Lost a good customer this week

[Ducke]

I do believe I read a similar story on here a while back. My very first customer been with me since before day one I mowed his lawn for two years before I started Ducke's. Well he passed away a couple weeks ago. I went to the funeral etc. Friday I get a letter in the mail with a check and a letter. telling my services are no longer needed as her son has moved home and he will be mowing the lawn for now on. Man this sucks I loved that lawn I kept it prefect, It was my pride and joy. worst thing is I do the lawn beside it and across from it. Oh well I guess you win some and you lose some. Just one more I have to sign up for next year.

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Sorry to hear that. I mow three properties that are for sale, so I could lose any, or all of them at any given moment. One door closes, and other one opens - just like how I got my start in the business. I actually turned a job down today because I now see that I don't HAVE to take anything I can get. Guy had a house he's been in for three months and has not once done anything with the lawn. I gave him a ballpark figure and then he mentioned "regular service". I told him it would be $35 every other week and he said, "So it would be a little more if I just wanted to have it done every three weeks?" I thought about it and said "screw that". I wasn't in the mood to kill myself on his nasty-a$$ "lawn" only to have him wait THREE weeks before it gets cut again. That lawn will always look like crap and I don't want my name associated with it. And this guy is an attorney to boot, so it's not like he can't afford basic lawn care. I guess what I'm trying to say is that whether we lose one or turn one away, there will always be someone else that needs our services. Next!

[mark123]

I lost my 99 year old customer a few weeks ago. The next of kin won't reply to my emails so I don't know if I should cut or not. I'm going with not.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by mark123

I lost my 99 year old customer a few weeks ago. The next of kin won't reply to my emails so I don't know if I should cut or not. I'm going with not.

^^^ Heartless bastard.









OH, and hey Ducke... that was me that had a client pass away recently.
For anyone who commented that I should have given the widow a free cut when I learned of his passing, well, I gave her a free hedge trim last week.
She was kind enough to keep me on to care for the lawn and always has the money ready for me - no reminders needed. Good clients get rewarded.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

. I told him it would be $35 every other week and he said, "So it would be a little more if I just wanted to have it done every three weeks?"

I thought about it and said "screw that". I wasn't in the mood to kill myself on his nasty-a$$ "lawn" only to have him wait THREE weeks before it gets cut again. That lawn will always look like crap and I don't want my name associated with it. And this guy is an attorney to boot, so it's not like he can't afford basic lawn care.
Next!

I had a few regulars down grade to every two or three weeks. Its late in the year so the grass isnt growing like it was in peak season. When I explained it would be a extra $5 some were baffled. But why? I told them the extra wear and tear and my reputation is at stake when the neighbors see what your lawn looks like and whos doing it. Most agreed one told me to keep cutting every two weeks and then would call a day or two before his scheduled day to tell me the grass didnt need to be cut. When I did show up the following week I tacked on the extra $5 and was ripping mad.

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

^^^ Heartless bastard.

I know, I know!

The man himself used to pay me every time without hesitation. Apparently, I'm also the only person he's ever tipped in his life. It shocked his nephew to learn of the tips he gave.

Ever since he moved in with his children and they've taken over the bills they've been months late. I really hate to lose $150/month but I've got customers waiting to throw money at me, I see no reason to chase these people.