Business is Good

[Hedgemaster]

Are you going to edit it to sound less "dicklike"? LOL! Seriously. I understand where you're coming from, but if I read that as a potential client, I'd throw it in the trash and call someone else. Too much focus on the "negative" in that. I wish I had the time to sort through it and change the wording to say the same things, but in a less "hostile" manner.

[CHEESE2009]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster Are you going to edit it to sound less "dicklike"? LOL! Seriously. I understand where you're coming from, but if I read that as a potential client, I'd throw it in the trash and call someone else. Too much focus on the "negative" in that. I wish I had the time to sort through it and change the wording to say the same things, but in a less "hostile" manner. I have no idea how. Frig.

[Steve]

Seriously. I understand where you're coming from, but if I read that as a potential client, I'd throw it in the trash and call someone else. Too much focus on the "negative" in that.

Do you think the concept is flawed or is it just the wording of the letter?

Would there be a better way to handle this?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

Do you think the concept is flawed or is it just the wording of the letter?

Would there be a better way to handle this?

Every person who knows me, says I have the face of an A-Hole. Having a letter that makes me look like so isn't too good.


I'm clueless to what I should add, and I would love some assistance!

[Steve]

I am wondering if it is the customers more than it is you. Maybe there is just a larger percentage of late payers/ no payers in your group than there is in other lawn care company customer rosters.

If that is the case, maybe the problem customers need to be replaced and that would solve it.

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

I am wondering if it is the customers more than it is you. Maybe there is just a larger percentage of late payers/ no payers in your group than there is in other lawn care company customer rosters.

If that is the case, maybe the problem customers need to be replaced and that would solve it.

Yeah, some of it is my fault too. Well, I mean I don't make it any better.

For one, I finally spoke to a person who just admitted to being like I am. If you know what the person wants, why answer the phone?

Sure there is a difference, as I am running a business, but, I have this HUGE problem with answering my phone, it's always some sort of favor I have to do.

100% of my calls are for me to go out of my way for a client, "Can you come earlier" bla bla.... After awhile, you end up looking bad... It's really not fair!


I hate answering the phone, because I personally do not want to go out of my way to make my life harder for a client who doesn't pay on time. When I answer a call, I end up feeling guilty and trying to explain my views will offend them... I can't win!

I don't want to upset the client, but it's a lose lose. No solution other than spending money I don't have on a receptionist.


I hate answering calls where the customer just wants to know my whereabouts, it's like they are obsessed! I come when I come, and that's usually on the day I'm hired to come on! COME ON!!!! LOL

[Steve]

Is there something you can do about not liking to answer the phone? Is there anyone else that could help you with this?

[Ducke]

Originally Posted by CHEESE2009

Yeah, some of it is my fault too. Well, I mean I don't make it any better.

For one, I finally spoke to a person who just admitted to being like I am. If you know what the person wants, why answer the phone?

Sure there is a difference, as I am running a business, but, I have this HUGE problem with answering my phone, it's always some sort of favor I have to do.

100% of my calls are for me to go out of my way for a client, "Can you come earlier" bla bla.... After awhile, you end up looking bad... It's really not fair!


I hate answering the phone, because I personally do not want to go out of my way to make my life harder for a client who doesn't pay on time. When I answer a call, I end up feeling guilty and trying to explain my views will offend them... I can't win!

I don't want to upset the client, but it's a lose lose. No solution other than spending money I don't have on a receptionist.


I hate answering calls where the customer just wants to know my whereabouts, it's like they are obsessed! I come when I come, and that's usually on the day I'm hired to come on! COME ON!!!! LOL

Do like I do
Caller ID and Voice Mail.
Both are well worth the extra monthly charge.
and my police on Private #s is if you don't want me to know who's calling then I don't want to find out who is calling and I let it go it voice mail.

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Ducke

Do like I do
Caller ID and Voice Mail.
Both are well worth the extra monthly charge.
and my police on Private #s is if you don't want me to know who's calling then I don't want to find out who is calling and I let it go it voice mail.

I agree!

Also, a good tip of mine;

Get all of your clients phone numbers (cell, work, home).

If they call from anywhere but their home, 100% of the time it's because they want you to do a favor.

If they call from home, there is a chance they have your money... From experience, every call is never about my money. LOL. Just an idea that might work for others, but not me.


_____

Oh crap I forgot to take a pic of this street... I couldn't do two lawns because I in NO way can get my truck and trailer through, if I could, there is no way I could get out of this street.... The construction is so bad down here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TLC131]

I also had a bi-polar picky lady that I no longer service and life has been so much better. Too many stories of me trying to be polite and she takes it wrong?

Last year I ran over a drain cover when I was mowing, and these people you dont really want to tell them u broke something. So I replaced it for free without telling her. 2 weeks later she complained that the cover wasnt exactly the same style and she couldnt get it off. The funny part is that I put tape around the base so it would fit more snug and I wouldnt have to keep putting it back on. LOL

Then, over the winter I plowed her driveway and sometimes she is nice but still irritating. During the huge blizzard (2 feet), I went back to customers drives a couple times to clear the entrances. She called a couple times which I guess is fine, but one time she got all emotional on me and was kinda like "Why did you come by so fast(hard, cause there was a lot of snow) and clear my entrance, you dont have a reason to be mad with me, I dont appreciate that."? I had been plowing for 25hrs at that point but I called her back and resolved it. SHOOT ME!

Bottom line is shes gone now so life is seriously so much better. I don't know why we put up with these people when they are such small customers $$.