Vehicle friendly printer...???

N

NJWashingGuy

New member
I am thinking of doing my estimates in my truck while at the estimate on my laptop. I try to make appointments with people and not just leave them a proposal. I am looking for a printer that is capable of working inside a vehicle without too many problems. My estimates are in MS word format on company letterhead. To me, it seems better to get them to sign and schedule instead of leaving time to think it over after sending it to them in the mail.....? Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks, Mike.
 
Why not get a new Ford Truck with the 'Work Solutions' package in it. It comes with a laptop, printer, internet, gps and more built right into the dash. I think it's a $1200 package.

I'm just waiting for Ron to get one to give us all a review on it.
 
I only give estimates over the phone, but I do have the answer to your delimna. Keep in mind I am not the most computer savvy person, but I do keep a printer and laptop under the seat for when I go out of state and need to print invoices. $30 for an inverter that plugs into your lighter. $35 for the cheapest printer Walmart carries. Mine is small enough to fit under the seat of my truck. Hook that up with my 6 year old flea market laptop and I am as high tech as the next guy.
 
offdutyfireman said:
I only give estimates over the phone, but I do have the answer to your delimna. Keep in mind I am not the most computer savvy person, but I do keep a printer and laptop under the seat for when I go out of state and need to print invoices. $30 for an inverter that plugs into your lighter. $35 for the cheapest printer Walmart carries. Mine is small enough to fit under the seat of my truck. Hook that up with my 6 year old flea market laptop and I am as high tech as the next guy.
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Any problems with the printer working, feeding etc... I want to do this once and right, not replace the $35 printer every month..... Thanks for the reply

I have the inverter and the laptop, just need the printer.
 
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NJWashingGuy said:
Any problems with the printer working, feeding etc... I want to do this once and right, not replace the $35 printer every month..... Thanks for the reply

I have the inverter and the laptop, just need the printer.
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Mine is a couple of years old and has been under my seat the whole time. Works anytime I need it to.
 
Just e-mail it or e-fax it to them from your laptop. Saves you time, space, paper. You don't even need a aircard in most built up areas you can just poach a wi-fi signal and send it or if they have a wireless printer sync it and drop it right to them.
 
Alexy said:
Just e-mail it or e-fax it to them from your laptop. Saves you time, space, paper. You don't even need a aircard in most built up areas you can just poach a wi-fi signal and send it or if they have a wireless printer sync it and drop it right to them.
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We have hand written if you need them in the field. Or try what Alexy said. No paper is always good
 
We have hand written if you need them in the field. Or try what Alexy said. No paper is always good
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Ron's right. Don't waste your time with the estimates from the truck (laptop, printer, etc.) It's a huge PITA. We did it for a year, and found multiple issues arising from it. Now we just go and take measurements, talk to business owners, managers, homeowners, etc., and e-mail an estimate to them. This works well because you are having contact with them twice instead of once. I don't have to worry about someone doing a smash and grab on my electronics, finding a wi-fi hotspot, or running out of printer ink or paper.
 
Mike I use a Hp Tablet. The customer can sign the paper work right on the tablet....I have a Ram mount for it so if I need to send a email on the road I can. The printer I use is cheap....They tend to brake. I think it was about 60 on sale...Its scans too.
 
Big Mike said:
Ron's right. Don't waste your time with the estimates from the truck (laptop, printer, etc.) It's a huge PITA. We did it for a year, and found multiple issues arising from it. Now we just go and take measurements, talk to business owners, managers, homeowners, etc., and e-mail an estimate to them. This works well because you are having contact with them twice instead of once. I don't have to worry about someone doing a smash and grab on my electronics, finding a wi-fi hotspot, or running out of printer ink or paper.
Click to expand...

I am of the opposite opinion. I carry my Toughbook mounted to a Ram Mount with my mobile HP printer every time I do sales calls. Once I meet with the owners or PM's, I create the proposal in QB's, which automatically enters the information and notes into my contact management software. I print out the proposal (s), present the proposal(s) to the customer or PM in a custom designed company folder, along with my insurance documents, MSDS sheets and reference list. I close nearly 4 out of 5 on the spot.
 
Most of my estimates are done with no one around, and no one to give an actual physical estimate to. I ran into a big problem with my competitors stealing my estimates when I left a copy at the home. I hated having to haul around all that electronic equipment just to do a simple bid. If you really think someone is impressed that you printed out an estimate for them on the spot, you're fooling yourself. My closing rate increased by 20% after I ditched the "immediate estimate". Think about multiple contacts with prospective clients.....
 
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