MOW ED
10-30-2004, 09:05 AM
This story is just one more of those "goofy customer" stories that we all eventually get.
I will try and not show bias or insensitivity when I write about this but I am still shaking my head. Now before you get on me for the no contract, tough luck B.S. let me tell you the story.
In the past 8 years or so I have done work for this lady on a one time basis. One spring clean and a fall clean. She takes care of her own yard as far as mowing goes. She is a never married, self described - very particular 50 something retired schoolteacher. The words anal retentive can be used also.
She usually calls about 2 weeks prior and tells me a specific date that she wants the work done. In the past she has left very specific rambling messages about how to do the work. She called on the 15th of October and I talked directly to her for the list. The work for this years fall clean was to be a fall leaf clean and final mow, blow the pine needles off of the roof and apply the fall fertilizer. The date was to be October 28th. or 29th. I always explain the she will be put on the list and that I will try and accomidate her if possible. So this year I was able to be there on the 28 which was Thursday. I completed all of the work that she had asked for(BTW there is a very good profit margin on this job). The yard looked great and I was in and out in under an hour.
Friday afternoon I get my mail and there is an envelope from her. I thought it was odd since I did not bill her yet and I was just there on Thursday. It was odd alright, the letter goes on to tell me that I was to wait to do the final mowing and clean as all the leaves have not fallen as of yet, she suggested a date later in November. On top of that she also said that she had put the fall fertilizer on the lawn herself and I did not have to do that. She had written the letter on Wednesday and mailed it. By the time I got it on Friday, everything was done.
I just about fell to my knees. So now I am waiting to see the result of this mess. I did what she asked, when she asked and then she sends me a letter instead of calling me ANYTIME in the prior 2 weeks to cancel.
Yes, I am bad for not having a contract but I don't work that way. I am not crying that she didn't pay or anything like that, she may well pay for it all. I am just relating a goofy customer story to you. Funny thing is that I could go thru my customer base and pick out which customer would be most likely to pull this type of thing and she is at the top of the list. :dizzy:
I will try and not show bias or insensitivity when I write about this but I am still shaking my head. Now before you get on me for the no contract, tough luck B.S. let me tell you the story.
In the past 8 years or so I have done work for this lady on a one time basis. One spring clean and a fall clean. She takes care of her own yard as far as mowing goes. She is a never married, self described - very particular 50 something retired schoolteacher. The words anal retentive can be used also.
She usually calls about 2 weeks prior and tells me a specific date that she wants the work done. In the past she has left very specific rambling messages about how to do the work. She called on the 15th of October and I talked directly to her for the list. The work for this years fall clean was to be a fall leaf clean and final mow, blow the pine needles off of the roof and apply the fall fertilizer. The date was to be October 28th. or 29th. I always explain the she will be put on the list and that I will try and accomidate her if possible. So this year I was able to be there on the 28 which was Thursday. I completed all of the work that she had asked for(BTW there is a very good profit margin on this job). The yard looked great and I was in and out in under an hour.
Friday afternoon I get my mail and there is an envelope from her. I thought it was odd since I did not bill her yet and I was just there on Thursday. It was odd alright, the letter goes on to tell me that I was to wait to do the final mowing and clean as all the leaves have not fallen as of yet, she suggested a date later in November. On top of that she also said that she had put the fall fertilizer on the lawn herself and I did not have to do that. She had written the letter on Wednesday and mailed it. By the time I got it on Friday, everything was done.
I just about fell to my knees. So now I am waiting to see the result of this mess. I did what she asked, when she asked and then she sends me a letter instead of calling me ANYTIME in the prior 2 weeks to cancel.
Yes, I am bad for not having a contract but I don't work that way. I am not crying that she didn't pay or anything like that, she may well pay for it all. I am just relating a goofy customer story to you. Funny thing is that I could go thru my customer base and pick out which customer would be most likely to pull this type of thing and she is at the top of the list. :dizzy: