Need advice explaining to clients that 25 weeks = 25 weeks!

[CP Estates]

I have my first issue with a couple of clients not that things have dried out.

When things were wet this spring I was having to go over several places an extra time mid-week to stay on top of things and still only charged them for their weekly cut. Now things have slowed down, they are saying that "... it doesn't really need it this week."

:confused: What is the best AND most diplomatic way of explaining to them that I don't mind picking up the slack when it's growing like crazy but I can't afford to be taking weeks off.

[All_Clear]

Your business... Your rules.... If they don't like it take a hike.

The min you let clients tell you when to cut, your screwed! Give them an inch they'll take 10 miles.

How is your contract set up for such an occurrence? Without one guess your SOL.


All Clear

[PMLAWN]

What does your contract say

[Birdhunter1]

The min you let clients tell you when to cut, your screwed! Give them an inch they'll take 10 miles.


That is most definitley the best advice you will ever hear on this board.

[EMWEB]

In this area where residential contracts are not the norm . . . the LCO charge based on frequency . . . example . . .every week - $35.00, every 10 days - $40.00, every two weeks - $45.00, one time / per call - $55.00 . . . .

[Lawnboy112]

Tell the customers that it gets done on a weekly basis. There actually getting free cuts by you cutting again mid week because it was growing at a faster rate. If they want to go to bi-weekly, back charge them for the times you mowed exta.

Just my 2 cents.

[SodKing]

I would have to aggree with that...

[RonB]

maybe you should have sold cuts instead of weeks. If they wanted you twice a week when growing or every three weeks when dry - still 25 cuts is whatca get. And they can't keep one for a fall clean up.

[HOOLIE]

I have my first issue with a couple of clients not that things have dried out.

When things were wet this spring I was having to go over several places an extra time mid-week to stay on top of things and still only charged them for their weekly cut. Now things have slowed down, they are saying that "... it doesn't really need it this week."

:confused: What is the best AND most diplomatic way of explaining to them that I don't mind picking up the slack when it's growing like crazy but I can't afford to be taking weeks off.

I don't understand...you're either charging "per cut" or a flat-rate deal. Which is it? By throwing in that freebie cut mid-week sounds like you're set up on contracts...

[topsites]

Don't explain nothing, just let them call me, I'll cut their grass when it really needs it and not every week whether it needs it or not.

[LawnTamer]

I just explain that we only have X amount of open slots for clients. If we hold a slot open for a client, then they decide they want to skip here and there, then we have lost money, because we could have put a new client in that slot. It is called opportunity costs. When we budget we plan on every week.

[mblackburn]

if you have a service agreement on level billing then advise them they pay montly and you maintain as necessary per the agreement.

If you are billing per cut your stuck, but only if they call you first I would not allow a cancellation upon arrival

[martinfan06]

CONTRACTS,CONTRACTS, WRITTEN AGREEMENTSpayup payup