help with bid

[Steve]

Sounds good! Go for it and let us know how it turns out. Let us know after you do the job, if you would have charged more or if you feel you overcharged.

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[StartALawnCareBusiness]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by [b Quote[/b] ]Said he found me doing a search on the net That's awesome. Since he lives out of state, I would consider bumping the price a bit just because of the hassle of collection, communication, etc. A couple of things to consider. 1) Do you trust him enough to get paid after the work is done? He might be willing to pay beforehand. 2) I would be reluctant to take an out of state check. Request he pay via money order. Better yet, have him pay you through Paypal. If your time estimates are correct then I would say your charges are right. Cleanups and leaves are really easy to underestimate though. What looks like a 4 hour job can quickly turn into 6 hours. Get before and after pictures and do a feature article on your website about it. Explain that the guy called you out of state and this is the job you did for him. Also, once it's done, call your local news paper. They probably have a business section that would be interested in the power of the web and how it even helps lco's go high tech. Keith

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[landonkade]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (StartALawnCareBusiness @ Dec. 01 2007,4:38)]

That's awesome.

Since he lives out of state, I would consider bumping the price a bit just because of the hassle of collection, communication, etc.

A couple of things to consider.

1) Do you trust him enough to get paid after the work is done? *He might be willing to pay beforehand.

2) I would be reluctant to take an out of state check. *Request he pay via money order. *Better yet, have him pay you through Paypal.

If your time estimates are correct then I would say your charges are right. *Cleanups and leaves are really easy to underestimate though. *What looks like a 4 hour job can quickly turn into 6 hours.

Get before and after pictures and do a feature article on your website about it. *Explain that the guy called you out of state and this is the job you did for him.

Also, once it's done, call your local news paper. *They probably have a business section that would be interested in the power of the web and how it even helps lco's go high tech.

Keith

yeah i want the local newspaper to write a article about me and my business, but i dont know how to go about doing that. And of how business has picked up for me since i created a website. Also of how i started and where i am now

Also about getting in/helping with the community, sponsoring car washes and such other things. I want it to where someone is looking for lawn care and my name pops right up in there head. Would like to perticipate in anything that isnt that cost effective

I want to be well known, over power other LCO's here in town,lol

[Steve]

What if you decorated a local neighbors home? Maybe someone who is having a rough time? A senior citizen?

Do it for free and then send out a press release about it?

Also post pictures of you doing this on your website's news section.

[landonkade]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (StartALawnCareBusiness @ Dec. 01 2007,4:38)]Do you trust him enough to get paid after the work is done? He might be willing to pay beforehand.

i did the fall clean-up for the job above a month or so ago remember and that he lives out of town(New Jersey) and has a house down here in (Alabama). I got paid for clean-up in person cause he was in town.

Cause i dont want to do the job first and then deal with a out of state person not paying after the work is down.

So the next service rolls around, so i call him to ask him if he could send me a check, before i start, so i can make sure i get paid. Cause he is a out of town customer

He said NO i am not paying for something that isnt done.

I told him that i have had this happen in the past, people wanting there lawn done and saying they will pay and they dont......(remember previous post?)

I simple asked him, trying to be nice, so do u want me to go ahead and do it and get back with you. He said NO forget about the whole thing.

Did i do everything right on the communication and trying ot collect payment before work is completed.

is there any letters i can post on the website, to keep from this happening again.

Something like

****LIVE OUT OF STATE, OWN A HOME IN TOWN******
If you are currently living out of state and own a home in town. Due to previous customers in the past not paying for service, we have to receive payment first before completing the job, to make sure we receive payment<****- a little worded wrong

[Steve]

Well in situations like this, would it be useful to take only credit card payment from out of state customers?

With a credit card payment you can pre-approve their payment without finalizing it until the job is complete.

[landonkade]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Team Gopher @ Jan. 05 2008,4:09)]Well in situations like this, would it be useful to take only credit card payment from out of state customers?

With a credit card payment you can pre-approve their payment without finalizing it until the job is complete.

that would be kinda hard right,,,, cause now adays people really dont like giving information out like that.

but i do have a application form for that situation. A automatic credit card application on file,,, but i dont think i am to big enough to use it

[Steve]

Well here is my view.

Customers want convenience. They also want protection.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]****LIVE OUT OF STATE, OWN A HOME IN TOWN******
If you are currently living out of state and own a home in town. Due to previous customers in the past not paying for service, we have to receive payment first before completing the job, to make sure we receive payment<****- a little worded wrong

I wouldn't advise any of this because in my view it's not needed. You want to protect yourself from a customer not paying you after you complete a job and the customer wants to make sure you do the job before they pay you.

In such a situation I feel a credit card payment would resolve it. You could have a policy where out of state customers have to pay by credit card, but I wouldn't put this on your website. I would just explain it when an out of state customer calls.

Your website should be a funnel that pulls customers in. You don't want anything that says keep out or stay away. Or anything that says it's going to be difficult to complete a business transaction.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]but i do have a application form for that situation. A automatic credit card application on file,,, but i dont think i am to big enough to use it

Would you like to accept credit card payments? Tim had posted a contact that could get you started.

What is you view of what's stopping this from happening?

Hey Matt, remember, you can use PayPal, too...

I had a customer that had a house in my town, but they live in Alabama... Selling the house here in GA... I did some work for them.... they paid me 50% upfront via PayPal before I started the job. It's always a thought if you're still a little unsure about accepting credit cards. With PayPal, they can use their credit card or their bank account. You never see their information... only their Name and Address... no credit card numbers or checking account numbers.

[Steve]

Patrick,

Did you have them fax a signed agreement with you? Or did you fax them a bid? How did that work so they knew exactly what you were going to do and the price?