Hi Carla,
Sorry to hear of your hard-wiring problem!
Most companies that are set up to accept on-line orders have an
automated process to notify you that your order has been received
and is being processed. Method of delivery and expected delivery
dates are common practice and a receipt is made available on line,
usually immediately. I move that receipt to a folder for my
accountant, and these folders are backed up regularly to an external
hard drive devoted to that purpose only. My accountant loves it and I
love it! Incidentally, most of those receipts will never get printed
onto paper, no need for it, so there’s a bit of a “green” aspect
there. Truth be known, I’m a LOUSY filer and now enjoy minimal stacks
of paper around me.
Because those receipts are important tax documents, the duplicate
data on the external hard drive is also stored at an on-line backup
site (not Carbonite, they can’t back up external drives!)
When I sell one of my products on line, the customer’s email address
is used to auto-forward shipping (in my case, Fedex
Ground is preferred) and the progress of the shipment both to the
customer and myself. They know where their stuff is and so do I all
the time and I automatically receive proof of delivery (or unable to
deliver notices).
Now, if you CALL your order in it must be at a time acceptable to
the seller, and THEY are going to input your request into the same
software that you could have done at your leisure and at the hour of
your choosing. Why bother?
Additionally, many companies offer “apps” that can be downloaded to
your smart phone that enable you to place an order from your phone if
you are away from your shop.
Of course, if you have questions about the product it may be
necessary to phone in your order, but mostly I like the on-line
method because I can do my ordering after or before their hours of
operation and it doesn’t interfere with my “regular” work day.
Hard-wiring can be undone… I love my Android phone and I’ll be 66
this year!
Anyway, hope there’s something in my meandering of use…
Wayne Emery
www.thelittlecameras.com