This guide is for agents quoting hardware for an auto repair shop, tire and lube shop, body shop, detailer or mobile mechanic. These businesses live on invoices: a job is estimated, approved, done over hours or days, and paid at the desk, over the phone or at the car. Hardware is usually one device at the service desk. For the full catalogue of devices and the rules behind every quote, see Stackably hardware options and bundles (Sunmi).
The short version
P3H or P3 MIX at the service desk, your call. Both send invoices, take deposits, schedule jobs and take payment. The P3 MIX has the bigger screen for working through a long invoice with the customer.
No network, no printer, no Ubiquiti. The terminal prints the receipt; the invoice itself is emailed or texted.
Mobile mechanic or detailer: P3H + SIM card.
Parts counter that sells retail: P3 MIX for the scanner, drawer and label printer.
Second device for the bay or a second writer: P3H, upsell only.
The builds to quote
Service desk | Mobile | |
Terminal | P3H, or P3 MIX on swivel cradle for the bigger screen | P3H + SIM card |
Customer-facing | Hand over the P3H or swivel the P3 MIX; optional 6.7" CFD on the P3 MIX | Hand the device to the customer |
Receipts | Built in; invoices emailed or texted | Built in |
Cash drawer | Optional on the P3 MIX; not on the P3H | None |
Ubiquiti network | No | No |
Best for | Repair shops, tire shops, body shops with a front desk | Mobile mechanics, mobile detailers, roadside service |
Upsell for either build: a P3H for the bay, the lot, or a second service writer. Offer; do not add by default.
The network rule, in auto-shop terms
An auto shop has no kitchen and no printer away from the desk, so there is no Ubiquiti on the quote. The terminal prints its own receipt over the shop Wi-Fi, and invoices go out by email or text. If the shop has a parts counter that price-tags inventory, the label printer plugs into the P3 MIX by USB or into the shop's own router by Ethernet; still no network. Do not add a network line unless the merchant asks to opt in.
Invoices, deposits and the long job
This is software, not hardware, but it decides the quote. On any device the shop can:
Build an estimate as an invoice and send it to the customer to approve and pay remotely.
Take a deposit on parts before the work starts.
Take the balance at the desk, by phone or by sending the invoice again.
Schedule the job on the calendar.
Because most of the money moves by invoice, a single desk device covers most shops. The P3 MIX earns its place when the writer walks the customer through a long line-item invoice on the screen; the P3H is fine when the invoice is on the customer's phone and the desk device just takes the final payment.
Accessories for auto shops
Swivel cradle. Ships with the P3 MIX. Turn it for signature and tip.
6.7" CFD. P3 MIX only. A fixed customer screen at the desk. Additional charge.
Cash drawer. P3 MIX only. Sunmi MAX or the third-party drawer we resell (confirm model with the Stackably team). Most shops skip it.
Handheld scanner with base and label printer. Only for shops with a retail parts or accessories counter. P3 MIX only in this vertical. The label printer connects by USB to the P3 MIX or by Ethernet to the shop's router; no Ubiquiti either way.
SIM card. For any device that leaves the shop: mobile mechanics, detailers, roadside. $20 per month.
Edge cases
"They want to take payment at the car in the lot." A P3H carried out on the shop Wi-Fi, as long as the Wi-Fi reaches the lot. If it does not, a SIM card.
"They want the customer to approve the estimate before work starts." Send the invoice; the customer approves and pays the deposit on their phone. No hardware involved.
"They have two service writers." Two devices on one merchant account. P3H each, or a P3 MIX at the desk and a P3H as the second. Upsell the second.
"They sell tires, wipers and accessories at the counter." P3 MIX with the handheld scanner; add the label printer by USB if they tag inventory. No network.
"They want a big station at the desk." A T3 works (CPad Pay or CFD + SmartPad by preference) but is more than most shops need. Make sure they know the P3 MIX does the same job.
"The shop Wi-Fi doesn't reach the office." The P3 MIX cradle can be wired by Ethernet. The P3H cannot; use a SIM or a P3 MIX.
"They want a printed invoice, not a receipt." The terminal prints receipts. Full invoices are emailed or texted as a PDF; the shop can print those from any office printer they own.
"Mobile mechanic with a van." P3H + SIM. Prints the receipt at the job. Invoices still go by email or text.
"They want to store a card on file for fleet customers." Software question; confirm current capability with the Stackably team before promising it.
"Two shops, two owners, one building." One device per merchant account.
Quick answers
Which terminal? P3H or P3 MIX at the desk, your call. P3H + SIM for mobile.
Network? No.
Printer? Built into the terminal. Invoices go by email or text.
Deposits and estimates? Software, on any device.
Parts counter? P3 MIX with a scanner and, if they tag inventory, the label printer by USB.
Second device? P3H, upsell only.