Confused

[jymie]

Originally Posted by CHEESE2009 Pros of Magnets: It keeps the possibility of change open. They are easy to remove, and they are cheap at first glance. Advertising Looking professional Cons of Magnets: At first, they are amazing - they look swell. In the past few years, I've ordered them from Vistaprint, and they have all deteriorated rapidly. If you use magnets, you will have to remove them all the time which you have a choice; Advertise by keeping them on and then having to buy a new pair. (Expensive) OR put them on/take them off every single day. (Annoying) _____ At this time, vinyl or paint is not an option. The truck is too damn pretty and expensive. I don't want to sound like a salesman for buildasign becuase I am not, but the 1st set of magnets I bought I used for 2 years, they did not deteriorate at all, I could use them still today but I decided to change the look of the sign to include a logo this season and they look the same as the day I got them. Like I said in another thread, these magnets are very good quality.

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. http://www.lunchesruslawncare.com

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Lawn care business tips

I had good luck with acidflyers but you need a high quality image. My vistaprint signs I had for about a year they did fade and one blew off but I had 4. Its not bad though I spent less then $30 on all of them.

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South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping /Lawn Care /Pressure Washing /Snow Removal /Gutter Cleaning
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[1955_Chevy_6400]

Well, I'm 13 and I will be getting advertising early next year. I think it will pay for itself in the long run.

[roysyardandhaul]

I run signs on one trailer - and vinyl lettering (very basic) on my big truck- It gets me work - but for a self employed guy that has a work load that keeps him busy + occasional casual labor 6 days a week - and with repeat and referral business- I think that big fancy expensive signage is unnecessary. In fact I drive a used 94 Ranger for my "route" truck and have an 95 F150 for bigger jobs. This is not a mistake for me they are in good shape and not shabby looking. + I own them both. I tell my potential customers that Fancy Signs/Trucks mean big overhead and big pricing. Then I close the deal

[smallstripeslawncare]

I definitely plan on using some sort of advertisement on my vehicle because that's not only going to help me look more legit but to really show I'm a serious legit lawn care business.

As you all have mentioned money is definitely very tight with things the way they are these days but looking professional, and having even a not so good looking rig but nice visual advertisement on the vehicle can make the difference of someone calling you back or not after the first cut you do for them (without a contract of course) and even on estimates someone may not choose you because your not too legit looking and could be afraid they are hiring someone that won't hold their word since they don't look like a legit lawn care business.

I believe visual advertisement is just as important as the quality fliers distributed and even professional work clothes.

Now I usually see about 10+ lawn care guys hauling their equipment or even on the job that don't have advertisement on their vehicle and I believe the worst situation I have seen was a guy smoking a cigarette while mowing on a zero turn with some torn up clothes. That just doesn't look professional and it was VERY sick for me to see it because it was on a commercial property.

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by smallstripeslawncare

I believe the worst situation I have seen was a guy smoking a cigarette while mowing on a zero turn with some torn up clothes. That just doesn't look professional and it was VERY sick for me to see it because it was on a commercial property.

I usually park a block away from a client, smoke, then pull up. LOL.

I'm sure it wasn't the owner, and if it was, he's probably just having one of those days. It's hard to be on your best behavior 24/7 all season long. Sometimes, the last thing you could give a damn about is what people think of you - but you are right. Appearance will always be important.

[smallstripeslawncare]

That is true. Sometimes people do just have "one of those days". I've had a few myself.

As you said if its the owner I'm sure he was just having a bad day.

It seems a lot of the guys around my area don't even attempt to dress decent.

I suppose they have too much business to really care about gaining more clients.

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by smallstripeslawncare

I suppose they have too much business to really care about gaining more clients.

It's a shame that little things can effect us in the long run.

Me personally, one clients attitude can effect me for an entire season. All it takes is one of them to do me wrong, that I lose trust in all humanity, lol!

When something bad happens, the little annoyances start to add up, and in order to vent you may do self destructive things like not caring about image or quality work.

When you are working for a company, you are upset when you aren't paid and often slack off. Being a business owner means to always give 100% even when losing money, it's tough sometimes.

[smallstripeslawncare]

I actually had a few bad situations over the summer that made me rethink a lot about things.

I had a customer that was about an hour away from me and I put West Charlotte on my craigslist advertisement on one of the areas I serve and put $10 extra surcharge for gas. So I went to this job to mow their lawn and stood out front for 30 minutes ringing the door bell the lady said she would be at work but her brother would be home to pay me and unlock the back gate. So I was getting pissed and went to my car and the guy looked out the window and was saying "I dont need a lawn guy I'm cutting it myself! GO HOME!" so I was super pissed and was like "an hour ago your sister told me to come cut your lawn and I drove an hour for this property" and he insisted I go home so I went to my car super pissed and he finally came outside and said he was sorry and wrote me a check for way more than I was asking for my trouble.

So I cut it, went home, and then cashed the check and it was a bad check. Small claims charges $80 in Mecklenburg county to investigate and the check was for $60.

Just one situation where I really questioned humanity.

[Steve]

So I cut it, went home, and then cashed the check and it was a bad check. Small claims charges $80 in Mecklenburg county to investigate and the check was for $60.

How did that ultimately work out? Do you think there were any lessons you learned from that which have effected the way you operate?