customers complaining about ride-ons

[americanlawn]

Anybody get feedback from customers complaining about using "big equipment" on their lawns? We get 'em every year. Seems customers don't mind 'their own' mower tracks, but they hate to see "our tracks" when we make an application?:confused:

rscvp, thanks

[rcreech]

I have not received any complaints yet....but I have picked up a couple of accts from other lawn companies being on their lawns when too wet.

I always make sure that I don't "track up" a lawn.

The only thing I have heard from customers about ride on's is that I get done too fast. :dizzy:

I just tell them that I have invested a large amount of money in the equipment to be effecient! They don't say much after that.

[redbuckcavs]

In my area I've seen the Quality of work not as good due to ride - ons!!!
some companies hire new staff and put them on the ride - ons the first day. The weed pressure is terrible near the landscape beds due to LAZINESS from the applicator

I love my Ride on BUT I understand how the machine works and how the liquid Herbicide works ( If I get near plants I get my butt off the machine and spot treat weeds)

[Lawnpride231]

We get it every year in Indianapolis, especially in the spring when the lawn really hasn't greened up yet or started to bounce back when being driven across. We have 12 ride on in our fleet and use them on every lawn over 14,000 sq. ft. so we hear about it plenty.

[shovelracer]

Around here its not uncommon to see a big corporate fert company's applicator drive across mulched beds cause they are to lazy to go around. The owner usually trys to blame my mowing crew, but anyone can plainly see the tracks wont match my mowers, nor would they ever do that. I guess when you are big corporate fert you can do no wrong.

[lifetree]

... We have 12 ride on in our fleet and use them on every lawn over 14,000 sq. ft. ...

Wow, you must have tons of accounts, how many ?? How many crews do you run ??

[RigglePLC]

Oh yes. I made some skid marks on a steep hill between several trees. Customer thought I was trying to climb up the hill--actually I was riding the brakes on the way down. We try to spray that area with liquid nowadays.

[RigglePLC]

Thinking back :laugh: I have caused a few other problems: For example: Heat tracks--that was not funny. Yellow spots from turning left at the end of a swath. Killed a few flowers when I neglected to kick off the sprayer when passing between bushes and flowers.

[pieperlc]

I haven't ever gotten any complaints, but I have left some scuff marks from time to time. Mostly when I'm spraying only, and no granular in hopper for weight. Luckily the PG doesn't weigh much, which is why it spins, but doesn't dig in too bad when it does spin.

[grassman177]

we skidded up a few last winter making last fert apps. we had early snow and had to finish after it melted. it was pretty wet.

[humble1]

I think people want to see you sweat if they are paying you. I had a customer 15 years ago, he didnt want us using a ztr mower because he thought we got it done too quick for his buck. We used a 52 walk behind , i wasnt going to lose him over a few minutes $800 dollar spring and 800 fall cleanup. Sometimes you just have to sweat.

[Hogjaw]

I have not received any complaints yet....but I have picked up a couple of accts from other lawn companies being on their lawns when too wet.

I always make sure that I don't "track up" a lawn.

The only thing I have heard from customers about ride on's is that I get done too fast. :dizzy:

I just tell them that I have invested a large amount of money in the equipment to be effecient! They don't say much after that.

**You're right in the way your handling. As you know, time is of the essence to all of us, but Rcreech if you will make it a point to visit just briefly with these people (not everytime you are there working ). We have some customers that the only thing they can / want to talk about is the lawn care on their property. This is all they have left here.......family either dead or moved with no forwarding address, etc. Just give them a few minutes from time to time and I'm sure they'll appreciate it......and you'all will have a closer relation than before. In our area, we have a lot of older folks that miss being able to visit as they did in their earlier years.

**"track up" lawn - I've been guilty of doing this in the past, if small lawn and good customer I give them a no charge only if they mention tracking. Doesn't solve my mistake, but it gives us something on the positive side to discuss so we can keep communication line open.

Enjoy you posts.