? for people who run shaved ice/italian ice/or sno cone biz.

How do you keep records of your sales? I only ask because I've seen people just put 
money into their apron pocket instead of using a cash register. So I guess what I'm asking is how do you keep records if you are not using a cash registers?
 

Count the cups?
 
 

What about counting the cash when your done, subtract what you started with, and that is your sales.
 
Or are you talking about inventory, how many grape or strawberry you sell?
 
We vend BBQ, we take cash and occasional debit card but no cash register, maybe ice business is different

lol...I know but how would you show that info to your accountant at tax time?

@KurtSara just the cups. Thanks 4 your help![:)

Mr&MrsIce
lol...I know but how would you show that info to your accountant at tax time?

 
If your serious any cash register made today is all you need, once set up you total at the end of the day and save the tape.
Count the cups to keep your help honest. But I doubt many that are in the shaved ice business are big accountant users.
 
And I'm not saying that there isn't great money in the ice business and I'm just finding out how complicated it can be. I had no idea that ice can be to cold to shave properly until I recently joined an ice forum. And if your sharp you'll buy the flavors by the largest quantity you can afford, prepare your own sugar water and  make your own mix. And a lot of people on the forum are making there own ice. Do a search online for shaved ice forums. You'll like the imformation exchange.

To: Shaved_Ice_Discussion@yahoogroups.com

Mr&MrsIce


lol...I know but how would you show that info to your accountant at tax time?

I still enter the daily sale into Quickbooks Pro

Thanks everyone! This has been so helpful!:0)

I use a highly technical approach to keeping track of my italian ice sales...I put a hash mark on a dated piece of paper for each cup that goes out.  Count up the marks at the end of the day and record in the books (and hang on to the paper just in case).
 
Stephanie

we are going to try and use the Ipad with the Square App to track sales this summer.

Thanks again everyone!:0)

I have an Italian Ice business and have been doing events for four years. Some require a register tape as they take a percentage of sales. Some require you take tokens that they sell, and then they pay you out at the end of the event, less their percentage. Most allow you to handle the sales and simply charge a space fee.
 
When handling our own sales, we start with a "bank" which is counted and noted in a form. ( Bank can be a metal box or an apron, depending on the type of event and volume.) Then at the end of the day, we count the "till" and subtract the starting bank.  We record our sales on a form I have created that also has other info: i.e. Event name, dates and times, notes on the weather, how many food vendors, how many frozen dessert vendors, what we were selling (sometimes we add other things into the mix). Use this form to look back at previous events to determine value and sales. (After doing a lot of these, these notes become very valuable!)

We do have a register, and, at times, have separated out items to see what items sell relative to each other.
 
Counting cups can be a problem in that sometimes cups fall and have to be trashed, or people ask for an extra cup, or....   this is not a reliable method.
 
Pat
Mita's Italian Ice

Thanks neonlady!

I have a chart with sheets on it that I do a cup count each morning and then again a quick one at mid day ( if slow)  then at days end.. I have them drop the money down into a  large box with a slit on top so they cant open it.  ( kinda like a wedding money box)  Any cups that are broke I have them put it in a empty box or any cup they give away I have that written on a sheet as well.. Its not exact science but pretty darn close.  Its just me . my husband  and my sons ..no out side employees yet. I enter everything into the computer on my days off.  I keep these daily sheets incase someone sarts asking questions ( IRS etc) ..
 
As for when I do fundraising and give a portion of my money then I use a adding machine and keep hitting enter each time I sell one and that adds another 2-3 dollars to the total.. at the end I hit total. and thats the amount I use to split with customer.