devuono311
08-04-2010, 11:35 AM
Alright,
So I have been busting my behind trying to make it so far this year, and I gotta admit its tough. However I am not giving up.
Everything started out slow, then the phone kept a ringing, (mostly calls wanting price quotes, which I don't agree with over the phone quotes, they arent really precise) Anyhow, phones a ringing, I'm slowly picking up jobs, Got to about 6 weekly customers and 2 bi-weekly customers, mowing and trimming. I had placed craigslist ads, ran a 4 week popular local paper ad, and a six month placemat ad. I ended up with 8 customers. I was happy though, not knowing exactly what to expect, I was more than happy just to get some work. Then, I lost customers it seemed all at once, though it was over roughly three weeks. I was concerned, I thought "What am I doing wrong". Then I started re-thinking what was going on. Two customers I lost due to their own business wasnt that great so they had more time to mow themselves and not enough money in there budget to keep me on. Ok, I can understand that fully. One guys son moved back home and so he took over responsibility, another guy lives in Cali. and owns a vacation home up here, called and told me his lawn had to be treated for a carpenter ant issue so his lawn had to be left alone anyways for two weeks and that with all the remodeling he had been doing he was steadily running out of money so wasnt sure if he'd be calling me back this year or not. Now that one bothered me because it seemed like a couple excuses to let me go without necessarily stating " I'm firing you". But I've racked my brain and have no idea why he would have been displeased with my work. His lawn looked great and well kept. I had a renter who was responsible for her own lawn and that included a double lot , she moved and didnt notify me until I showed up the following week and there was a for rent sign in the yard and the house was clearly empty, so I called her, sure enough no need for me. Last but not least, Another local business, is a church camp and this is there last week of camp so yesterday i was notified it would be my last week for them as the camp director would be taking over my duties due to his free time he would have until next season. Man, I have to say it feels like I've been punched in the gut. However, every single customer I have had a chance to discuss my services with say I have done an excellent job and have no problem possibly bringing me back next season, that its just a matter of due crcumstances and that I need to expect it with the economy.
I have two customers left......... :(
So while I am obvioiusly working on that presently, I REALLY dont want to be caught with my pants around my ankles once winter comes. I've plowed before, know how to plow, ( and no its not always drop the blade and push snow) but I've never bid plow jobs before, don't know if businesses pay for a season up front, or by the amount of plowing, nor when to approach residents or businesses for bids. I really neeed this , this year, and though I'm sure the mowing will pick up better than this year next year, I need something to keep me busy through winter. Could somebody please send me some info?
Thanks,
Mowed Over
So I have been busting my behind trying to make it so far this year, and I gotta admit its tough. However I am not giving up.
Everything started out slow, then the phone kept a ringing, (mostly calls wanting price quotes, which I don't agree with over the phone quotes, they arent really precise) Anyhow, phones a ringing, I'm slowly picking up jobs, Got to about 6 weekly customers and 2 bi-weekly customers, mowing and trimming. I had placed craigslist ads, ran a 4 week popular local paper ad, and a six month placemat ad. I ended up with 8 customers. I was happy though, not knowing exactly what to expect, I was more than happy just to get some work. Then, I lost customers it seemed all at once, though it was over roughly three weeks. I was concerned, I thought "What am I doing wrong". Then I started re-thinking what was going on. Two customers I lost due to their own business wasnt that great so they had more time to mow themselves and not enough money in there budget to keep me on. Ok, I can understand that fully. One guys son moved back home and so he took over responsibility, another guy lives in Cali. and owns a vacation home up here, called and told me his lawn had to be treated for a carpenter ant issue so his lawn had to be left alone anyways for two weeks and that with all the remodeling he had been doing he was steadily running out of money so wasnt sure if he'd be calling me back this year or not. Now that one bothered me because it seemed like a couple excuses to let me go without necessarily stating " I'm firing you". But I've racked my brain and have no idea why he would have been displeased with my work. His lawn looked great and well kept. I had a renter who was responsible for her own lawn and that included a double lot , she moved and didnt notify me until I showed up the following week and there was a for rent sign in the yard and the house was clearly empty, so I called her, sure enough no need for me. Last but not least, Another local business, is a church camp and this is there last week of camp so yesterday i was notified it would be my last week for them as the camp director would be taking over my duties due to his free time he would have until next season. Man, I have to say it feels like I've been punched in the gut. However, every single customer I have had a chance to discuss my services with say I have done an excellent job and have no problem possibly bringing me back next season, that its just a matter of due crcumstances and that I need to expect it with the economy.
I have two customers left......... :(
So while I am obvioiusly working on that presently, I REALLY dont want to be caught with my pants around my ankles once winter comes. I've plowed before, know how to plow, ( and no its not always drop the blade and push snow) but I've never bid plow jobs before, don't know if businesses pay for a season up front, or by the amount of plowing, nor when to approach residents or businesses for bids. I really neeed this , this year, and though I'm sure the mowing will pick up better than this year next year, I need something to keep me busy through winter. Could somebody please send me some info?
Thanks,
Mowed Over