A lesson to learn

This is a lesson I just learned, and let me tell you, it came as a shock to me. I never would have suspected this in a million years, but without further delay, here it is... Two years ago I got a really great contract, take care of a storage unit center, and an industrial lot, (same owner, and on the same piece of property) and park all my equipment in the lot as well. I was able to give a good price and still make money on it since there is litterally no travel time, and the lots are connected. Anyway, the manager asked me to take care of his home and his three neighbors. So I had each sign a contract, and we have been handling them all since. About three months ago I had two guys do a small clean up in the back yard of one of the neighbors. The guys where there for 4 hours, did the job, he ok'd everything, and I gave him the bill. The bill was for $200, I think that was way more than reasonable, as a matter of fact, I think it was way to cheap, but I wont sit here and cry over spilt milk. Three months go by, and he doesnt pay the balance of the job, or his maintenance bill. So now I make the cancellation of services call. He says that $200 is outrageous, and he should not pay that amount for two young punks to clean some leaves for two hours, and then sit on there *** for the other two. He will pay $120, and If I dont agree to his terms, then he will not pay for that or the maintenance services. Now I wont go into the discussion that followed, or the end result, because as of now, the matter is not resolved, however, that is not where the bulk of the problem lies. I go to my storage account at the end of the day to unload the equipment, and one of the new guys there with a big mouth, tells me some info. that he could not have none about on less he was telling the truth. Turns out he knew about the situation already, because that client had premeditated the whole thing, under the instruction of........ the manager of the storage unit place, the guy who got me the houses in the first place. He told his neighbor that I'm just a young punk with no financial backing to take anyone to court, so if I get screwed, I really cant do much about it, especially since the client who owes the money is a lawyer. He told the guy to agree to my price, and then argue it when its done and refuse payment. Turns out this is not the first time they pulled off a stunt like this. The have done it to a mason, and a home repair man. Well, I am still working on what to do to handle the situation, but the lesson is. Trust absolutely nobody when business is concerned. Because even the hand that feeds you may bite you when you least expect it. Because of my age, they felt they could rip me off.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

I am really sorry about this happening. As I was reading this I was thinking to myself, this is something most every LCO has to deal with at one time or another. How fantastic would it be if you could incorporate this into a show. Visit a local attorney who could explain to you and the viewing audience the legal options you have. Then show you going through an option you choose and show the final outcome. Maybe this would be a great way to turn a negative into a positive?

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Its funny you said that because we put that ball in motion already, however, i dont know if it will actually come to be. Every time we do a show there are release forms involved. Now talking to an attorney in general about this subject is one thing. However Filming the actual step taken against a specific person may be a whole nother. We are going to look deeply into it though. Even if we more or less do one on all the differnt ways you could get screwed and what your options are when these instances occur.

[Steve]

I bet a lawyer would love to get on your show.

well we where planning on talking to one about our building a business episodes at the end of the season, as well as an insurance agent. However since the topics are similar we have started negotiating the possibility of making the perfect contract, and including that segment into that episode.

he is not allowed to withhold payment on his normal maintenance if he isn't satisfied with the add-on service. Take'em to court. I've got a good lawyer who is an expert in business deals who could resolve this for you.