Scott Campbell
05-25-2001, 04:33 PM
Hello Lawnsite,
I know that this story has been done many, many times before. But, I just had to relay it. This happened to me this past week:
This is a residential job in a very nice neighborhood, homes 300k and up. I got this client after her previous LCO didn't hold up to her desires. (he could only cut in the early mornings, and left her lawn clumpy) Got the job, and things have been going pretty well. I could tell that she was one of the very particular kind from my first two trips.
Anyway, I am there cutting this week and she comes out. I shut down and she asks me if I would have time to help her with some new plants that she bought. She had a couple of plants that she wanted holes for next to the house, said that the ground was just too hard for her dig into. This lady is somewhat elderly, so I figured she was probably having difficulty. She just wanted holes so I said that I should have time once I finished.
Finsihed up, went up to find her so that she could show me the locations. We went out and she showed me and I dug the holes. The plants were gallon size no big deal. After that we were walking around the house, I thought looking at the lawn and flower beds, when she brought me to another plant. Again, same size no big deal. Dug the hole and we headed back to the shed where she needed help with pulling some stacked stakes apart. I did this as well. Finally we got all done that she needed and went inside to get payment. I waited outside, like I usually do, and thought to myself "okay, this is your chance to show me how much you appreciate the job I have been doing for you". I didn't discuss any extra charge to do these things, and she didn't ask. I wanted to see what she would come back with.
She came out handed me my normal cut amount and said, "Oh, by the way I gave you an extra dollar for each hole. Thank you."
I couldn't believe it. Three whole dollars for helping her out. I wanted to say, "gee thanks Mrs. Cleaver, I will see you next week when I bring my reel mower on the back of my scooter."
I don't want to seem like an ass, but I have to tell you I was insulted. :mad: It also determined how much extra work would be done for this client from now on.
Just had to get it off my chest, sorry so long. The little old lady saga continues......
I know that this story has been done many, many times before. But, I just had to relay it. This happened to me this past week:
This is a residential job in a very nice neighborhood, homes 300k and up. I got this client after her previous LCO didn't hold up to her desires. (he could only cut in the early mornings, and left her lawn clumpy) Got the job, and things have been going pretty well. I could tell that she was one of the very particular kind from my first two trips.
Anyway, I am there cutting this week and she comes out. I shut down and she asks me if I would have time to help her with some new plants that she bought. She had a couple of plants that she wanted holes for next to the house, said that the ground was just too hard for her dig into. This lady is somewhat elderly, so I figured she was probably having difficulty. She just wanted holes so I said that I should have time once I finished.
Finsihed up, went up to find her so that she could show me the locations. We went out and she showed me and I dug the holes. The plants were gallon size no big deal. After that we were walking around the house, I thought looking at the lawn and flower beds, when she brought me to another plant. Again, same size no big deal. Dug the hole and we headed back to the shed where she needed help with pulling some stacked stakes apart. I did this as well. Finally we got all done that she needed and went inside to get payment. I waited outside, like I usually do, and thought to myself "okay, this is your chance to show me how much you appreciate the job I have been doing for you". I didn't discuss any extra charge to do these things, and she didn't ask. I wanted to see what she would come back with.
She came out handed me my normal cut amount and said, "Oh, by the way I gave you an extra dollar for each hole. Thank you."
I couldn't believe it. Three whole dollars for helping her out. I wanted to say, "gee thanks Mrs. Cleaver, I will see you next week when I bring my reel mower on the back of my scooter."
I don't want to seem like an ass, but I have to tell you I was insulted. :mad: It also determined how much extra work would be done for this client from now on.
Just had to get it off my chest, sorry so long. The little old lady saga continues......