Packing Slips and Invoices (a little rant)

[#1]

I'm wondering if you all include packing slips, invoices, or whatever in with your shipments. I do, but I'm noticing an increasing number of sellers here and on other venues who don't. And it annoys me tremendously.

When I do a lot of buying in spurts from different sellers I like to put away the items, once received, and put packing slips in a pile to do feedback all at once. That way I remember who sold me what (my memory isn't always good). But in the last week I've received about 15 items and only 1/3 to 1/2 included a packing slip. I pointed that out to a seller elsewhere and she put me on her 'bad' list (I can't buy from her anymore) which kills me because her items are perfect for my purposes.

anyway, I implore you to please include packing slips with your items. It helps your buyers--really.

[PIXELGRINphotography]

I always include the Etsy receipt. If the order is a gift and the buyer has made it known to me, I will ask them if they would like it included because it does include the price, especially if it is being sipped directly.

At first I did not want to include it, because they generally do get tossed away and it is a waste of paper, and I feel a lot of sellers might feel that way as well. Also an electronic invoice is provided and that should suffice. A packing slip, I've never considered because generally, I only sell 1 item per order.

As far as the feedback, if you are shopping on Etsy, then the feedback system clearly lays out who sold you what and so having a pile of invoices to me at least, seems like annoying clutter I'd rather not have laying around.

[Former_Member]

I find it frustrating when I buy supplies and there's no receipt included as I need one for VAT and Tax purposes. It's a bit of a hastle backtracking and sourcing reseipts at a later date.

[Former_Member]

A tip for people who need receipts for tax (including myself). In your mail program, you set up mail folders on your local drive. When the receipt comes in via email. Put it straight into your "Tax 2013" folder (or whatever you choose to call it). Then at tax time, all your receipts are in one place. In addition to that, you can split them into: "Supplies Receipts", "Educational Receipts" or whatever the tax categories are that you use. Then you just go from one receipt to the next and add them up and paste into single file containing all your deductions.

I find this easier than sorting through bits of paper when tax is due.

[Former_Member]

I include an invoice in every package that's sent out.

Any true 'business' that I've ever purchased from has always given me a receipt of some form or another.

[Former_Member]

I find that most businesses don't put a paper receipt in with the shipped item (that is emailed). They just include a packing slip... which is useless to me.

[GrammaticalArt]

I only include them in international orders. As I'm not a supply seller, I don't think it is necessary to include one. I also don't think it makes me any less professional or "real." It's a waste of paper and ink and not necessary for my business. Other shops can absolutely do it and I wouldn't judge them for doing so. I'm surprised by how heated these threads get regarding this topic.

[Former_Member]

I always include them. It has always been part of my packaging process.

[rhodyart]

I understand the idea of wasting paper. I do. And I don't need to be told that the feedback section tells me everything I need--I've been buying and selling online for a number of years. But I think that as a professional--unless I'm told otherwise to not include a packing slip or invoice--it's my responsibility to include one for several different reasons, all of which have appeared in this thread. When I sell something in person at a local show--I ALWAYS give the buyer a receipt. Always. For my records and perhaps theirs.

I've asked a couple of other people I know who do a lot of business online and who are also sellers (non-etsy people). Both said that they include invoices with their shipments. They are also annoyed at the trend of not including them.

Anyway, I guess I'm old fashioned.

[LaAntiguaTextiles]

I always include the receipt, unless the customer asks me not to. As a buyer, I want to receive a ticket or invoice. As a seller, I act accordingly.
I try not to waste paper and ink, so I print it in only black cartridge, at the lowest quality, which is enough to be read but does not waste as much.
I find very interesting that some sellers consider including the receipt a waste of paper while they are selling paper goods. If we are so concerned about wasting paper, why don't we just go paperless for everything, including happy birthday notes, get better cards, be my valentine stuff and all those?

[Former_Member]

I don't include them, and I prefer not to be sent them.

[ShopDeatsGifts]

I have a personalized packing slip/invoice that is sent out from the shipping program I use. It tells them what they ordered along with a note on how to use the product or instructions. It also includes pertinent links to my website, facebook page, etc. I also include a coupon code on it for them for their next purchase.

I haven't had anyone complain about getting an invoice with any of my sales over the past 2 years.

[LettersAndPine]

I always include them. I figure if my customer doesn't want it, they can toss it/recycle it/use it for scratch paper. In my mind, it's better safe than sorry. :)

[Former_Member]

I don't mind if other sellers include one (and this thread is an indication that they keep a certain percentage of the buying population happy), but you don't need one for taxes or doing feedback. So to say you _need_ it, isn't really true. You might prefer it, but check out the options, you might find them more convenient.

To Angela Marcos, The difference between a packing slip and a handwritten letter is that I don't read, keep, smile, laugh at or treasure a packing slip. :)

You know what I'm happy to get with an item I've purchased? A hand written thank you. :)

[KaydonCreatives]

I say invoice/packing slip, unless instructed otherwise. I have been an accountant for 20+ years, and without the receipt or invoice, you shouldn't itemize but itemizing in our field here on Etsy would save us a great deal...we can write off just about anything, as long as its used for our business, and we have a record of it.

So, I always expect one, and if one isn't given I print the original order. And I always send one, unless asked not to.

Dana

[Former_Member]

I usually (unless I forget) include a copy of the paid receipt with a note that says PAID, THANK YOU! I hadn't considered packing slips because most my sales are 1 item and very small but I may start doing so after reading these posts.

[Former_Member]

Dana, You're right, we should have a record. I have a record for everything and it's filed in tax categories. My accountant doesn't require me to print my receipts though, just as long as I keep all electronic copies for seven years.

[LoveJewelryByJ]

i always include on unless asked not to.

I also use it for my own purposes. Once i make a sale, I print the receipt. Once I make the item and box it, I slip the receipt in the ribbon (since all my boxes look the same once they are tied with ribbon). Then I use the receipt to make sure I made all my orders and match them to their respective envelopes.

works for me

[Former_Member]

I'm a mail order business so yes, a receipt/invoice always gets shipped in their packages. I'm not going to ask my clients to use their ink when it's a service I should be supplying to them. I appreciate them all so much and spoil them as much as I can. :)

[Former_Member]

Im bad, I dont include invoices.

part of it is I am a Huge online buyer....and 99.9999% of the time I just Trash that part when I get stuff in. From anyone amazon etsy seller ecigs ect. (PS fold up your biz cards in it...promise I wont look at em)
IF there is an issue with my order...Im looking up my invoice online anyway. I have literally like 4 records of that purchase online...why do I need a hard copy?

Second part is b/c of above its a waste of paper....and INK is $$$.

[Former_Member]

Breanna, it doesn't make you bad, regardless what people are saying about professionalism, "real" businesses, etc.

Example 1: Apple doesn't ship invoices with packages. If you buy it online, that's where you get your receipt. What is in the package is a packing slip ( a list of items purchased, no prices, can't be used for tax).

Example 2: I work a day job for a very large, long-standing company. They actually don't accept hard copies of receipts when I submit my expenses. They have to be electronic. If I buy something in person, I scan it in and submit it that way.

[chattypress]

I only included invoices for large order, If the customer requests and of course international orders. But that doesn't mean you won't know who sent your item when you get your package. My shipping label is branded with my logo as is the packaging of the product... Starting next week the stamps will also be branded. I also include a business card and a card with tips about stamping.

That being said... I revived a package this week from an etsy shop that had nothing but the product in it... I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed

[MyDistinctDesigns]

This is an interesting topic because I have never thought a lot about it. When I buy very rarely is there a receipt in the package I really don't mind either way. When I ship I never include a receipt. If someone is buying online they have access to all of the information. What I do include is nice, secure packaging with a thank you note. Sometimes a customer includes a note that it is a gift but not always.
After reading this thread I will give it some more thought.

[Former_Member]

I send a receipt unless the buyer requests otherwise or it's a gift. Roughly half of my sales have been international, so I got in the habit of sending one. It also has my return/refund/damages policies, and a coupon code. I know at least some of my customers are paying attention to the receipt because they use those coupon codes, which they can't get any other way.

I send receipts for my non-Etsy orders too, most of which are custom. Those include a detailed list of all the agreed upon design elements and sizing so that they can see that I gave them what they asked for.

I don't look down on shops that don't send one.

[Former_Member]

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I'm never really sure if should or not. I probably will every time now after reading this. I guess if you are buying supplies it is really helpful otherwise for a piece of jewellery not sure I'd want to be reminded that I spent some money. :)

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

I don't include them and throw them straight in the garbage when I receive them. It's all online - i don't need or want anything else to store! I'm not bothered if people send me one, but it is a waste of their time and ink.