What would you do

[CS Lawns]

Just found out a very good customer of mine has passed away, had a massive heart attack yesterday while out of town. A young guy approx 45 years old, left behind is his wife and older kids who live out of town.

I feel bad and went to visit her tonite. Part of me feels like giving her free service the other part of me says no. She lives close to me and I did tell her to call me anytime if she needed anything at all.

What would you guys do??

[joshua]

i would give her a discount of somesort. and if times get tough for her give her breaks but explai to her that free for a few times doesn't mean for the rest of time you will service the account

[YLC1]

Maybe you could do a quick "spring cleanup" in preparation for friends and family coming by the house.Do this so as to not disturb the family if at all possible.I've done this in the past just to try to take the worry of appearance off the family.When payment was offered I politely refused.Just my approach to a difficult situation.Richard

[trimmer]

Send her a card, if it is pay by service then cut it and not worry about getting paid, if it is a monthly keep up the service as usually.

[Lawn-Scapes]

Free service... why? Discount.. maybe

I would continue with service as usual. If she tells you she doesn't think she can afford you any longer.. then ask if a discount (~10%) would help.

[Tim Canavan]

:mad:
larry, you are a bonafide idiot. I hope the kick you off of the site. On second thought, if they don't then we will all still have someone to call an idiot.


I think the idea of a clean up before relatives get into town is a great idea. The refusal of payment and everything. Don't go crazy though. It's a nice touch in time of need and they will remember and tell people about it. Don't do it unless you mean it. Otherwise it defeats the purpose.

[KirbysLawn]

Tim, as you know Stone is above the rules it seems, I can't believe that post has been allowed to stay.

As for the topic I would take the time to make sure the lawn is looking great, as for free service probably not. We are a service just as any other; the problem is we develop a more personal relationship due to frequent visits. No other services offer free service why should you, remember, you have bills also.

I would attend the funeral, do your best to continue service as before, and if you feel this is a burden on her or you feel you can take a little off the price then do so, that’s your call.

[TJLC]

I recently had this happen to me. The husband died of cancer (age 42) and his wife told me she could no longer afford my service. I feel bad now that I just said "ok thats fine" and discontinued service. They were on a monthly contract and I didn't charge her for that month of mowing but when I look back on it I think maybe I should have done more. She has two teenage sons so I assume they are cutting it now. I drive by every now and then on my way to other jobs and the lawn looks pretty good. We did attend the memorial service. It was very sad.

[John Gamba]

Do What YLC1 Said. Johnny G.:cool: :cool:

[sheppard]

I would offer free service ( for 90 days) with the stipulation she 1. did not tell a soul. 2. Refer several people my way. If they came on board and signed a contract I'd consider giving her a long term discount of some sort. Have to think through what that might be.

Done this in the past and always picked up someone very close by so that it was worth my while.

Think about it. Here is a widow who will ALWAYS remember how you offered practical help when she was not able to think clearly. There is no doubt she will pass on good will to your business.

Cordially,
Sheppard

[awm]

when that happens ,i just do the service while they are in grieving.
no charge during the time they are dealing with the funeral and
services and all that go with that time in life.

[Charles]

I don't get involved with my customers personal lives as much as some of you seem to do. I am sure if you lost your loved one the customer wouldn;t think twice about ringing you up asking why you haven't cut thiergrass or say that they are going to get some temp to replace you. I went though a bad time and sure enough while some customers show sympathy they still wanted that grass cut on time. I would say send a card and flowers. I don't go to funerals or thats all I would do. Just continue your lawn service as normal. If she says she can't afford you anymore do like some say(if possible) and cut her rate a little

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I've offered free mowings after a spouse has died, and most of the time they wouldn't accept it. It's still a nice gesture and I felt good about it. People remember stuff like this.

LAWNS AND MOWER

[russman]

Just follow your conscience and your heart

[thelawnguy]

Why would you offer free services? I do not understand. The funeral home has their hand out for a check at the gravesite. If you feel bad send a card and flowers. But don't assume that because the guy is dead they are in financial straits. Re-read lawrence's post, there is something of value there, who knows how much life insurance the guy left or what he had socked away, heck when I die don't go feeling sorry for my heirs as they will have it better financially with me dead than alive :rolleyes:

[Administrator]

Cleaned up and replaced.

[lawrence stone]

Originally posted by Administrator
Cleaned up and replaced.

So you removed my post which DID NOT VOILATE any posting guidelines and you left up a message of some bozo that can't keep his emotions in check and calls me an idiot?

I guess I now know where I stand here.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by thelawnguy
Why would you offer free services? I do not understand. The funeral home has their hand out for a check at the gravesite. If you feel bad send a card and flowers. But don't assume that because the guy is dead they are in financial straits,who knows how much life insurance the guy left or what he had socked away, heck when I die don't go feeling sorry for my heirs as they will have it better financially with me dead than alive :rolleyes:

I must agree 100% with Bill.

[Administrator]

Stone,

This has to do with post ethics, ( and politics )

Your communication skills can sometimes be very "rough" and against the grain.

Members, moderators, and sponsors have had all they can stand.

Moderators work is time consuming enough without replying to the reactions your posts and replies cause.

[Tim Canavan]

Originally posted by Administrator
Stone,

This has to do with post ethics, ( and politics )

Your communication skills can sometimes be very "rough" and against the grain.

Members, moderators, and sponsors have had all they can stand.

Moderators work is time consuming enough without replying to the reactions your posts and replies cause.

Thank You Administrator - larry, don't take it personal. Just don't be an idiot.

As far as some of you guys saying you would not offer any kind of discount or free service, it all depends on the individual in question. I could call up 90% of my customers just to talk if I wanted to. That's just the way I am and probably the way alot of you are, too. This is how I built my buisness. Sure the funeral home wants money, but when you go there, you expect it. You wouldn't expect you lawn guy to say don't worry about the lawn until after the funeral or I'll clean it up for you before the relatives come in. My point being, they will remember something like that.
Anyway, it's all about the situation. How well do you know this person? Do they even acknowledge that you exist except to pay you? Are you a friend of the family? Do they know your other clients?etc. Just remember, it's not always about the buisness.

[65hoss]

This is one of those situations that there is no right or wrong answer. Do what your conscience tell you. You can't go wrong then.

I usually go by their house when nobody is there and I will not be disturbing anyone. Do the job real quick and leave. No fuss and no showmanship. I'll go to the funeral home for the visitation to show my respects to the family. Usually after all the activities involved are over I will get a phone call or card thanking me for handling things. Maybe a check is enclosed maybe it isn't. Usually at some point they will pay or try to pay. I use my discretion at that point.

[CS Lawns]

Thanks for all the responses. I was not able to respond since the administrator took off to clean up some remarks some apparent child left which I was lucky enough to have missed. Thank you for cleaning it up! And thanks to the members who have called Stone on his statements.

I must clarify that I did not mean free service for the year but maybe the first four mows of this season. I have decided to give her a discount which most of you mentioned for the first month and do a free quick clean up this weekend. From there service as normal. As far as getting personal with customers I dont normally too much, this particular one is down the street from me and works with my wife.

Chad
CS LAWNS