Senior discounts?

[AllSeasonsAllReasons]

So how many of you offer senior discounts and just what do you offer them???

[awm]

I give the elderly a nice discount if they
really need it.Its a matter of looking at
their situation and making a judgement call.
Ive had folks that paid what they could and
Ive had some like the lady who wanted a senior
discount for her rental aptments in town.
NOT. Then some who are better off, pay for others
not as fortunate.It takes all kinds.

[Barkleymut]

If there is a little old lady who has lost her eyesight, is super cheap and you can tell has very little money I will give her a lower price than usual, but not much. If there is an old guy who has 2 Cadillac's, 3 diamond studded pinky rings, an attitude, and wants a senior discount then I tell him I gladly discount all work for seniors by 10%. Then I give him a bid that is 40% higher than the little old lady.

[Randy Scott]

Now you're talking Barkleymut. Nothin' like these old people thinking you owe them the world. I too believe there are certain ones you like to help out but it's a "crock of you know what" when they want discounts just because they're old. Here's an idea, why don't I get a discount because I'm only 33 and haven't had as many years to make as much money as seniors have. Yeh, I know, I'll be old some day too, that's why I have excellent investment and retirement plans going now.It's called planning ahead.

[mowerman90]

I love to go into the fast food restaurants and ask for the "middle adged with kids discount". You ought to see some of the looks I get.

[Randy Scott]

:) That's a good one Ed! LOL

[landscaper3]

We provide a 10% for seasonal contracts and 15% for year round maintenance services.

[bob]

I don't advertise any discounts, nor has anyone ever asked for a discount.

[awm]

ANY ONE WHO LIVES LONG ENOUGH GONNA BE ONE
OF THEM OLD PEOPLE FOR A WHILE and then you die.
REALITY CHECK whew nuff said

[lawrence stone]

The following is copied from All Seasons website:

"We can beat any price so contact us for a free estimate! We also offer discounts for our senior residential clients!"

[MOW ED]

I get a price that fair to myself and my customer or they can get someone else. The concept of a discount is just that, a concept. I don't have cheap equipment and I don't do cheap work, there are plenty of people that do. If they want a discount they can shop elsewhere.

When I started I had little help on how to charge and I learned quickly that some people almost want you to do their lawn and pay them for the privilege.

It might help you get a job or two but I don't want them. Once this happens you know you have a shopper and the minute you realize that your making less than you need on this lawn your stuck because how are you gonna raise your rate on a "Discounted" lawn.

Leave these to Timmy and Bobby with the 21" push Murray. They will work for 2 bucks and a snowcone. Good Luck.

[lawman]

I would not just give a senior a discount just becouse they are a senior. I look at who they are living. a million dollar house, I belive that they can aford it. Some one on ss and dives a beater and can not get around so well no problem they get a discont and maybe free cutting.

[Jason Pallas]

We work in a very wealthy area. We get these seniors that live in multi-million dollar homes with garages the size of my house (filled with Ferraris and Caddies). I'll be dammed if they don't ask for every discount known to man!
Last year we did a "10% off your first month's bill" discount for new customers. We've typically offered a %10 off seniors price too. This year - we're stopping all discounts. I can't tell you how many times I've had a senior beg me for a good price and then lay the "I've got the 10% senior coupon AND then the 10% new customer coupon - so let's see, that's 20% off..... No more.
Half way through last year I just started asking before I gave the estimate if they had any coupons and then retro-figured the price to keep from getting screwed. This year my response - WE DON'T DISCOUNT LABOR. No one else does.

I'll continue to give the little old blind lady who lives on SSI and can't afford to eat (let alone get her lawn cut) a price of $15 (charity work). But the millionare who asks for a senior discount on his industrial complex (had that too) can kiss off. You don't need those types of customers.

[Twotoros]

It is a nice concept helping thse on a fixed income but I don't advertise a discount. I tell the potential bid to be wary of a senior discount. The reason is that the bid could be over estimated and the customer never would know. Few of us have set fixed prices . It's not like going to a restaurant and looking at a menu. I wouldn't trust myself to be fair. I like the idea of pricing according to need . You can tell the poor from the finacially secure. Usually that poor little old lady pays first anyway and that's worth a price break.

[Mowman]

I started this last season. I got tired of hearing I'm on a FIXED INCOME!!!!!!!! So I thought give them something for free and they will sign on. I figure out how much I want for the job then add $5-10. Make the bid then tell them since they are a senior I'll knock $5.00 off the quoted price. They think they are getting a deal and I get what I want for the job and they are happy they think they [edited out] me $5.00 off my bid. Hey it has worked so far. What really P****S me off is the people that want a discount, then I give one and then I find out the guy has TWO CADDIES in the garage. This happened last year with a new customer. But he is the only one of my customers that gives me a TIP, so I kind of overlooked the discount he wanted. I say do what ever it takes to sign them on. Next season up their price, if they stay on GREAT if NOT, NEXT!!!!!!!! Go get another one. Just my experience with SENIORS.
Mowman

[Edited by Eric ELM on 02-19-2001 at 03:05 PM]

[thelawnguy]

Originally posted by lawrence stone
The following is copied from All Seasons website:

"We can beat any price so contact us for a free estimate! We also offer discounts for our senior residential clients!"

Thats a dangerous precedent to be setting...

[AllSeasonsAllReasons]

Well you have a good point there!! I am going to re word that saying thanks for the input!!

[awm]

I set out to target the elderly fixed income
and disabled.So far Ive been successful at
reaching a lot of those folks.
From a financial standpoint this year was
a bust.Im doing several things to try
and generate the income necessary to keep
the service going.No govt subsidy would
be considered as Im a less govtperson.
A negative is that I have to call family
or someone when they start falling to much
or leaving burners on etc.Its a mixed bag
but Ive just been pushed to do this for
a while now.Again Ill ask for considerations
for the elerly.If you dont want to fine.
Id rather not discuss the reasons on this
forum.Some will understand that I think.

[Eric ELM]

awm:

I also help some of the elderly and handicaped that are having a rough time making ends meet. The worst part of it is that I have had several of them pass away over the past 16 seasons which is hard to take.

[awm]

Youre right,that is the toughest part.

[Premo Services]

I have about 60 percent of my customers being seniors, and they live in upper class neighborhoods, own 2-3 homes,etc. and offering discount to them would not be fair to me,although I am sure some would take it . I would do discounts or free services for those who could not afford services.

[awm]

Im with you on that Moe money.In some cases
Ive had the people you are takin about,tell
me to charge them extra to cover some who cant
pay much.Some pretty nice people in this world.

[Bob Shoaff]

What I have started doing this year is offering incentives to ALL of my customers. I even offer to the rich because they can bring in a lot of new clients and some of the ones that have their first penny they made love it because the thought of getting a discount by getting a buddy to sign up puts those beautiful dollar signs in their eyes. This way I also benefit by giving the discount and the more business they get me the more they save. We all end up happy.