What way is best?

When I mowed back in the 90's the deal was for them to leave the check some place because 95% of my clients were at work...sometimes they'd forget (riiight) but I'd still mow anyway...then have a hell of a time getting paid. This is what I'm trying to avoid since I am WAY more business smart this time around. So, I'm guessing when you say monthly billing that means you mow they pay after you mow...dang, I just hate that thought. lol Do you get burned much? Anyone use Pay Pal?

[Little's]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by SC93 When I mowed back in the 90's the deal was for them to leave the check some place because 95% of my clients were at work...sometimes they'd forget (riiight) but I'd still mow anyway...then have a hell of a time getting paid. This is what I'm trying to avoid since I am WAY more business smart this time around. So, I'm guessing when you say monthly billing that means you mow they pay after you mow...dang, I just hate that thought. lol Do you get burned much? Anyone use Pay Pal? I have never had an account that didnt pay me. Sometimes it took a week or two, but as long as you continue mowing, they still have to pay you. Some people will skip a week or two until payment comes in, but at the end of the month they are missing half a months payment. So my policy is to keep mowing, and keep collecting. If a full month goes by, then I would drop them and continue my collecting efforts for 2 full months pay (which has never happened). But I might add, I used to be a collection manager, trained people on collection in the field and over the phone. We used to hunt people down and do anything within the law (and sometimes outside the law). I used to have to collect on 400 past due accounts every week. My expected goal was to have a past due % of less that 5.9 of the 400 by every Saturday, which I hit the goal almost weekly. So I have no trouble collecting past due accounts. I know, I hate collectors as much as the next person, but I was really good at it, and it afforded me to buy my home, so no complaints here!

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Northern California

Thanks for your help everyone.

i was told to include with the bill a prepaid self addressed envelope so all they have to do was put the check in and its easier for them has anybody used this tactic?and does it work?

[Big Lebowski]

When I had a landlord for another business, he would do this. Most times I wouldn't use it because I had special envelopes for checks that showed the addresses. Also I had large checks and he would send small envelopes. Only slightly annoying. Small thing I know.

But multiply the cost by say 60 accounts and you've got to mow a whole lawn just to buy stamps and envelopes each month.

[Steve]

i was told to include with the bill a prepaid self addressed envelope so all they have to do was put the check in and its easier for them has anybody used this tactic?and does it work?

I have heard of others doing this. Hey it's worth a try. See if you get your checks sent back to you faster. You will know if it works or not because you will see how many of your customers send the check back in the envelope you included. Let us know how it works out.

I don't know about stamped envelopes but just an envelope with your address on it would work I think. I agree...make it a long envelope. I personally hate those little envelopes. Also, use the security ones.

What do you think about only taking credit cards? The reason I ask is because I saw where one company only accepts credit cards. I have mixed feelings.....

[Big Lebowski]

I have strong negative feelings about credit cards.

Don't do it. You have a cash business, why take on the added expense of the fees? It's like the stamp/envelope idea. Expensive with unrealistic contracts too. Traceable payments are just that.

If you were to ask a guy that took CC's for 5 years if he'd take them for lawn care - he'd say this, don't do it.

Besides, if you stop mowing today - you'd still be paying fees each month until your contract was up or pay huge cancellation fees. Also my people say I have to notify them 30 days before the last day. If I wait until 29 days before the contract is over, it is reinstated. If I do it at 31 days, I pay extra for canceling early. It's true. These people are the devil.

Stay far - far away.

I don't currently take them because I want the check on the counter but...if you will check out propay.com I know several cleaning comapnies that use this and are really happy with it. It's only $35 a year with no contracts or anything that binds you. You do have to pay a small fee like .35 cents per transaction but I'd say if the client wants to pay with cc then charge them the .35 cents. or what ever the fee is.