Lost 1 customer already

[tiedeman]

Well, I already lost one customer for next year. I send out a renewal letter to them for fertilization (they were a fertilization and weed control customer) and they called me back telling me that they decided not to renew.

I was very disappointed since they praised my work all year long. I think they were price shopping though, because when they first went with me back in the spring I was $1 cheaper per application than TruGreen. They probably found someone else cheaper already

The funny thing is I am ok with losing fertilization customers, because I feel they are the most pain in the buttocks out there. Always whinning and complaining. That is why I am thinking of having a policy of where only lawn maintenance customers can receive fertilization from me. At least I am there once a week, and see what is going on with the lawn. The other times with strictly just fertilization I am only there every 6 weeks or so.

[Steve]

Quote[/b] ]The funny thing is I am ok with losing fertilization customers, because I feel they are the most pain in the buttocks out there. Always whinning and complaining. That is why I am thinking of having a policy of where only lawn maintenance customers can receive fertilization from me.
That is a very interesting idea. Do you know of any other companies that have a similar policy?

[All Aspects Landscaping]

I was in the same situation 3 years ago. I got hooked up with a reputiable fert only company and traded in the fert for a shot at their customer base. Ive picked up tons of new maint accounts and stopped fert. My customer base has grow and along with the maint accounts come mulching trimming installs and MORE $$$$... Its a unique situation i know, but it has accelerated the growth of my company and my income. Good luck and stick to your prices!!! SERVICE SELLS![B][I]

[tiedeman]

Well, I resigned all customers except for two, both of them fertilization customer. *One told me that she couldn't afford it anymore, and I don't blame her. *She had a 46,000 lawn that I fertilized with 6 applications. *I had her setup on a 12 month flat rate plan of around $115 each month. *And to be honest with you, because of how she maintained the lawn (mowing, watering, etc), I really didn't see any major results as a result of me taking care of it.

The other one is the one in reference to my post at the top.

[Steve]

Are fert customers more concerned with results than a maintenance customer?

[tiedeman]

Yes...fert customers are 10 times more picky than lawn maintenance customers. The fertilization customers want to make sure that their lawn is getting 100% of what they paid for.

I had one lady last year, that received a 5 step application, but I was actually there 7 times. She complained about some dandelions twice. I went over there and spot sprayed for her. But you know what, she loved what I did that she signed back up for 2007.