to redesign a form is not free either. Then you have to get it proofed, printed, another week. More time, more money. Consider a POS.