Comments from the peanut gallery

[mark123]

Yeah, it's starting already. One guy that just started his service said "when August rolls in you'll be able to skip a mowing if it's too dry". No, goober, we base our schedule on conditions not dates. August could be the rainiest month ever. Next, a lady called today telling me "don't cut my grass tomorrow. It'll be too short and it'll dry out." No, monkey nut, the lack of water will dry it out, not my cutting it. I also cut at the recommended height for they type of grass in your lawn and not cutting it will only cause me to make a mess the next time trying to cut off two weeks of growth. Here's a clue: Grass is a plant. Plants need water. WATER YOUR LAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't work my buttocks off in the spring so that you can cancel half of your service for the summer. Guess who's prices are going up. Go on, guess!

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Mark, What way have you found to handle such customers when they call and tell you these things? Are you able to explain to them they are wrong and then be able to continue mowing? Or do they stick to their initial thought?

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[turfmaster]

Yeah, it's starting already. One guy that just started his service said "when August rolls in you'll be able to skip a mowing if it's too dry". No, goober, we base our schedule on conditions not dates. August could be the rainiest month ever.

I don't work my buttocks off in the spring so that you can cancel half of your service for the summer.

Guess who's prices are going up. Go on, guess!

That's what I do to people like that raise their prices. If they don't like it they can be a PITA to someone else and most of them will be.
Years ago when I was building my business I was afraid to cut any PITA clients.
One day I woke up and asked myself why am I putting up with these moronic people. This is my business and there are lots of super people out there that I would rather service. When I pullup in front of a clients home with my rig I want to feel good about working at their property not despise working there.
Nothing is worse than not enjoying what your doing.
I have no clients that I hate working for and that sure makes my business fun and less stressful.

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

Mark,

What way have you found to handle such customers when they call and tell you these things? Are you able to explain to them they are wrong and then be able to continue mowing? Or do they stick to their initial thought?

Well, I think I figured out why the lady didn't want me to cut today. There are 5 Fridays this month and she gets the same amount of money every month so paying me for an extra cut was probably going to cut into her bingo money.

I just ask them to recommend me to a new client (which she did) so I'll have the chance to make up the difference.

The first guy hasn't even paid me for the first cut yet so he's on my watch list anyway. (he's only been a customer for 3 weeks now).

Thanks for letting me rant. It made me feel much better today.

[CHEESE2009]

I have that same problem.

I'd love to be up front & tell my customers how it is... but usually when that time comes around I'm eager to just get the day done & go home. I end up telling them, "ya ya whatever, good, fine, we'll talk next time"

I had a rough week last week.. A handful of new customers, rain, and wow was it a disaster... Every customer was scattered. I was doing my list of customers in so many interesting ways.

With rain;

a) do all the small lawns, get them out of the way
b) do all the big lawns, so the rest will be banged out easier
c) do all the highest paying customers
d) do all the favorite customers

I did a) & d)


I have gas... dear lord am I in trouble today! Almonds man, no good!

[Steve]

I wonder, with customers who don't want to pay the extra amount for the 5th friday, would they prefer to be on a monthly contract payment plan? Where the pay the same amount each month of the year?

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

I wonder, with customers who don't want to pay the extra amount for the 5th friday, would they prefer to be on a monthly contract payment plan? Where the pay the same amount each month of the year?

Yes, I was considering that. Not only would it lower their monthly expense by spreading it out into the non-mowing months, it would also disuade them from canceling the summer cuts when they perceive the conditions are too harsh.

I've got to figure out how to split it up. How many cuts do you get per lawn throughout the year?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by mark123

Yes, I was considering that. Not only would it lower their monthly expense by spreading it out into the non-mowing months, it would also disuade them from canceling the summer cuts when they perceive the conditions are too harsh.

I've got to figure out how to split it up. How many cuts do you get per lawn throughout the year?

It's different for others, but I mow lawns from May 1st till October 16th

5 1/2 months of service. The last 2 weeks of October is when I start fall cleanups & prepare for snow removal.

Fall cleanups = $$$$$

[mark123]

Yes, I had better start planning on how I'm going to get fall cleanups done. *yikes*