Got a bad feeling in my gut

[jeffyr]

I got a new account through a recommendation this year.

The lady : Older widow, very nice. talked with her about 30 minutes about landscaping ans well as people we both know, her last house, etc.

Her son who controls the money : Had 10 revisions to my informal style contract. I realize that a contract is legal and binding, but he even made corrections to my introduction letter . I state what work will be done throughout the season, and the total amount charged each month for the selected services. It turns out this guy is a corporate contract lawyer and wants everything in his favor. He even made mention of the statement "additional work requested will be billed at the end of each month" and wanted it removed. Also wanted to change "cutting every 7-10 days as necessary" to "every 7 days". Now what if it rains ? (Don't get hung up on the contract here guys and girls--I have had 0 complaints about it and if it is too formal I feel it will scare my customers off)
The woman called me back and said she straightened it all out with her son and go ahead and do the cleanup and chem.

I have a bad feeling about this since the son controls the money and apparently feels he will control me as well. I think I am not going to accept the job, but should I tell her why ? (by saying I just think this would not work out).

Since this is a recommendation I am putting some additional thought into what action to taketo try and remain neutral to all parties involved.

Any opinions ?

jeffyr

[KirbysLawn]

Simply don't change your contract or letter. If he does not like it then you easily get what you want. I would avoid this at all cost, just imagine what he will do if you break something!

[dhicks]

Unless I needed the money, I'd step back from this contract. The first mistake or incident, sunny boy will be on you like a cheap suit. If he's a contract lawyer, it would appar to me that he understood the intent and scope your contract and his corrections were not necessary. I work with lots of lawyers and while most of them are good people, there are some that sit and wait for a mistake to be made. Remember, a lawyer nevers asks a question unless he already knows the answer.

[Green Finger]

Go back and have them sign the ORIGINAL contract. You maight want to get a deposit. They are going to shaft you.

Classic case of Good Customer Bad Customer.

[jeffyr]

Thank You Thank You Thank You.

Kirby,
I think you are familiar with my contract page (I had sent it to you) since I borrowed parts from you in Feb.

This was a last minute customer add on that I think I will pass on.


I just needed to make sure I wasn't looking at this one with blinders on.

jeffyr

[lsylvain]

Stay away from lawyers(that seem fishy). Every bad debt I have had has been from a lawyer. I guess they think/know they can get out of paying you. Mine still get hit by the collection agency every month. At least I know I bug them once a month.

[mowerman90]

RUN, DON'T WALK AWAY FROM THIS GUY!!!! Rule of thumb is don't ever work for Doctors, Lawyers or clergymen, note nessearily in that order.

[Chopper Lover]

This guy is nuts...

I agree with the others...

RUN!

Mark

[jrebeiro]

I had a lawyer customer complain about my contracts. Apparently i hit the undo button on MS Word and left a part of the contract in there from one I used for computer work. It stated something that both parties were in the business of creating or running websites. He was like... what the hell is this???? So I created a new contract and this thing looks nice. It is legally binding (my lawyer said so) and covers everything regarding payments and length of services. If anyone would like me to post a copy on my website I can.

[KirbysLawn]

Jeff, go for it, you never know mine may need improvements!

[Fantasy Lawns]

I'd pass ......on the revisions ....if they want YOUR work they sign YOUR contract

[awm]

I specialise in elderly.Some time there children really screw things up.Dont cater to them , they will eventually be in control.Dementia by the customer or busybody kids are about the only way i lose accts.

[jrebeiro]

Kirby,

Ill post it when I get home tonight... 12pm EST :)

Jeff

[Freetime]

This kind of thing can get you in a bind and make your nights sleepless wondering weather an over zealous son is hunting things to “fix” you with. Tell him to take all his revisions and jump in the lake. It sounds as if the guy doesn’t like “that #!$%ing lawn guy” anyway so your probably better off with out him.

Explain to the (real) customer that you don’t feel the arrangements/contract will work and to call someone else to take care of her honesty is going to go further than anything on this deal.

Was someone taking care of her before, and if so why are they not now?

Be honest with her tell the truth.

[leaflawnandlimb]

just my 2cents, in my area i have never seen a lawyer or doctor with the same lawn service two years in a row. kind of makes you think about it.

[MikeGA]

put something in your contract that states the CONTRACT is NON NEGOTIABLE. The "children" view you as a threat to their inheritance. They don't view you as providing a service to their parent/s to make their last days or hopefully years pleasant with beautiful surroundings. I think if the son is cutting the checks and he is that picky and is a LAWYER. I rented a farm from a lawyer till he sold it and he was the nicest guys you will ever meet. I would go cut his grass tomorrow if he asked me, but his son became a lawyer and I wouldn't give him the time of day. His dad had a couple of partners and about 6 or 7 years after the son came in they left because they didn't want to put up with his BS! Beware of lawyers, they can be your best friends and they can be your WORST enemies because they have been trained to use the LAW to WIN!!

[Turfclippings]

the lawyer i mow for pays me on time monthly and even prepaid for 2 months in advance this past March for this year. This is my second year cutting there. I must be doing something right, LOL.