Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Curious what other sellers do, especially in regards to CLOSING an invoice.
I usually wait to get a confirmation email from the buyer (via the SOR system) that he/she has received my shipment before closing an order. However not all buyers bother to send a notice of receipt, so old invoices which I have shipped some time ago remain open in my books.
Apart from asking the buyer for a confirmation receipt, (and I think this may be an imposition) how do other sellers handle this. Do you close old invoices after a set time after you have shipped, even if you have not received confirmation from the buyer? If so, how long a time? Do you assume after a set time lapse that no inquiry about an order implies that it has been received?
It would be so much easier if ALL buyers acknowledged receipt of shipments, but I know this will not happen....so how do other sellers keep their accounting up to date and in order?
Rrr...
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Hi Ralph and Everyone;
No, I politely disagree, that it is not an imposition at all. If the query includes a concern that the buyer was pleased with the purchase, it can only be perceived as good to excellent customer service. Phrase it so that you are asking for feedback on the satisfaction of the transaction.
I usually explain that I would rather lose a sale than have a less than delighted buyer. Also I include a hand written thank you note with every purchase. I've had glowing replies to my efforts and one customer in India said "you may not have the lowest price around, but your personal service and concern for satisfaction makes it worth the price".
I worked in real estate for several years, and learned the importance of personal service and good customer relations. I always place the satisfaction first and the money last, because with that attitude, the money will take care of itself. However don't say it if you don't mean it or it comes off as very fake and unprofessional.
Just some thoughts
Ken Tall Pines
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Wow - I have been ignoring the "close" invoice option. I'm sure this was discussed extensively when the approvals were started, but I jumped in much later, so I may have missed some suggested guidelines. Is this a recommended process or it this just a "nice to do" thing?
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Theresa, CLOSE is a management function only that helps one determine status. anything closed is no longer of any concern at any level.... paid, shipped, received,
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It is much tidier to use the close option! I didn't see much use for it until I noticed that I can filter them out through the pull down menus. Y'all done larned me sumthin!!! LOL Love it!
In response to your original question, rrraphy, I think I'll close the USA shipments after a month, but the international I'll confirm delivery before closing. I'm so glad you started this thread. Very helpful for a neat nut like me.
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I think all buyers should acknowledge orders when they arrive. That's just common courtesy. I have never sold anything on SOR but I would imagine that it would be nice to know for sure if a shipment has arrived. A polite note asking if something has arrived in good shape should not be considered an imposition.... Sally
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Thanks for the advice.
Turns out there is an added benefit to asking for confirmation. I followed the posted advice, and emailed a brief note to older recipients of "sent" invoices requesting receipt confirmation.
I found out that one person had not received my shipment.
Upon further investigation I found the shipment buried on my own desk, in the wrong pile. Never made it to the post office! 
So knowing that a shipment has been received (or not been received) is definitely useful information that the seller needs to get.
rrr...
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Approvals
Been having a few problems keeping up to date with my invoices.
Curious what other sellers do, especially in regards to CLOSING an invoice.
I usually wait to get a confirmation email from the buyer (via the SOR system) that he/she has received my shipment before closing an order. However not all buyers bother to send a notice of receipt, so old invoices which I have shipped some time ago remain open in my books.
Apart from asking the buyer for a confirmation receipt, (and I think this may be an imposition) how do other sellers handle this. Do you close old invoices after a set time after you have shipped, even if you have not received confirmation from the buyer? If so, how long a time? Do you assume after a set time lapse that no inquiry about an order implies that it has been received?
It would be so much easier if ALL buyers acknowledged receipt of shipments, but I know this will not happen....so how do other sellers keep their accounting up to date and in order?
Rrr...
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likes this post.
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re: Invoice Control...when to CLOSE an order?
Hi Ralph and Everyone;
No, I politely disagree, that it is not an imposition at all. If the query includes a concern that the buyer was pleased with the purchase, it can only be perceived as good to excellent customer service. Phrase it so that you are asking for feedback on the satisfaction of the transaction.
I usually explain that I would rather lose a sale than have a less than delighted buyer. Also I include a hand written thank you note with every purchase. I've had glowing replies to my efforts and one customer in India said "you may not have the lowest price around, but your personal service and concern for satisfaction makes it worth the price".
I worked in real estate for several years, and learned the importance of personal service and good customer relations. I always place the satisfaction first and the money last, because with that attitude, the money will take care of itself. However don't say it if you don't mean it or it comes off as very fake and unprofessional.
Just some thoughts
Ken Tall Pines
Login to Like
this post
re: Invoice Control...when to CLOSE an order?
Wow - I have been ignoring the "close" invoice option. I'm sure this was discussed extensively when the approvals were started, but I jumped in much later, so I may have missed some suggested guidelines. Is this a recommended process or it this just a "nice to do" thing?
Login to Like
this post
re: Invoice Control...when to CLOSE an order?
Theresa, CLOSE is a management function only that helps one determine status. anything closed is no longer of any concern at any level.... paid, shipped, received,
Login to Like
this post
re: Invoice Control...when to CLOSE an order?
It is much tidier to use the close option! I didn't see much use for it until I noticed that I can filter them out through the pull down menus. Y'all done larned me sumthin!!! LOL Love it!
In response to your original question, rrraphy, I think I'll close the USA shipments after a month, but the international I'll confirm delivery before closing. I'm so glad you started this thread. Very helpful for a neat nut like me.
Login to Like
this post
re: Invoice Control...when to CLOSE an order?
I think all buyers should acknowledge orders when they arrive. That's just common courtesy. I have never sold anything on SOR but I would imagine that it would be nice to know for sure if a shipment has arrived. A polite note asking if something has arrived in good shape should not be considered an imposition.... Sally
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Approvals
re: Invoice Control...when to CLOSE an order?
Thanks for the advice.
Turns out there is an added benefit to asking for confirmation. I followed the posted advice, and emailed a brief note to older recipients of "sent" invoices requesting receipt confirmation.
I found out that one person had not received my shipment.
Upon further investigation I found the shipment buried on my own desk, in the wrong pile. Never made it to the post office!
So knowing that a shipment has been received (or not been received) is definitely useful information that the seller needs to get.
rrr...
Login to Like
this post