Would you dump this customer?

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Here's my situation. Been mowing for this guy for 4 years. Last summer at a local auction he was the high bidder for $500 worth of lawncare services donated from one of my lco buddies. He only bid $200. This guy calls me in July to tell me he won the services and that he won't need my services for the rest of the season but informs me that he wants me back in the spring. I get $45/cut and is mowed every week, sometimes every 5 days when he laces the yard with fertilizer ( homeowners that hire lco's should be forbidden from applying fertilizer, but that's another thread topic). Degree of difficulty for this yard is 4 with 10 being the hardest. Takes me 40 min. to cut. Guy can be a cry baby sometimes. I want to dump him just because he dumped me in midseason last year, but it's also nice getting $200/month for 3 hours of work. Just wondering how ya'll would handle this.

LAWNS AND MOWER

[proline32]

Dump him, then tell him that you dumped him for a more profitable account and that you'll be back next spring when you have some openings. maybee that will get thru to him.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Maybe I should tell him that I'm all booked up and that I'll have to put him on my waiting list ;) ;) ;)

LAWNS AND MOWER

[bruces]

I understand how you feel. But, he had free (or already paid for service) for the end of last year.

Would you really expect him not to use that?

He obviously likes your service or he wouldn't want you back.

If you don't take him back, he finds another LCO (sounds like you were getting a reasonable price so he should be able to find someone at a comparable price).
You lose $45 per service or $1,350 if you cut 30 times.

If you take him back, you've got the income & any additional services he might need.

In my opinion, if you don't take him back, you lose. That is assuming you have time for the work. If you are at capacity, then you don't lose anything.

I would probably take him back but let him know that cancelling in the middle of the year last year wasn't really appreciated.

[rodfather]

The person who should be upset with this clown is your LCO buddy. He donated $500 worth of service and some idiot (your customer) only thought it was worth $200. Yea, hello...

I guess it depends on how important the $200 is to you each month. If you can replace him, I would. If not, keep working for him until someone else better comes along. The you can drop-kick him to the curb.

[Jason Pallas]

We're in it for the money right? Take him back BUT raise his price (tell him your prices went up since last year) raise it to $55. IF he doesn't come back, fill the spot with someone else. Good luck.

[65hoss]

Raise the price, do the work. When you find something better replace him.

Jason and Rodfather are both correct.

Why didn't your buddy get to keep the job?

[TOSLC]

To me it would depend on what the auction was for. It sounds to me like maybe a charity. If it was for charity, be careful not to give yourself a bad name over that.

If it were me I'd tell the guy that when he dumped me last year I had to fill his slot with another account. The account I filled it with was for $55 but it takes me a little longer. So if he would be willing to pay $50, I would be willing to drop the other acount. There's two reasons why he wants you back: You either do a better job, or your cheaper. Probably both, so use this to your advantage. Good Luck. By the way let us know what you decide.

[TOSLC]

One more thing, five more posts. . . And you'll be a Senior Member!

[1stclasslawns]

I agree it depends on what the auction was for. But then again it dosen't.

He must like your work or you wouldn't be back, so raise him and get a contract, that stated 30 day cancellation clause that way if he just drops you again with out 30 day notice you get 30 days worth of pay and then tell him, this is how you make a living and yuou didn't appriciate how he did you.

Or take him till mid season and dump him like he did you. But fertilize the heck out of his place!:blob4:

Jim

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Originally posted by TOSLC
One more thing, five more posts. . . And you'll be a Senior Member!

I was wondering when the next tier was coming up to become a Senior Member. What's after Senior Member and how many posts are needed????? Getting back to the thread- yes, this was a charity auction and this was the first year they did it. Was poorly run. They had it on a local TV station, people would call in with their bids, and they didn't even have a minimum bid. My wife won 2 nights lodging at this sweet resort for $30. The retail value was $279. What really pi$$es me off about this whole thing is that he dropped me in the middle of the season. I thought this was dirty pool. He could of at least let me finish out the season and then have my buddy start mowing in the spring until his $500 runs out. I mulch his place in the spring, but not until May. I want to do the mulch sooner, before mowing season, and then drop him like a hot potato. I'm maxed out as it is for mowing and plus I have a few potential cupcake accounts I might pick up this year. Should I get these accounts, he will definetly be on the bubble. Sort of like choosing teams for the NCAA's. My buddy who mowed at the end of the season last year does OK work. He does alot of rental units, so he's in the " Mow and Go" mode. Doesn't pay much attention to detail. I don't think this clown will retain my buddy's services after I dump him. I think I'll string him out along as long as possible before he gets axed.

LAWNS AND MOWER

[roscioli]

You could get some very BAD publicity for this. First, you should have bid the $210, and sold the work to a customer for a profit of $290. :) I would keep him. He sounds a decent guy, and I would have done the same in his position. Who knows if your buddy might have gone out of businesses before he got to use the $500. I would have done the same, and expected you to understand. As a professional you should not do the things many of the responses suggested, he is not stupid, and will realize you are trying to milk him. IF, however, you are legitimitly booked, you can do nothing unless you can dump accounts less profitable than this guy.

[Turfdude]

Originally posted by LAWNS AND MOWER


My wife won 2 nights lodging at this sweet resort for $30. The retail value was $279.

LAWNS AND MOWER

L&M,

I'm not trying to bust your stones here, but it sounds to me like the guy pays okay and your ticked because he got $500 worth of service for $200. Do you think the motel people are crying that you and your wife stayed for $30 for a much higher priced room? Maybe you'll go back again for a weekend - who knows. This guy was good to his word - said he'd call back and did.

Let your conscience be your guide.

Bob

[BGRANT]

Lawns and mower,
I have been in the situatuion you are in many times.When I was younger I may have said DUMP HIM.
Being a little older and a little wiser now I wouldn't suggest that.The only thing that was hurt was your feelings.And after a couple of
checks you will get over that.We are in buisness to make money friend.So if you don't mow it your
competition will.
Brian from Mi.

[bob]

DUMP HIM!! Why would you want to have a customer that is a pain in the ace. If I don't like the lawn or the customer, I send a polite letter explaining that I can't give them lawn service anymore. For every customer that you get rid of, there's 10 more that want you!

[millsmowing]

I would keep the dolt! It's apparent the guy doesn't appreciate the work you do for him but he does pay. You are in this for the money so let your bad feelings go and continue to get paid.

[tlcservices]

what is the problem? he helped a charity. he helped himself. you have to help yourself to his money again.work his ass over and have him pay ya. no big deal.get his money before he is dead

[ohiolawnguy]

i gotta say keep him as a customer. so what if he had someone else tmporarily because of this charity auction. unless you had a contract stating that he couldnt get someone else during mid-season, then who can blame who.

he wants you back, so take his money while you can.

if you are worried that it may happen again, try and see if he will pay a full season up front, with a small discount. that way he wont go about and temporarily suspend your services.

JMO, kevin

[Bob Minney]

Sounds like he was straight with you and likes your work & your making money. I'd take him back. He had a good reason for going away for awhile, just ask him to bid on something besides lawn care next time.

[mowerman90]

I like naturalawn's solution. Wait til mid-season when everyones swamped and doesn't want any more cutomers, then really pour on the fertilizer, then tell him to take a fly'n f***.

[proline32]

I just want to clarify my earlier post, I was being sarcastic some about dumping the guy and I didn't word it right....... Realisticly, I would retain this customer since he does pay good,( grin and bear it) But, this is why I try to get contracts signed for a season of service so a customer has a hard time backing out, But I do offer a buyout clause, If a customer who has signed a contract with me wants out of my service contract all they have to do is pay me 1/4 of the remaining amount of the contract left and I pocket some cash for work not done and go get a few more accounts.

[Jimbo]

Well said Ohiolawnguy! The only thing I don't agree with is the payment for a full season up front. That's alot of dough and the guy won't go for that.

In my opinion "contract is king" Whether you raise the price or not is your choice. It sounds like you have plenty of work so I would give an increase. However you should explain to this guy that mowing is your lively hood, and losing his account last season put a hurt on you. Tell him that when you lost his business you had to find other work, and know you have plenty of business but you would like to help him out and continue to service his lawn as well. Then explain that you will need a contract to continue working for him. If you explain it right I think that the charity will not come into the equation, and he will understand that his actions caused this to happen.

You will get a pay increase, and have a lock on his business. If you are concerned with losing oppourtunities at other accounts by having a contract you should put a clause in the contract stating that either party can give; say 60 days noice to terminate service. This will give both of you time to find alternatives if the contract is terminated.

[mowngrow]

well first of all, that has happened to me a couple of times also.
but we are in the business to make money. I would keep the customer. I would however get a contract. if he gives greif about the contract, explain to him why there needs to be one. remember, if you don't cut his grass, then somebody else will.


I owe, I owe,so off to mow i go

[Harvestman]

For me I would keep it simple. If you need or want the money keep doing it . Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Make it business no personal. Harvestman

[keifer]

i would try to fill that slot then tell him get lost but if it still open in the spring take him back.

[bruces]

Originally posted by mowerman90
I like naturalawn's solution. Wait til mid-season when everyones swamped and doesn't want any more cutomers, then really pour on the fertilizer, then tell him to take a fly'n f***.

Very professional!

Why give the guy a hard time, he helped out a charity, got some service at a discount, but wants to come back and be a good customer.

Don't bust his chops. I would have probably done the same thing if I was him.

If you don't want him, tell him, but don't do something stupid that will give you a bad name.

No one wins in that scenario.

[SLS]

Ummm....

......$200 for 3 hours work.........

Yeah, I'd keep him.


He may realize the situation that he put you in last season and because of 'guilty feelings' not be verbalizing to you. He may appreciate that you are truly a professional by not letting your emotions stand in the way of providing your services and conducting business. You may even get lucky and receive some good referrals from him or not have him hassle you once you have a price increase.

You know the old saying:

"What goes around comes around."

[the point man]

Keep him and don't take it personally. The guys who've said
"dump him" are entitled to their opinions, but that's no way
to run your business.

[JimLewis]

I agree with Point man. He said it best.

[Nebraska]

The biggest task is going to be for you to separate the personal from the business.

He made what basically is a smart financial decision. His decision was not based upon the fact that he wants to hurt you or not hurt you emotionally. Because you were hurt is that right to be vindictive back to him...if you do so I bet it will not bother him too much.

He obviously likes your work if he asked you back.

The same holds true for all those that choose not to go with you for their Lawn Care or Landscaping. They are not rejecting you as a person they are rejecting the offer.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I don't blame this guy for getting $500 worth of lawn care for only $200. I should've bidded on it and have somebody mow my own yard for $210!!! What I do blame him for is dumping me during the middle of the season. He should've let me finish out the season and then use his $500 worth of lawn care this spring. I bumped his price up $5 last spring so he would be on to me if I increased his price again this year since he knows I go up on my rates every other year. I'm spoiled and have all the work I need and actually picked up some accounts after he dropped me last season, so he needs me more than I need him. I think I'll suggest to him when he calls me up to put down twice as much fertilizer this spring and then give him the pink slip.

LAWNS AND MOWER

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Finally got a call from this clown last night. I had already made up my mind that I was dumping him and had my speech prepared. Told him I didn't appreciate being dropped in the middle of the season, and that he should've let me finish out the season. Told him that I had filled his 'spot' last year, 2 weeks after he dropped me;) ;) Told him that I would have to drop this guy if I was to take him back, and told him I didn't think that was right. By now this clown is getting a little edgy. He told me that I was taking it a little too personal. I told him it had nothing to do with being personal, and that it was a bad business decision on his part. Told him that if my grandmother had pulled this same stunt, I would've dumped her also;) Anyhow, at least I gave him a name and number of a good lco in my area.

LAWNS AND MOWER