Video for Customers

[CHEESE2009]

People say I have an accent, what the hell do I know. This is going to go on my website.

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Keeper of Peace
Security Officer Cheese2009
Gopher Security Central (G.S.C)
4th Floor, office 112

[mark123]

Lawn care business tips

Do you think this has the "walmart effect"? It seems that this only ticks off good customers. In case someone isn't familar with that term, what they do is treat every customer as a criminal just in case you are one. They do this by locking certain items to the display and if you do want one you have to wait for someone to find a key and then purchase it in the department responsible for it. Not only does it force you to make multiple transaction and waste extra time in the store, it also gives real criminals the opportunity to lift a purchased item out of your cart. They aren't stealing from Walmart anymore, they are stealing from you. Basically, I'm just wondering if it does upset any of your good customers? Do you normally give good customers a second chance or do you just constantly juggle your schedule? I've had a few really rich folks go 2-3 months before paying what they owe but I've never had a real issue with anyone paying.

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Boughter's Lawn Care Services Mowing and Fertilizing in New Castle, PA

[Steve]

I can understand Scott has had it with a certain group of customers. But the thing I wonder is, how many of the late paying customers are going to see this?

Do you think this has the "walmart effect"? It seems that this only ticks off good customers.

I can see how this might scare a new customer coming to the website to see what you offer.

Human nature will always be human nature. As business owners, we all need to set up policies that allows us to conduct business as smoothly as possibly for us and the customer.

Scott, who knows though, you might be onto something. Let us know if this video has a positive effect on changing the late payers behavior. Life is one big experiment.

Do you have the script of the video you can post on here so we can read it too?

[CHEESE2009]

In the field of lawn maintenance, time is precious when dealing with several customers. With each and every customer we gain - the less time we have to spare.

We have tripled in size within two months of this new season, & I have no interest in watching our company image burn as the quality of our service goes down - it must be better than the rest.

With growth comes many new lessons;

Payment Due Dates

In 2009, we had our customers pay at the end of the month - we had minimal problems in receiving payments & if something should go wrong - it wouldn’t eat into our funds like it does this year.

This year (2010), collecting payments have been a major issue. As you all know, the first Friday of every month is the due date for payments. You are able to see us maintain your lawn one time before you are required to make your payment on the first Friday of the month - we give you as much trust as we are willing to afford.

Allowing our customers to pay at the end of the month is something we cannot risk this year, & I would appreciate it if you could believe me when I say, “it’s nothing personal” - I’m just looking out for my business which has been being abused by 33% of our client base. Many of you may not understand that I personally go out of my way for several deadbeat customers, meaning they don’t pay for my services &/or expect me to allow them to pay when they feel like it.

It’s never just one customer who says, “my late payment isn’t going to sabotage your business” or “you should have continued to maintain my lawn - I would have paid you the following week” - I hear these sayings every month from not just one, but 33% of my customers. If you think I am being strict when I postpone our lawn maintenance service because you haven’t paid on time, it’s because several of our customers share the same habit - missed payments add up & it’s not the ideal situation.

I’m no longer interested in chasing people for their payments, if they decide to miss the payment due date - that to me means they have decided to cancel with us. Reminding customers to pay always goes both ways, many feel offended and hassled while others actually appreciate the reminder. I am choosing to send one payment reminder to all of my customers before the new month(s) begin - making your payment at all or on time is your responsibility. If you feel offended at the sight of a payment reminder, you have totally misunderstood it’s purpose - and I’m honestly not interested in doing business with you.

The payment reminder is sent to you because I care & nothing less. Not paying because you didn’t receive a payment reminder is not excusable.
1. You did receive a payment reminder
2. I’m not required to send you a payment reminder, I do it as an act of courtesy.

If you are paying with cash or check(s), you are expected to contact me before or on the first Friday of the new month so that we are able to arrange for your payment to be picked up. Once your payment has been received, you will be added to our schedule.


To show my appreciation to all of my loyal Breeze Lawn Service customers - know that I will not let this business fail - all deadbeat customers will be dropped within the current month so more time can be focused on improving this business, in order to serve you better.

The only request I have is for all of our customers to honour the payment due date(s), other than that - I’m all ears & sweat.

[Steve]

Scott,

Have you gotten any response from your video yet? Or have you seen it have any effect?

[TaylorsCornerLLC]

Originally Posted by mark123

I've had a few really rich folks go 2-3 months before paying what they owe but I've never had a real issue with anyone paying.

Usually "really Rich" people are really rich because they are stingey with their money. Im starting to have problems with a real estate agent whom seems to come up with a new excuse everytime i contact him.. and i still have yet to see the check. I know how you guys feel when people don't pay, it sucks. You work your butt off for them and they do nothing for you..

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by TaylorsCornerLLC

Usually "really Rich" people are really rich because they are stingey with their money. Im starting to have problems with a real estate agent whom seems to come up with a new excuse everytime i contact him.. and i still have yet to see the check. I know how you guys feel when people don't pay, it sucks. You work your butt off for them and they do nothing for you..

Every real estate agent who has hired me has been the worst customer. They can never make a damn payment - ever. They all get on my nerves & ask for favors.

I'm doing a guys property and one he's been trying to sell, bozo here has been a pain in my neck from day one.

I can't necessarily drop him, because his lawn is connected to one of my fav customers lawns & would look stupid if I didn't do it.


I got a customer for 3 weeks because he was on vacation, he came back & obviously didn't need my service - though his neighbor hired me right away - good stuff!

Other than that, my day has been horrible.

[aduttonater]

you cant land them all. i accept money from any customer even if they are difficult. when they become difficult i become difficult back by making up excuses as to why i cant show up. its not like im desperate for the customers cash. ive never had to worry about a customer not paying either.

[aduttonater]

you cant land them all. i accept money from any customer even if they are difficult. when they become difficult i become difficult back by making up excuses as to why i cant show up. its not like im desperate for the customers cash. ive never had to worry about a customer not paying either. http://tucsonqualitylandscaping.blogspot.com <****** check out my videos.

[Steve]

I just checked out your blog and I was wondering. For those who don't make videos, how do you feel having them is helpful?