TOPIC: Clients Paying for Inspections Online

I've started to get the ball rolling on adding a new feature to the report hosting. This will allow you to check a box within the report noting that the client has not paid. When you upload the report this will prevent the client from being able to view the report until they pay for it online.

Please let me know what features you'd like to see integrated with this. Do you think a client would ever come to you later and pay so that you'd need to come onto the site and unlock the report for their viewing?

More than likely it will come towards the end of January as there are a few other higher priority issues, but the groundwork is being laid out now.

Comments?

I still have not tried the upload feature, I guess I'm stuck in my emailing ways.
However, I have considered tying in with Paypal or something, for those out of area clients who may be on the flaky side.  So far (5 years), I've only had one bad check . .

You have 3 months free of the upload service, so at least do a few tests on your own info to see if you like it. I like your idea of allowing the email to be customized and added it to the LONG to-do list.

I may try it.
Just like the NACHI upload, though, I don't see any advantage of it.  If I email, I know it got there, there's no sign-in or download for anyone, doesn't cost anything, people reply to my emails, etc.
I can't see any advantages, but I'm willing to listen!

There's a few reasons people use the service. First it's a marketing tool to real estate agents. They get to view all reports you've done for them for 3 years which means they don't have to keep hard copies, they can just log in and view what you've allowed them to view. It's also centralized so it's not like they have to keep it on their computer or in their email acct. Makes them happy and refer you again.

It also gives YOU a backup for 3 years (might become 5 actually) so that all your reports are online in case your computer crashes. It really doesn't make us a lot of money as some guys do 2-3 reports a day = up to 600-1000 a year x 3 years x 1-2 meg file size

It's also simple for some people since you can upload the report from within the program rather than switching out to email.

As we add more features to it, it will become more appealing too.

I have received about 6 checks in the last month that have no funds in the account or have been written on a closed account. I think we are heading into new times. I have been doing this for 9 years now and in the last 8 years I didn't even have that many bad checks. I will be using that system very soon.