I want to be here when you cut

[wesLESCO48]

I went to service a property i just recently acquired
and the lady says i can't cut her yard because she
is about to leave. She also said she wasn't happy
about me cutting the yard previously when she wasn't
there. On top of this she says it really doesn't need cut
and that she will call when it needs cut. When she called for an estimate i left it on a door hanger stating the price and my
minimum of 2 cuts per month. she called back and said
go ahead. I just couldn't believe this women so i said thanks
for your business but i can't operate my business by
your requirements. Then i said i wouldn't be back but
have a nice day.
Did i handle this the right way?
Have any of you had a similar experience?
If soo how did you handle it or how would you?
thanks, Wes

[HLC]

Sounds like you did okay to me. I probably couldn't have been as nice...........

[Bob Minney]

Never hurts to be nice in these situiations. Sounds like you did fine to me. If its not a good fit say "goodbye." Maybe make sure to cover expectations a little better up front.

Seems like shes looking for little timmy down the street to do chores for her.

[Brickman]

DUMP her, FAST.

I had one like that, and I realized before I mowed the first time how this was going to work. That working for her was going to be a huge PITA. So I intentionally got there BEFORE she got home, and did the work. Told her that my day went better than expected, and I was early. (Nobody understands that you must stay on a schedule.) She thought she was the one that fired me, that way I didn't have to do it.

People like this you DO NOT need.

[ronslawncare]

why arent you cutting weekly you make more money and less work for you..

[LAWNGODFATHER]

You did good.

Weekly cuts or find some one else here. I tell them that on the bids It says "weekly"!!

And oh yes I don't play that you have to do it when I am home BS too!!!

[65hoss]

I had a call recently about aerating. He said I'm only home on saturday so that would be when you could do it. I told him I don't work on saturday unless I'm behind, and I'm not behind. You don't need to be home for me to get the job done. His statement was: "you don't work on saturdays?". No sir, I operate this business full time all week, like yourself I like to be home on the weekends also. "Well if you can't work it in on saturday I guess you can't get my business". No thanks, I don't need your business. I'll do fine without the hassle.

[MikeLT1Z28]

i just always tell them i prefer to do the work when they aren't home so my equipment doesn't disturb them while they are trying to relax after a hard day at work or on the weekend. this seems to make them think i am doing them a favor and thinking about their benefit... :D

[KirbysLawn]

There's the curb....kick her to it.....

[SLS]

What??? I can't believe that you weren't willing to place yourself (and your entire schedule) at the beck and call of this customer. Of all the nerve! You are supposed to sit patiently beside the telephone awaiting her summons...and then be at her disposal within 10 minutes of her calling you! You are not supposed to put any other customers, or, for that matter, your personal time, family, or friends, or anything else above her demands. PERIOD!

She is your life's PRIORITY!!! Your "world" is supposed to revolve around those 2 precious mowings each month!

Who do you think you are? A professional? A businessman? A human being?

You are just a yardboy and shall jump when she 'snaps her fingers'....and don't you ever forget it!










All kidding aside...you shouldn't think twice about telling these type of people to "take a hike". You need them like you need kidney stones....OUCH! :D

[keifer]

I usually have that prob with people and rain they dont want me cutting in the rain.
but luckly they have all got over it.

[Holloway Lawns]

Sounds like you did good to me. I had one cust who wanted it mowed just before a party and this was going to be 4 days early than it was planed for. Told them I was already doing others that day and could not fir them in. Thay act like we are sopposed to jump when they say jump. I told them where they could go. And they still did not get the lawn done.:cool:

[TGCummings]

I simply love customers like this.

Anyone who is willing to give me early indication that they aren't the type of customers I want, and save me the time of ever having to deal with them again, is okay in my book. ;)

I hate it when they wait until they're firmly entrenched in my schedule and pull this crud...

Wes, you did the perfect thing. She ain't for you, bud.

[GreenQuest Lawn]

Nothing I hate more than gawkers

[tgrebis]

Holloway Lawns,

I disagree about not catering to customers. Every once in a while I get these requests to cut on a Friday because they are having a party on the weekend or a baby shower or something. I usually just ask them to call a few days in advance so I can plan the day. I also ask them if they want the place spruced up a little; fresh mulch or fresh flowers planted. First of all the customer is happy. Second, these customers generally pass the word along. Third, they make a spur of the moment decision on a high priced extra without going to get another bid. Fourth, if you make the place look extra nice you are bound to get a call from somebody at that party.

[Just Cut]

I ve dropped 2 as needed acounts this week and refused to bid another as needed today, weekly or go else where,

[FrankenScagMachines]

tgrebis-
that sounds like a great way to make people happy! I will have to try that sometime!
that's a good idea. you should at least be known for your courteousness (sp?)
Eric

[bobbygedd]

NO, U DID NOT HANDLE IT PROPERLY! u should have told her she was dihonest, untrustworthy, unreliable, and u would definitely not be recomending her to your friends.

[williamslawn]

Keep on going. Don't look back!! Customers like this cannot be satisfied.

[rixtag]

tgrebis, I agree with you. I have a customer that let me know in Feb, that there would be 2 or 3 parties in the summer and that they would want to "freshen up" a day or 2 before so everything looks good. I asked them to remind me a week prior so that I could adjust my schedule. In that fashion, special requests are welcomed.

Wes,
As for the" don't mow, aerate etc unless I am home, or only mow 2x per month" type people. I am also with you on this one. Be nice, explain that with the schedule and the fact that you will have to do 2x as much work that it will simply not work with you.

I had a customer who hated his next door neighbor and he said to me one day" if you do work for him then I will not be needing you, you decide" I explained to him that he can't dictate who I work for and that if he wanted to be that way about it I wouldn't work for either of them. Thanks and have a nice day. It worked out better all the way around.

Rick

[cantoo]

Has anyone ever copied and sent a thread like this to their customer? This would give them an idea of what other companies would say to they.