Lawn Care Association...Good or bad idea?

[STL Cuts]

I have ran my business for the past couple years (I'm in college too) and have considered forming a lawn care association in St. Louis. I run the majority of the business myself, currently a little over 40 accounts and think that networking with other businesses could be beneficial for everyone.

I have also contacted a large established dealer that is 100% behind my idea and will offer members of my idea/possibly soon to be organization discounts on labor rates (in turn I will refer members to go to them and allow them to demo to the organization).

Ideally, the organization would be for small to mid companies (perhaps businesses with less than 100 accounts). For example, the organization will consist of people that specialize in various aspects such as: mowing, tree service, landscaping, planting, etc. So when you are at a customer's house and they ask you to do a service that might not be your specialty, you will now have a qualified business to refer and will never not be able to meet your customers' needs.

It will not cost anything to belong to the organization, I just think it would be good to promote some goodwill in this "cutthroat" industry and network with business owners from all aspects of the industry.

I see all the benefits this could bring, but there are some possible problems too. For example, what if someone is referred to a job, and does a bad job? The only thing I could come up with is a deletion from the organization if your work is reported as bad.

Also, setting up meetings might be an issue. My original thought was to meet perhaps once every couple months and eat some pizza & Jimmy Johns and network, but getting people to give up their time might be hard to do. Another possible idea was to meet only once or twice a year and have a website to communicate with.

Anyways, what does everyone think about this? I know some of you are going to say you need to provide your customer with every service, but this organization is designed for small businesses, so disregard that.

Has anyone been part of or seen any organizations like this before?

Thanks.

[sdk1959]

In general I think it is a good idea as long as there are safeguards to protect the referring member from the referred member stealing their customer.:nono: The offending member should have their membership immediately revoked.:hammerhead:

As far as a member doing poor work each member should be given the same rating when they join. Also 100 cards should be provided to each new member with a e-mail and telephone number of the Lawn Care Association. These would be given to a new customer encouraging them to rate the service provided by the member. Each time a complaint or negative comment about a members service is made their rating should go down a bit til it gets to a certain point and then their membership is suspended til the following year.:(

All in all I think it is a good idea as long as some of the obvious potential problems are addressed before the Lawn Care Association is started.:)

[Grass Happens]

I've often (half-halfheartedly) thought if this as well. It always come down to the stealing of accounts. Or even if, say you do X, but not Y, and you referred me to the client, I do both X and Y, and i get asked for a bid for the next year, and I beat you out. Now I didn't steal your client, but feelings are going to be raw all the same. Non-compete contracts would be impossible in such a cases, due to the volume.

[MJS]

I've often (half-halfheartedly) thought if this as well. It always come down to the stealing of accounts. Or even if, say you do X, but not Y, and you referred me to the client, I do both X and Y, and i get asked for a bid for the next year, and I beat you out. Now I didn't steal your client, but feelings are going to be raw all the same. Non-compete contracts would be impossible in such a cases, due to the volume.

Yeah. . . those would be some of my worries, too. . . And what if company A does a better job than company B - and they offer some services that overlap? Company A might cause some problems for company B's business. . .

Still, I think that it could (possibly) be a workable idea in some lesser form.

Hey STL Cuts - what areas do you service?

[HOOLIE]

I've been interested in this idea as well...not interested enough to start one myself, but I would certainly join one :laugh: But, I already network with other lawn guys. Been doing that for years. I think some of you are overthinking this....overwhelmingly the type of person that I've networked with is not the type of person that would 'steal' accounts. I mean, there's just no reason to go to the trouble of joining a trade association (and maybe even paying dues) to steal accounts. If I want to steal accounts, all I need to do is go to any of the gazillions lawns I see with stripes, knock on the door, and offer to do it for less.

It's been my experience that there are a lot of smart people in this industry, unfortunately we all work so much, there's not enough time or energy left to form an association. But I'm always toying with the idea each winter...

[STL Cuts]

You guys all make some good points. I think the association (I'm thinking of the name being St. Louis Lawn Care Association, simple name but gets the point across) has got potential. I like the idea of supplying members with business cards, email, and a phone number. This could easily be done through Vista Print at a minimal cost. I appreciate all of your responses and look forward to future replies.

MJs almost all of my business is in South County. Where do you service?

[Lucky Star Lawn Care]

Who is your dealer?

[STL Cuts]

I'm not sure if it is appropriate to put his name out there before everything comes together, but I can guarantee he is a well established dealer that has been around for a long time. I think he runs a great place and all of the guys up there are good guys that can help with just about anything you ask them.

[Lucky Star Lawn Care]

Was just curious who you go through if you are in South County. Was hoping it was not Affton.

Good point Hoolie...I to network with several guys here already and we are not trying to steal business from each other. It has worked out really well for us. Definately would be a winter project to put together due to staying busy.

StlCuts keep me updated on your plans

[MJS]

MJs almost all of my business is in South County. Where do you service?

I'm more north - Wildwood, Chesterfield, Creve Couer, U City. . .

[STL Cuts]

Lucky, No the dealer is not Affton.

If anyone is interested in the organization please email me at Thiele1890@missouristate.edu.