Invoice enclosed ... Yes, or no?

[Former_Member]

Hi--I just joined the team today and am looking forward to learning lots. One thing I'm curious about is whether to include a printed invoice in the packages I send out. I've read about this in the forums, and some people really feel you should include one to be professional. Others strongly feel that most people get annoyed by a paper invoice when they can get it online. What do you think?

[Former_Member]

I always print two copies of each invoice. One for my permanent files and one for the customer! Not only does it have information on it, in case they forgot exactly what they ordered, or how to contact (or find) your shop again, but if the shipping label is damaged or destroyed, the po can open the box to see if there is a shipping info inside.

[KiltedWoman]

I don't send extra paper. That's supplies and ink I don't need to use. All the information is online in the etsy system. I've never had a problem with a damaged label. I tape them on completely even over the barcode and it works fine.

[SparklingSistersJS]

I always include a copy of the invoice in my packages as I can't stand it when I receive a package with no invoice or packing slip inside. It is a tiny cost of being professional! I'm certainly not going to make my customer print a copy if they need a receipt! I believe it's just common courtesy but I also use it as my packing slip. It reminds them of what they bought, who it's from, and It gives me an additional opportunity to show them my repeat customer coupon code that's printed at the bottom.

I've had 2 packages damaged by USPS and the label was no longer legible. Both packages found their way to my customer only because the address was inside on the invoice! No reason to learn that lesson the hard way!

And of course for international shipping, it's a must! I've heard some countries will open the package and if there's no invoice to confirm contents, value and to/from, the package will not be delivered or returned.

I've shipped thousands of packages and I've NEVER had anyone complain about including a piece of paper in their package!

In my book, it's a must!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for your perspectives!

[MichelesAManoDesigns]

I always give a printed invoice. I know when I receive an order in the mail, I like the confirmation of knowing what I was charged for the item(s) I received.... :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for this thread! I have been on the fence about including the invoice and not because of paper waste. Maybe this is a strange peccadillo, but the invoice is a little unsightly. I love putting together beautiful packages and the invoice is an awkward item. I think I will always include it from now on, but perhaps in an envelope.

[ThreeRiversForge]

I don't do invoices.

I thought about it when I first got things started on etsy, but my printer was busted at the time.

To be blunt, I've always considered invoices to be a waste of paper and ink, and I really hate getting them in packages I order because there's soooo much printing just for the one little thing I ordered. I could see if I was ordering fifty things at a time from fifty different shops and might forget what all I ordered. But, I don't.

From a seller's perspective, I cringe every time my printer needs a refill. The paper and ink costs add up quickly, and all you're doing is duplicating what already exists on the etsy pages of both the buyer and seller. What's the point of that? And because I use Paypal to collect the purchase price, I have most of the transaction information duplicated there just in case the etsy site crashes and all that info is lost.

I just don't see the need for a hardcopy invoice.

I do, however, include a nice hand-written thank you note for the customer. It started out unintentionally and has become something of a trademark for my shop. Not so much the notes, but the cardstock I use and how I attach them to the ironware.

Anyhow, no on the invoice and yes on the personal thanks. I think that's the right combination for me.

[PlaynwithScraps]

I don't send an invoice but I do include a business card with a signed "Thanks". I don't see the need to send an invoice unless you sell supplies and customers might want their prices readily available.

[Former_Member]

Vaughn Im just like you, I dont like the invoices in my package either. I just throw them away... Im like, urg more crap! ha ha

I send them by request. I send a special branded thank you card with care instructions and my info, they know who it comes from. Ive had two invoices requested in almost two years, both were reselling my jars.

For international I put the 4th label(98% of mine go priority) in the box and write the address with a sharpie on the outside of the box for first class and priority.

We have to do what works for us. I dont feel its unprofessional not to send them. Chances are my most of my customer base would throw them away, I know my market. :)

[howtobooksandmore]

In other areas of my business, I send a lot of items to businesses. They need paper invoices, not emailed ones. When I get an email invoice for something I ordered for business reasons, I have to print it out for my files. It is much easier if it is included with the package. For anything going overseas, I always include an invoice in case something goes wrong. Even for domestic invoices, confirmation of the buyer and their address can help ensure the package is delivered if something happens to the package.

[dsgnGrl]

I always include an invoice, unless the buyer indicates that it is a gift and being sent directly to the giftee.

[HEvansGems]

Much may depend on what you sell. Supply sellers, for instance, might be more justified than some others to include an invoice, because those who buy supplies might need the invoices for accounting and income tax purposes. But the buyers of many handmade or vintage goods may be less likely to need an invoice for such purpose.

I'm not convinced that including an invoice is necessarily a mark of professionalism. After all, Amazon has recently stopped including invoices or receipts in single package orders, and I suspect other similarly professional retailers will soon be doing the same. As Amazon themselves indicate on their website, shoppers who need a receipt or invoice can easily print one from their online accounts.

[Former_Member]

"I'm not convinced that including an invoice is necessarily a mark of professionalism"

Me either, I just dont need to for my buyers. And like I stated those that wanted my jars to resell, I sent the invoice. It was business for them not a personal buy.

I understand to those that sell supplies. That said, ive bought tons of supplies over the years and the invoice goes in the trash! ha ha. I only keep receipts I cant track through the computer, its just not needed when there is a paper trail. I have enough 'junk' already I dont need useless paper receipts.


I can prove it all to the IRS and that whats matters! ha ha

[DebbiesDenimDesigns]

I always include an invoice (and write a little thank you somewhere on it) just because I like having a hard copy of purchases. Also, I like the idea that all the info for the transaction is on it . Just my preference...

[BelovedDollDesigns]

I include a paid invoice which includes all information should the buyer have any questions or disputes. I print everything out anyways as I have copies ready for review should the IRS ever decide that they want to go over everything with a fine tooth comb (audits). If I have more than on order to package, the invoice also helps me to keep straight of what item gets shipped where.

So I think the short answer is "it depends." :)

[KiltedWoman]

An unnecessary paper receipt and using packing peanuts or other environmentally unfriendly material is very unattractive to me. I get mad when a tiny item from a retailer comes with a ton of unnecessary packaging. It has nothing to do with "being professional" it has to do with not wasting resources.

Just like when McDonalds went from styrofoam to cardboard, I think we need to listen to our customers. I think younger etsy customers are turned off by paper when going paperless and recycling is easy to do. I am not a big environmentalist but I like to do my part. I've saved over a thousand pieces of paper by not printing something already available. The older generation may disagree but their children are used to not filing and handling extra bits of paper. Perhaps it depends upon your target audience.

[designbcb]

I don't include one and it's never been an issue...i'm not annoyed when i find them in my shipments but it isn't a tool for me, either.

It is something to consider if I have a multiple item order just to make sure i included everything in the order but otherwise, I don't see a real reason for it.

There are some differences between a handmade shop and a B&M store or company and using resources more effectively and sufficiently is one of them. I'm not sure that piece of paper is needed by my customers.

[Former_Member]

Since I use the paypal packing slip when packaging orders, it automatically goes in the package (along with a business card). Some of my orders will have 20 or 30 pieces in them so without a packing slip its to easy to get orders totally messed up.

That way the customer has a record of what they purchased and more importantly WHERE they purchased it from.

I make many purchases online and I'm not about to go through all of the sites that I've purchased from in order to make another purchase from a particular business. If I can't find the information quickly in my receipts file (hard copy) I'll find somewhere else to purchase from.

Yes I use a lot of paper and ink. I go through about 1000 pages of paper every month. Its another business expense as far as I'm concerned.

Just my 2 cents.

[Former_Member]

An invoice and a care instruction sheet are included with each order. It's what I expect when I order anything, so it's what I provide. guess I am old school lol

[janeeroberti]

I started doing it a year ago. I print my Policies page on the backside, with Return/Exchange and Repair & Care onfo.

[BelovedDollDesigns]

Good idea, Jane, I should add the policies to mine.

[Mulchandmore]

In my personal life I have always enclosed the to: name and address in case the package breaks open, so find it easier to send an invoice for the same reason. and I expect the same when I order supplies.

[stringnstone]

I include a packing slip/receipt in case the mailing label is torn off.. this was suggested to me by my postmaster. Have the address of buyer and sender inside the package.

One of my biggest pet peeves is ordering supplies and not having a packing slip included. I end up having to print off my own paper work and to me that is not a way to get my return business. I have my fav suppliers here and they all send a detailed invoice no hunting then using my paper and ink.

[SaltySeagullStudio]

I never put an invoice in my packages, they can access the details of their transaction online, plus it gets confusing and can be a problem if the order is a gift going directly to the recipient, the person who ordered it wouldn't want that in the gift package.