get in there be for someone else does???

[s helping hand g]

starting to think about spring and signing up all my last year lawn customers for 2009 before some one else gets in there!.. Has any one started? or thinking about about doing it?? Also i want to get in action on picking up new customers for 2009 before some one else gets on it..also going to go to homes that i know have service and my be do a bit of low ball to get them to sign with me... What are you doing to protect this? When IS GOO TIME !!!

[aird208]

Ya, Good idea! We will be out meeting with all last years customers within the next few weeks. I imagine some people will think it's early to be out checking with residentials, but I've heard of enough other people planning on mowing this year,(due to being layed off), that I'm not going to let any of our accounts slip into others hands.

[White Gardens]

Do keep in mind that how you start your business now is the reputation you will always have.

If you want to be " That Guy " then go right ahead. Just keep in mind all your customers will want everything done for nothing, and it will be much harder to raise prices in the future.

[JB1]

YAY, YES, lowballing is the way to go for you.

[Stillwater]

YAY, YES, lowballing is the way to go for you.

ah....yes it is easy to bash the low baller as you are doing this take note that this industry is going to become very ruthless more ruthless than ever in the past.

[LawnGuy73]

ah....yes it is easy to bash the low baller as you are doing this take note that this industry is going to become very ruthless more ruthless than ever in the past.

Its going to be bad this summer, all these jobless people will be starting lawn care companies............ And joining Lawnsite!

[DLAWNS]

I would say it's no big deal to go out and start re-signing your current customers soon. But don't start lowballing because you will only hurt yourself.

[stoobs67]

This year with the economy i already started advertising and bidding on commercial properties. I have also contacted all of my existing commercial properties. I usually wait until early March to deal with my residential customers as well as residential advertising. I feel I have to stay one step ahead of my competitors and I have to assume they are doing the same things as I am. So if you think about it there are other companies out there as we speek trying to get the same properties you are trying to get. I wouldnt wait any longer if I were you especially in a rough economy.

[Lucky Star Lawn Care]

I just mailed out the usual "It's almost spring" letter with the renewal info to last years customers. Usually I would wait a little longer but I am trying to be more prepared this year and stay a step or two ahead of last year. And within the next few weeks I will be advertising like crazy!

[Holleys Landscaping]

I decided to do my advertising a little bit earlier to see what results I would get compared to advertising closer to spring. Out of 1000 flyers, I have received 6 calls residentially so far and I am sure I will get a few more calls. I have also been working on commercial bizs and they seem to be thinking about bids and spring already. So I would reccommed getting going on those commercials before your competitors do.

[mowerbrad]

I think it is a great idea to start touching base with your customers from last year but don't go out lowballing to get business. Get some flyers and start passing them out and get customers that way.