Would you do an account free?????

[stevenf]

I went to give an estimate today and it was the sweetest old lady I had ever seen. Shes the kind that hugs you even though she doesnt know you and she is always saying sweetheart this, suger that.....
She told me before I gave the estimate that she is 85 and cant physically do it anymore. She also said that she lives on about $800.00 a month and is on a tight budget but it wont hurt to see what it would cost. I went and looked at her lawn and she kept telling me she only wanted the back cut (because she couldnt afford the whole thing) so I gave her the price of $25.00 per week. She then said that she will call me Monday to do it but I could see the look on her face that the $100.00 a month was to much but there was nothing she could do about it.
Now, The yard would only take me a total of 6-7 minutes to complete front and back with a PUSHMOWER! Do you think I should start doing it for free, give her business cards and tell her not to say that I do it for free? Or should I just suck it up because this old lady is trying to get the best of me???? :dizzy:

[greenbaylawns]

If she calls 25 bucks, if not call and say 15 if not, 10. You said 7 min. front and back thats more than a buck a min. Then put her on the growing customer list and move on.

[Big C]

If her situation is really what she says it is and she does not go telling the whole world that you work for free.....I would do it....you will be blessed later.......but don't do it for every old lady that comes along though...or you will go out of business.

[Paulup]

I'd do it for free. There is an older lady that lives down the street from me, her husband spent all day every saturday doing their yard(tiny yard, would take 15 minutes on a rider including the trimming) and since he passed away last year she has her son drive an hour to do it a couple times a month. I plan to start doing her yard for free as soon as i get my insurance squared away.

[LushGreenLawn]

Do you guys run a business or a charity?

Its not your job to make it affordable, its their job to afford it.

[1MajorTom]

In this world, you have to pick and choose who you want to help.

The other week I was at an awards banquet, where one of the speakers mentioned about our local food pantry. She went on to say that in January and February of this year, they had to shut their doors to 180 hungry families because there were no donations. I was so sad by this, that we are now working on a way to try and get some donations for this food pantry. This is something that is important to me.

So you need to ask yourself, is this woman someone that you want to help?

We try very hard not to mix business with personal stuff, because for us business has to stay business, otherwise, we would have everyone tugging at our heart strings. We try to do nice things for people that doesn't involve our business. It works better for us that way.

[stevenf]

Lush Green:
This isnt a charity act where every old person gets free lawn work. This is someone who agreed to pay because they are forced to. Probably has no family to help, barely getting by on the money she has now. If 14 minutes a month of your time is worth more then mine when it comes to helping somone out then let me know your secret on how you sleep at night.

[fullmetalbucket]

Ahhhh.... I'd do it too.... In the winter when I see some old boy trying to shovel his driveway by hand I pull in drop the blade and drag it out for him. The look in their eyes is the best! If they offer me $$, I'll sometimes take $5 for coffee money or something - but only if they offer!

[Weekes]

Blessings are the best payment.


Do what you can (without giving away the farm) you will be rewarded.

[Icemanku]

Karma....good things will happen if you do it for free...

[handymanlawncare]

I am so glad that there are people like you still in the world. I too cut real cheap and don't really know the ins and outs of pricing.
One of my mowing buddies here told me to quote people 40 per hour. Is that too much or not enough. I am not sure. I dont want to be a slave but this stuff is expensive to run with gasss steadily going up and all hellllp.

[verant]

i cut an old ladys lawn on the cheap side....who knows man..it could lead to something better more by cutting cheap for this one lady. if she has neighbors, they may take recognition of you and it may lead to normal paying accounts

[handymanlawncare]

So true, we help elderly people around us all of the time

[hackitdown]

I have a plumber friend that helped an old guy out for years...plumbing, mowing, carpentry, painting. The old guy was planning to go into assisted living, so he sold my friend his house for 1/3 of the value. He said the nursing home would just get it anyway, so why not give it to his friend as payback.

[Roger]

I usually have one customer that I mow gratis. It is my choice, not theirs. Last year, and this year, it is a widow who struggles to make ends meet. My agreement with her is my schedule, at my time of the day. Therefore, I won't be working at any particular schedule, and often do the work late in the evening when other work is done. The quality of my work is no different than any other customer.

Some of us will be in this position some day. At my age, that day could come sooner than later. It is a pretty trivial task to give so little that means so much to somebody who has other things on their mind. When concerns for doctor's visits, medications, cooking one good meal each day, getting to the grocery store, and just getting from the beginning of the day to the end is a struggle, this is one thing that can be taken off their list of concerns.

Business or charity? Not even a question to be asked -- just helping out those who need help.

[DLAWNS]

I know business is business and everything but come on 7 minutes of time. I would definitely do it for free. You just have to know where to draw the line.

[cgaengineer]

Do it, you will feel good and it may even land you more work. You could tell her the lawn work is free and that she can pay you what she can afford if she feels like she needs to pay.

[TSG]

I would rather give to my community instead of writing
a check to charities I don't know.
There is no substitute for good Karma
Just my .02

[Carolina Cuts]

Do it for free.... BUT she's gotta throw the backpack blower on and help out a little bit. :dancing: OR at least have a pitcher of iced tea ready every week. :)

I do one job every season, more or less for free. (mulching/clean up)

This season it's a little old lady who recently broke her arm, lost her job, got her telephone turned off because she can't pay the bill. She's having money issues with her ungrateful grandsons that live outta state that are demanding college money from her, her daughter (grandsons mother) is an alcoholic. Son is a dead beat, grandsons father is more of a deadbeat.
This woman answered the front door in tears the first day I met her.... sweet as pie.... broke.... and according to her... helpless. The small property looked abandoned. Some weeds in the front yard were at least 3ft high.

Soooo, this property is not gonna get 5 yards of mulch and flowers... (write off)
and a Carolina Cuts Landscape lawn sign placed at no charge.
Bad business move, but oh well.

[larryinalabama]

I guess I would do it, If she offers you some money take it because some people still have pride and it might affend her if you turn it down.
Do becareful old lonley ladies will talk your head off that 15 minutes could trurn into an hour, thats not meant to be mean or anything but I have to look out for my family first.


CGA how you been doing?

[Integritylawncare]

Yes we are in business to make money and many times we have to put up with the "oh thats too much comments" but I think we do have a responsibility to the community that provides the business we have. If her intentions were to pay and didn't ask for a hand out and it would take only 7 minutes I would do it. You would probably take alot of stress and worry from her. Similar case last year for me led to other sales to neighbors. In this case do what your heart says.

[larryinalabama]

I would defentely go to all the neighbors and explain the situation. If by luck you could land 3 or 4 houses next to her you would still have a good stop. Plus she would see you are busy and will prpbably just come out to say hello. Its not that I mind talking to people but I already dont spend enough time with my own family

[bruno_rs]

Lush Green:
This isnt a charity act where every old person gets free lawn work. This is someone who agreed to pay because they are forced to. Probably has no family to help, barely getting by on the money she has now. If 14 minutes a month of your time is worth more then mine when it comes to helping somone out then let me know your secret on how you sleep at night.

hey steven, you're right on man!!! pay it forward... ever heard the term "the way you treat people now, is the way you'll be treated in the end"? not that i'm tooting my own horn or wish to present myself as a "sap" but i do 10 lawns for 0. for me, it all balances out in the end. none of my "freebies" take much more than 1/2 hr and i know what i am doing IS the right thing. moreover, i don't go around telling others i'll work for free and those who i do "help", genuinely need and appreciate it. too many people, right now, are fixated on the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR... not doing the right thing and/or looking out for your fellow man/woman. total selfishness IS why the economy is in the toilet right now! i don't, nor should you, care what others may think and/or say about helping your fellow man and/or woman in need. i sleep just fine, pay all my bills on time, have some nice toys... HOWEVER i am NOT in this field to make millions... ain't gonna happen!!! your generosity will come back ten fold. good luck. have a good one.

[topsites]

Why not try bi-weekly, $30?

[Johnson LCO]

I helped a goy out for free lately. Just wanted some advice at first but he had a kid and was struggling. I did the work for free. Later, He gives me a number and says to call it. The guy had a connection and next year I am bidding on the commerce banks in DE and the contract is not awarded by price.

[cgaengineer]

I guess I would do it, If she offers you some money take it because some people still have pride and it might affend her if you turn it down.
Do becareful old lonley ladies will talk your head off that 15 minutes could trurn into an hour, thats not meant to be mean or anything but I have to look out for my family first.


CGA how you been doing?

Been doing good...how about you?

[Mowerboy04]

i would do it... i have done it, there was a lady down the street from my grandpas house she was in a car accident and coud not do it and she deffently coudn't afford it. the lawn was small and took me about 10min to cut trim and blow it off, and i would do it twice a month. i ended up getting a very nice thankyou letter from her at the end of the season and she ended getting me a bunch of other work so in the end it paid its self off.

[gandk06]

Do it. It will come back to you 10 fold.

[larryinalabama]

Been doing good...how about you?

Ok here just alaways busy and tend to stay tired

[lawnman_scott]

I used to do that once in a while, well not free, but cheap. Then the inevetable day comes when you go there and someone comes out and says she died. Im her son, im her daughter, im this, im that. Never seen them before, so you keep doing it then they dont pay you. So you are helping out a guy you dont know to increase his inheritance, and hopfully one day he will not pay you for cutting his deceased mothers house????? Great. This only has to happen once for you to change your mind about working for free.

[stevenf]

That wouldnt change my mind about working for free. That would just make me look down on that guy knowing he has been there the whole time and never offered to help out.

[capnsac]

I used to do that once in a while, well not free, but cheap. Then the inevetable day comes when you go there and someone comes out and says she died. Im her son, im her daughter, im this, im that. Never seen them before, so you keep doing it then they dont pay you. So you are helping out a guy you dont know to increase his inheritance, and hopfully one day he will not pay you for cutting his deceased mothers house????? Great. This only has to happen once for you to change your mind about working for free.

If, God forbid, they do die and someone comes out and tells you then you should simply give them your condolences, pack your mowers up, and never come back.

[lawnboyoung]

my grandma is the only old lady i cut for free.

[cgaengineer]

my grandma is the only old lady i cut for free.

I cut my grandmothers lawn for free too...

[Turfrific]

she offered to pay right? just have her give you like 10 bucs here and there,charge her like 3 times then give her one free.

[bruno_rs]

I used to do that once in a while, well not free, but cheap. Then the inevetable day comes when you go there and someone comes out and says she died. Im her son, im her daughter, im this, im that. Never seen them before, so you keep doing it then they dont pay you. So you are helping out a guy you dont know to increase his inheritance, and hopfully one day he will not pay you for cutting his deceased mothers house????? Great. This only has to happen once for you to change your mind about working for free.

hey lawnman, why would ANYONE continue to do the lawn for free, once the person you were working for is no longer there, for whatever reason? do you automatically get the "new" tenant and/or owner, once one of your customers has sold and/or moved from their property?

even if this "lady" had a house full of people, just living off her, the situation (for her) is still the same...limited income and no one helping. i have a couple "freebies" exactly like what i just described... no one (but me) HELPING physically and/or financially. the fact is these people still need help. moreover, i am willing AND able to do so.

what it boils down to is, it's up to you (individually) to determine who needs help and/or who needs a swift kick in the A$$... brings to mind the saying " you can give a man a fish and feed him for one day or teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime". follow your conscience, it is rarely wrong. good luck. have a good one.

[progressivelawncare]

i once asked an elderly lady what she would be able to pay she said 17.00 a mow so that is what i charged her. i would have done it for free but she wouldn't let me, too proud. those kind of people i help even though i'm in my first full time year. it will come back sooner than later.

[prizeprop]

You know those cheopo young people that dont want to part with there money, they get old too. Be CAREFUL Ive seen customers try to get a dirt low price and have a boat load of money, just crying poverty. When you talk to her, find out some info about family etc. If ok , help her out.

[bruno_rs]

You know those cheopo young people that dont want to part with there money, they get old too. Be CAREFUL Ive seen customers try to get a dirt low price and have a boat load of money, just crying poverty. When you talk to her, find out some info about family etc. If ok , help her out.

hey prize, i agree with ya about the "young people that don't part with their money", most of them moved in (here) and unfortunately replaced my best customers!!! NEW MONEY S#CKS BIG TIME! you don't know how many times i've heard "be easy with us... we can just barely afford to be (live) here".

what's most disturbing is, while NEW MONEY asks me to be "easy on them", i look over their shoulder and can't help but see the BRAND SPANKIN NEW porsche 930 turbo, cadillac escalade, harley road king and all the other "toys" they amass by "using" others to do their dirty work. moreover, i walk back to my used truck and equipment, that i worked my fingers to the bone AND paid cash for, just to be their "lawn boy", as many of them like to say... somethings wrong with this picture, don't you think! honestly, i have no time, patience and/or sympathy for this mindset/lifestyle... it's called keeping up with the jones' and/or living WAY beyond ones means. i do not, nor will not, work for people i have no respect for... i've found this makes for a volital and/or unsuccessful business relationship.

i WILL, as long as i am able, work for those who have been here for years, now living on a "shoe string budget" just trying to survive AND they too have volunteered in one way or another. this life is all about helping others... not taking from them. if by doing a good deed you are indirectly rewarded... good for you, however good deeds should never be done with the "expectation" of ANYTHING but a sincere thank you in return. my "freebies" NEVER come from someone asking for a hand out... i'm fairly astute and (usually) know who needs help and/or who is a dirty player. just my .02. have a good one.

[Sweet Tater]

If her situation is really what she says it is and she does not go telling the whole world that you work for free.....I would do it....you will be blessed later.......but don't do it for every old lady that comes along though...or you will go out of business.

I agree with this, I got a soft spot for old ladies. Plus they will tell everyone the talk to about what a nice job you do.

[LushGreenLawn]

Steven,

I sleep at night, because although I have decided that my business is not a charity, and that I will not do work for free, I do personally support charities. I'm not blasting you here. I can see the point of giving back to the local community.

All of my charitable donations go to the National Kidney Foundation. My business is now my only source of income, so the way I see it, if I mow for free, thats less in my paycheck, and less I have to give to my personal charity.

[bruno_rs]

I agree with this, I got a soft spot for old ladies. Plus they will tell everyone the talk to about what a nice job you do.

hey tater, gotta love your "big dog" quote... hope you don't mind if i repeat it.

[capnsac]

hey prize, i agree with ya about the "young people that don't part with their money", most of them moved in (here) and unfortunately replaced my best customers!!! NEW MONEY S#CKS BIG TIME! you don't know how many times i've heard "be easy with us... we can just barely afford to be (live) here".

what's most disturbing is, while NEW MONEY asks me to be "easy on them", i look over their shoulder and can't help but see the BRAND SPANKIN NEW porsche 930 turbo, cadillac escalade, harley road king and all the other "toys" they amass by "using" others to do their dirty work. moreover, i walk back to my used truck and equipment, that i worked my fingers to the bone AND paid cash for, just to be their "lawn boy", as many of them like to say... somethings wrong with this picture, don't you think! honestly, i have no time, patience and/or sympathy for this mindset/lifestyle... it's called keeping up with the jones' and/or living WAY beyond ones means. i do not, nor will not, work for people i have no respect for... i've found this makes for a volital and/or unsuccessful business relationship.

i WILL, as long as i am able, work for those who have been here for years, now living on a "shoe string budget" just trying to survive AND they too have volunteered in one way or another. this life is all about helping others... not taking from them. if by doing a good deed you are indirectly rewarded... good for you, however good deeds should never be done with the "expectation" of ANYTHING but a sincere thank you in return. my "freebies" NEVER come from someone asking for a hand out... i'm fairly astute and (usually) know who needs help and/or who is a dirty player. just my .02. have a good one.

I especially like the part where you said 'however good deeds should never be done with the "expectation" of ANYTHING but a sincere thank you in return'

This is where a lot of people on here have skewed thinking. It is a cause and effect relationship with most of the members saying 'do it, you WILL get good Karma by doing this.' This is not true however, because if you go in with the intention that you should get something in return out of this other than a sincere thank you then you shouldn't try and help. Your intentions are corrupt, and it isn't their best interest you are looking out for anymore, you are merely looking for something out of the deal more than the intention of bettering that persons life.

Go in with an open heart and you will never go wrong. You will get more in return then you can ever hope or dream for. Please don't have the notion that if you do good things for people it's going to come back to you ten fold. It doesn't work like this. You are only trying to manipulate what the future holds. If something happens to go your way think of it nothing more than right place, right time. Don't think of it as because you helped this lady out you got this out of the deal, so I should expect the same if I do something 'nice' for someone else.

I hope I am not coming off as a prick, but I just think that anymore when we are helping someone out that we want to be noticed and congratulated for it. I am guilty of it as I am sure many others are. Pick and choose is all I can tell you from my lifes experiences. Not everyone is going to be as appreciative as the next, but in the end if you did it merely to better that persons life it was all worth it.

[bruno_rs]

I especially like the part where you said 'however good deeds should never be done with the "expectation" of ANYTHING but a sincere thank you in return'

This is where a lot of people on here have skewed thinking. It is a cause and effect relationship with most of the members saying 'do it, you WILL get good Karma by doing this.' This is not true however, because if you go in with the intention that you should get something in return out of this other than a sincere thank you then you shouldn't try and help. Your intentions are corrupt, and it isn't their best interest you are looking out for anymore, you are merely looking for something out of the deal more than the intention of bettering that persons life.

Go in with an open heart and you will never go wrong. You will get more in return then you can ever hope or dream for. Please don't have the notion that if you do good things for people it's going to come back to you ten fold. It doesn't work like this. You are only trying to manipulate what the future holds. If something happens to go your way think of it nothing more than right place, right time. Don't think of it as because you helped this lady out you got this out of the deal, so I should expect the same if I do something 'nice' for someone else.

I hope I am not coming off as a prick, but I just think that anymore when we are helping someone out that we want to be noticed and congratulated for it. I am guilty of it as I am sure many others are. Pick and choose is all I can tell you from my lifes experiences. Not everyone is going to be as appreciative as the next, but in the end if you did it merely to better that persons life it was all worth it.

hey capn, very well said... definately agree. there are some who look at ANY/ALL angles of the equation to get their answer... more "cash". i repeat, if you are looking to help others merely to get something in return... look elsewhere.

the reward, one may get from helping others, is almost never monetary but ALWAYS personally uplifting. do not assume any of my actions and/or comments are religious in nature... i'm about as far away from "organized" religion as one can be.

i live my life by the golden rule... treat others the way you'd like to be treated in return, period! just my .02, nothing else. have a good one.

[prizeprop]

hey prize, i agree with ya about the "young people that don't part with their money", most of them moved in (here) and unfortunately replaced my best customers!!! NEW MONEY S#CKS BIG TIME! you don't know how many times i've heard "be easy with us... we can just barely afford to be (live) here".

what's most disturbing is, while NEW MONEY asks me to be "easy on them", i look over their shoulder and can't help but see the BRAND SPANKIN NEW porsche 930 turbo, cadillac escalade, harley road king and all the other "toys" they amass by "using" others to do their dirty work. moreover, i walk back to my used truck and equipment, that i worked my fingers to the bone AND paid cash for, just to be their "lawn boy", as many of them like to say... somethings wrong with this picture, don't you think! honestly, i have no time, patience and/or sympathy for this mindset/lifestyle... it's called keeping up with the jones' and/or living WAY beyond ones means. i do not, nor will not, work for people i have no respect for... i've found this makes for a volital and/or unsuccessful business relationship.

i WILL, as long as i am able, work for those who have been here for years, now living on a "shoe string budget" just trying to survive AND they too have volunteered in one way or another. this life is all about helping others... not taking from them. if by doing a good deed you are indirectly rewarded... good for you, however good deeds should never be done with the "expectation" of ANYTHING but a sincere thank you in return. my "freebies" NEVER come from someone asking for a hand out... i'm fairly astute and (usually) know who needs help and/or who is a dirty player. just my .02. have a good one.
I hear what your saying,I guess my point was,sometimes older folks over exagerate their financial sitiuation to the low end to make sure their not taken advantage of or feel we dont deserve the money were charging.She might have 1000% equity in the house she has or family thats she's reluctant to ask for help from, but would rather give the guilt trip to an unknown. Don't get me wrong, I do favors for people I know and always refuse money,However,I like to know the curcumstances thoroughly,so I 'm not taken advantage of.They are the greatest generation and should be looked after, but just be wary is all. I also hear about the karma thing, just like most people pray for things. I believe when praying you should thank not ask!

[Roger]

I hope that some of the posters in this thread never get old, or find themselves in financial strife.

[bruno_rs]

I hear what your saying,I guess my point was,sometimes older folks over exagerate their financial sitiuation to the low end to make sure their not taken advantage of or feel we dont deserve the money were charging.She might have 1000% equity in the house she has or family thats she's reluctant to ask for help from, but would rather give the guilt trip to an unknown. Don't get me wrong, I do favors for people I know and always refuse money,However,I like to know the curcumstances thoroughly,so I 'm not taken advantage of.They are the greatest generation and should be looked after, but just be wary is all. I also hear about the karma thing, just like most people pray for things. I believe when praying you should thank not ask!

hey prize, i hear you and agree... your thoughts are in the right place... especially the "thank not ask" part. good luck to you. have a good one.

[bruno_rs]

I hope that some of the posters in this thread never get old, or find themselves in financial strife.

hey roger, that's why i always treat others the way i'd like to be treated myself. life itself is simple... it's people who make it complicated and/or difficult. just my .02. have a good one.

[elamey]

I think I would evaluate if she was being sincere and it sounds like she is and i'd ask her to pay me something...even if it was just a dollar or a fried peanut butter and nanner sandwich every week. Free is tough to judge, but if she's willing to give you something...anything...then i'd say she's sincere. Some things you do in life to spread the love. This may be one of those times.

[BMLS]

I cut an elderly lady who went to my church but couldn't attend anymore. Gave her a good price. One day I went to cut and it looked like someone was there already. Seems she hired 2 landscapers. This was after I cut at least 2 times. The other company came whenever. Guess who got stiffed out 3 cuttings? Me. Let me tell you about the company that stiffed me out of 1800.00 which now I had to get a lein on their property.

I cut my mothers, my aunt and the shop where I rent storage space for my equipment free.

Gas is $3.25 in NJ. I won't go into taxes and surcharges here in this state.

I volunteer my time as Fincancial Secretary for my church.

How much money and time do I have to give before I start looking for handouts?

[LushGreenLawn]

I hope that some of the posters in this thread never get old, or find themselves in financial strife.

When you get old, ask your doctor if he will work on you for free.

Seriously though. Just because someone is old and does not have alot of money does not entitle them to free services. I get a call at least a few times a year asking for free service from someone that is elderly and on a fixed income,

I would not have the nerve to call a company and ask for free services, no more than I would have to nerve to ask the cashier at wal-mart to let me have my milk for free.

[Military Lawns]

Blessings are the best payment.


Do what you can (without giving away the farm) you will be rewarded.

I could not have said it better. When you do charity work for people. You do so from the heart.

DJ-

[Military Lawns]

When you get old, ask your doctor if he will work on you for free.

Seriously though. Just because someone is old and does not have alot of money does not entitle them to free services. I get a call at least a few times a year asking for free service from someone that is elderly and on a fixed income,

I would not have the nerve to call a company and ask for free services, no more than I would have to nerve to ask the cashier at wal-mart to let me have my milk for free.

I believe that you are looking at this from the wrong perspective. People more often than not choose to do charity work out of the goodness of there heart. No one is expected to do all work for free. We al have a business to run and must pick and choose accordingly.

DJ-

[stevenf]

[QUOTE=LushGreenLawn;2279487]When you get old, ask your doctor if he will work on you for free.

First, The lady didnt ask me to work for free. Second, I think the people on here that are against it are basing it on a "business and not a charity". Just because you do lawns as a business doenst mean you cant do that for someone for free to be nice. If you owned an automotive shop and saw an old lady broke down on the road, would you not help because your job is fixing cars?

[lifetree]

... The yard would only take me a total of 6-7 minutes to complete front and back with a PUSHMOWER ! Do you think I should start doing it for free, give her business cards and tell her not to say that I do it for free ? Or should I just suck it up because this old lady is trying to get the best of me???? :dizzy:

NO !! Absolutely not ... if you start doing it for free, then everyone will want you to do it for free. I've had elderly ladies like this tell me the same thing and belive you me, they've got money hidden under the mattress inside !!

[LushGreenLawn]

What happens when her neighbor finds out that you are doing it for free. What about your existing customers?

Do you turn them down for free work? What do you tell them when they say, hey, I am old, and also having trouble paying my bills. You do it for Mrs. K down the street, why am I so different from her?

[fiveoboy01]

It's not one damn bit of the other customers' business what you are or are not charging. If they don't like it then they can take a hike.

If it's an issue that the old lady is spreading it all over town that her lawn is getting cut for free(I doubt this would happen) then you just stop.

Don't know why you have such a hard-on for bashing the guy, it's a personal decision. You've made it known that you don't think it's a good idea(more than once), just let it go.

By the way, I mow a friend's house for free. Every week. Why? Cause I like the guy, it's MY business to do what I see fit, and it's a nice neighborhood and I get exposure.

[milkie62]

I see an old man trying to shovel his driveway on my mothers street.He never had a great job but he is taking care of himself.His wife died ---no kids.I remember as a kid he use to give fruit to all the kids that grew in his yard.He must have known he was going to need help in his older years.When I do my mothers drive I do his and he is very appreciative.He always tells my mother that he can do it,but the old guy must be close to 90.Five minutes and a smile from him is enough payment.