Has this ever happened to any of you?

[dccarling]

Have you ever installed a new lawn, explain to the customer it is their responsibility to water, give them instructions, and then they don't water? And they want you to come back for free.

[lawnspecialties]

My customers know they pay me for a service. That service is to aerate, fertilize, overseed, etc. Yes, I send them a letter immediately after completion explaining the basics for a newly seeded/sodded lawn but of course it's up to them to do those basics.

I expect results. They expect results. But what they pay me for is the job, not the results. That sounds a little hard, I know. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if they don't water, or a flood comes through that night, or a windstorm blows everything away, I still expect to be paid in full. Once I finish the labor, it's theirs. I want my customers to be happy so I stay in close contact but once I'm done, payment is due!:)

[bearmersch]

I had done a repair job and the customer didnt water and now wants me to fix it. It all depends on how much the customer is worth to you and your buisness. I would work with them to see what you can work out. I am working on the repair when i can so at least i am trying to make her happy. I did tell her to water and of course she didnt. It is a tough call. :dizzy:

[turfcobob]

Yup, he is my brother in law...Watered like hell everyday for a month went on vacation for two weeks. No water and wondered why the grass died...duh

[FLAhaulboy]

i always give the client a fact sheet that the sod company gives away free. it explains that the grass must be kept moist for at least 7 days. i tell them if they dont do this and the grass dies, there is no warranty. i did have one regular client that i mowed for and installed one pallet in their yard one time. they bought this silly little swirling sprinkler that was terrible. i told them NOT to use it and to go buy a better sprinkler. they didnt do it and yes, the grass died but they were nice not to blame me!

[PSUturf]

We're including a temporary automatic watering system for three weeks with a lot of our lawn installs. When the system is removed there is a good stand of grass and the contract states that it is their responsibility to water after this time.

We usually have more problems with customers not watering nursery stock. They figure that since there is a 1 year warranty they won't water because the plant will be replaced (only once) if it dies.

[dccarling]

The lawn did well in the shaded areas although most was all sun. I went back for free told the customer to do a better job of watering, that was on a Saturday, went back mid day on Monday....dry, provided watering instructions in written form.... went back mid day Wednesday, no sign of moisture. The customer said I shouldn't be checking during the day because she works and can't water. Why not get a little timer from home depot? Anyway this is the first complaint or unhappy customer I have ever had, so I guess I should't let it bother me, I never should have gone back for free.....the job was done right the first time. Installed a lawn for another customer, the woman works 16 hours a day and did a great job watering, had timers, manifolds, hoses and sprinklers.

[gammon landscaping]

what are you guys talking about ? are you saying that you have customers that water there new lawns? i installed 25 lawns this year and i would bet that maybe 2 of them have been watered correctly. i tell them when they sign the check and hand it to me that they have just wasted this money if they do not follow my instructions. this takes some people back because it is not thank you sir bla bla. i tell them it will do not well if they do not maintain it and i charge far more for repairs than new installs. most don't listen but i don't get call backs because i tell this up front and they know it was there neglect not mine. i think some of them get alittle sore when i tell them but i would rather have them informed ahead of time and sore, than sueing me and having to explain it to a judge why i didn't tell them first

[lawn]

Hi I have the same problem with a client.
We perfomed a new grass at his yard, explained to him taht he needs to water the lawn every day at least for 1/2 hr either early in the morning or late night I guess he did it for a week, after that no more.
He sent us a letter refusing to pay and of course saying that we follow all the instructions we gave him but he still has "brown spots" in his lawn and until the grass looks even and full he will not pay us.
We do not have him as a regular customer. WE have his next door neighboor as a customer that's why we decided to do the work for him, because was right next to it.
We cut the lawn 2 times for free, we re seed and fertilized and we also spray for weeds at NO COST TO HIM!!! yes! FREE!!!!!!!!
It's today's date,he hasn't paid, I am planing to send a certified letter to him explaining that the job was done the proper way and he has to pay.
Can somebody here help me write the letter. My english is not that good. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[jazak]

I hope your joking on that FREE stuff?!?:hammerhead:
If you give them something for FREE then they now think everythings FREE and you OWE THEM something.:hammerhead:

[upidstay]

Customers not watering properly? Not paying attention to repeated verbal and written instructions? Say it ain't so!! They either don't water or they over water. Dry as a bone or mucky, pick one. I had one guy who would water for 2 hours, 3 times a day. Damping off fungus hit, and he expected me to spray it for free, and fix it for free. I had warned him what would happen, and how much Banol cost. Ended up in court. We won. You just can't fix stupid.

[lawn]

Customers not watering properly? Not paying attention to repeated verbal and written instructions? Say it ain't so!! They either don't water or they over water. Dry as a bone or mucky, pick one. I had one guy who would water for 2 hours, 3 times a day. Damping off fungus hit, and he expected me to spray it for free, and fix it for free. I had warned him what would happen, and how much Banol cost. Ended up in court. We won. You just can't fix stupid.
I just do not know how to make him understand that his fault. He already cover his @ss with the note he sent us .

[6'7 330]

Oh yes, It happens. Education of the customer is important,but if he chooses to ignore my educational explanation's on watering sod and seed etc. The language in the contract and signature by the X where it sez, I agree to all terms and conditions, is even more important.

[lawn]

Still today's date he hasn't paid. I called him left a message, his wife calls me back today saying that is not that they forgot or they do not have the money it's that they will no pay because the lawn is not as expected to be!!!!!!!
Please can someone help me writing a letter to this @assholeessssssss
What can I do?please helpppppppppp:confused:

[lawn]

nobody can help me??????????????????/

[DuallyVette]

When I contract to plant grass, I make recommendations. I explain different site preparation procedures, and let them chose the degree of prep that they want to pay for and the benefits of each. I explain the maintenance procedure. Too little water..no grass. Too much water..no grass. The soil present is yours. The weeds that may come up...their yours-I did't bring them. We provide the materials and service. We don't make the weather, the seed, or the fertilizer, although we buy quality products from reliable suppliers.

Can nobody help? We can't see the lawn and determine what went wrong. We weren't in on the agreement so I can't knock on the door and discuss the problem and solution with the customer.

Don't call him. GO SEE HIM. Ask him to show you what he finds unsatisfactory. Tell him that you sell a service. aerate, seed, fertilize. ( or prep,sod,fertilizer) Your not the creator of life.

You said that your English isn't so good. Perhaps you promised more than a human can guarantee. When I speak English to another English speaking person, I am frequently amazed how hard it is to get a message entered into someone's brain.( I read that people only absorb 25% of the spoken word. ( I guess they are thinking up their response the other 75% of the time).

Good Luck.[/QUOTE]

Rereading your 1st post: watering at night promotes fungus-brown patch. You did some free weed control- weed control products should be used on established grass, most products will damage new seed or turf. You may be learning on the job. This lesson may cost you.

[lawn]

Dualy thanks for your imput.
I explained to him everything, but some people do not understand.
When I said can somebody help, I meant to "write" not to go and talk to my customer,I guess you are right on something: "people only absorb 25%"



When I contract to plant grass, I make recommendations. I explain different site preparation procedures, and let them chose the degree of prep that they want to pay for and the benefits of each. I explain the maintenance procedure. Too little water..no grass. Too much water..no grass. The soil present is yours. The weeds that may come up...their yours-I did't bring them. We provide the materials and service. We don't make the weather, the seed, or the fertilizer, although we buy quality products from reliable suppliers.

Can nobody help? We can't see the lawn and determine what went wrong. We weren't in on the agreement so I can't knock on the door and discuss the problem and solution with the customer.

Don't call him. GO SEE HIM. Ask him to show you what he finds unsatisfactory. Tell him that you sell a service. aerate, seed, fertilize. ( or prep,sod,fertilizer) Your not the creator of life.

You said that your English isn't so good. Perhaps you promised more than a human can guarantee. When I speak English to another English speaking person, I am frequently amazed how hard it is to get a message entered into someone's brain.( I read that people only absorb 25% of the spoken word. ( I guess they are thinking up their response the other 75% of the time).

Good Luck.

Rereading your 1st post: watering at night promotes fungus-brown patch. You did some free weed control- weed control products should be used on established grass, most products will damage new seed or turf. You may be learning on the job. This lesson may cost you.[/QUOTE]