How I was able to keep prices low, and make the same amount

[Jordanfan20]

First the thing that really saved me was Craigslist. I know a lot of people go out to a store and purchase a brand new mower and spend 2-6000 on a mower. In my area craigslist, lists commercial mowers everyday. I spent a few days looking on there and came across a 52 inch 18hp wb for 600 dollars, at first I was hesitant since it seemed low compared to what others were charging, but I decided to go look at it and see what it was.
I went looked at it and sure enough it was a great mower, it had a great cut, great stripes and a huge cutting deck, even came with a sulky and bagger, lastly everything was in great shape and it started up great. I purchased the mower and its done fine since then and I've been using it for 2 years without problems.
so right there I saved at least 1400 dollars. (However that was an exceptional deal and I don't see those everyday)

Next I posted a wanted add on craigslist for a trimmer. Within a day I got about 5 emails and ended up purchasing a brand new pro stihl trimmer for 100 dollars. Once again no issues with it.

Fortunately I already had a Suburban and a car wasn't an issue but next I went in search of a trailer. I found a 5*10 for 500 dollars in great condition and bought it and the guy also sold me a stihl 400 blower for a 100 bucks.
So in the end my whole business was 1300 dollars and I purchased it all in cash. (Without adding in insurance and license to the total)

Now I know a lot of you are hesitant to buy off craigslist because you fear quality will be an issue, however all the people I delt with were very helpful they provided me with all the information I needed, the mower guy set me up with a dealer and each and everyone of them said if things stopped working suddenly to give them a call up. This has yet to be a case yet, and all these things have lasted me 2 season already, and I do all the maintenance myself, so at this point if something broke down I could easily just purchase a new mower. To sum everything up since I was able to cheaply acquire my equipment I was able to provide lower prices from the start, without making less profit.

[Jay Ray]

I've gotten some good deals locally too. But I still charge at the high end or close to high end. Why should I be penalized for managing money well?

[WeCare-LawnCare]

I've got everything 2nd hand, or from an Auction. Can get great deals if you look around some. Even my new( to me ) Ranger was from a repo auction, paid just a tad over half of a new one.

[PROCUT1]

Thats the way to do it.

I do that now with everything from trucks to traffic cones.

I was already down that road of having over $10,000 a month in payments.

Never again.

Every piece of equipment, all 13 trucks, I own outright.

If business slows down, I can park them and not worry about a tow truck in the middle of the night.

Some good maintenance and they do the job just as well as a new truck would.

A nice paint job and the customer doesnt know if its a 1990 on their job or a 2005. And they dont care either.

Let your competitors buy the new stuff. Let them lose sleep at night when that $800 a month truck payment is due and half their customers are slow paying this month.

Personally, I cant see buying much of anything brand new ever again. Maybe if I get to the point where spending $40,000 is like spending $4000 today. But then Ive earned it.

Until then. Tomorrow morning 5 or 6, 15 year old trucks are heading out to put money in MY POCKET. Not the banks.

[KensLawnCare]

craigslist is great ive gotten a exmark 48 hydro without sulky for 150 bucks great machine never will i buy new ive bought a exmark 44 ztr for 800 bucks only thing i replace was tires fuel filter and plugs on my 3 season with it no problems and has 3775 hours on second engine ill run it till it dies and get another 500.oo dollar mower