You got to be dependable!

[Duncan IN]

After reading some posts on here I just wanted to start a new thread on this topic.

The Pros and the Scrubs

I have read so many posts about how scrubs are lowballing the pros and how it ticks the pro off that he lost a contract.... Why worry about loosing a yard to them? If you do a good job, show up on time every week (Weather Permiting), and have Good PR (Public Relations) then you shouldn't have to worry about the scrubs. If you do loose a contract to a scrub shake it off, The customer will learn in time that they get what they pay for. Plus you can find more work if you do a good job.... This is my third year in the business and I have not LOST a contract yet to a scrub. Came close but a little PR and took care of the problem. I had a scrub bid 25 dollars lower on a big contract that I had for 350 the previous year, I raised the price to 400 this year and I still got the contract! 75$ higher and still got it! They told me they like my work and I am very dependable. I only have to worry about another pro beating me out of that one. I always strive to make a yard look better. Do some little extra things for the customer to make them well pleased with the work and to let them no that I take pride in the my work.... I started out as a SCRUB and worked my self up the ladder pretty darn fast becuase of the work I do and how I do it. Do your best and you will be the best and not have to worry all the time about loosing yards to scrubs.

Well I just wanted to share that. Thanks

Just picked up my newest mower today!!!! 2002 xxwd5000 with all the new additions!!!! You can't beat this mower. Getting rid of my scag asap, Piece of ****

[strickdad]

hard to shake off the loss of a 50,000 dollar a year account..

[ADMowing]

Duncan -- We agree wholeheartedly! That is how we run our business. If people don't want to pay our quoted price, we tell them that there are other business around and they can get quotes from them as well. But our professionalism and willingness to talk to customers has kept us many for four and five years running.

We got lowballed at a church once and the people who got the job were SORRY! So what goes around, comes around too!

We do also leave things in the hands of a higher source as far as our business is concerned too! I hope it doesn't bother anyone that we say that, but that is how we do things and I guess we all have the right to be ourselves! We've actually lost two jobs to a scrub who was supposed to be a friend of ours. He said he'd never take our customers and he's out there now doing these lawns. Funny thing is that they were two of our worst accounts.

It is so encouraging to read these posts on here. We're new on this site and it has given us a new kind of pride in what we do. We always like to make our lawns look their best -- mow, edge, weedeat and blow everything off each and every time. But when the days are tough and the sun is hot, it's nice to know that you guys are all out there too! (Except when it's raining).

Thanks!

[Joe W.]

My customers biggest complaint is "he was not very dependable".
Good work only gets done when you show up.

[chimmygew]

I would be the scrub that he is referring to..........

[chimmygew]

And by the way, I got that account last year, and this spring they signed a 3 year contract.

[twins_lawn_care]

small world I guess :jester:

[kalyeah]

That's the complaint I always hear when I ask why they're not using the same person as last year. They say they weren't dependable.

[pcnservices]

Duncan,
I think 99,9% of the guys (pro lco's) here at LS agree with you. I think we are professional enough to "handle" losing a client to a new guy just starting up or a scrub.

If I loose a client to a lowballer or a scrub I dont have a problem with that. I had a client whom I serviced for 3 years call me back after 6 weeks and begged me to put him back on my schedule. Those clients selling themselves to a scrub or a lowballer has just proofed that they have NO loyalty towards you and your business. So let them have it! They got BS'ed by a wanna be pro.

My biggest concern is losing a client to my competition. If that happens then I know I have failed in my standard of service or I screwed up big time somewhere - and that's not good! I always want to be a step ahead of my competition.

There is nothing as good for your business as good, strong and healthy competition! So - do you want to compete against a scrub or strong competition?

Good Luck
PC

[chimmygew]

This will be my 10th year in biz and am doing fine. I am not a startup or a scrub. Haven't been a scrub since my third year in biz. Yes, I started off with all Sears equipment and slowly upgraded. The main reason that I started up this thread again was because he called me up b****ing that I got them to sign a 3 year contract. That is the only reason. I am not a scrub.

[pcnservices]

Originally posted by chimmygew
Haven't been a scrub since my third year in biz. Yes, I started off with all Sears equipment and slowly upgraded.
?????????
Does using Sears equipment to do a professional job label you a scrub??????
Goodness heavens me! Pleeeeeeease help me.
So what would you guys call Bob Vila?

[Randy Scott]

The only ones complaining and worrying about the scrubs "are" the scrubs.

[chimmygew]

Originally posted by pcnservices
?????????
Does using Sears equipment to do a professional job label you a scrub??????
Goodness heavens me! Pleeeeeeease help me.
So what would you guys call Bob Vila?

I used the Sears equipment as a reference to a starting point. I did not have the financial means to afford the equipment that I have now. I don't understand what it is you are trying to say pcnservices. Help you what exactly?

[pcnservices]

Originally posted by chimmygew
I don't understand what it is you are trying to say pcnservices. Help you what exactly?
Lawn mowing is probably the lowest cost entry into the business world.
I started off with a $199 Sears lawn mower and then later a 2nd $199 unit and then a little 15,5 hp Sears lawn tractor. With that I used a Craftsman gas blower and a Craftsman string trimmer. I went through 2 gas blowers and 2 string trimmers in one season. Luckily it was covered under a replacement warranty.

After 2 years I could afford to buy a $6500 mower and a $300 string trimmer and a backpack blower, a bigger trailer, etc.
NEVER did I lowballed or underbidded or BS'ed people to get business. I have always been a fair player in the field and quoted a market related service fee for my services. In the meantime we have build a firm business infrastructure. I have always competed against the commercial contractors and today we are a respected commercial contractor ourselves.

What am I trying to tell you chimmeygew? We are entrepreneurs not scrubs! Using a Sears lawn mower to mow a lawn becuase you cannot afford anything better or more expensive does NOT make you a scrub. You have a dream and sooner or later you'll be so flooded with work and with your enthusiasm you'll learn so much about the industry that you WILL be successfull and respected as a professional mowing contractor.

PC

[flam41]

its good to here others say they were scrubs once. I am clawing my way out of the scrub hole myself. this is a great insparation to know I will be alright if I just do what I love to do, & take care of the hoops. thanks~

[tedk]

Originally posted by Duncan IN
a big contract that I had for 350 the previous year, I raised the price to 400 this year and I still got the contract! 75$ higher and still got it!


hmmm....

[lawnman_scott]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Duncan IN
[B] I had a scrub bid 25 dollars lower on a big contract that I had for 350 the previous year, I raised the price to 400 this year and I still got the contract! 75$ higher and still got it!

Get it now ted. $350 - $25 that the "scrub" bid = $325. He bid $400. For a difference of $75.

[Cleatus]

i was wondering the same thing about the $75. now i get it too!:D

anyway, how does a person that bid $325 compared to your old charge of $350 qualify him as a scrub? i wouldn't even call that a lowballer. maybe if he bid $250. how about this, suppose some guy came in and bid the job at $1000. by your standards, everyone that bid below $1000 is a scrub (including yourself).

[Trevors Lawn Care]

Hell if what you guys are saying all first, second and third year guys are scrubs. I'M A SCRUB AND LOVE IT, WITH MY NEW TRUCK, NEW zturn, ENCLOSED TRAILER, and NEW ACCESSORIES>....i love scrub life. what does it friggin matter? Who gives a rats ass whether or not anyone is a scrub. if you loose a job it will be replaced many times over, go out and knock on doors if it isnt. i wont charge anyone for those $.02

[chimmygew]

pcnservices that was an excellent post. Trevor, nobody said 1st, 2nd, & 3rd year guys are scrubs. If you would have read the other posts you would realize that I was stating the equipment I started with was a little sub standard compared to the cut I get with my current equipment. I love this site and have gotten a lot of great info from it, but before this gets into a gripe session I want to say that the only reason I brought this post back up was because I happened across it and did not like to be refered to in the way that I was. Anyone else would have taken offense to it.

[nriddle77]

yt atts gyinr isnd cah!!!

[two_planks]

Originally posted by nriddle77
yt atts gyinr isnd cah!!!

Word...

[finallyfree]

I have been doing it for 2 years but I always tell my customers to get other offers, I am not afraid to loose a job there will be others..I tell them upfront I am not the cheapest but not the most expensive and I let my quality and service speak for it self...
The way I look it the costumer that wants the cheapest price will be the one complaining about every litle thing...

[energy]

Man those Dixies make some aweful ruts. I will soon be taking those customers away with my lighter, more compact mowers. Y'ALL check those tire pressures.

[txlawnking]

For once I'll agree with trevor, I have all the airs of a pro, new ztr enclosed trailer etc. myself. But I don't have commercial work, insurance signed contracts etc. So what. I'm sure not gonna lose any sleep over what ANYONE on this site calls me. Even If I'm a so called "scrub". Besides to me "scrub" is valley girl slang that other than on this site, I haven't heard spoken in public in like 12 years!!! LOL

[BCSteel]

I dont care if you have twice as much equipment or work as everyone else combined. A scrub is not the equipment used, its the attitude of those performing the work.

[Duncan IN]

Hey Brock how about you tell every one what all you included in your three year contract just to be able to keep it after the first year. I gaurentee I would still have it if the new administator wasn't trying to pinch every penny. I know for a fact that John (head of grounds maintenance) was not happy with your work and that he was wanting me to take it back over. How much are you really making on this Job, ever sit down and think about it. I'm not worried about the contract anymore, even at my price I still felt I wasn't making what I should have for the work involved. I have moved on to bigger and better contracts. payup

[lawnman_scott]

Hey Brock how about you tell every one what all you included in your three year contract just to be able to keep it after the first year. I gaurentee I would still have it if the new administator wasn't trying to pinch every penny. I know for a fact that John (head of grounds maintenance) was not happy with your work and that he was wanting me to take it back over. How much are you really making on this Job, ever sit down and think about it. I'm not worried about the contract anymore, even at my price I still felt I wasn't making what I should have for the work involved. I have moved on to bigger and better contracts. payupyour still crying over something from May 2002 and you have moved on? Are you always such a crybaby?

[chimmygew]

I'm making money or I wouldn't be doing it. 10th year. Just like when you told me to bid ABC Homes high (around $300.00 a cut) cause they would pay it. Then you bid it at $125.00. Your doing the school at over $100.00 a cut chaeper than the last guy. What are you complaing about anyway? I gave you all my snow removal accounts. I posted cause I did not like to be referred to as a scrub which is what I believe you said I was. Only complaint I've had from them in 2 years is I go to fast. I think if you look at my last post it was in the spring of 2003 after I read your thread. That was almost 2 years ago. I consider you a friend in the biz. That is why I gave you the snow accounts instead of someone else. That is why now (after I got to know you ) I stay away from your accounts.

[chimmygew]

Actually I guess it was about a year ago. Not two years ago. Screwed my dates up.

[Duncan IN]

The main reason that I started up this thread again was because he called me up b****ing that I got them to sign a 3 year contract. That is the only reason. I am not a scrub.

I consider you a friend too Brock, I have not been on lawnsite for a long time and I came across your post up above and it made me a little mad that you said I called you up B****ing when I didn't, that is why I responded to this thread. I called you up to make sure you knew what is all included in the property, there is alot of ground there, I knew you had screwed up at Good samaritan in J-Ville when you bid on it and never relized how much there was to do in the back, you told me that. I still want to be on good terms don't get me wrong.

P.S. Thanks for the snow removal, I just have BP though rough as heck to on the plow.

[The Dude]

The main reason that I started up this thread again was because he called me up b****ing that I got them to sign a 3 year contract. That is the only reason. I am not a scrub.

I consider you a friend too Brock, I have not been on lawnsite for a long time and I came across your post up above and it made me a little mad that you said I called you up B****ing when I didn't, that is why I responded to this thread. I called you up to make sure you knew what is all included in the property, there is alot of ground there, I knew you had screwed up at Good samaritan in J-Ville when you bid on it and never relized how much there was to do in the back, you told me that. I still want to be on good terms don't get me wrong.

P.S. Thanks for the snow removal, I just have BP though rough as heck to on the plow.


Boo Hoo :(

[BBN]

good old thread to bring up. I had an aortic dissection last year. Can't mow again so I hired a guy. Sometimes he's like clockwork for 5-6 weeks and then no sign of him for 9-10 days. It's now been 10 days and my yard is 8-10" tall. The weather has been sunny and dry for the last 6 days. I have a toro personal pace and I'm heading outside to do it as thunderstorms are about 45 minutes away and wet weather for the next 5 days. Stay safe guys and don't do what my guy has done. I'm done with him.:dizzy:

[ALC-GregH]

I don't think half the scrubs that posted in this thread are even ON here anymore.

[BBN]

sorry guys. Just frustrating. There are a lot of good dependable businessmen in this town. Guess I need to go shopping again.:)

[Kutz Lawns]

Looks like they kissed and made up!

Just like a good old soap opera too!

Man am I glad I don't know ANY LCO's around here!