What am I doing wrong loosing more than gaining clients.

[THEGOLDPRO]

Maybe you should start looking for other types of "part time work" if you cant be reliable to people, this industry doesn't care about your problems and set backs in life, all they care about is, "is my lawn getting mowed on a reg basis".

This is why i call "part timers" hacks, because they rarely ever have the time to do a good job and make people happy.

[OakNut]

^^^ FYI, you call everyone hacks. LOL!


As for them wanting things cut "when they call", that makes no sense to me. Unless you really don't have them on a schedule.

I surely hope you aren't doing things "on call". If so, stop.

[THEGOLDPRO]

Originally Posted by OakNut

^^^ FYI, you call everyone hacks. LOL!


.

Only the hacks lol

If the hack shoe fits, then hack it.

[nepatsfan]

*phone is ringing*(potential new customer...yipeeeee!!!) Hi this is John Smith. Just wondering if you could cut my lawn whenever you feel like it, as long as your truck is running, mowers are working, not having a baby, not sick, not raining when you get out of work, not inconvenient for you, not during your vacation, not too tired from your regular job, not picking up your kids when they are sick, not going to a wedding, not having your kids birthday party. One more thing, could you please be uninsured, not pay taxes, have trucks that aren't lettered, no uniforms for sure, please don't pay taxes either.

Yeah, these customers don't exist, stick to your day job.

[tonygreek]

Originally Posted by kebrowns

What am I doing wrong?

The harsh reality is that you answered this yourself...

- "I had a truck brake down on me this year and lost clients because of that."

- "I had a new baby this year and lost clients because of that."

- "During my down time I had a backup for my lawns but he wasn't doing that good and because of that I lost more clients."

- "I know I have fairly decent customer service."

Not only are you losing clients, you're losing future referrals. Those 4 points you listed are not your customers' problems. I'm sure you've heard the saying, "That's not a 'me' problem. That's a 'you' problem.". Remember, you're in a service business.

Realistically ask yourself this question: "Would I recommend, or hire, a company known as fairly decent?"

[slowleak1]

where is the like button when you need it

[KrayzKajun]

Originally Posted by slowleak1

where is the like button when you need it

Go to bed Doug!!! Did you find the bucket of lights yet?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Chilehead]

In this line of work, clients don't give a hoot about the rain, equipment failures, new babies, or even if your spouse was killed. All they care about is getting their property serviced ON TIME. If you can't perform to this standard, your clients WILL look elsewhere. They are not looking to be your friend, they are looking for top-notch service come hell or high water. When you explain your woes to your clients, they interpret this as whining and incompetence. Quit treating this enterprise of yours like a hobby, and start treating it like a business. I am not trying to sound harsh, just trying to make you a better LCO. Best wishes.

[THEGOLDPRO]

Originally Posted by nepatsfan

*phone is ringing*(potential new customer...yipeeeee!!!) Hi this is John Smith. Just wondering if you could cut my lawn whenever you feel like it, as long as your truck is running, mowers are working, not having a baby, not sick, not raining when you get out of work, not inconvenient for you, not during your vacation, not too tired from your regular job, not picking up your kids when they are sick, not going to a wedding, not having your kids birthday party. One more thing, could you please be uninsured, not pay taxes, have trucks that aren't lettered, no uniforms for sure, please don't pay taxes either.

Yeah, these customers don't exist, stick to your day job.

lol.............

[MR-G]

The grass waits for NOBODY......you MUST have back up plans that are going to work when you need them for everything that can and will go wrong....and even then you will still lose an acct. now and then...the longer you do this the better you will get at it....its not easy by any means....good luck and dont give up!!