Saying Goodbye To An Old Friend

[Green Dreams]

Well sometimes you just have to cut the chord. Kinda like an employee that just doesn't give a crap anymore.

Ran into my local Lesco for a few bags of 46-0-0. I almost had a Fred Sanford heart attack when he said "$29.44 a bag."

$29.44???? I pull out my phone call BWI (a farther drive) and he says, "I still got all you can carry...$17.29 a bag."

Lesco guy says if I spent more there, I'd qualify for better pricing. Oh really? So I let you bend me over for as long as you wish then maybe I can save $3?

Uh...no.

What happened to them? When they first set up in our area, they matched every price. They delivered..cheerfully. I would come back in from the field to find their guy (alot older than I) emptying pallets of stuff into stacks.

You called them with a problem, they were" Johnny on the spot." They always knew their stuff. No BS'in...just what you needed.

When I would come in they would always call some 1-800 number to get permission not to scam me.

Now it's like they are doing me a favor just being there. I had one mgr at a branch not in my area telling me once "That's not in my job description" when I had to rebulid a gun. Just wanted to be sure it was right. Brought it in (I was trying to fix it out front) and he treats me like a retard.

So Good Bye for good Lesco or JDL or John Deere or whoever you are now. I know you won't miss me, but I have been missing you...the old you.

Thanks

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

When I would come in they would always call some 1-800 number to get permission not to scam me.



:laugh:

My sentiments exactly!

[landscaper22]

I am also considering a change from Lesco because of the drastic price increases. It is going to be hard to cut the cord. It never has been convenient for me to use them, because I have to go out of my way to get there. But they have always worked with me so well, and they have everything under the sun.
What other type of products would you guys recommend? I have thought about using Lebanon. However their prices are very high too. I like (I mean liked) Lesco so much. :cry:

[js.lawn]

when they opened there they where lookin for the custamer now that open and going they dont care about anything

[phasthound]

If you are looking for great prices for great fert, I can help.
We carry Nutrients PLUS products and sell by the pallet or truckload delivered to your facility.

Go Green. $ave Green.

[GREEN-UP]

It amazes me the attitude Lesco employess have. They could care less about the customer, have very limited knowledge of anything. Could not quote you the same price 3 hrs from know. I have found other places to buy my chemicals, and sorry lesco if farmers are using the other product and gettin things done and are paying almost $10.00 less a bag, somethings wrong. I will only use lesco for emergency reasons. They rip your ass off on parts, sprayers etc...... we all could go around forever on this one.

[dKoester]

Lets just say it is not just you'll who have had this problem. Word spreads quick in this industry and if they don't tighten up....................

[TLS]

Got a quote at LESCO for a pallet price of 13-2-5 Dimension $ 28.61/bag!

Went to Shemins, they quoted me for Lebanon's 22-0-6 Dimension $ 21.20/bag.

Thats a $355 difference.

[MaineFert]

If you are looking for great prices for great fert, I can help.
We carry Nutrients PLUS products and sell by the pallet or truckload delivered to your facility.

Go Green. $ave Green.

Barry,
Well said.

Jim
Nutrients PLUS

[Lawn-Sharks]

Im new to the city i live in and i dont know where to buy fertilizer from except the Home Repo and it usually cost me $26.00 a bag... If anyone has ideas for as to where to but it cheaper please let me know thanks!

[LushGreenLawn]

I switched this year also. I can get better product for cheaper, and the selection from my ag store is unbelievable. They are even a little cheaper on Trimec (Same as lesco 3 way) and can get more varieties. As a matter of fact, they can get the entire PBI gordon catalog, delivered within a week if they do not have it in stock. I am paying $18.95 for 50lbs of Dimmension 19-3-5, made to cover 15,000 sq ft.

[TLS]

I am paying $18.95 for 50lbs of Dimmension 19-3-5, made to cover 15,000 sq ft.

Good price! What is the brand?

[cod8825]

I am holding the Lesco quote in my hands right here

142 bags of 19-0-6 .10% Dimension $21.52 -----$3055.84
93 bags of 32-3-8 30% PPSCU 2%FE $21.73 ----$2020.89
69 bags 46-0-0 Urea $20.76 -------------------$1432.44
Total -----------------------------------------$6714.55

Went down to local Ag distribution called UAP they quoted me these prices
Dimension $17.75
32-3-8 $16.25
46-0-0 $15 I asked him how long these prices are good for as we have that much business but not that much storage and I asked if he was willing to store it but I will pay for it all up front. He said are going to but that much which I responded yes and he stated that those prices are good for the year.
Try and get Lesco to do that for you. By the way by going with UAP we saved $1600 before taxes.

[James Cormier]

I sat down with my lesco rep last week, I was expecting the worse after reading all this stuff on LS.

Turns out my rd 1 was just a bit higher, but my Rd 2 products were just a bit lower then all the other companies I got prices from. So after these 2 rds its a wash. Im sticking with lesco, cant beat the quality of the product. Straight fert prices are crazy, especially with high P. They think these prices could drop dramatically within the next few months.

Right now I got a great relationship with my service rep, he drops everything to deliver 1 pallet if I need it. They seem to bend over backwards to keep me happy. I like that.

I do 10 pallets a round

[Runner]

Oddly enough, that's what we're finding here. Granted, he is also trying to find some other breaks, like just a little less N for the first round and such, but we are not far off from last year, so far, from what we expected. We now that doing away with the fe would certainly help, but no one around here is willing to get rid of it. It is just too valuable for the immediate results.

[LushGreenLawn]

Good price! What is the brand?

I cannot remember the manufacturer of the fertilizer off hand, but Dimension is made by Dow no matter who you get it from. I don't have the label in front of me for the analysis, but I remember it being good quality fertilizer.

[TLS]

I have OK experience with Lebanon. It does seem to be a bit more powdery, and will stick to your impeller a bit more than I remember LESCO doing so.

[Ric]

Green Dreams

Two of my biggest disappointments in life.

1st J.O. didn't marry Hillary

2nd Lesco has never gave me a fair price.

[Mscotrid]

I cannot remember the manufacturer of the fertilizer off hand, but Dimension is made by Dow no matter who you get it from. I don't have the label in front of me for the analysis, but I remember it being good quality fertilizer.

The Dithiopyr (Dimension) is patented by Dow but the process of formulating on a fert prill will vary form manufacture. I personally like to know the brand of fert I just purchased. I know thats crazy talk but that's how I run my business. I'm also curious which Dimension you bought as far as AI and how it will go 15,000 out of a 50 pound bag. I'm very familiar with all the Dimension actives and depending on your spread rate your cost per 1000 is out of line or your AI per acre will be light. JMO, curious as to analysis and BRAND your hanging your reputation on this season.

[LushGreenLawn]

The brand name is Growmark. They are huge in my area for agriculture. As far as to how you get 15,000 sq. ft. out of a 50lb bag, I think its pretty obvious that there is more A.I. per pound than a bag you get 12,000 sq. ft out of. A little less fertilizer goes down, but we have to do a split app of dimension in my area anyway so I actually prefer to back off of the fertilizer a little.

Scotts is a pretty good name brand, right? I try to get hung up more on whats on the label, and not the name brand.

I'm using a good name brand A.I., and I'm using fertilizer from a company that I can get almost any formulation I need in a 50lb bag. I'd say my reputation is pretty safe.

[Mscotrid]

The brand name is Growmark. They are huge in my area for agriculture. As far as to how you get 15,000 sq. ft. out of a 50lb bag, I think its pretty obvious that there is more A.I. per pound than a bag you get 12,000 sq. ft out of. A little less fertilizer goes down, but we have to do a split app of dimension in my area anyway so I actually prefer to back off of the fertilizer a little.

Scotts is a pretty good name brand, right? I try to get hung up more on whats on the label, and not the name brand.

I'm using a good name brand A.I., and I'm using fertilizer from a company that I can get almost any formulation I need in a 50lb bag. I'd say my reputation is pretty safe.


I'm still curious as to your AI % in the bag you did not answer that question. I'm also curious if split apping in your AI how much total AI is needed in the Maryland area. The only thing I can figure now is your putting down 145lb actual to the acre. Unless you're using a low SGN your spread rate would be an issue in many areas of the country. Not questioning your plan I'm just curious as too the different products on the market.

[Real Green]

I'm still curious as to your AI % in the bag you did not answer that question. I'm also curious if split apping in your AI how much total AI is needed in the Maryland area. The only thing I can figure now is your putting down 145lb actual to the acre. Unless you're using a low SGN your spread rate would be an issue in many areas of the country. Not questioning your plan I'm just curious as too the different products on the market.

We go through two germinating phases of crabgrass in Delaware, it's screwy I know. So it is correct to do split applications in Lush Green's defense. The dimension product from UAP also known as Growmark is not as good of quality as Lesco brand dimension. It is extremely powdery and clumps up quite frequently. I personally believe that if you are going to take care of the customer, using AG fertilizers is not always the best choice, to each his own… I guess. HOWEVER, you are correct in questioning AI% rate in the bag ESPECIALLY if there are split applications. I do believe the SGN is not of a low rate. But again, who am I to question? Everyone does business their own way.

[pinto n mwr]

Got a quote at LESCO for a pallet price of 13-2-5 Dimension $ 28.61/bag!

Went to Shemins, they quoted me for Lebanon's 22-0-6 Dimension $ 21.20/bag.

Thats a $355 difference.
of course prices suck but deal with it, its hear to stay. Do shop around though.

TLS was quoted for 21.20 per bag, My quote on the same product was 16.00 per bag.

Location, location, location

[jbturf]

curious on AI % as well

seems to be a huge factor in the qoutes i recieved
fert + dimension .10% (50lbs) 17.14
fert + dimension .15% (50lbs) 21.62

i switched several years back from .10 to .15 and will not
change back--i was just qouted the .10 to help keep me
in roughly the same price as last year

also noticed on a lebanon product in the past alot of powdery
chunks (dimension?) in the bag--does that mean when spreading
your not getting the advertised ai per acre?

[TLS]

of course prices suck but deal with it, its hear to stay. Do shop around though.

TLS was quoted for 21.20 per bag, My quote on the same product was 16.00 per bag.

Location, location, location

What quantity were your ordering? I was quoted on only a pallet.


BTW....the LESCO was .15%

the Lebanon was .13%

Close enough for me.

[LushGreenLawn]

I have not picked up my product yet for my first round, and I don't remember the A.I. percentage offhand. I will be picking up the product tomorrow and updating my records.

As far as the quality, I have talked to several local companies using the same company and they have had excellent results. I did not realize that the quality could be different on the dimension since it all comes from dow.

I am going to try this product for a the year, based on the feedback I have recieved from other people, and based on the fact that I get good solid answers to my questions from this supplier. I am still purchasing some products from Lesco, just not fertilizer and some weed control products.

As far as using ag fertilizer, if I have a bag fertilizer from lesco or growmark, and the label has the same nutrients, same amount of fe, same amount of SCU, and is based from the same chemical, and the same prill size, what makes the quality different from one to the other?

After my apps with dimension, the only thing I spread granular is fertilizer, the rest of the weed control is liquid.

[LushGreenLawn]

We go through two germinating phases of crabgrass in Delaware, it's screwy I know. So it is correct to do split applications in Lush Green's defense. The dimension product from UAP also known as Growmark is not as good of quality as Lesco brand dimension. It is extremely powdery and clumps up quite frequently. I personally believe that if you are going to take care of the customer, using AG fertilizers is not always the best choice, to each his own… I guess. HOWEVER, you are correct in questioning AI% rate in the bag ESPECIALLY if there are split applications. I do believe the SGN is not of a low rate. But again, who am I to question? Everyone does business their own way.

The last time I bought dimension from Lesco the SGN was not a low rate. I will check tomorrow when I go to pick up my product.

[LushGreenLawn]

I just got off the phone with my supplier, and I have some questions for you guys that are more experienced.

The 50lb bag is 10% A.I., when I said 15,000 sq ft I was estimating from memory, its actually a hair over 17K per bag, but at the SPLIT APP rate. This is the same as lesco (my lesco rep recommended 10% A.I.).

Now I see what you guys are saying about the SGN possibly being an issue.

Now I'm a little new at this, so correct me if I'm wrong, the SGN directly relates to the prill size, right? The reason I ask is that the Dimension 19-0-6 that my Lesco store recommends has a pretty big prill size, I can't imagine the growmark prills being any bigger. How much of an issue could this be for me, and should I be talking to my Lesco rep (or Growmark rep) about getting something with a smaller particle size?

[Real Green]

How much of an issue could this be for me, and should I be talking to my Lesco rep (or Growmark rep) about getting something with a smaller particle size?

You should use your (Dover, DE) local Lesco for just about anything and everything you can think of. He is regarded as one of the top turf specialists in the state and known by many professors at University of Maryland and Cornell University. That's why Lesco hired him. And he absolutely loves to help.

[Mscotrid]

I just got off the phone with my supplier, and I have some questions for you guys that are more experienced.

The 50lb bag is 10% A.I., when I said 15,000 sq ft I was estimating from memory, its actually a hair over 17K per bag, but at the SPLIT APP rate. This is the same as lesco (my lesco rep recommended 10% A.I.).

Now I see what you guys are saying about the SGN possibly being an issue.

Now I'm a little new at this, so correct me if I'm wrong, the SGN directly relates to the prill size, right? The reason I ask is that the Dimension 19-0-6 that my Lesco store recommends has a pretty big prill size, I can't imagine the growmark prills being any bigger. How much of an issue could this be for me, and should I be talking to my Lesco rep (or Growmark rep) about getting something with a smaller particle size?


Lush, first off let me say I do not live in your area but have been using Dimension for close to 15 years. The info you have told me pushes your product to the limit in my area. Maybe others in your area can offer some advice. From what you told me you have a 19-3-5 .10 I imagine there is some slow release I'd shoot for a minimum of 30% at a spread rate of 17k per bag. @ 17k per bag your getting .128 ai on the ground @ 2.9lbs actual product or 128lbs per acre. You also have .55 N per/k on the ground.

Not familiar with your season, a total split app of .25 is the minimum label for splits. In my area we shoot for .38 or splits of .19ai on the ground. I be concerned about only having 128lbs of product on a standard prill size, you would like to get decent particle coverage for your active ingredient. FYI I do operate in the transition zone. If I was going to hit the lower AI rate I would drop to the .07 or .086 active to increase my particle coverage. Thing too keep in my is cost per acre compared to cost of a service call. I have found that if I spend .10-.15cents more per 1000 in the spring I can save (X) amount of dollars by reduced service calls. Keep in my in our industry we created the dreaded free service calls which are not free to us.

If you figure a SC sets you back a minimum of 1 hr and you normally charge $45-55 per man hour, think of all the product you could buy if you reduce 1 SC per round. ex $55.00 divided by .15 = 367. That is how many 1000' square feet you could have treated at a higher rate of AI in the spring and still break even on your books.

Anyway that's JMO for whatever it's worth. Have a good year if and when spring shows up...this has been a looonngggg winter:cool2:

[LushGreenLawn]

Thanks for the advice guys...

I was thinking about putting down at the higher rate higher rate, but was following the lesco reps advice in putting down at the lowest labeled rate. I don't mind paying a little more for more product, its just that there is such a cost difference between Lesco and Growmark.


I have a hard time switching back to lesco, but I will think about it. Don't get me wrong, I love their service and knowledge, but they want to charge me almost $42 per 50lb bag of dimension 10% A.I., which as it turns out may not be the best thing for me. It seems like I can get the same thing from growmark for less. They are both 30%scu.

Real Green, what are you putting down for your Pre-Emergent Round (or rounds?)

I was following Lesco's recomendation at Dimension 10%, put down at half the normal rate in rounds one and two, I would basically be emulating that with the growmark product.

[Real Green]

Real Green, what are you putting down for your Pre-Emergent Round (or rounds?)


DIMENSION 0.10% 19-0-6 30%PPSCU

(I can't seem to get the quote brackets right)

[LushGreenLawn]

Thanks for the reply and advice. In my last post I meant to say PSCU, not SCU.

What is the extra P in PPSCU?

[Mscotrid]

Thanks for the reply and advice. In my last post I meant to say PSCU, not SCU.

What is the extra P in PPSCU?

Poly Plus Sulfur Coated Urea...which is a trademarked name by the formerly known company Lesco. Lesco owned at one time the largest Sulfur Coating facility in the world.

We can bash them all we want but I'll bet a weeks pay more companies started out by utilizing there services and products than any other single supplier east of the Rockies.

[pinto n mwr]

What quantity were your ordering? I was quoted on only a pallet.


BTW....the LESCO was .15%

the Lebanon was .13%

Close enough for me.

I was quoted for the Lebanon product at $16.00/bag based on 20 ton

[humble1]

$29.44???? I pull out my phone call BWI (a farther drive) and he says, "I still got all you can carry...$17.29 a bag."



What is a BWI ?

[TLS]

I was quoted for the Lebanon product at $16.00/bag based on 20 ton

Almost fell off my chair! :rolleyes:

This is why we need to communicate the scope of our posts.


I'm talking about a pallet.....He's talking about 16 pallets! :dizzy:

[LawnTamer]

Looks like I'll be going with a local ag supplier too. I like my Lesco reps. I feel bad for them, but I just can't afford to pay so much for fert.

I got full quotes for all I'll need this yr, and the ag store beat Lesco on 16 of 17 items, sometimes by 20+%. Plus my Lesco rep wanted me to join JD's partners program, which sounds like a bunch of BS to me, I don't want to switch my phone service, and name my next born child "John Deere" just to get a decent price on fert.:hammerhead:

[MaineFert]

It is very ture, we also started out using lesco products for our applications, but soon realized the cost and benefit of going with something else. We our now using and selling a "organic matter" fertilizer and have seen very nice results, as well as an extremely competitive price structure, even for a few pallets at a time.

Not to mention our customers weren't even aware that we switched!

Jim

[turf hokie]

What is a BWI ?

Isnt that what they used to call the airport in Washington DC before they named it after Ronald Reagan?:hammerhead:

[Victor]

Isnt that what they used to call the airport in Washington DC before they named it after Ronald Reagan?:hammerhead:

BWI is the city code for Baltimore's international airport. I was an airline mechanic for 13 years. That's how I know.

[Victor]

Poly Plus Sulfur Coated Urea...which is a trademarked name by the formerly known company Lesco. Lesco owned at one time the largest Sulfur Coating facility in the world.

We can bash them all we want but I'll bet a weeks pay more companies started out by utilizing there services and products than any other single supplier east of the Rockies.

It all makes sense to me now Mscotrid. The reason why you SEEMINGLY took offense to those of us that were voicing displeasure with Lesco in the thread titled "Lesco/JDL bad news all around" is because you have an affinity for them. There's obviously nothing wrong with you having an affinity for them.

I really don't see a correlation between most applicators starting off using Lesco and it being inappropriate for those same applicators becoming disenchanted with Lesco for trying to charge us ludicrous prices later on, down the road.

I might have read your sentiments wrong Mscotrid, but that's the impression I got from you mentioning that Lesco started so many of us off in this business. I just don't see how that point is germane to this thread. To illustrate my point... I don't care how well your wife, or girlfriend treats you when you first meet. If she ends up cheating on you down the road, you fire her! :laugh:

[Evan528]

I am also ending my 10 year relationship with lesco. The 13-2-5 with .15% dimension cost me 21.50 a bag last year. This year I was quoted $26.58. I found another supplier with a very similar product for $18.25 a bag and alot friendlier then lesco has become!

[TLS]

Whats up Evan!

I think I may have seen you at the KoP trade show in January? Caught you outa the corner of my eye on the way out to lunch.

What is your other supplier, or better yet, where?

Thanks

[americanlawn]

I've bragged up LESCO for years (for very good reasons), but we recently pre-ordered 150 ton of fert with 'UAP' due to the vast difference in price for the 2008 season. That's enough fert to get us by until August -- then we'll shop again to finish up the year. Been buying LESCO fert for about 15 years now, but this year, their prices went North. Not sure why, and my local LESCO friends have their hands tied. I really like buying products from LESCO (direct shipped/full semi's every time), but price matters too. So from here on out, I'll try to be a wise shopper. But LESCO will be my first choice (if possible). Time will tell.

[humble1]

It all makes sense to me now Mscotrid. The reason why you SEEMINGLY took offense to those of us that were voicing displeasure with Lesco in the thread titled "Lesco/JDL bad news all around" is because you have an affinity for them. There's obviously nothing wrong with you having an affinity for them.

I really don't see a correlation between most applicators starting off using Lesco and it being inappropriate for those same applicators becoming disenchanted with Lesco for trying to charge us ludicrous prices later on, down the road.

I might have read your sentiments wrong Mscotrid, but that's the impression I got from you mentioning that Lesco started so many of us off in this business. I just don't see how that point is germane to this thread. To illustrate my point... I don't care how well your wife, or girlfriend treats you when you first meet. If she ends up cheating on you down the road, you fire her! :laugh:

hey vic, are you back from vacation i was starting to worry about you, i hadnt seen many posts. just a few more weeks and i will be jamming.

[humble1]

It is very ture, we also started out using lesco products for our applications, but soon realized the cost and benefit of going with something else. We our now using and selling a "organic matter" fertilizer and have seen very nice results, as well as an extremely competitive price structure, even for a few pallets at a time.

Not to mention our customers weren't even aware that we switched!

Jim

Who are you getting your product from Jim? Whats it called?

[Evan528]

Hey Tommy, How ya been? I was at the Pa turf conference this year.... Those classes are as about exiting as watching paint dry but gotta get the credits!

I actually made contact with this new supplier from a craigslist ad he had..... he is a rep for Fisher and Son out of Exton PA. They are supposed to deliver my first order of dimension this coming week. I am quite releaved to see that fert prices arent going sky high across the board (only lesco I guess). I was not looking forward to the response from raising everyones app prices 20% in one year like I thought I was going to have too.

[TLS]

I thought that was you then! The cig. gave you away! lol! I was with a buddy and we were meeting his Wife for lunch.

We took a lot of Golf course classes (even more paint!) for more credits. I looked after lunch for ya, but didnt notice ya.

Later.

[TLS]

Oh, the trade show was even worse than ever! Nothing but Golf Course stuff really. Shame.

[Adenn1]

I am just a homeowner, but I have used Lesco for the past four years to purchase all of my fertilizer, seed and other products (I also buy for elderly neighbors I help out). I have always been treated great by the reps at my Lesco and have enjoyed giving them business (what little business I do give them).

Like many of you, I went in this spring and found prices had risen drastically...they quoted me $39 for a bag of 13-2-5 with .15% dimension. I believe I paid about $26-27 last year.

Now, I only get 2-3 bags of Dimension...so I don't have the same increase in costs as all of you with commercial accounts, but with gas and everything else going up (bread, orange juice, etc), I think I may have to try to find another supplier.

I did ask the guys when I was in how the transition to JD has been going...the best they could do is roll their eyes and say "okay...we guess."

[rcreech]

Adenn1,

Make sure you look at the analysis, AI and coverage/bag when comparing prices from one supplier to the next.

When I was a Wal-Mart the other day I seen that they had Scotts Pre for $49a bag. Didn't look at the coverage or anything on the Scotts product.

If you look at that....and compare the the quality of product you are getting at Lesco, you are getting a pretty good deal!

[turfcobob]

Ever buy a can of JD Green paint?

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

Just got pricing on 30-0-10 50% scu thru Summer for my supplier (not Lesco) Made at old Lesco plant (where Lesco fert comes from) in Ohio. $16.25/bag...not too bad:)

[Harley-D]

I wonder if it is just john deere why prices are so high. I wonder if jumping ship from lesco/john deere is the answer and finding somewhere else will really payoff in the long run. Time will tell. Sounds to me that everyone buys from where the get the better service AND price. I'll pay $1 more a bag for the service i get. And i know if i jump ship for that dollar, i won't be able to go back and get that service. To each his own. Goodbye Lesco. Hello competition.

[LushGreenLawn]

Ever buy a can of JD Green paint?


For $7, yes!

Almost bought a tube of grease when I happened to be out and at the dealer,but didn't because they wanted $8 for that... Thats the low end grease, not the cool green stuff, it was $13

[PSUTURFGEEK]

Just a heads up for anyone using this product, 60 ton of UAP barricade .37ai all 2400 bags wet and unspreadable junk, just found out earlier today. so be aware theres alot of junk out there. Product is being sent back.

[Victor]

hey vic, are you back from vacation i was starting to worry about you, i hadnt seen many posts. just a few more weeks and i will be jamming.

Hi Humble. I have been away for quite awhile. I'll bet you thought I was either freeze dried, or doin' hard time! :laugh: I've just been busy lately, trying to get ready for the season.

I'll bet you're getting antsy about getting out there.

[Adenn1]

Adenn1,

Make sure you look at the analysis, AI and coverage/bag when comparing prices from one supplier to the next.

When I was a Wal-Mart the other day I seen that they had Scotts Pre for $49a bag. Didn't look at the coverage or anything on the Scotts product.

If you look at that....and compare the the quality of product you are getting at Lesco, you are getting a pretty good deal!


Yes...very good point. I don't like Scotts or their products. I did see at HD they had a bag of Lesco pre-emergent with 15% Dimension that covered 12,000 square feet for $27. But I suspect the quality is not the same as what I would get from the dealer.

I figure by the time I find someone else...and if it is any drive at all...the money saved could be eaten up with gas costs. My local Lesco is five minutes from me. I get treated great...and for someone who is not in the store much...they always remember my name. They have always taken time to talk over things with me (did a full lawn restoration two years ago) and never seem rushed or in any way try to brush me off.

In the end, I will pay more...but I might as well get treated right. You don't get that much anymore.

[rcreech]

I agree! Getting treated good is great....but having someone that knows and understands your lawn is even more important.

The guys at Walmart or Lowes will ALWAYS be able to anwer your questions....but are they giving you the RIGHT information! I have messed with them a little in the past and asked them generic questions about lawncare and they thougth they knew everything. About 50% of what they said was bull crap! I didn't call them out on it...but if you know me, I sure wanted to!

That is why I always said there is more to fertilizer then just an analysis. And this is just one more example!

[rcreech]

Good to see ya back Vic!

Are you ready to HAMMER!

[Victor]

Good to see ya back Vic!

Are you ready to HAMMER!

Hey thanks RC. I missed you guys. I'm about as ready as I can get. It looks like the snow is almost all gone now, so I'll probably be out there next week. How about you? Got everything ready to go?

[profigala]

I wonder if it is just john deere why prices are so high. I wonder if jumping ship from lesco/john deere is the answer and finding somewhere else will really payoff in the long run. Time will tell. Sounds to me that everyone buys from where the get the better service AND price. I'll pay $1 more a bag for the service i get. And i know if i jump ship for that dollar, i won't be able to go back and get that service. To each his own. Goodbye Lesco. Hello competition.

We actually got lower prices from lesco because of jd. I have never been able to get a low consistant price from lesco unill this year. The John Deere guys knew that if they could get our fert. business to go along with our irrigation/edging/tools/etc.. then they would be in good shape. Our john Deere rep went over the lesco managers head and gave us gauranteed prices for 2008 (this was in dec. 07) that were lower any anyone else who quoted us. The local ag supplier had prices that were $.10 cheaper per bag but lower quality and he wont deliver. We will use about 80 or so pallets of fert this year, so the convenience of delivery is big with us. So if anything the merger helped us. Also the John Deere Points program is really usefull. We use them to get free tools and stuff all year.

[RABBITMAN11]

As far as I'm concerned I am glad they charge you the home owner higher prices! Better yet they shouldn't' sell to you at all! The home owner shouldn't' be able to purchase the same products, as us the the commercial applicators uses. Nothing makes me more mad when I go into a lesco to pick up a order and they are sitting there selling to the homeowner. I buy $50,000 plus in
material, I am the commercial customer not the homeowner. How is that protecting our business! Not only that but it is a national security issue letting people buy fert and not be insured or licensed to use commercial (What stops a terrorists from buying there)products. So when you say that we are getting a good deal you have no idea what your talking about. I have came in there to pick up a large order and have to wait while they give the homeowner 3 bags! I think it should be against the law to sell commercial products to homeowners.

[lilmarvin4064]

As far as I'm concerned I am glad they charge you the home owner higher prices! Better yet they shouldn't' sell to you at all! The home owner shouldn't' be able to purchase the same products, as us the the commercial applicators uses. Nothing makes me more mad when I go into a lesco to pick up a order and they are sitting there selling to the homeowner. I buy $50,000 plus in
material, I am the commercial customer not the homeowner. How is that protecting our business! Not only that but it is a national security issue letting people buy fert and not be insured or licensed to use commercial (What stops a terrorists from buying there)products. So when you say that we are getting a good deal you have no idea what your talking about. I have came in there to pick up a large order and have to wait while they give the homeowner 3 bags! I think it should be against the law to sell commercial products to homeowners.

I would have to agree with you on this one, but I don't think terrorists would "shop" there unless they're selling ammonium nitrate, which they are not.

[rcreech]

Hey thanks RC. I missed you guys. I'm about as ready as I can get. It looks like the snow is almost all gone now, so I'll probably be out there next week. How about you? Got everything ready to go?

Glad you are ready to go! You will have to post some pics of that van when you get a chance!

Yep! I am ready to go! Nervous freak'n wreck right now! :dizzy:

Ready to get to work so I can quit thinking about it! :laugh:

Have a good one!

RC

[rcreech]

As far as I'm concerned I am glad they charge you the home owner higher prices! Better yet they shouldn't' sell to you at all! The home owner shouldn't' be able to purchase the same products, as us the the commercial applicators uses. Nothing makes me more mad when I go into a lesco to pick up a order and they are sitting there selling to the homeowner. I buy $50,000 plus in
material, I am the commercial customer not the homeowner. How is that protecting our business! Not only that but it is a national security issue letting people buy fert and not be insured or licensed to use commercial (What stops a terrorists from buying there)products. So when you say that we are getting a good deal you have no idea what your talking about. I have came in there to pick up a large order and have to wait while they give the homeowner 3 bags! I think it should be against the law to sell commercial products to homeowners.

:clapping:

Agree also!

I think the avg homeowner doesn't have a clue when it comes to apps!

They don't understand timing of applications or CALIBRATION of equipment!

[greendoctor]

:clapping:

Agree also!

I think the avg homeowner doesn't have a clue when it comes to apps!

They don't understand timing of applications or CALIBRATION of equipment!

You would really hate the "landscapers" in Hawaii. They are supposed to be professionals, but they are no better than the homeowners. Do things exactly like a DIYer. I would love to see the DOA require that the applicator be the license holder. Right now, it is ok for the boss to have the certification. What does he do, send out his illiterate, non-English speaking worker out with a noncalibrated hand sprayer with instructions to put in so many ounces per gallon. The topper of my week was a phone call from my former employer. He was wondering why the granular fertilizer he sent the workers out to spread was not working. Of course it will not work dumba$$, you need to apply so many lbs of N per acre per month or you might as well forget the whole thing. I would also like to see fertilizer applicators need to be certified, no not the boss, the one doing the applications. I cannot stand seeing 10-30-10 or 16-16-16 being applied to turf or ornamentals that already have adequate P in the soil.

[topsites]

I know exactly what you mean...

Well sometimes you just have to cut the chord. Kinda like an employee that just doesn't give a crap anymore.

Now it's like they are doing me a favor just being there. I had one mgr at a branch not in my area telling me once "That's not in my job description" when I had to rebulid a gun. Just wanted to be sure it was right. Brought it in (I was trying to fix it out front) and he treats me like a retard.

It helps to have a back up supplier, just use that guy selling you the $17 fertilizer for the whole 2008 season,
maybe by next year Lesco will have softened up some, or maybe not.

[RigglePLC]

I was at my Lesco/JD store Friday. Great people. He said this week they finally got authorization to be more competitive. Quoted a nice discount off my previous quoted price. If I spent over $25,000--I would qualify for a still bigger discount.

They offered extended payment terms on Merit with fertilizer.

The new Lesco spreaders were still in the box--made in China--but otherwise looked about the same.

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

The new Lesco spreaders were still in the box--made in China--but otherwise looked about the same.

That's what I was told earlier this year... Some one on here told me I didn't know what I was talking about. Hmmm guess my information was correct.

Oh well, I'm switching to Spyker anyways.

[gregory]

As far as I'm concerned I am glad they charge you the home owner higher prices! Better yet they shouldn't' sell to you at all! The home owner shouldn't' be able to purchase the same products, as us the the commercial applicators uses. Nothing makes me more mad when I go into a lesco to pick up a order and they are sitting there selling to the homeowner. I buy $50,000 plus in
material, I am the commercial customer not the homeowner. How is that protecting our business! Not only that but it is a national security issue letting people buy fert and not be insured or licensed to use commercial (What stops a terrorists from buying there)products. So when you say that we are getting a good deal you have no idea what your talking about. I have came in there to pick up a large order and have to wait while they give the homeowner 3 bags! I think it should be against the law to sell commercial products to homeowners.



i the home owner have no problem paying a higher price b/c i don't buy 80 pallets a year ..but i should be able to buy fert like you or anybody else..b/c its your buiness doesn't mean i shouldn't be allowed to buy fert.

hell if you have that idea lets not sell anybody brake parts for there car or truck b/c they are not a professional and they might not know how to install them correct and could kill someone driving down the road..thats my job i am a heavy duty truck service manger i don't have a problem with you buying your own truck parts and installing them yourself

[battags]

Got a quote at LESCO for a pallet price of 13-2-5 Dimension $ 28.61/bag!

Went to Shemins, they quoted me for Lebanon's 22-0-6 Dimension $ 21.20/bag.

Thats a $355 difference.

WOW!! I just picked up 20 bags of Dimension .10% 13-2-5 30% PPSCU for $20.00 even a piece. To be sure we are talking about the same product, the Lesco item number is 080376. Picked it up at the Twinsburg, Ohio store.

Brian

[Victor]

I just confirmed my price, per bag of 8-0-8 with .10 Dimension at my local supplier (it's a Spring Valley blend) and my quoted price is $14.95 per bag, whether I buy 2 bags, or 10 pallets! That's probably half the price I'd get at JD Landscapes.

[TJLANDS]

I just confirmed my price, per bag of 8-0-8 with .10 Dimension at my local supplier (it's a Spring Valley blend) and my quoted price is $14.95 per bag, whether I buy 2 bags, or 10 pallets! That's probably half the price I'd get at JD Landscapes.
You sure it is 8-0-8
8-0-8 is probably a 5000 sq ft bag... right?(or 4)

[Victor]

It sure is 8-0-8. It's in a 50 lb. bag and yields 11,000 sq. ft. when applied at roughly 4.5 lbs. per M

[TLS]

WOW!! I just picked up 20 bags of Dimension .10% 13-2-5 30% PPSCU for $20.00 even a piece. To be sure we are talking about the same product, the Lesco item number is 080376. Picked it up at the Twinsburg, Ohio store.

Brian


No, mine was .15% for the LESCO 13-2-5.

I'm sure the .10% is cheaper....less AI

The price I was quoted at Shemin's was for Lebanon 20-0-6 at .13%, only slightly less AI, but could still contribute to the cheaper price.


$20 a bag is however a great price none the less!

[rcreech]

i the home owner have no problem paying a higher price b/c i don't buy 80 pallets a year ..but i should be able to buy fert like you or anybody else..b/c its your buiness doesn't mean i shouldn't be allowed to buy fert.

hell if you have that idea lets not sell anybody brake parts for there car or truck b/c they are not a professional and they might not know how to install them correct and could kill someone driving down the road..thats my job i am a heavy duty truck service manger i don't have a problem with you buying your own truck parts and installing them yourself


Gregory,

We are not saying that the homeowner shouldn't be able to apply fert so we can make more money.

Using your analogy: If everyone bought their own brakes and didn't know how to work on a truck or brake system....accidents would increase and people on the road would be at serious risk!

Now...with fert, it isn't a life of death thing like brakes, but if the DOA and EPA is going to be cracking down on anyone, it should be on the homeowner that is out applying fert and chem at possibly 2-10X vs a professional LCO with calibrated equipment!

The homeowner doesn't see any problem with over applying. Its the ol' "if a little is good...then alot must be better" philosopy!

That is all I was saying!

[boats47]

I guess my 16.15/bag for Dimension is a keeper.....

[RABBITMAN11]

First of all the homeowner do not have to deal with the enviromental issues like lawn care companies. I think that it would be a good thing to make it illegal to put fert on your own yard unless you have the proper training and license. This is about protecting the lawn care business. And yes the homeowner has no clue what they are doing their just picking it up from the local hardware store and spreading it.

[PSUTURFGEEK]

I'm actually hoping that in the next year or so all the companies that are getting trashed end up becoming competitive again and they all stick together and then when all the guys that broke off long term relationships with thier suppliers over a buck or two a bag get the treatment they deserve, which in my opinion is bend them all over and stick it to them right back and galge them on everything they come in for.

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

I'm actually hoping that in the next year or so all the companies that are getting trashed end up becoming competitive again and they all stick together and then when all the guys that broke off long term relationships with thier suppliers over a buck or two a bag get the treatment they deserve, which in my opinion is bend them all over and stick it to them right back and galge them on everything they come in for.

:cry::cry::cry:

So if a company starts screwing people, all their long time customers should just stick around & take it? :dizzy:
I don't think so! Luckily there are other companies out there to deal with!

[PSUTURFGEEK]

Some of the reasoning behind my last post is I've watched guys in the business that I know personally jump from thier regular dealers for like 600.00 a truckload and the delivery was screwed up in some cases, the product was wet in others with bad drying agents, it's actually hillarious watching the madness.

[PSUTURFGEEK]

:cry::cry::cry:

So if a company starts screwing people, all their long time customers should just stick around & take it? :dizzy:
I don't think so! Luckily there are other companies out there to deal with!

yeah stick around and take it in your'e case, if thats how you read it.

[PSUTURFGEEK]

the point is all supplyers will eventually be affected equally by these pricing trends and then the supplyers should take into consideration who maintained a relationship with them also, im not saying don't shop, just dont burn all of youre bridges. ive seen all this b4

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

Nope, I switched long ago. I have no problems. Don't act like no one has ever gotten tainted fert. from Lesco either. If you think they don't have any problems, you're naive or lying to yourself.:waving:

[PSUTURFGEEK]

i never mentioned lesco, thats first of all, second just sit back and watch all the companies that bought futures in urea catch up to everyone else then come talk to me since you have it all figuired out.

[PSUTURFGEEK]

Another thing I've noticed over the years is most guys that go on these sites and complain about different supplyers are not happy with thier own supplyer, themselves or the downward slide of thier own business.

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

Uh, the original post in this thread is about Lesco, so it would be generally understood that this is the company in question................

[PSUTURFGEEK]

I don't have any idea who you were originally going after, uap, harrels,lesco, agriliance,synatek ect. I dont care, the point is if you have to go on a site that has already had like 30 forums on bashing different companies then something isn't so great with youre supplyer, because I know for a fact this business is like the stock market, wait it out be loyal and youll get the returns you have waited for.

[PSUTURFGEEK]

Well, heres another way to look at this, relationships are 90% of why most people use the vendor they use, this being said I hope most people on this site know what I'm talking about and that no one company is the center of my defense, I just get really sick and tired of people complaining in one breath then in the next pretending they are so happy with thier situation when anyone with half a brain knows they only get on here to complain cause they absolutely hate thier own situation.

[gregory]

First of all the homeowner do not have to deal with the enviromental issues like lawn care companies. I think that it would be a good thing to make it illegal to put fert on your own yard unless you have the proper training and license. This is about protecting the lawn care business. And yes the homeowner has no clue what they are doing their just picking it up from the local hardware store and spreading it.



but you can install your own brakes on your truck.and put my life and my familes life in danger when you have no clue if your doing that right..but i can't buy fert okay i all for that!!!

i have to deal with epa and osha at my shop where you don't have to deal with them either being joe blow installing your own brakes or changing your own oil

[rcreech]

Some of the reasoning behind my last post is I've watched guys in the business that I know personally jump from thier regular dealers for like 600.00 a truckload and the delivery was screwed up in some cases, the product was wet in others with bad drying agents, it's actually hillarious watching the madness.

I know exactly what you are saying!

If you are LOYAL to people....they will be loyal to you!
If you asked all my friends, they would consider me a "cheap butt" or a "price shopper", but not when it comes to quality and service!

Those are just two things you can't BUY!

[gregory]

i agree with you rcreech. qualilty and service will be long remembered after price is forgotten

[rcreech]

but you can install your own brakes on your truck.and put my life and my familes life in danger when you have no clue if your doing that right..but i can't buy fert okay i all for that!!!

i have to deal with epa and osha at my shop where you don't have to deal with them either being joe blow installing your own brakes or changing your own oil

I think we are saying the same thing!

I could put my own brakes one...but I don't do it everyday therefore I am going to let a "professional" that does it everyday do it for me.

If all homeowners were like you, we wouldn't be having this conversation because you seem to know what you are talking about and care...but most of them don't.

Those are the ones I am worried about!

[gregory]

there are alot of people out there who don't care or take the time to want to learn if they are doing something right ..i see it everyday the company i work for also sells parts i run the service dept we get customers in here who want to but one brake shoe and install it on the wheel that has one shoe worn out.each wheel has two shoes there is a reason why one shoe is worn and the other is not and this is a truck the weighs 80k gvw damn scary...for my service dept to do a brake job is real touchy if we don't do something right the wheel might come off and go down the highway at 70mph and guess who gets sued...if the customers doesn't want to fix the brakes and i mean all of the brakes i don't touch it ..if it needs drums it get drums or we turn the job away....

i see the same thing applies in fert also you get some jerk off who goes and buys fert and applies way to much b/c he wants his yard to grow is kinda of the same thing but not all of us homeowners are the same....hell how many homeowners you know have a z-spray jr? if i have questions i aks them thats why i am here Ric has helped me alot he has even came to my house to look at my yard and tell me what it needs but most homeowners don't do that....

[rcreech]

Exactly....but you are 1 in a million!

I have had customers that bought enough fert for 3 acres and ran out half ways across.

That is why they are having me do their lawn now.

Overall, homeowners don't have a clue when it comes to fert and weed control.

They just buy the bag, dump it in the spreader and push!

Whatever happens....happens!

That is why I think fert should be pulled from the shelves!

Why should the Govt be yelling at us that are doing it right!

[Ric]

there are alot of people out there who don't care or take the time to want to learn if they are doing something right ..i see it everyday the company i work for also sells parts i run the service dept we get customers in here who want to but one brake shoe and install it on the wheel that has one shoe worn out.each wheel has two shoes there is a reason why one shoe is worn and the other is not and this is a truck the weighs 80k gvw damn scary...for my service dept to do a brake job is real touchy if we don't do something right the wheel might come off and go down the highway at 70mph and guess who gets sued...if the customers doesn't want to fix the brakes and i mean all of the brakes i don't touch it ..if it needs drums it get drums or we turn the job away....

i see the same thing applies in fert also you get some jerk off who goes and buys fert and applies way to much b/c he wants his yard to grow is kinda of the same thing but not all of us homeowners are the same....hell how many homeowners you know have a z-spray jr? if i have questions i aks them thats why i am here Ric has helped me alot he has even came to my house to look at my yard and tell me what it needs but most homeowners don't do that....

Karl


Like creech said you are one in a million, you have studied lawn care better than those who actually do it for a living. Those who are being hurt by the new John Deere Lesco are those who didn't try a learn their trade, or are to stupid too. I know you as a homeowner buy from several different companies. You can do so because you know what you are looking for and can compare. Unlike those who go to Lesco and ask what do I put down and how much do I charge. You now know your costs, both product and labor time and could easily know what to charge if you had to do it for a living. Yes I have helped you and even given you some of my secrets. Why???? Two reasons, first you were willing to pay my time and travel to come to your house. Second because you followed my advise and studied to learn lawn care. You don't pay me for phone call when I give you my inside secrets nor do I ask you to, because I will help anyone who has is willing to work at it as hard as you do. I know you read and study old threads before asking a question. When you ask a question you don't ask a lame one. Yes creech is correct, you are the one in a million who really cares.

BTW I have never knocked Lesco products, only their prices. I still purchase some things from Lesco on a regular bases. I hope Lesco never shuts down their store 5 miles from me, they are my 7-11 when the super market is too far.

[gregory]

i agree with you guys lesco products are good but there prices are to high on fert. hell i saved 60.00 on one fert application when i got some fert from uap you savings would be alot more when you go thru a pallet....

[rcreech]

Ric,

I kinda see what you are saying about Lesco....but I don't think your stereotype is accurate.

It might be for where you live, but not for me.

I buy almost 100% of all my products from Lesco, and I know what I am doing! There are times I have questions I don't know the answers to, and I will ask them. But that is what they are there for.

Lesco is very on price(most of the time even a lot better), their service is great and I really like the quality of their products.

Just wanted to clarify that all those who "shop" at Lesco aren't helpless! :laugh:

[PSUTURFGEEK]

Ric,

I kinda see what you are saying about Lesco....but I don't think your stereotype is accurate.

It might be for where you live, but not for me.

I buy almost 100% of all my products from Lesco, and I know what I am doing! There are times I have questions I don't know the answers to, and I will ask them. But that is what they are there for.

Lesco is very on price(most of the time even a lot better), their service is great and I really like the quality of their products.

Just wanted to clarify that all those who "shop" at Lesco aren't helpless! :laugh:
Your'e right man, and I don't think alot of people will really realize how thier decisions to cut ties are affecting them until thier out on a job in the middle of nowhere and they come up like twenty bags short and they start to wonder why the new company won't run out there with some product. and let me clarify the only reason they might come up short is because they sold more of the property while doing the app. not because they can't measure, I neede to clarify cause you know that would be the next bash "you should have learned to use a wheel"

[tremor]

Lesco's distribution model was the envy of the green industry until we figured out what it was really costing. It didn't take Platinum Equity long to figure out! Now that JDL has the numbers tabulated things will never be the same. It's too bad that certain folks at Lesco didn't catch on sooner & make the necessary corrections before it was too late.

[LwnmwrMan22]

Karl


Like creech said you are one in a million, you have studied lawn care better than those who actually do it for a living. Those who are being hurt by the new John Deere Lesco are those who didn't try a learn their trade, or are to stupid too. I know you as a homeowner buy from several different companies. You can do so because you know what you are looking for and can compare. Unlike those who go to Lesco and ask what do I put down and how much do I charge. You now know your costs, both product and labor time and could easily know what to charge if you had to do it for a living. Yes I have helped you and even given you some of my secrets. Why???? Two reasons, first you were willing to pay my time and travel to come to your house. Second because you followed my advise and studied to learn lawn care. You don't pay me for phone call when I give you my inside secrets nor do I ask you to, because I will help anyone who has is willing to work at it as hard as you do. I know you read and study old threads before asking a question. When you ask a question you don't ask a lame one. Yes creech is correct, you are the one in a million who really cares.

BTW I have never knocked Lesco products, only their prices. I still purchase some things from Lesco on a regular bases. I hope Lesco never shuts down their store 5 miles from me, they are my 7-11 when the super market is too far.

I'm usually a lurker in this forum, little comments here and there, as I only do the apps on the full service commercial accounts I maintain.

It may be that I just got home from plowing snow for 32 hours, or that I'm getting crabby because of all the idiots in my area that have been in business now for 6-7 years, are STILL charging less than what I was in 2002, but anyways....

Ric - Not all of us that use Lesco are too stupid or don't know what we're doing.

I use Lesco, because I have no other choice where I'm at.

I've called UAP 3 times in 2 years. Their closest shop is about 60 miles from me on back country roads.

I have a meeting tomorrow with a Lebanon dealer, but they're already higher priced than my Lesco supplier.

I guess I'm one of the few that have a Lesco worth going to. I run through about 20 pallets per year, 5 pallets per round, so again, I'm not a big player, just my own 35 +/- accounts for 4 rounds.

I've already talked with the local feed mill who does custom blending for fertilizers, and yes, I can save about $100 per pallet, but I have to buy all 20 pallets up front, and that's if I take all 20 pallets as the same product.

If I use different product for different rounds, then I will not get the same price.

So, as I started this post, the comment that all Lesco users are too dumb to know any better, it probably just struck a nerve from the lack of sleep, but I wanted to vent.

[LwnmwrMan22]

I was at my Lesco/JD store Friday. Great people. He said this week they finally got authorization to be more competitive. Quoted a nice discount off my previous quoted price. If I spent over $25,000--I would qualify for a still bigger discount.

They offered extended payment terms on Merit with fertilizer.

The new Lesco spreaders were still in the box--made in China--but otherwise looked about the same.

I got the same call on Monday.

[Ric]

I'm usually a lurker in this forum, little comments here and there, as I only do the apps on the full service commercial accounts I maintain.

It may be that I just got home from plowing snow for 32 hours, or that I'm getting crabby because of all the idiots in my area that have been in business now for 6-7 years, are STILL charging less than what I was in 2002, but anyways....

Ric - Not all of us that use Lesco are too stupid or don't know what we're doing.

I use Lesco, because I have no other choice where I'm at.

I've called UAP 3 times in 2 years. Their closest shop is about 60 miles from me on back country roads.

I have a meeting tomorrow with a Lebanon dealer, but they're already higher priced than my Lesco supplier.

I guess I'm one of the few that have a Lesco worth going to. I run through about 20 pallets per year, 5 pallets per round, so again, I'm not a big player, just my own 35 +/- accounts for 4 rounds.

I've already talked with the local feed mill who does custom blending for fertilizers, and yes, I can save about $100 per pallet, but I have to buy all 20 pallets up front, and that's if I take all 20 pallets as the same product.

If I use different product for different rounds, then I will not get the same price.

So, as I started this post, the comment that all Lesco users are too dumb to know any better, it probably just struck a nerve from the lack of sleep, but I wanted to vent.

LwnmwrMan22

My main supplier is a 100 miles away, but they deliver every Friday for a small service charge. $ 10 under a $ 500 order and $ 20 for under $ 200. Even with the deliver charge the price is better. UAP is even farther away and require a $ 500 minim order with no delivery charge. I could go on naming suppliers and their delivery rules. At today's prices a $ 500 order is not hard to put together even for a semi retired part time guy like myself.

Nothing personal, but I stand by my post "Those hurt by Lesco John Deere never learned what they needed to know"

[LwnmwrMan22]

LwnmwrMan22

My main supplier is a 100 miles away, but they deliver every Friday for a small service charge. $ 10 under a $ 500 order and $ 20 for under $ 200. Even with the deliver charge the price is better. UAP is even farther away and require a $ 500 minim order with no delivery charge. I could go on naming suppliers and their delivery rules. At today's prices a $ 500 order is not hard to put together even for a semi retired part time guy like myself.

Nothing personal, but I stand by my post "Those hurt by Lesco John Deere never learned what they needed to know"

Maybe so, but how can I switch to a different supplier that won't even return my phone calls?

That's the first part about customer service.

How can I have any confidence in a new supplier?

They answered their phone 1 time out of 3 calls, the other 2 times I left a message. The one time I got a person, I told him what I wanted, what I run, and he said he'd get back to me. That was that.

I live by the 3 strikes and you're out rule.

I was supposed to meet with a Lebanon dealer today, but after plowing, getting stuff ready for the next storm to come in on Thursday now, I really don't feel like schmoozing today to get my best price.

Also, Lesco called me on Monday, and has now quoted me a price on my fert cheaper than I was paying 2 year ago, and I thought the price 2 years ago was a decent price.

After lunch, I'm heading down there to lock in 10 pallets at this price.

My local feed mill with the custom blend, was $1.50 per 50 lbs less, but they were only going to use a 25% slow release, and the 10-0-20 that I run now is a 65% slow release. Other than that, everyone else has now come in higher than the new Lesco price.

[pinto n mwr]

Maybe so, but how can I switch to a different supplier that won't even return my phone calls?

That's the first part about customer service.

How can I have any confidence in a new supplier?

They answered their phone 1 time out of 3 calls, the other 2 times I left a message. The one time I got a person, I told him what I wanted, what I run, and he said he'd get back to me. That was that.

I live by the 3 strikes and you're out rule.

I was supposed to meet with a Lebanon dealer today, but after plowing, getting stuff ready for the next storm to come in on Thursday now, I really don't feel like schmoozing today to get my best price.

Also, Lesco called me on Monday, and has now quoted me a price on my fert cheaper than I was paying 2 year ago, and I thought the price 2 years ago was a decent price.

After lunch, I'm heading down there to lock in 10 pallets at this price.

My local feed mill with the custom blend, was $1.50 per 50 lbs less, but they were only going to use a 25% slow release, and the 10-0-20 that I run now is a 65% slow release. Other than that, everyone else has now come in higher than the new Lesco price.

Which one in the twin cities?
I go thru probably 40 pallets/year all thru LESCO
Deal with Brooklyn Park and not very happy, call them every week and price goes up, not down in your case.
Ever heard the phrase go pound sand, that is what I pretty much get from Lesco

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

Also, Lesco called me on Monday, and has now quoted me a price on my fert cheaper than I was paying 2 year ago, and I thought the price 2 years ago was a decent price.
.

WOW, They must have been really raping you in the past! It is undisputed-the cost of raw materials that go into a bag of fert have risen tremendously over the last two years. If they are going to charge you less now, they must have really been charging you up the arse before:dizzy:

[ted putnam]

I went to my Lesco/JDL dealer last week and put a "bug" in their ear about the prices. I went through the"I've been doing business with you for years". And they told me their hands were tied. I know for a fact they were giving me the best price they could. I gave them quoted prices from another distributor. They said they would make some calls and do what they could. I came in today to pick up some things and they quoted me a price on a different but comparable analysis. Worst case scenario $2.50 per bag less. They are going to try to do better than that. They have to get the new product registered with the state(they started the process monday and should be done by next monday)They'll have a semi load there as soon as they get the word. Some of you guys can say what you like but that's what I call "service". They value my business enough that they will go the extra mile for me and others like me to keep our business.

[pinto n mwr]

I went to my Lesco/JDL dealer last week and put a "bug" in their ear about the prices. I went through the"I've been doing business with you for years". And they told me their hands were tied. I know for a fact they were giving me the best price they could. I gave them quoted prices from another distributor. They said they would make some calls and do what they could. I came in today to pick up some things and they quoted me a price on a different but comparable analysis. Worst case scenario $2.50 per bag less. They are going to try to do better than that. They have to get the new product registered with the state(they started the process monday and should be done by next monday)They'll have a semi load there as soon as they get the word. Some of you guys can say what you like but that's what I call "service". They value my business enough that they will go the extra mile for me and others like me to keep our business.

Sounds very familiar to what I was told, minus the new product/pricing.
I gave them other quotes from other supplier but no luck on anything from them. Guess they don't want my 40 pallets per year.

[LIBERTYLANDSCAPING]

I went to my Lesco/JDL dealer last week and put a "bug" in their ear about the prices. I went through the"I've been doing business with you for years". And they told me their hands were tied. I know for a fact they were giving me the best price they could. I gave them quoted prices from another distributor. They said they would make some calls and do what they could. I came in today to pick up some things and they quoted me a price on a different but comparable analysis. Worst case scenario $2.50 per bag less. They are going to try to do better than that. They have to get the new product registered with the state(they started the process monday and should be done by next monday)They'll have a semi load there as soon as they get the word. Some of you guys can say what you like but that's what I call "service". They value my business enough that they will go the extra mile for me and others like me to keep our business.

But.......You had to go in & give them the "I've been doing business with you for years" speech, before you got "service" I don't like to have to go through that with distributors. Just give me your best damn price now! Lesco reminds me of haggling over a car price at a auto dealer...

This is the lowerst we can go, we are at invoice at this price...

Ok, then I'll go elswhere...

Let me talk to my manager again...

Ok, my manager says we can go lower...

Do you guys really enjoy that? I'd rather get the great price first, on a price list all spelled out up front:)

[ted putnam]

Sounds very familiar to what I was told, minus the new product/pricing.
I gave them other quotes from other supplier but no luck on anything from them. Guess they don't want my 40 pallets per year.

Pinto, I'm not telling you how to run your business because I know you already know how to do that. I will use close to 40 pallets myself this year. If I were you I'd keep checking with them. If their are enough guys like you that go through their branch that stop buying fert from them, they will try to do something. That's what my guys did. I think they hit a brick wall with corporate on price so they started researching best fert for best price and came up with this new fert to keep our business. When your Lesco branch starts sucking "hind tit" they'll get off their butts and do something. I guess my guys are more proactive.

[ted putnam]

Liberty, I know I got the best price on the product they had on hand. They jumped through a few hoops for me and I'm sure a couple others to get a new, never handled before product in at a better price. No Haggling, No BS, just We want to keep your business and we're going to do whatever we can in our power to do that. All I said was some of you guys can say what you like but I call that "service". It seems pretty apparent to me. Others may not be able to see it!:rolleyes:

[LwnmwrMan22]

WOW, They must have been really raping you in the past! It is undisputed-the cost of raw materials that go into a bag of fert have risen tremendously over the last two years. If they are going to charge you less now, they must have really been charging you up the arse before:dizzy:

Well, they probably were. It's like everyone else. If you start out small, buying 1/2 pallet per round, you don't get as good of a deal as the guys buying 100 tons per year.

Soooo... if each year I buy a little more and a little more, and hit a price break every other year or so, it somewhat offsets the price some.

And then all of a sudden you go from 6 pallets per year to 6 pallets per round, you're going to see the price per bag drop.

[LwnmwrMan22]

Liberty, I know I got the best price on the product they had on hand. They jumped through a few hoops for me and I'm sure a couple others to get a new, never handled before product in at a better price. No Haggling, No BS, just We want to keep your business and we're going to do whatever we can in our power to do that. All I said was some of you guys can say what you like but I call that "service". It seems pretty apparent to me. Others may not be able to see it!:rolleyes:

It's no different than going to a car dealer where "bottom line pricing" is on the windshield, or you have to haggle a little bit.

If you're not a good haggler, you're not going to like to go to the car dealer.

If you're a shopper / haggler, you're going to enjoy "the game".

[LwnMnWoody]

I was die hard Lesco... mainly for the service. I found another company, Herod Seeds, that was closer AND cheaper for good products. Turns out the manager of the Lesco starts working for Herod. Man, I love it when a plan comes together.

[ted putnam]

Sounds good man:clapping:The best of both worlds!

[jbturf]

well I eneded up ordering thru lesco again.
i tried contacting 3 other suppliers for pricing,
that would not give me the time of day. i even had a meeting
setup up with a new supplier one day last week -
and i was blown off! i typically use 15+-pallets/round
this type of response really blows my mind, do some of
these other suppliers just not need the business? or maybe just
overwhelmed with new prospects this year?

Lesco has never treated me like that, and has been there when needed.
bottom line on pricing for me
my fert and dimension was by far the largest increase this year,$5.59/bag increase
but one of my fert rnds is $.07/bag increase
and my allectus(merit+talstar)+ fert went down $8.49/bag this year!

if these prices will in fact remain in effect this year, will end up spending
the same/slightly less than last year

i think there is something to be said for a supplier that will go out of there
way to help you out , return phone calls/emails, deliver parts/supplies N/C
etc..
Josh

[rcreech]

well I eneded up ordering thru lesco again.
i tried contacting 3 other suppliers for pricing,
that would not give me the time of day. i even had a meeting
setup up with a new supplier one day last week -
and i was blown off! i typically use 15+-pallets/round
this type of response really blows my mind, do some of
these other suppliers just not need the business? or maybe just
overwhelmed with new prospects this year?

Lesco has never treated me like that, and has been there when needed.
bottom line on pricing for me
my fert and dimension was by far the largest increase this year,$5.59/bag increase
but one of my fert rnds is $.07/bag increase
and my allectus(merit+talstar)+ fert went down $8.49/bag this year!

if these prices will in fact remain in effect this year, will end up spending
the same/slightly less than last year

i think there is something to be said for a supplier that will go out of there
way to help you out , return phone calls/emails, deliver parts/supplies N/C
etc..
Josh

Totally agree!

I would just like to know why all the Lesco's have such different prices (other then fuel surcharges or transportation costs).

My Lesco is VERY competetive!

I guess I get the best of both worlds! Hope it stays like that!

[green_with_envy]

Not sure if it's available in your areas but I just got 35 bags of Helena 19-0-6 w/.10 Demension for $17.46 a bag...one or 300, it didn't matter. All of their prices beat Lebanon prices by at least $2 a bag.

[PSUTURFGEEK]

One thing I've noticed is ever since Lesco took all of thier outside lawncare reps out of the field and back into the branches and also let the ones go that they didn't have positions for it really hurt the overall way they do business, most of these reps went to competitors and the ones that stayed are stuck in the branch,some also took positions with the golf side as reps or sow's which are the stores on wheels. I guess my point is to be a good sales rep you need to be out in the field and in your'e customers faces, you need to know them and thier families and thier dogs name and so on, it just sucks that these days are gone in most states. In some areas they have brought some back but it's just not enough.

[pinto n mwr]

Just went to my local Leco for the open house today. I was fully prepared to leave Lesco all together based on price and service. Went their to get my free lunch and compare numbers one last time, low and behold I was shocked. They got competitive again. They ended up beating everyone in town. Shocked!!

[LwnmwrMan22]

Just went to my local Leco for the open house today. I was fully prepared to leave Lesco all together based on price and service. Went their to get my free lunch and compare numbers one last time, low and behold I was shocked. They got competitive again. They ended up beating everyone in town. Shocked!!

Didn't I tell you?? You didn't even have to beat up Gary!!

[pinto n mwr]

you did, I'll buy lunch!

[tremor]

[QUOTE=PSUTURFGEEK;2223766]One thing I've noticed is ever since Lesco took all of thier outside lawncare reps out of the field and back into the branches and also let the ones go that they didn't have positions for it really hurt the overall way they do business, most of these reps went to competitors..........QUOTE]

Yep! We're still here. The bags are a different color but the options are greater & the service is typically MUCH better.

People buy from people. Brand names are meaningless. If you can't see past the color of the bag or the name then you're limiting your businesses earning opportunities. Every major manufacturer has their pros & cons. Buying from an independent typically offers you more choices some of which might be a surprise. The seasoned pro can help turn those choices into profits.

[PSUTURFGEEK]

I'm not sure you really understand my point, I'm saying demenio really ran the company into the ground thats all.

[tremor]

[QUOTE=PSUTURFGEEK;2223766]One thing I've noticed is ever since Lesco took all of thier outside lawncare reps out of the field and back into the branches and also let the ones go that they didn't have positions for it really hurt the overall way they do business, most of these reps went to competitors..........QUOTE]

Yep! We're still here. The bags are a different color but the options are greater & the service is typically MUCH better.

People buy from people. Brand names are meaningless. If you can't see past the color of the bag or the name then you're limiting your businesses earning opportunities. Every major manufacturer has their pros & cons. Buying from an independent typically offers you more choices some of which might be a surprise. The seasoned pro can help turn those choices into profits.

[tremor]

There is more to the death of Lesco than just Demino. He was the final deliverance that the board desired.

[PSUTURFGEEK]

Yeah ok whatever.

[mngrassguy]

As far as I'm concerned I am glad they charge you the home owner higher prices! Better yet they shouldn't' sell to you at all! The home owner shouldn't' be able to purchase the same products, as us the the commercial applicators uses. Nothing makes me more mad when I go into a lesco to pick up a order and they are sitting there selling to the homeowner. I buy $50,000 plus in
material, I am the commercial customer not the homeowner. How is that protecting our business! Not only that but it is a national security issue letting people buy fert and not be insured or licensed to use commercial (What stops a terrorists from buying there)products. So when you say that we are getting a good deal you have no idea what your talking about. I have came in there to pick up a large order and have to wait while they give the homeowner 3 bags! I think it should be against the law to sell commercial products to homeowners.

Been there, done that. They have done the same here to me in Mn. Worse was when they took a homeowner phone call about pre-m questions while I stood and waited to get loaded!!!

[mngrassguy]

Which one in the twin cities?
I go thru probably 40 pallets/year all thru LESCO
Deal with Brooklyn Park and not very happy, call them every week and price goes up, not down in your case.
Ever heard the phrase go pound sand, that is what I pretty much get from Lesco

I found the same thing when I called them. I found Rainder (in Brooklyn Center) MUCH more competative. I've been a loyal Lesco customer for 20 years but $400/ton savings X 40 tons? Denny worked for UAP until they closed in '06 and has always given me great service and will again this year!!
Bye Lesco:walking:

[Harley-D]

Yeah ok whatever.


I agree that removing the outside sales force was a bad idea, but lesco as a company had been losing ground even before demino was pres. I denied it for a long time but it's a fact.

If you don't believe that than you haven't been around that long. It was obvious from about 5 years ago. For the size of the company as a sales/production entity, biggest in the us, they weren't doing smart business. They were not covering their overhead at corp and were not profitable enough to sustane rising costs and corp salaries. Not to mention shipping as fuel went up. Their financial statements were public record so anyone could have seen it. I didn't believe it till i saw it. Check yahoo financials online. (not sure if it will let you go back)

And lesco had twice as many locations as the next guy so you can imagine that when their locations are selling the same product produced for agri-lience or whoever, the price might be a little more because of overhead. Lesco sold the manufacturing, that was the beginning of the end IMO. That was where they lost their edge.

[Ric]

Yo

I was in my local Lesco store last week. The new sign only says JOHN DEERE LANDSCAPE and no Lesco on the outside of the building. The manager is a nice kid in his late 20's. We talked about JD not promoting the Lesco brand name by not saying JD Landscape "Featuring Lesco Fertilizer" on the building.

Regardless of your feeling about Lesco, the name has been branded and very well known. IMHO JD would be missing the boat if they dropped a nationally know brand name. I am more interested in What is in the bag than the name on the bag. But most people have no understanding of fertilizer except the name on the bag.

[RABBITMAN11]

Here is how I feel about lesco! I have been a customer for quite some time!
I would say that I am a pretty big customer. I preordered about 30 ton to get started before the end of last season, called into lesco to get a price for this season well it was about about 70 percent higher than last season. First of all, everyone can say it is because of this and that. Well I hear that every year just different reasons every year. Well I know that things will increase in price, But come on lets be honest 70-80 percent higher wow! So I told my rep that I was going to have to make a change to another company because of price. The price difference was a great deal different. So I hung up the phone. Well 10 minutes went by and the lesco guy calls back and said he could go down 2.00 per bag. Well needless to say that doesn't make me happy it just down right makes me mad. I think I am going to go with someone else just for the fact that they treat there good customers like that!
I think that if guys in this industry would stop buying from them, maybee they will feel the same pain that we do, and put more value on there customers.
I know that I sure can't treat my customers that way and expect them to stay with me.

[PetalsandPines]

Don't know if this is acceptable, but in the "for sale" forum I've got 30 bags for sale in the Buffalo Area...Getting out of the business, too much GOVT. regulations, competition and just plain STUPID swings in the weather.

[Harley-D]

hey rabbit,
i agree totally.
If everyone raises prices, what keeps customers from shopping you? Customer service is what. Large co's that don't stress customer service are doomed. I had a bad experience with an airline last weekend. I won't use them again. And i certainly won't feel bad if i hear they went bankrupt. There's no excuse for poor customer service IMO. And i hope, like you rabbit, that the larger co's start to realize what is happening. Instead of blaming the economy, sales staff, training, raw material costs, brand name, etc.

[RABBITMAN11]

Well I am sick in tired of the same old excuses year after year. I am thinking about forming some kind of lawn care association in order to put more weight behind our businesses. I would like to form this to force these suppliers to be fair and honest with the pricing. What does everyone think about this!

[Eclipse]

I am thinking about forming some kind of lawn care association in order to put more weight behind our businesses.

There are already several associations.

[RABBITMAN11]

How do I find info on them or what they do?

[LwnmwrMan22]

Google "Lawn care association" or derivatives thereof.

[rcreech]

Rabbit,

I see why you are ticked, but all you can do is walk away from them! If they are overcharging then they will either go out of business....or they will be the only one left because they are the only ones making money!

Business's can charge whatever they want! You don't have to buy from them.

It isn't illegal to "over charge" someone.

They obvisouly have someone buying from them or they wouldn't be in business!

I buy 100% Lesco and they are not only VERY price competitive, but they also offer awesome service!

I have heard of 20-28% increases in fert....but they raised your 70-80%?

What was you paying before and after the increase? That is a big swing if you are buying 30 ton at a time! I would think that they would take better care of you then that!

My Lesco always calls me before an increase....but I have asked them to ALWAYS keep me in the loop on price increases when possible!

[RABBITMAN11]

Well I thought I was a good customer until the increase! Like i said in the thread before, they quoted a price and then I said I was going somewhere else and hung up the phone. Ten minutes later they call back and drop two bucks a bag. That is why I am pissed, thats not how you take care of a customer. Now that I am looking around they are trying to act like they are doing me a favor. Well I just think they don't really know what they are going to charge, I guess what ever they want! For that reason there i don't don't trust them one bit to be honest!

[pinto n mwr]

I have been a loyal customer of Lesco/JDL since my childhood in this business but after hearing news that a local branch is closing and how they railroaded the MGR there I will no longer do business with JDL.

[ed2hess]

I have been a loyal customer of Lesco/JDL since my childhood in this business but after hearing news that a local branch is closing and how they railroaded the MGR there I will no longer do business with JDL.

Lost our fetilize expert locally when they moved the fertilize business over to the JD store. Their business hasgone in the tank no expertise any more.

[landscaper22]

The Lesco in my local area still has the same guys working there that they had before the merger. I expected things to be worse than they are. I definitely liked the old Lesco better, but still the guys at my local store are more than willing to help me out. And even though the prices are up, they still seem to be less expensive than the other options I have. I went by a place that sells Lebanon products and my jaw almost hit the floor when I saw the prices. I was going to leave JD and go somewhere else. But then I realized JDL was not as bad as I thought.
Again, this may be totally different depending on your location and circumstances. But, it is not so bad for me anyway.

[rcreech]

The Lesco in my local area still has the same guys working there that they had before the merger. I expected things to be worse than they are. I definitely liked the old Lesco better, but still the guys at my local store are more than willing to help me out. And even though the prices are up, they still seem to be less expensive than the other options I have. I went by a place that sells Lebanon products and my jaw almost hit the floor when I saw the prices. I was going to leave JD and go somewhere else. But then I realized JDL was not as bad as I thought.
Again, this may be totally different depending on your location and circumstances. But, it is not so bad for me anyway.


DITTO!

Fortunatly...I feel the same! My Lesco does a great job at providing the service and prices I need!

[ted putnam]

Same Here! Service is "above and beyond". Prices...well...what can you say about prices? They're higher than a cats back everywhere. For me anyway, they're no worse at JDL than any other comparable options. I have a UAP and a Helena that are close to 70 miles away that I have not checked with and plan to. They'll have to be quite a bit lower in price to justify the distance. While I'm sure the quality is there, I'm almost positive price and distance will be the "deal breakers". I saw the BWI rep again today. He confirmed what I already knew. Prices should ease up on fert some if current market conditions stay the same or get better(only because N has dropped. P & K have not)...but... not until existing stocks have been depleted. This is where I feel us small guys have the advantage over the big boys. We can wait it out longer. We can let them be the ones that deplete current stocks of fert. Logistics won't allow them to wait....JMO

[eddie12065]

ive been in business 14 years and always used lesco products. the local lesco manager is a high school friend and goes out of his way to help me. i am looking for other fertilzer alternatives because of the continuous price increases. i live in the albany ny area. i wont switch but a little birdie told me that if i find a comparable product at a lesser price lesco will match it. does anyone know of other fertilzer suppliers they could share with me? thank you

[mngrassguy]

Lesco used to match prices here but refused to this year, now they're closing.

[rcreech]

Lesco used to match prices here but refused to this year, now they're closing.

Have you ever thought....maybe if they would have matched prices they may have closed their doors even sooner!

One should NEVER base their prices off of someone else IMO!

In any business...one should know their costs and make a profit.

I live by..."If you base your prices off someone going out of business...where do you think you will end up?"

Just my take!

I am sure JDL will be just fine!

[LwnmwrMan22]

Lesco used to match prices here but refused to this year, now they're closing.

Which branch is closing?

Are you sure it isn't just because they've combined with a local JDL?

I know the White Bear store was up in the air of whether they're going to stay there, or move over to Hudson, to open up the western WI market more.

[mngrassguy]

I'm hearing Brooklyn Park. Just a rumor though.

[pinto n mwr]

I'm hearing Brooklyn Park. Just a rumor though.

not a rumor. JDL white shirts came in last week and walked the Mgr, you know, out the door and kept the other guy. inventory will be spread among the other stores and the store will close.

JDL=crooks

[mngrassguy]

So is Tom going to Edina? Their web site still says Paul is the manager. Many of the old UAP employees are now with Rainder's in Brooklyn Park. PM me if you need info.

[LwnmwrMan22]

not a rumor. JDL white shirts came in last week and walked the Mgr, you know, out the door and kept the other guy. inventory will be spread among the other stores and the store will close.

JDL=crooks

Yeah, who did they walk? Paul or Tom? Hopefully it was Tom, I always enjoyed being able to talk with Paul.

mngrass - pm me that info, will ya?

[pinto n mwr]

one would think... It was Paul! don't know where Tom is going, don't really think about it.

[Scagguy]

Lost our fetilize expert locally when they moved the fertilize business over to the JD store. Their business hasgone in the tank no expertise any more.

Yep, and when Steve retired, that was the last time I stepped foot in the JD store. Been doing biz with Ewing for a while now. Kevin is the guy you want to talk with. Very knowledgeable and helpful.