Guys it is getting bad in this industry

[Ridin' Green]

You're not alone PSC.
The exact same scenario that you laid out in your first post is happening here more and more all the time now in the lawn care field, and has been going on for many, many years in the construction game, which was my main career for 25+ years. They are especially bad here in the competition for drywall and brick work. I have talked to many of them, and some are extremely proud of the fact that they can game our system without fear of any repercussion.

[coolluv]

Originally Posted by ProStreetCamaro

By bad I am talking about the low ballers. We have lost at least 6 this year to guys coming in and doing lawns we were charging $25 for and under cutting us and doing them for $20.

Everybody here says "Oh those guys will stop showing up and wont be in business long". Well I have news for you. These guys doing lawns for $20 have large fancy rigs with new equipment and a truck load of hispanics. They are doing a good job and have been reliable just like we always have been.

Now you tell me how they make enough money at $20 a lawn to survive in one of THE MOST EXPENSIVE areas in the entire country to live? One bedroom apartment? You are looking at a cool $1000+ a month for a quick example.


Well I can tell you how they survive. They are illegals working from 7 to 7 knocking out 30 to 50 lawns a day. Then they go home to a rented house with 3 to 4 families living and splitting the rent in that house. They are not paying tax's etc etc.


Here is a perfect example of what happened today. Customer of about 18 years comes out and says this will be the last cut because she got the guys that did some seeding under the trees she has in the front yard this spring because they were going to do it for $20 a cut. My father asked if she was unhappy and she said no not at all we have always done a good job and been very reliable. He then asked why she wanted to get some illegal crooks to do her work. She asked what he meant by that. He said "did I not tell you last year that we could reseed those areas but it would be a waste of your money because it is too shady for the grass to survive?" and she said yes I remember that. He pointed at all the dead grass under the tree's and said "you did not listen to me and instead got some illegals that lied to you and wasted your money when I already knew what would happen if we tried to seed those areas and here after all these years and you admitting you have been happy you are going to go and quit and get some lying illegal thieves to do your work? At $20,000+ for a truck, $3000+ for trailer, $10,000+ for each zero turn, $60+ daily in gas, plus maintenance, insurance and tax's, just how do you think these guys can make a living at $20 a lawn if they are not doing shady tax evading work?" He then shook his head and said good luck and walked away before she could say anything.


Guys I got news for you. Those of you that claim you wont drop your gate for less than $35 to $40 better be prepared. It is heading your way.

Ive been telling everyone on this board for a few years now that the illegals are ruining this industry. If your area is not full of illegals it will be. I worked construction for over 20 years and they ruined that industry also.

You used to be able to get 20 to 30 dollars for a good carpenter back then, now you will be lucky to get 12 dollars an hour. Same thing is happening to this industry. The illegals are more brazen now, they know they are pretty much untouchable. Especially with Obama fighting tooth and nail to stop states from enforcing the laws.

Blue collar work is heading in the toilet. If you think its bad now just wait. Pretty soon you will be paying people to cut their lawns. Some do it now and don't know it.

I see more mowing rigs out now then ever before. I used to say that every year, but I really can't believe how many I see on a daily basis. 90 percent are illegals or illegals that work for other companies. A lot of the illegals are getting smart and brazen and working for themselves in this industry.

Why work for someone else when they can do it themselves and make more money. Ive been pushing contracts for the last few years and although it has been slow growing the customers I pick up are good customers that want good service. They won't nickle and dime me over five dollars.

I don't take on bi-weeklys or customers that won't sign a yearly agreement. I did that before and too many ups and downs. You pick up a few and lose a few and the cycle continues. I don't know how some of these guys do it. How do you employ people and keep good help when you don't know from week to week how many customers are going to call to drop you for some illegal $5 cheaper.

Ive been thinking real hard about my business focus next season. I'm really thinking about going full blown into fert and weed control. I'm licensed and have been doing it now for 2 years and the money is way better than mowing. I do see the illegals with push spreaders and backpacks now though.

But the market is better for fert and squirt. A lot of competition in fert and squirt but not nearly as tough as mowing is getting.

I laugh at the new guys thinking about getting into mowing. All I can say is good luck.

Dave...

[easy-lift guy]

Money laundering/ organized crime come in many forms and I believe this is just another
way of washing cash from beginning to end. I have seen this first hand in the auto recycling industry and now this is starting the same way with this industry IMO.
easy-lift guy

[coolluv]

Originally Posted by Ridin' Green

You're not alone PSC.
The exact same scenario that you laid out in your first post is happening here more and more all the time now in the lawn care field, and has been going on for many, many years in the construction game, which was my main career for 25+ years. They are especially bad here in the competition for drywall and brick work. I have talked to many of them, and some are extremely proud of the fact that they can game our system without fear of any repercussion.

Thats funny you posted as I was writing my post. Just confirms what I was saying. The republicans are no better and will probably do nothing about the illegals. No one wants to do anything about them because its not about what is right or wrong for our country and its citizens, its about getting reelected.

The Latino population is a major voting base that is only going to get bigger with more power. Check out Raza. They are encouraging illegals to start their own businesses. This country is going to hell in a hand basket.

Dave...

[cgaengineer]

Originally Posted by coolluv

Thats funny you posted as I was writing my post. Just confirms what I was saying. The republicans are no better and will probably do nothing about the illegals. No one wants to do anything about them because its not about what is right or wrong for our country and its citizens, its about getting reelected.

The Latino population is a major voting base that is only going to get bigger with more power. Check out Raza. They are encouraging illegals to start their own businesses. This country is going to hell in a hand basket.

Dave...

Quit your belly aching! have a rum and coke!
Posted via Mobile Device

[coolluv]

Originally Posted by Bunton Guy

I was once worried about what you mention. Then I restructured my company and im playing in a whole different field now.

I no longer worry about price because the clients and the homes I visit are people who appreciate; american workers, owners that will have a onsite presence, quality work, referrals etc...
Sadly enought my clients won't hire someone driving a F-150 or Ranger because of image. They are worried about what their neighbors would think...the keeping up with the Jones theme.

Ive done the same thing, but as far as the keeping up with the Jones and them not hiring illegals in a Ford Ranger. Not around here. I go into Million dollar hoods where you see everything from mini vans to honda's cutting lawns. Those customers don't care, they save money by getting things for slave labor and the illegals don't care because it beats 50 cents an hour back home.

I'm amazed at the rigs I see out there and the hoods they are in. I try to look professional and clean and neat with company uniforms etc. It don't matter to most though. Price is king nowadays. If your willing to work for peanuts they are more than willing to give you the work, and they don't care what you drive.. how you look... or what you use to get the job done.

Freaking amazing times we are living in. People just don't care anymore. Like I said... good luck newbies.

Dave...

[coolluv]

Originally Posted by cgaengineer

Quit your belly aching! have a rum and coke!
Posted via Mobile Device

Ha Ha Ha, I'm on number 2 right now.

Dave...

[cgaengineer]

Originally Posted by coolluv

Ha Ha Ha, I'm on number 2 right now.

Dave...

I stayed home today...first day I've missed in two years. Some kind of stomach virus.
Posted via Mobile Device

[coolluv]

Originally Posted by cgaengineer

I stayed home today...first day I've missed in two years. Some kind of stomach virus.
Posted via Mobile Device

That sucks.

Dave..

[Ridin' Green]

Originally Posted by coolluv

Those customers don't care, they save money by getting things for slave labor and the illegals don't care because it beats 50 cents an hour back home.

Freaking amazing times we are living in. People just don't care anymore. Like I said... good luck newbies.

Dave...

That's it right there, and what I was just too lazy to put in my post. They are getting rich here on what we would call rediculously low wages- even below the minimum by a long ways in most cases, yet far above what they'd make back in their own country(s). 10-15 per apartment, all ride to work in one or two cars so little overhead to live here, and customers who just don't care as long as they get the very best deal they can regardless of what it does to our country/economy. It's only going to get worse, especially if obummer stays in power. At least the repubs are too lazy to make it worse.