HElP-I THINK MY BIZ MAY BE OVER

[NEWGUYRI]

ok, so today i check my voicemail and theres a message. It says roughly this "Hi Matt, I hope your liscensed with the town of Barrington, because your steeling all my customers, I'll see you around, .... maybe in court" As of now I am a 14 year old who has just started a business, I have 3 confirmed clients in a high income neighborhood. I am not liscensed, and my dad said it wasn't nessacary for the time being. I was skeptical. What should I do Know, I have no clue where to start??

[Mowbizz]

ok, so today i check my voicemail and theres a message. It says roughly this "Hi Matt, I hope your liscensed with the town of Barrington, because your steeling all my customers, I'll see you around, .... maybe in court" As of now I am a 14 year old who has just started a business, I have 3 confirmed clients in a high income neighborhood. I am not liscensed, and my dad said it wasn't nessacary for the time being. I was skeptical. What should I do Know, I have no clue where to start??

What's involved in getting a license? Look into it and beat the threatening guy by being legal...
You have a right to business (legally) just as he does. Make yourself legal if you're serious about this profession...

[billslawn89]

sure! go get licensed. if you are serious about this business and will continue with it, you will need once sooner or later. i guess the sooner is here! don't let the other guy bother you! welcome to the business world!

[N&CLandscaping]

idk about where you are, but I could not "Legally" own a business till I was 18. It sucked not being legal but for the time being I got around it. Basicly you are a kid mowing neighbors lawns for now and thats how you should "look at it" I am not being mean by any means, just stating the facts. If the guy gives you a problem, have your dad help, if he sees that you are a kid, he might change his mind, and if not Hell let him bring a 14 year old to court for mowing the neighbors lawns! As I said, I dont know the rules and regs of where you are so I could be wrong.

[FourTrees]

Dad's right. Restrictions in most states are pretty minimal for a kid (not insulting you) running a business. If the guy could get it to court I want a video of the judge telling him to shut up and leave you alone, then ask if you would give him a bid on his house.

Please most kids your age are in court for being idiots. The judge will admire your work ethic.

Good luck.

[kaferhaus]

Kid has to have a license, period. And likely he cannot get one as he's underage. Dad can get one and "hire" the kid so long as he doesn't go over the federal wage and hour regs on how many hours a week a 14yr old can work.

But "dad" needs to make sure he has plenty of insurance and that the insurance will cover a "minor" involved in business.

No judge is gong to laugh the guy out of court. Judges contrary to perception have to obey the law. If the law says you need a license then the kid is out.

[FourTrees]

Kid has to have a license, period. And likely he cannot get one as he's underage. Dad can get one and "hire" the kid so long as he doesn't go over the federal wage and hour regs on how many hours a week a 14yr old can work.

But "dad" needs to make sure he has plenty of insurance and that the insurance will cover a "minor" involved in business.

No judge is gong to laugh the guy out of court. Judges contrary to perception have to obey the law. If the law says you need a license then the kid is out.

Actually I do think it is subject to local laws. But Dad cannot higher kid to run equipment, age restriction. Insurance will not allow kid to mow lawns.

My local laws do not require or regulate much on kid laws when it comes to yard work only problems arise when kid becomes employee. How you solve for that, kafer?

In fact a hobby weekend mower does not even have to have lisc. if he is not out soliciting work. Why you think everyone and his dog mows lawns.

Or should he just shut up and go home and play video games and become lazy trash.

[ED'S LAWNCARE]

Just call your town / county lic dept. More than likely you will not need one. Just tell them your age. Don't worry about it, it sounds like you ruffled a few feathers oh well that is business.

[kaferhaus]

Actually I do think it is subject to local laws. But Dad cannot higher kid to run equipment, age restriction. Insurance will not allow kid to mow lawns.

My local laws do not require or regulate much on kid laws when it comes to yard work only problems arise when kid becomes employee. How you solve for that, kafer?

Or should he just shut up and go home and play video games and become lazy trash.

It's a good point and while I've been where this kid is about 40yrs ago there was no such thing as child labor laws or even business licenses for cutting grass or OSHA or many other agencies.

It's not my problem to solve it for him. IF he's been poaching some guys customers he shouldn't expect the guy to lay down for him should he?

Were it me in this day I'd leave the guys customers alone and pick on someone else who wasn't going to jack me up over it.
find folks that are doing their own lawns and make it so cheap they don't want to do it thereself.... then he's not poaching and the guy will leave him alone.

I have to admit if he was poaching my customers I'd run his ass off too. Mama and daddy aren't feeding me or my employees or paying my bills.

Hats off to the kid but sounds like he pissed off the wrong LCO.

[supercuts]

good for you, your doing what many of us did to start. be polite but find a "friendly" way to tell the guy to stick it. your 14, i dont think he can sue you anyway. go make some money

[N&CLandscaping]

If you are under 18 years of age in the state of MA, You are covered by your parents insurance! Regardless if you are mowing your own lawn or your neighbors. licensed is the last of your worries. Dont worry about it! In the courts eyes you are a kid. You also cant register a business without insurance, etc... So there is no possible way for you to even get licensed. Listen to your dad, just dont worry about it. Until you have alot of clients, etc... dont worry about it.

[kaferhaus]

good for you, your doing what many of us did to start. be polite but find a "friendly" way to tell the guy to stick it. your 14, i dont think he can sue you anyway. go make some money

There's no minimum age on being "sued". don't give the kid bad advice. You could sue a infant. Obviously the parent or guardian would bear the brunt of the suit but it happens all the time. Little johnny beats up little billy, little johnny and his parents end up in court, johnny parents end up paying the court costs, attorney fees and fines.

If the kids local authority requires licenses, he's out. The guy doesn't need to sue just report him.

[ed2hess]

Any chance you got his number on the phone call. You could turn the tables on him. Just ignor it and wait to see what happens. Most people have too many things they cheat at to start turning people in.

[ALC-GregH]

Turn it around and pin him down. I hope you saved the voice mail. It almost sounds as though he's threatening you. The judge would have a field day with it. :)

[Ramairfreak98ss]

Dad's right. Restrictions in most states are pretty minimal for a kid (not insulting you) running a business. If the guy could get it to court I want a video of the judge telling him to shut up and leave you alone, then ask if you would give him a bid on his house.

Please most kids your age are in court for being idiots. The judge will admire your work ethic.

Good luck.

yeah you could register, commercial truck registration and basic lawn care liability insurance for a little company isnt too bad. Im not sure why'd youd have to be registered for ONE town like that guy said... never heard of that but nothing would surprise me these days.

[kaferhaus]

Any chance you got his number on the phone call. You could turn the tables on him. Just ignor it and wait to see what happens. Most people have too many things they cheat at to start turning people in.

Most? I don't know about that. My business is totally above board, all income is accounted for and all taxes are paid. My legitimate competitors are also. most all of us have been audited at one time or another and if you've ever been through one you'll know that if you're cheating they're gonna catch you... forget the bank statements wait until they take your customer list and start calling them asking if they've ever made cash payments to you!! If they have you'd better be able to show where that cash was deposited to your account.

And they only do this AFTER they've asked you first if you have any customers who ever pay with cash... tell them no and then they find out you do... that's obstruction.

Perhaps you have too many things to hide and assume most others do too?

Or maybe you're thinking it's mostly these "small time" guys? I don't know what your point in making that statement was but don't demean everyone by making such a broad statement.

[green tree lawn care]

If you are 14 and are cutting some lawns in your nieghborhood, so are 100,00 other kids in the U.S. IMO if this guy is messing with you over a few lawns he needs a life. I am doing residentials all the time and see a kid doing a few lawns and I say good for him, I dont get mad. He isnt gonna break me by doin a some lawns. I did it in my nieborhood when I was your age.

[kaferhaus]

Turn it around and pin him down. I hope you saved the voice mail. It almost sounds as though he's threatening you. The judge would have a field day with it. :)

I dunno Greg, unless he threatened him physically nothing you can do about it. No crime in threatening to shut him down for any reason much less that he may be operating against the law.

[jk mow & more]

i say get out there and mow them lawns and all the people that are discouraging you the hell with them good to hear some 14 year old kid is doing something productive rather then causing trouble on the street or glued to video games or doing drugs or other stupid crap keep up the hard work and go get some more lawns

[ED'S LAWNCARE]

It's a good point and while I've been where this kid is about 40yrs ago there was no such thing as child labor laws or even business licenses for cutting grass or OSHA or many other agencies.

It's not my problem to solve it for him. IF he's been poaching some guys customers he shouldn't expect the guy to lay down for him should he?

Were it me in this day I'd leave the guys customers alone and pick on someone else who wasn't going to jack me up over it.
find folks that are doing their own lawns and make it so cheap they don't want to do it thereself.... then he's not poaching and the guy will leave him alone.

I have to admit if he was poaching my customers I'd run his ass off too. Mama and daddy aren't feeding me or my employees or paying my bills.


Hats off to the kid but sounds like he pissed off the wrong LCO.

Why run him off. He's a 14 yr old working, which means he is not getting into trouble. If you have a customer that would leave you for him then that customer is not worth servicing or you dissatisified them. It's amazing how many people are threatened by competition.

[madisonpressurewashing]

I wonder how many lawns he will lose, when the town finds out about that call. Hmm!!

[mississippiturf]

Threating phone call could have been made from a high school kid who is jealous that a 14 year-old is making some money.

You could ask one of your customers who used to service their lawn and it might give you some insight as to who may have made the call.

I really wouldn't worry about it. You can sue a ham sandwich. Dosen't mean you'll get anything.

[kaferhaus]

Why run him off. He's a 14 yr old working, which means he is not getting into trouble. If you have a customer that would leave you for him then that customer is not worth servicing or you dissatisified them. It's amazing how many people are threatened by competition.

It's easy for anyone to say Ed. The reality is (and I agree good for him, I did it as a kid) we only know half the story. He may have taken several jobs from this guy that could be costing him 200 bucks a week or more that's 10 grand a year... not chump change.

Sure the kid is cheaper, he has no overhead, zero zip nada and he has no license and he has no living expenses. The other guy may have been working his ass off doing a fine job for these people (we dont' know do we?) and the kid comes along and if he charges whatever amount it's all going in his pocket, no expenses (gas maybe) no overhead, no taxes no nothing.

They "busted" a 10yr old girl here last year for running a damned lemonade stand. No food handlers license, no business license, conducting business on the street (no street vendors license).... it was all over the TV stations, papers etc. Turns out the owner of a convenience store 2 blocks away complained. Parents took it to court had a pro bono attorney, the whole bit. Case lasted all of 10 minutes in front of the judge. I'm paraphrasing but it was something like "the law is clear on this matter and no matter my personal feelings on the matter you must cease and desist until you can obtain the proper licenses and zoning." which of course she'll never be able to do.

Laws have changed, mostly to earn revenue for the government but also to protect citizens and legitimate businesses who play by the rules from being harmed by those who do not.

Kudo's to the kid, but if this guy does turn him in, he's done. And I'll admit if he was taking 10K or even 5K out of my pocket I'd turn him in too.

I wouldn't have called and scared the crap out of him, but I'd have turned him in. If the city is going to make me pay taxes and buy licenses to cut grass then little johnny can play too.

[GracesLandscaping]

Im not sure about where you are, but in my area the owner of the house has to be the actual business owner (your dad) and it is completely legal for ANY immediate family members OR people living in the house to work for the business and you do not have to deal with payroll or any of that crap. up until last year i lived with my paretns and my business was actually in my mom and dads name but they did nothing with it. so if you wanna be legal get your dad to call your local planning commission and find out what needs to be done. and as far as that guy calling you goes.. hahaha he probably heard you were young and was trying to scare you. noone is going to take that to court they would lose way to much money and the court has alot betting things to deal with then this. anyways whats the worst they can do to you?!?!?!? tell you stop is about it!

[ED'S LAWNCARE]

Kaferhaus,
You are correct with how much work the kid might have taken. (I remember seeing on the news about the lemonade incident). Like I said he needs to go find out if he needs to obtain a lic and if he is violating any laws where he is at. More than likely no. Again if he took the accounts away from an established lco crummy work was either being done or the customers are only price shoppers. Or something that I personally believe in the lco losing the acct might have priced himself too high out of work.

[kaferhaus]

Kaferhaus,
You are correct with how much work the kid might have taken. (I remember seeing on the news about the lemonade incident). Like I said he needs to go find out if he needs to obtain a lic and if he is violating any laws where he is at. More than likely no. Again if he took the accounts away from an established lco crummy work was either being done or the customers are only price shoppers. Or something that I personally believe in the lco losing the acct might have priced himself too high out of work.

Could be right Ed, we just don't know and the problem with these kinds of stories is we never hear the other side.

[yeayea14]

Have your dad make the business legal. If your dad puts everything in his name then they can not do anything about it besides child labor laws and i may be wrong but i think there is a labor law that goes something like if your father (immediate family) owns the business you are allowed to run the machinery. Dont quot me on that im not sure if it correct but some body did tell me that before.

[Jersey Shore Landscaping]

Id say good for you that's how i started getting pulled behind a walk behind around the neighborhood if you know who the guy is i would just talk to him or call him back and see what the problem is why he has it out for you. If he still has it out for you make it know do everyone in the area what this company is trying to do to word of mouth is the best reference it could also kill a company. if you are only doing a few lawns i know i wouldn't have a problem where i am from most of landscapers in this area talk. i never had a problem with a kid mowing some lawns its the full blown companies that say they do it part time after there job when they got 5 guys working for them and doing everything for cash. good luck buddy

[Whitey4]

Seems to me I remember this young man previously taliking about how proud he was of his business. He sounded like someone with at least 20 lawns, not 3. If it were only 3... what LCO would do this? Now 20, that's a different story. If he really is stealing accounts by low balling... he has 3 machines. He hs removed them from his sig. Something smells rotten in Denmark to me. He recently also started asking about pesticides in the pesticide forum, claiming he was just about to get his pesticide certification.

[MC Handy Man]

This same thing happened to me when I was mowing seven lawns in my neihborhood. The guy called the city and complained and then they called me. My mother ended up taking the call and she told them that I was 15 and that I only had a push mower that I was mowing the yards with and I would pull it behind my bike. The city ended up telling her that I was allowed to do so however the homeowners that I was mowing for must have me insured. It was just like your case, High class neigborhood and I was a kid trying to make money rather than out starting the local park on fire. the irony was that the guy who called was only 19 himself, a classmate of my brothers that had a grudge against my family. Dont worry about getting locked up in juvee. The guiy is oviosly intimidated by a kid that has taken 3 accounts from him, as of now, it doesnt even sound like he has a worthy company if he is getting mad about 3 accounts.

[Knapp_999]

I don't know why everybody complains on the issue of what is right or wrong... The Laws are different in every state... GOOGLE is just a click away and you can usually find all the answers a person needs on the laws of the state just by going there... here is what i have found

http://www.dlt.state.ri.us/ls/childlabor.htm

[Knapp_999]

CheckmarkCleanup Work, including the use of vacuum cleaners and non-commercial floor waxers, and Maintenance of Grounds, but not including the use of power-driven mowers or cutters


Pretty much cut and dry right there

[LB1234]

I started mowing neighbors lawns (using there mowers and gas, LOL!!!!) when I was like nine or 10. Did it all the way up till about fresh/sophomore year of highschool. I can't believe this idiot called you and threatened you. What a jerk. Don't sweat it.

Sounds as if he is trying to scare you into shutting down. Keep your work ethic up!!

[The Elements Group]

the only thing you need is liability insurance..... if you want talk to your dad about the lis.... did you save this message? if not you need to see if the phone co. can pull it back up... dont let this scum bag whom ever he is and who ever he is with scare you if anything put it in the newspaper and see who has the last laugh .. good luck and keep working hard ..

[DRBLawnBuster]

Guy sounds like a real a$$ hole to me, i mean come on every one has to start some were,

[Grits]

Dad's right. Restrictions in most states are pretty minimal for a kid (not insulting you) running a business. If the guy could get it to court I want a video of the judge telling him to shut up and leave you alone, then ask if you would give him a bid on his house.

Please most kids your age are in court for being idiots. The judge will admire your work ethic.

Good luck.

I agree.

Sounds like someone is just messing with you, possibly one of your friends. If you only have 3 possible clients and this guy says you are taking all his clients....then he doesn't have much of a business. DO NOT worry about it. Look into getting a license, though. I doubt you will be able to. Not to knock you, but you will be looked at as the neighborhood kid mowing lawns. In this case, that is a good thing. No judge in their right mind would punish a 14 year old kid for wanting to work. But it will not come to going to court, so again, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. Now, go out and get some more clients!

[1wezil]

ok, so today i check my voicemail and theres a message. It says roughly this "Hi Matt, I hope your liscensed with the town of Barrington, because your steeling all my customers, I'll see you around, .... maybe in court" As of now I am a 14 year old who has just started a business, I have 3 confirmed clients in a high income neighborhood. I am not liscensed, and my dad said it wasn't nessacary for the time being. I was skeptical. What should I do Know, I have no clue where to start??

Check with your city and if someone needs a license then your dad can get it and you work for him . In TN kids can work for there parents no problem but they can not work for anybody else if they are under age .

[Runner]

Until a deputy sheriff, someone in a suit from your county, city, or township municipality, or the stat comes knocking on your door, don't even think twice about it. Call the guy's bluff, and just keep working. Even in the event this WAS addressed as being something wrong, ll they will do is advise you on wht you will need to do (which is no big thing). They (the municipalities) don't want to shut you down, that is income for them. They WILL be helpful in assisting you o doing the right steps (if there even IS any for what you are doing in your area).
Like I say...just use this as an incentive to out do people who try to bring you down.

[ED'S LAWNCARE]

After looking at your equipt list how do you transport the kubota? You obviously don't have a lic. If your dad is helping you it would be best to get a lic in his name. In a way I can see where the caller is coming from, here you are 14 riding on a new z??

[Carolina Cuts]

But it will not come to going to court, so again, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT

it would be interesting though, wouldn't it? I would pay $30-,
no, gonna lowball myself and pay $25- to see the look on this guys face if he did go to court somehow, and saw this 14 year old kid walking through the court room doors....

Seriously, the dude is sweatin'.... there are TONS AND TONS of new lawn services out this year... he's probably sending out letters and voicemails to all his competitors.

Don't sweat it...

[BadRancher]

Its just a bully that is mad that a 14 year old guy does better work then he does. Stand up for yourself. You will encounter this alot more in life.

[HOOLIE]

Lots of amateur lawyers on here...

You could look at it from this perspective- IF a minor can't legally own a business, then what this kid is doing CANNOT be a business, right? I mean, it's a legal impossibility. So he's just a kid making some cash, like so many kids have always done.

[Allens LawnCare]

Your in Barrington....hope you didn't expect anything else. Did he leave a return number or did your caller Id pick it up. Find out who he is, in RI chances are he has at least one illegal working for him.....Do some research...times are tough and people are pissed at the world, not you! Keep your head up!

[Allens LawnCare]

Guy sounds like a real a$$ hole to me, i mean come on every one has to start some were,

I'm surprised it didn't start with "Do you know who I am" or have something to do with Federal Hill

[EagleGrounds]

Don't sweat it, the guy feels threatened by you, you should look at this as a compliment if anything. Take it as a joke, your not going to get into any legal action. With the way most kids are now days(fat and playing halo while eating fritos) and you having a work ethic, any judge you will get will most likely tell the guy to grow up and tell you to have a nice day.

Just my two cents

[vinny69]

follow him around a under cut is jobs

[Stillwater]

ok, so today i check my voicemail and theres a message. It says roughly this "Hi Matt, I hope your liscensed with the town of Barrington, because your steeling all my customers, I'll see you around, .... maybe in court" As of now I am a 14 year old who has just started a business, I have 3 confirmed clients in a high income neighborhood. I am not liscensed, and my dad said it wasn't nessacary for the time being. I was skeptical. What should I do Know, I have no clue where to start??

your 14 have 3 lawns and live in Barrington RI. you need no licence to mow 3 lawns in Barrington dont sweat this.

[BCarlson]

I know in Oregon and Washington a kid doesn't need a license, except if he's doing DBA, even then DBA and a bank account he has to be 18. Its the same concept you're under 18. But just to be on the safe side do everything you can to be legit.

[NEWGUYRI]

Thanks soo much for all of the quick replies. I am definatly not going to sweat it about this. I think the reason why he called is because I put up 3 yard signs on my own property. He probably thinks i'm like in my 20's or something. In the meantime I'm just going to give it my all and try everything to grow! Thanks again.

[kaferhaus]

Well, looking at the pics of this "kids" equipment.... he's not pushing a mower up and down the street trying to make a few bucks. There's ZTRs, stihl BR600... etc. etc.

He's way beyond some neighborhood kid trying to make a few bucks after school. How is he getting this equipment from place to place?...

Obviously we're not getting the whole story here.

[Bru75]

Could be, or maybe he is a really industrious kid.
I know a guy who started that young and worked his tail off. Used to see him riding through town lawn to lawn on his Woods with the weedeater across his lap.

[Sweet Tater]

idk about where you are, but I could not "Legally" own a business till I was 18. It sucked not being legal but for the time being I got around it. Basicly you are a kid mowing neighbors lawns for now and thats how you should "look at it" I am not being mean by any means, just stating the facts. If the guy gives you a problem, have your dad help, if he sees that you are a kid, he might change his mind, and if not Hell let him bring a 14 year old to court for mowing the neighbors lawns! As I said, I dont know the rules and regs of where you are so I could be wrong.

I think I agree with N&C, I believe the judge would laugh him out of the court for trying to sue (or what ever) a 14 year old for mowing grass.

[tinman]

congrats to you young man for starting a business. Do what is necessary to keep away from any fines or the like. But if you listen to every person who quotes every rule and why you CAN'T do something you will never leave your home. I am for following rules but not ridiculous ones. Good luck

[DillonsLawnCare]

There's no way that would hold up in court.

Lawn care is fair game. Unless the guy had contracts on those houses, then you did nothing but get his clientele, which is not bad at all! More money for you!

He's just pissed cause some kid can take his customers.

Maybe it should tell him to step up his game...

Keep up the good work. Don't worry about it.

[Precedence]

This is taken from the Barrington RI website:

"You should plan to stop at the Town Clerk’s
Office to find out whether or not you will need
a license to operate. While the majority of businesses in
Town do not require a permit from the Clerk, food
preparation, holiday sales, second hand dealers, and other
unique operations do need licenses, which are
administered by the Town Clerk’s office."
http://www.ci.barrington.ri.us/town/Opening_A_Business.pdf

So give the Town Clerk's office a call and more than likely they'll tell you what you need. Here is the clerk's email lderois@barrington.ri.gov

Also browse around your towns website (http://www.ci.barrington.ri.us/) and look for info, zoning specifically.

A business can be granted to anyone with a social security number for a sole proprietorship.

At your age most government officials are going to bend over backwards to help you run a business so just contact your local small business administration office and talk to them http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/ri/index.html and they'll help set you up.

BTW make Google your new best friend, i found all this in 5 minutes i just looked up "Town Barrington RI" and then searched "business license RI"

Good luck in your business.

[Lawn-Guy]

well nj and va are very similiar u can get a lic. at any age along with a ein.tax id but you are not rquired to have one unless you are making more than 5k ayear but no judge in the world is going to discapline a kid(no disrespect) for going out and working especially intodays world were 99% of all kids are lazy are wanna be thug drug dealers . dont let that guy shake you up . bus lic is like 30 dollars here go get one if the will not let you have one(they should) then keep workin if it goes to court tell they judge u applied for one and were deniied due to age and ask him if he can help you get one you will be suprised at what a judge can get done, act profeshional and respectful and the judge will eat out of your hand

[NEWGUYRI]

Well, looking at the pics of this "kids" equipment.... he's not pushing a mower up and down the street trying to make a few bucks. There's ZTRs, stihl BR600... etc. etc.

He's way beyond some neighborhood kid trying to make a few bucks after school. How is he getting this equipment from place to place?...

Obviously we're not getting the whole story here.


Actually, your getting every detail of the story. I have worked hard for all of this except the ZTR, but thats a long detailed story.

Thanks for others help with the websites, etc.

[sdk1959]

You need a license for pesticide and maybe also fertilizer applications in some states, that's it. Any business license you need for your town is trivial and just the towns excuse to collect another tax.:hammerhead:

If you don't have a fictitious name registered tell this a-hole lets see you prove I'm a business, and you know what-he can't, tell him you work for donations. That goes for any town council member that calls or try's to issue you a citation for not having a business license. Any 2 bit lawyer could squash that claim in court.:nono:

When your older and more established then get your business license for your town.

This guy has issues if he thinks a 14 year old is a serious threat to his business.

[HOOLIE]

Obviously the guy was just trying to scare you, probably saw you were a kid and figured he'd give it a shot. Anyway, there's no grounds for going to court. He would have to have an ACTUAL reason to sue...you sue someone because they either stole something from you, or there actions caused damages to you in some way shape or form. You really can't sue someone for 'stealing' business in America, that's sort of how our economy works. If that were the case every mom and pop hardware store would've sued Home Depot and Lowe's by now.

[Nozzleman]

Since I'm familiar with the Town of Barrington I will chime in here. First of I'm guessing the OP lives in the affluent Rumstick/Nayatt section of town. In those area's almost nobody does their own yard maintenance so it's a landscaper feeding frenzy. The problem as I see it is this. NEWGUYRI is advertising his operation with lawn signs, using professional equipment, posting on lawnsite, and aside from his age he's acting just like any other person on this site trying to make a go at landscaping.

Now you take a fulltime landscaper who may of had these accounts for some time watch them disaapear to a 14 year old. This 14 year old is not paying insurance, he can't even get a buisness license due to age so therfore his overhead is low. But he shows up with a sweet ZTR, Little Wonder Blower, and all the other nice landscaper bling he has. Is he charging a realistic price for the service he is providing? How many accounts does he have?

I understand this is America and while the LCO who left the message may not have a legal leg to stand on I see his frustration. How many guy's here would like to see several nice large accounts slip through their fingers to a 14 year old. I'm sure it stings a bit to the original LCO. He was probably busting his hump to cover all his expenses and provide a decent service. Now he watches the kid swing in with his daddy supplied ZTR and cut the lawn.

To NEWGUYRI, I applaud your work ethic and efforts. While your dad may have hooked you up with the ZTR (until you pay him back of course) you aren't scared to work for your money which is more than I can say for some of your other BHS coherts. That said, please understand that your actions may ruffle some feathers with the LCO's in your area. I also ask you to respect them by charging what is the going rate for your work. Your not a kid pushing a 21'' murray. If you deliver professional results garnish professional wages.

[PROCUT1]

Get used to it kid.

I had the very same call many many times when I was young doing this.

You took somebodys lawn and now he has his panties in a bunch. The fact that he is worried that his competition is a kid that cant even drive yet shows what kind of guy this is.

Dont sweat it one bit. Just keep doing what youre doing.

[green tree lawn care]

Keep on Keepin on sound like you do good work