Angry Call..oh man

[C Cutters]

Sorry ya'll just have to vent. I got a call today on my answering machine from a local competitor. It said something to the effect of: "Yo man, what is this College Cutters (name of my company) sh**. Quit putting you're flyers in my area, this is my fu***** turf!"
Alright first off, who has the audacity to actually call another company and leave a message like that. Of course, he did not leave any contact info (wish he had), but still that just irritates all hell out of me. Kind of pissed me off at first, but now it's just motivating me. If this is the caliber of competition I am to be dealing with, then I stand head and shoulders above the crowd. I just can't beleive that there are people like that. Ever happened to any of you guys?

P.S.- I think I will ramp up my marketing in that particular area now

[Uranus]

That's just wrong. I bet this guy did the same thing back when he started.

Like I say, I'm not in business to make friends, but like to run a friendly business.

This jerk probably had a few drinks or grew some guts in front of his friends and left that message to make him look like a tough guy and scare you. Don't let it get to you, but I wouldn't be "ramping up" in any area. You got your message out there. If they want you they will call.

Just watch your gear out of the corner of your eye when in the back yards. Never know how far this guy is willing to take the issue. A quick drive by and grab will cost you a lot of money if your not careful of where you leave your equipment. Just goes to show you how professional this guy is.

Good luck out there. Make some money.

[Bustus]

ya I'd be upset too, but he doesn't own the place. Id advertise more as well.

[Lynden-Jeff]

When ever some one challenges me I just step it up. Some guy spray painted a bunch of my signs. I took them down, replaced them And tripled the amount in the area. So far no more ripped down. Im also going to hammer out more flyers.

Cheers
Jeff

[thes]

Hahaha....I guess he'll get a big surprise when he realizes that HE was one of your motivating forces!!!:laugh: :weightlifter: :laugh:

[terrapro]

i hope you didnt erase the message! i would definately save it for evidence in case of an incidence. you do live in cincinatti!

[motoguy]

Any chance of matching the time stamp on the answering machine with the caller ID? Might give you the phone number of the guy who called. ;)

[stumpslawncare]

Don't let it bother you, If he is going to do this to you then I am sure he is not too friendly to his customers either.

[Ecoscape01]

Well he's obviously not very established if he is concerned about you. I don't think any one of my established competitors would lose a minute of sleep over seeing one of my flyers. What a dumbass

[Epic lawn care]

LOL, wow what a moron.

[topsites]

So long you have caller ID, take that message to the police, at least that's what I always think about doing (then I never do it lol).

[terrapro]

So long you have caller ID, take that message to the police, at least that's what I always think about doing (then I never do it lol).

does that happen to you often?! people calling and threatening you :laugh:

[PhillyShells]

Ha Ha ! He must not be very confident in the quality of work he does to leave that. And he's real tuff on the phone but he's probably a chicken sh#%
Let your flyers rain down on him !

[David Hartzog]

tell you what, when i got back into town and into buisness, i had a couple guys do crap like that to me. i just let it slide, they can't mow ALL the grass. i treated them professionally and i'm still here and they took their dumb*** back to their "real" jobs. i had a partner for less than 9 months too who went into buisness after i bought him out and he threatened me every chance he got...until he came out to my house where my family is...THEN i called the cops and made the reports. He lost his "real" job at the Power Company that he had for 23 years because of all of it...he had a couple of his CUSTOMERS call and "shame on me" on my machine, but you know what...no jerks gonna act like that and stay in buisness long. i got 7 years under me now and he's painting houses!

advertise, give good bids, do the work, pet the old ladies dogs, and answer your cell phone. you can't go wrong.

[Alpha01]

One time I called a competitor because I saw a flyer of his. It was offering lawn mowing for $15, power raking for $45 and aeration $45. At first I was kind of salty of his bs pricing. But we started talking and actually gave each other advice on business strategies. I actually was trying to sub my power raking and aeration of to him since his prices would make money for me.
We are business men, don't let those scum, pot head, work all day for beer and cigarette losers get you down. We are in it for more important reasons that just beer and pot. We are the ones who will actually succeed because we work hard and respect each other as fellow choppers.

[supercuts]

as long as he didnt say ba-da-bing or make any referances to swimming with the fishes, i wouldnt worry about it

[leafitalawn]

Sorry ya'll just have to vent. I got a call today on my answering machine from a local competitor. It said something to the effect of: "Yo man, what is this College Cutters (name of my company) sh**. Quit putting you're flyers in my area, this is my fu***** turf!"
Alright first off, who has the audacity to actually call another company and leave a message like that. Of course, he did not leave any contact info (wish he had), but still that just irritates all hell out of me. Kind of pissed me off at first, but now it's just motivating me. If this is the caliber of competition I am to be dealing with, then I stand head and shoulders above the crowd. I just can't beleive that there are people like that. Ever happened to any of you guys?

P.S.- I think I will ramp up my marketing in that particular area now



Just tell him,
"I tell you what, you give me a list of your customers, and I won't send them any direct mail or put fliers on their doors.." :)

[The Cutting Edge]

C-Cutters I had the same thing happen to me three weeks ago I wonder if it was the same guy? Where were you passing flyers out at, I was in Hyde Park.. I just brushed it off my shoulder and gave about 7 estimates the next day. So hopefully you will have the same luck..

[sheshovel]

Watch your back, take the guy seriously, keep your equipment locked up and be careful. But don't let him push you around either. Free enterprise, free country.

[americanlawn]

Ditto with all the above.

I would try to trace his phone number down somehow, then notify your local law enforcement. Maybe they can "be on notice" as to who this guys is, so if it happens again, the cops can "deal" with him. I then would also notify your "friendly" competitors, so they are also aware of this clown.

This clown definetly has personal problems, and he probably does not belong in the Green Industry.

Shake it off (I know it's hard to do). I would surely expect your fellow competitors to empathize with you. I know I do, and I live in Des Moines.

Kind regards, American.

[C Cutters]

Well I'm glad to hear that many of you guys can sympathize with me. Doesn't really bother me at all, just gives a good boost of encouragement (fuels my competitive spirit.) As for tracking him down, I don't have caller ID, so it's a dead end. Will keep my equipment on the lookout though.

The Cutting Edge- was passing out flyers in the Loveland area, and also quick question: What type of price do you charge closer to the city? I live in Clifton (college student) and have recently been bidding on an aprtment complex down here. Just curious if the rate varies from up north (Loveland area) to down here (Hyde Park/ Clifton) Thanks man!

[PhillyShells]

as long as he didnt say ba-da-bing or make any referances to swimming with the fishes, i wouldnt worry about it


True........He might have a friend that knows a guy who can take care
of things..........

[The Cutting Edge]

Hi I carge a flat rate of 45.00 a man hour, I cut in both Hyde Park and Loveland. I was wondering about how you said I (The Cutting Edge) was passing out flyers in the Loveland area, I have not done any marketing in Loveland this year so I was wondering where you seen a flyer for my business? Thanks The Cutting Edge..

[C Cutters]

The Cutting Edge- was passing out flyers in the Loveland area, and also quick question

Sorry, I meant that as a reply to you (i.e. The Cutting Edge- I was passing out flyers etc... Thanks for the info man!

[lawnguyland]

Find him and eliminate him.

[AllGreen Landscaping]

just call phone company..they may want police to have number checked...it's easy..i did it all the time at work. ( sheriff dept)...tell them you felt threatened...lol

[AllGreen Landscaping]

all you need is approx time the incoming call arrived...they can search....don't let them tell you different

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

Simple do extra pushups,and keep on advertising and take no crap stand your ground,i had soon to have a black eye than a bad conscience.