Looking for a good Point of Sale software for mobile detailing

Calendyr

Calendyr

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So for the past 2 years I have been doing invoices manually. I think it's not very professionnal and I want to change that this year.

So my idea is to install a lap top and an inkjet printer in the truck. I will use an Inverter to power them.

Now I need to find a POS software that can do both Quotes and Invoicing. Ideally it would have inventory as well although that is not too important for me.

I have been doing searches for days and the one software I like: Acomba by Fortune 1000 is too expensive for me at the moment (500$).

I am wondering what you mobile guys are using. I could always just use Excel but I feel a decent POS software would be a good addition at this point.
 
Any issues with just using something like Square? It's free, you can input multiple detailing packages and automatically email receipts. Even without the square reader you can manually input credit card numbers.
 
I use square for payments.

Their software is very limited and it's phone based. I want something that runs on a PC so I can use a mouse and keyboard. I think there is an online version of their software but I don't want an online solution, I want a stand alone software.

Also their software cannot do quotes. And that is the major reason I want to use a POS software. I can printout a detailed quote and have the client sign it. Right now I am using a variation of Mike's inspection sheet. It works well but I prefer something that I can print out and then import for final billing. I have worked in computer stores a good part of my life as manager and I am used to doing things a certain way. Everytime I do manual quotes or bills I feel like I went back to the stone age ;)
 
50$ per month so it must be an online software.

In 10 month I would have paid for Acomba... So it's even more expensive than Acomba... might do more. For 500$ you get 2 modules so you can get Point of sales and something else you want. But there are like 20 modules so maybe Pose has more functionality built in.

As a mobile detailer, I feel the need for accounting software features are very limited. It's basically billing for time and deducting expenses.
 
Gotta check that one out. I'm not "married" to Pose, just it had all the features i need at the lowest price. We do multiple cars at a time, so our POS needed to be more like a restaurant style, where I can take orders and "park" them to the side and retrieve later upon checkout. We also run a membership plan with 3 levels, POSE keeps track of it all so I eliminate the need for stamp cards and stuff like that. I can keep a record of each customer by license plate, see how much they've spent, all previous order histories, etc. It has an employee timeclock function (which i dont use yet). And the best thing for me is that its web based, so all info is stored online not on the device in case of theft or malfunction.

Downfalls: Its a little slow, and has some minor bugs.
 
Check into Quickbooks Pro. I use it for my business. You can create invoices, create CC Payments (I would assume you are going to use a merchant service) and use a portable merchant terminal. You can buy a merchant terminal very cheap at Staples or Office Depot. DO NOT BUY IT FROM the MERCHANT CARRIER!!! $$$ Costco might even be cheaper too.

Quickbooks Pro is great for small businesses and you can keep track of your customers names, addresses, e-mails, tel numbers, sales, and expenses. You can buy Quickbooks Pro at Costco is about $200 - $300. You can reconcile everything every month and tie everything to your business bank account.

Vista Print can help you with merchant services and you can use your cell phone with a swipe card. Your local bank can help you too but they are $$$.

BTW, CPA's use Intuit Software for accounting purposes. About 80 percent of the CPA's (told by my CPA) use Intuit Software for accounting and taxes. Intuit makes Quickbooks Pro.

I use it for my business and it is a God Send!! PS: QB Pro can print invoices and checks with a portable printer too!
 
BTW, I forgot to mention that I set up my mobile detailing business with QB Pro. My main business uses QB Pro too. You can have multiple businesses with QB Pro at no extra charge.

Check into QB Pro.
 
This topic is very interesting. That is, trying to streamline the book keeping while doing things in a more professional manner.

I understand that I can buy something like QB Pro at Sam's Club or Costco, and I'm sure I could learn about it simply by using it some.

It would be nice if someone would create a "How-To" write-up on this subject beginning with explaining what to use (QB Pro or another system), why to use it, and in language that's easy to understand for those forum members who may not be familiar with such tools and the lingo, and for those who wish to 'up their game' a bit.
 
Calendyr said:
I use square for payments.

Their software is very limited and it's phone based. I want something that runs on a PC so I can use a mouse and keyboard. I think there is an online version of their software but I don't want an online solution, I want a stand alone software.

Also their software cannot do quotes. And that is the major reason I want to use a POS software. I can printout a detailed quote and have the client sign it. Right now I am using a variation of Mike's inspection sheet. It works well but I prefer something that I can print out and then import for final billing. I have worked in computer stores a good part of my life as manager and I am used to doing things a certain way. Everytime I do manual quotes or bills I feel like I went back to the stone age ;)
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Using Square as well. It is great for quick and dirty things, but can be a pain for doing invoices. If invoices could do discounts then it would be much better.

I do enjoy the simplicity though for the most part.
 
Hoytman said:
This topic is very interesting. That is, trying to streamline the book keeping while doing things in a more professional manner.

I understand that I can buy something like QB Pro at Sam's Club or Costco, and I'm sure I could learn about it simply by using it some.

It would be nice if someone would create a "How-To" write-up on this subject beginning with explaining what to use (QB Pro or another system), why to use it, and in language that's easy to understand for those forum members who may not be familiar with such tools and the lingo, and for those who wish to 'up their game' a bit.
Click to expand...


Point Well Taken!! I can tell you with my experience on Quickbooks Pro. After you've installed the program and want to start using the program they will ask step by step what you want to do and what type of business...ie sole proprietor, S-corp, LLC, etc. QB Pro prompts you to look at expenses and sales and what categories for each items. It will set-up your customer data base too. Creating invoices is easy. Tracking sales is easy. This IMO is a no-brainer Software program.

Examples would be buying product from AGO would be considered and expense for doing business so it will be a write-off to sales.

Their is a plethora of information it prompts you to do. Additionally, you can do an online back-up and their support is 2nd to none.

The only way you will see how valuable this program is; is to look into it online or look at reviews.

IMO, this is the easiest, simplest, and least expensive software you can use to start a detail business.

This is from 1st hand experience. I have been using QB Pro for over 5 years.
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
Point Well Taken!! I can tell you with my experience on Quickbooks Pro. After you've installed the program and want to start using the program they will ask step by step what you want to do and what type of business...ie sole proprietor, S-corp, LLC, etc. QB Pro prompts you to look at expenses and sales and what categories for each items. It will set-up your customer data base too. Creating invoices is easy. Tracking sales is easy. This IMO is a no-brainer Software program.

Examples would be buying product from AGO would be considered and expense for doing business so it will be a write-off to sales.

Their is a plethora of information it prompts you to do. Additionally, you can do an online back-up and their support is 2nd to none.

The only way you will see how valuable this program is; is to look into it online or look at reviews.

IMO, this is the easiest, simplest, and least expensive software you can use to start a detail business.

This is from 1st hand experience. I have been using QB Pro for over 5 years.
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Good information.

Do you have any input on how a smartphone or tablet/phablet can be tied into a set-up like the above? (For us first time smartphone users.)
 
I know that recently square has done some updating to its invoicing, however Quickbooks is really the ultimate way to go. Sure there are better software's out there but they are more catered to professionals like some CPA's.

With Quickbooks you can do everything listed from the previous members as well as when tax time rolls around you can issue an accountants copy which will be everything your Tax person will need to do your business taxes in 1 file as long as you keep on top of all your logged entries.
 
I looked into Quickbook and the point of sale software is an addon. The POS is about 200$ and Quickbook is around 200-300$ too. So it comes to 500$ for both. So I might as well go with Acomba if I wanted to put that much money into it ;(

I think for this year I will stay with Excel to produce the invoices and if business picks up strong enough I will get a POS software next year. At this point the only thing I have left to buy is a hot water extractor, so that's a 2500$ investment and the accounting software/POS for about 500$. Not so bad. If business is good I might even do it this summer.
 
I use Square Reader for point of sale credit card transactions. The device is free and they only charge something like 2.75%. Plus, you can create invoices and send email receipts.
If you use my referral code when you activate, you can get $1,000 in free transactions.
https://square up.com/i/33BDE667

Good luck,
Stevo
 
Have you ever tried Hiveage (formerly Curdbee)?

I used to use it for Graphic Design and got my mother on it for invoicing me for my son's daycare. Unlimited invoices/clients for free. You can add additional modules for $5-$6/month.
 
Calendyr said:
I looked into Quickbook and the point of sale software is an addon. The POS is about 200$ and Quickbook is around 200-300$ too. So it comes to 500$ for both. So I might as well go with Acomba if I wanted to put that much money into it ;(

I think for this year I will stay with Excel to produce the invoices and if business picks up strong enough I will get a POS software next year. At this point the only thing I have left to buy is a hot water extractor, so that's a 2500$ investment and the accounting software/POS for about 500$. Not so bad. If business is good I might even do it this summer.
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With what you are using it for, you do not need a POS system. QB will do everything you need to do, plus make it 100x's easier to complete your taxes, and have up to date financial reports. It has the ability to create invoices, hold inventory, and do everything you would need at your level.

There are numerous "add on's" that work with QB, but those are only necessary for mass transactions or mass products well above what you are working with. In all honestly the features QB has is well above anything you would ever need, but for the price, it is worth having it, and using the features you do need.

As for the smartphone/tablet functions, you would have to use the online version, which is a monthly fee, which starts at $8, to access on those devices. Now you can get the payment app, and the free card reader for the desktop version.
 
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