Need a little help here.

[stephenslawncare]

Okay heres my situating. An old lady gave me a call about a week ago asking for a bid. I said, "when would you like me to come by" she said, "whenever, just leave the quote in the door," I came by and looked around the yard and wrote the quote. It was $18.00. The yard was pretty flat, reletivly small, few obstacles, little edging, and no gate. Later that week, she left a message saying that she would like to sign up. I came by the house to get billing info and give her my info packet(what I do in case of rain, etc...). She said, "do you want me to show you the property lines, I said "okay" we walked to the side of the house and showed me and then to the other side and pointed past a row of trees and to a patch of grass about 8ft by 100ft that connected to some neighborhood common ground and said this was part of the yard also. I told her that I had to give her a new quote because I assumed that the yard only extended to the row of trees. The new quote was $23.00. She didnt look to mad was wasnt happy. I informed her that it was higher not because of the extra mowing but more because of the extra edging. She said that I didnt have to edge it but I told her it was company policy that I edge all yards. Then she said something like, "I will compare this with the other quote you gave me" or something like that which seemed weird but I said okay, thank you. And left. I just need to know, should I have sucked it up and stayed with the $18.00 quote and not make much money with this yard. Or should I have said okay and not edge it and gave her a quote like $21.00 or did I do the right thing and if I lose the customer, so be it. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for being so wordy.

[Petr51488]

$18.00 seams low for any type of yard. You should have some type of minimum.My minimum is 25.00.

[stephenslawncare]

I know it is low but I am only 14 and bidding low is kind of the only way I can get customers. I do have a minimum and it is 15.00 but that is only for really small yards. this yard was pretty small and easy to mow. but could you answer my question please. I really dont know what to do.

[mulchmaster]

You did the right thing. You can't work for free and $18 seems very cheap to me. I personally won't unload for less than $30. If she goes else where don't be suprised if she calls to hire you in may. Good luck Andrew

[mulchmaster]

If your policy is every lawn must be edged then stick to it. If you let the customer walk on you they will try to every chance they get. Stand your ground, with that pricing you will have no prolbem filling the open spot. Good Luck, Andrew

[Petr51488]

Well if your 14, and need the customer, do it. Im pretty sure we all were there at some point in time.

[clcare2]

Never let a customer railroad you into doing work for less than you think that it is worth. There is never an account that you need to have. Remember that they called you. There is always enough work for everyone, just be careful about the lowballing.

good luck , my partner started when he was 12. now we have 6 full time employees.

[Scag48]

Good man, you held your ground. Don't worry about your pricing, when I was your age I was on the cheaper end as well. You'll get up to the $30 minimums in no time.

[Woody82986]

Just stick to your guns. I like the fact that you stuck to your policy of edging all lawns. It shows a committment to quality.

[Albery's Lawn & Tractor]

Company Policy at 14? Thats kind of funny. Personally I think you did the right thing By giving her another quote. It seems like the elderly still think a yard shoud be mowed for $5 just like back in the day. It looks like you got decent equipment and remember repairs aren't cheap. I've never heard of anyone doing yards as cheap as you but if you can afford to do them for that then so be it. Never let a customer talk you down. Ususally if a potential customer says there gonna get other bids I usually won't take the account even if they call back a week later, I know from the start my prices are fair and I always offer names and addresses of existing clients if they want a reference. I don't have time for tire kickers. Good job and hope you get a lot more.

[stephenslawncare]

I dont have a company policy, I just couldnt think of another way to word it. I guess you could call it my "commitment to excellence" LOL. I didnt tell the customer I had a company policy, I think I said something along the lines of "I want your yard to look good because if it doesnt, my company doesnt look as good so that is why I cant not edge" or something like that. Thanks for the help guys.

PS. The customer did try to talk me out of it by saying "nobody ever sees that patch of grass" and "my old LCO didnt edge that part". I said "sorry".

[1MajorTom]

We have given bids where the customer said they wouldn't be home. What we do is ask where the property lines are on the phone, before we go out to see the property. Then on the estimate form, where we write the price, we state that the price is based on the property lines of such and such, wherever we were told the property ended. Helps prevent any confusion.

[LawnSharks]

I have folded on situations like this more times than I care to mention but you will learn. Sticking to your guns will pay off. Just don't let your customers bully you.
Good luck, sounds like you have a pretty good head on your shoulders.

[supercuts]

16 years ago, i started at 13, and at that time i was getting a min of $20. i think when you come across not sure of your prices, and cheap, people think they can walk all over you. try using phase like " i will do for >>)

[supercuts]

my bad, let me finish, try using phase like "I will do it for ____ dollars" if anyone ever questions you stand your ground, you will come across much more cofident and sound like you know excactly what your talking about, not to say you dont

[Prestige-Lawncare]

Try using a phase like "I will do it for ____ dollars" if anyone ever questions you stand your ground, you will come across much more confident and sound like you know exactly what your talking about, not to say you don't

Good advice here ... and let me say that you did the right thing by coming right out and saying that you would have to give her another bid. That in itself shows you have already developed that business sense about you that you need to make it in business for yourself.

I would suggest sticking to your new bid ... and for only $5. more I think she will realize just how good of a young businessman you are already becoming. Trust me, many older people do recognize this, and will tell you they do later on. If in fact she does go elsewhere over $5.00 ... you probably wouldn't want her as a customer anyway.

Good job! Good luck!
:weightlifter:

[bigmudder77]

tell her that her old ass can go out there and mow her self. thats if she dont like your price, cause there are not to many people that will mow for $18. unless she finds a kid like your self. that will do it with there parents mowers and cheap. and not as good also.

[BCFLawnLandscape]

Here's a tip you might take with you. I NEVER quote anything without that person being there. That way I know exactly where property lines etc. are. Its not as important for mowing, as it is for landscaping. I ALWAYS make sure the customer is there for the estimate. This way they can meet you face to face, you know who your doing business with, and know who's writing your paychecks!!!! If you never see the person, you don't know who's paying you etc. It's good to meet that person and show them you are someone that is serious about your work. I learned the hard way by getting hosed on a few jobs because I didn't have the customer there to walk through it.

[Budget]

Stephenslawncare,

Gas around here is about $2.50 a gallon.You need to know how much gas your mower burns a hour and set a minum hrly. rate or minum charge per lawn. For me no less then $30-35 for a small yard less then 25 min. of work.

Do not give out a bid with out the customer there if you can. That way there is no confusion about the work that was bided. I measure all propertys so i know sqr. ft. and where the property line are.

[bigmudder77]

or you can say $10-$100 some where around there depending on stuff tell them they will need to be there to tell you every thing and to walk the yard with you

[Jay'slawnservice]

How do you transport your equipment from lawn to lawn? (just curious because I'm 15 and in the same boat you are more or less)

[Grits]

That old bag knew you wouldn't notice that area of grass....why would she want to show you the property lines AFTER your estimate....she probably pulled that same crap on the last lco and they probably fell for it. She all ready sounds like a pita.

[stephenslawncare]

Hey everyone, thank you for the advice and support. I have not heard back from her yet but I will give her a call tommorow to see. I guess I learned my lesson and will now always have the customer there at the time of the bid. Someone also said that I used my parents mowers. I paid for ALL of this equipment listed below. Yes ALL of it, down to the very last penny. Also, I dont know of any parents that would carry a commercial grade walk behind for a homeowner but whatever. And all mantainance and repairs are paid for by for ME with MY money, NOT my parents and without any loans. Also, for getting from house to house, I put my blower and trimmer on my deck and hop on the velke and ride off. If anyone knows a better way I am open for suggestions. If you dont belive that I have this equipment at 14, I will be posting some pics of my equipment and work, as the season gets started. Im sorry to be such a crab about this but it just bugs me when people say that I must have had help to get this stuff. I have just worked my %&$# off. Plain and simple. I wish you all a safe, happy, profitable, fun, and trouble free year.:waving: