Posted by Kat_in_NC on 9/21/05 2:10pm
Msg #66456

Invoicing/PayPal/Checks

I have been looking at PayPal. Do many of you just fax over invoices and wait for checks? Do any of you use PayPal invoicing (emailing invoices) or receive payments over PayPal?

I would be curious about Best Practices on invoicing, payments, etc.

Reply by Desiree Roman Innovations, Inc. on 9/21/05 2:39pm
Msg #66459

I have used Paypal for accepting credit card payments. I have received some payments via credit card for one-time use of my services (i.e. Verizon sponsored a contest ; winner needed to notarize an affidavit, so their PR agent contacted me to make a trip. I requested payment in advance, which they supplied a credit card.) I have a web page that has a Paypal PAY button, so I send them the link, they pay and I get paid before I go to the assignment. Also, I have a lawyer that works here and in CA, and when she's in CA and needs docs filed here in Chicago, she pays me the same way as well. I've yet to have an SS or TC that pays in advance, let alone Paypal or credit card.

Reply by Kat_in_NC on 9/21/05 2:49pm
Msg #66460

Just curious. Pretty new at this and most of them have a fax number to fax an invoice to. How do you set up/do your invoices. I am looking for ideas for self improvement and what they (the companies) may prefer is best for them. The easier for them, hopefully the quicker I receive check. I have set up Quick Books and MS Money for accounting to see what works best for me.

Do you include your Fed ID/Soc Sec# on invoice? Breakout of fees?

Thanks for your replies and help.... working it through in NC

Reply by Desiree Roman Innovations, Inc. on 9/21/05 7:17pm
Msg #66519

I use Microsoft Money 2004 for my accounting. At the end of each night I create the invoices and fax to the companies I worked for that day. For companies that require monthly, I still enter into Money and print the information onto their monthly invoice and tape it above my fax machine. That way I remember to fax the monthlies at the end of the month. Can't tell you how many times I forgot to tape the monthly to the wall and didn't fax it over. They sure don't send you any payments without it either, so if you forget, you just don't get paid. Good thing about Money, I can scroll through my receivables and see who is still outstanding. Can't miss it when all the invoices are zeroed out and you have one $100 staring at you in the face! I haven't used Quickbooks, so I wouldn't know about that program, but I really enjoy Money, especially at tax time when all I have to do is print up the reports and fill out my tax forms from that. In Money, you set up your invoice information so if you want your Fed ID/Soc on the invoices you can put it there. My invoices have my Fed ID number on it. I don't break out my fees i.e., witness closing on one line, print fee on another. I bill a flat fee when I do edoc closings. If I have to make a separate trip to the same closing, then I use two descriptions of services provided. When I have multiple closings for one company, I list each closing separately. I include what I did (Edoc closing), borrower name, address, their reference number (if applicable) and the Fedex/UPS number. That way I have all the pertinent information when I print the invoice and if I have to go back for non-payment, no need for tracking the closing info down. I've been using Money for three years, and I love it.