Bad business decision?

[2zeroturns]

was contacted by a long time friend that has only a mowing service. his new client was needing fert & weed control and parts of sod redone and backyard totally reworked from the bad summer. he new i was a lawn care company that did everything which is why he contacted me. about 2 weeks went by after we did some applications and had a plan for this fall. they contacted me wanting to fire my friend and hire us to do everything. i was totally against this! they argued that they wanted a company to do everything, which is what we do. so my question is do i lose this new customer for the sake of a business friend ( which by the way, have given him business in the past) or should i consider this a business decision and let him get over it? I'm just not comfortable either way!

[dcgreenspro]

this shouldn't be a question. Tell your friend what happened and see what he says.

[Surf'n'Turf]

Be straight up with your friend, let him know what's going on. I'd tell the client thanks, but no, and tell them why. It takes years to develop a good relationship and only 2 seconds to destroy one, usually over trust and/ or money.

[PMLAWN]

There is a reason that they wantout of your friends route so they may leave him no matter what---SO, Talk to your friend but if the friendship is something that is important and you want others referrals in the future from him-- I would let these customers go.

[Mr. Vern]

This is much bigger than a "friendship/relationship" issue. This is a test of your character. Anyone who would cut another person's throat by taking that account has a MAJOR integrity problem. You have not done anything wrong at this point; I hope you make the right choice and keep it that way.
It's good that you are asking for advice - it shows that your conscience is still alive and healthy! Do what's right and never look back.

[apowell18]

there are hundreds of customers out there, just like SurfnTurf said, relationships are built on trust and hard to come by, and this is a scenario that can and will destroy it.

[stumper1620]

There is a reason that they wantout of your friends route so they may leave him no matter what---SO, Talk to your friend but if the friendship is something that is important and you want others referrals in the future from him-- I would let these customers go.
I agree PM,
I think the friend will lose this one anyway, but I would let him in on the info. and see what he says. one other way to handle it would be to talk to the friend about the fact he will probably lose this account, go ahead and take the account over, then sub out the mowing to your friend. wallah your friend and you both still have the account.:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
oh, and by no means should you take a friends work without agreeing before hand.
I do a ton of sub work for a very good friend that does all but fert. & squirt. I wouldn't even allow this to be a consideration. but he provides me over 30 acres of excellent paying sub work, not worth letting that go for 1 job

[Down2EarthLawns]

I think Stumper has the best idea on this one. Keep your friend doing this job by whatever means. Unless the customer is unhappy with quality of his work, they should have no objections to an arrangement like this. Good luck to both of you.

[MowerMoney]

Definitely talk this over with your friend and come to a solution between the 2 of you. Subbing it back to him would be a win/win (unless the customer has a quality issue)

[Digdug]

This shouldnt even be a question to you. Dont even think the way you are. THeres thousands of yard care jobs out there and your thinking of taking one away from a person helping you out. c'mon

[Runner]

This has happened numerous times with us. I have been asked many times to take over on all the maintenance. I just simply tell the customer that we are unable to due to a conflict of interest in ethical concerns. They usually are very understanding and end up with a great deal of respect just FOR that.

[mslawn]

Tell your friend they asked you to start handling the account because they want a full service company, not just a mow joe. They are going to give their money to someone, might as well be you. Give him a referal down the road.

[sheshovel]

No he is not thinking of taking the guy's job away it was offered to him.
I say talk to your friend and explain the situation. That they called you and want a full service lawn company. That you think if you don't take them up on their offer that he is going to loose it anyway. Why should both of you loose. Promise to refer him to your next mow-only job. Or give him one you already have in exchange.
This job has extra work so will be profitable for you. If your friend is a friend he should have no problem with this. I would also tell him in order to avoid this kind of thing in the future he might want to expand his services.

[Prestige-Lawncare]

My take is like many others in some respects. I wouldn't take the account, and I would let your friend know that the customer wanted to switch to you, and let him know that you are not interested in taking any of his accounts.

You can also tell the customer that you actually work for your friend ... I mean after all he did sub the work to you. If the customer understands that you view it as unethical to take customers from you friend, I think they will understand and appreciate your honesty and business ethics.

:weightlifter:

[Randy J]

Two things I would consider: First, what would you want your friend to do to you? Second, what makes you think these people won't ditch you for someone else on down the road? They obviously have no loyality.

[J&R Landscaping]

There is a reason that they wantout of your friends route so they may leave him no matter what---SO, Talk to your friend but if the friendship is something that is important and you want others referrals in the future from him-- I would let these customers go.

I aggre with PM. If the clients mind is made up about switching lco's, they will do it. I would talk to your buddy and see how it goes over. If he's not totally outfitted to perform the job completey, thats not your fault.

[Gemini1971]

You walk on this one and keep your frinedship. Your friend was simply sub-contracting the work to you that he could not do for them. This was never "your" customer, so your not loosing anything you didn't have before.

Dan

[Runner]

I think She-Shovel summed it up the best. This is a great alternative, and the best possible solution.

[freddyc]

talk to your friend... take the job, you do the ferts and sub the mowing to him.

[LTS Lawncare]

Some say friendship and business can never work together. I believe this is true but if business ever becomes a bigger issue than friendship to me I will have to seek other means of employment. As was said there are thousands of potential customers out there and only a few true friends. For me I have to remember that I have to look myself in the eye every morning and believe that I am doing what is "right". I would tell the friend of the offer and hope that he can "fix" the problem.