You do the trimming, I'll mow. YEAH RIGHT>

[Indiana]

Man, am I mad.

Ever had someone tell you? You do the trimming, I'll do the mowing.

Long time customer, says today; "I'm going to take care of the grass you just do the trimming." Then drove off before I could say anything.

So I loaded up and left. Sent him and email saying shove it! Good luck luck getting me back. I have a waiting list for people wanting me to do work, don't need s*** like this.

:angry:

[smburgess]

That's a good one, never had that happen.

[casey]

was he still paying same amount?
Sounds like a deal.

[cat320]

If that's all you had to do that would be great just keep the same charge.And if he asked why tell him you have to make up for the time to justify doing just the trimming.Why kill a good think let he pay the same and he dosen't want to then you can tell hime to hit the road that you have more people on a list waiting for such quality service.:blob3:

[ljmey]

I don't blame you Indiana, I would have done the same thing. He most likely wouldn't pay full price any way, trimming is easy, he just didn't want to get trimmings on his pant legs. Good for you. LJMEY

[kutnkru]

Although I would not have kept the customer for obvious reasons either, I would have graced them a good wishes blessing coated in sugar rather than doused in vinegar.

Just remember that good news travels fast and bad news travels at the speed of light.

If they want to cut the contract short or alter it beyond what we care to service that is their option as the client. To negate to continue under these conditions is ours.

I would have also considered if you had several others in the area possibly charging them $15 to trim it. At 5 minutes for the job thats not a bad rate.

Kris

[Lawn DOG]

If he wants to mow thats fine. Just pay my mininal fee of $39. Had a customer forget to turn of sprinkler other day. No problem, just sent them a service charge of $39. The only thing I do for less is honk my horn while driving by.:rolleyes:

[lee b]

I have a customer that's just the opposite, I do the mowing, he does the trimming and all other manual labor. He pays well and I couldn't be happier with this arrangement, getting full-service pay and never get off the mower. :blob3:

[Fantasy Lawns]

ya right .....I'll be by tomorrow to weed wack that fer ya ;->

[curlawngreen]

Most people can't mow, and it would be impossible to trim where he didn't mow without knowing where he wasn't going to mow.Good call to let him fly.

[CMerLand]

I just love you guys that think your too good to make money and just throw a customer away like that. Money is money and sometimes a little can lead to alot.

We have one client that we just weedeat for right next door to a client that we have provided full service for years. I got this client because her fenceline was sooo overgrown that it made my clients lawn look bad. I knocked on the door to get permission to weedeat her side of the fence. Wasnt going to charge her, was for my clients benefit when she said well how about if you weedeat the whole fenceline. My sons cut the lawn but we dont have a trimmer. Sure I said well do it every two weeks for 15 bucks a visit.

Well since then that customer has spent over 2500 bucks with my company in under 3 years. We regraded and seeded the back yard when the pool was installed, we now have the application program and will likely begin cutting the yard full time next year when her son goes off to college.

Would we charge the same rate if we didnt have the client right next door, no we couldnt. But just because I dont get the whole package doesnt mean I should tell her to go pound sand. Money is money, and most often those less glamorous jobs such as gutter cleaning and bed weeding pay far bigger margins then riding that fancy new mower.

For the record Ive been in been business for 10 years, fully insured and licensed, our employees in uniforms and belong to several professional organizations.

CMerLand

[KD'sLawns]

I have two customers that all I do is edge and trim for them weekly. They both have riding mowers and like to mow. I charge both of them 20 bucks a week and it takes me about 20 minutes at each place. I can not complain that's easy money.

[Island Lawn]

This is a business decision. But if you decide to do it, you should charge accordingly.

I figure the drive, unloading, jobs perfomed(inc trimming), degree of difficulty, loading, etc.
Gotta cover my expenses AND make a profit!

Although, if I have a customer next to them, and all they want is 15 mins of trimming, $20 aint bad!
I might even entice my customer to talk their neighbor about jumping in for full service before I get full!

I guess it depends on how hungry you are.
If you have people lining up for full service (income all year long, I assume) then why bother.
Be nice! Just tell them at this point in your business does full service only. AND to please give you a call when they are ready. BUT hurry! Because your schedule is filling up fast!

[Indiana]

Well, I sent him an email when I got home. I did not talk to him at the job, he left word with my helper while I was on another part of the property.

I was hoppin' mad but sent him a nice email saying I was concerned for his lawn because of this new arrangement. I told him that there was no way to klnow what he would mow and wouldn't, so how could I trim. Also, said any charges would remain the same no matter what I did because of the trip out there, etc...

I have dealt with this guy for six years, every now and then he will slip something in. His attitude is always he is right and everyone else is wrong. Also, I maintain way more than he is willing to, so if I leave he is truly up a creek. He has had alot of others and around here no one shows up, so the property goes to trees.

Anyway, he emails me back saying, that my helper misunderstood him and he doesn't want to screw up a good thing. Just forget he ever mentioned it. He realizes any charges will remain the same and wants to continue like it never happened.

I emailed him back saying, I will forget it ever happened and continue service accordingly. I think this whole thing was just a test to see what he could do and get away with. Not that he doesn't have the right to mow his yard, 'cause he does. BUT, I have the right to drop service if the terms don't interest me.

I am not to good to just drop customers, I hardly ever say no to one. I have been in business ten years, we wear uniforms, I am licensed and insured. BUT I don't put up with horsing around. There is work and I do it. I have made my mind up that there are some things that are negotiable, my price and quality are not.

[Toroguy]

CMerLand,
I think the situation Indiana is in is he is a solo operator. You have the luxury of a crew or crews to assist in the daily work. The solo guy has to put up with the heat, the complaints, the billing. Like Indiana states he has a waiting list. It is easier to rid of a difficult customer than to put extra effort into a time consuming trap.

You have a good point, and I agree money is money. I think the solo guy has to play the game faster and leaner to stay productive.

[Greenkeepers]

Indy-

Way to work it out professionally and smart. Glad to hear you still have a customer and money in your pocket!!