Is it me or just that alot of customers are too difficult to deal with?

[Darryl G]

I think part of the problem is that the newer guys let customers pull their strings, dictating things such as cutting height and frequency and generally letting the customer be in control. I make it clear that I have a route and I am only in certain areas on certain days, meaning that a lawn either gets cut weekly, bi-weekly or not at all by me. I make it clear to my customers up front how I operate, what to expect of me and what I expect of them. I try to accomodate my customers the best I can, but I don't let them control me.

On the other hand, I am wholly dedicated to my customers and I work my personal life around my business, not the other way around....they really don't have much to complain about. There lawn will get mowed pretty darn close to schedule week after week, year after year, all they have to do is keep the checks coming.

[DEPENDABLE LANDSCAPING]

We operate our business pretty much a duplicate as to what daryll g. Posted. It works for the most part.
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[GreyFlames]

I subscribe to firing PITA customers annually. It frees up time for many more customers for less effort.

That being said you need to take a look at the type of market you are in. Higher end customers tend to demand more, but they also deserve more.

[Ijustwantausername]

Originally Posted by darryl gesner

I think part of the problem is that the newer guys let customers pull their strings, dictating things such as cutting height and frequency and generally letting the customer be in control. I make it clear that I have a route and I am only in certain areas on certain days, meaning that a lawn either gets cut weekly, bi-weekly or not at all by me. I make it clear to my customers up front how I operate, what to expect of me and what I expect of them. I try to accomodate my customers the best I can, but I don't let them control me.

On the other hand, I am wholly dedicated to my customers and I work my personal life around my business, not the other way around....they really don't have much to complain about. There lawn will get mowed pretty darn close to schedule week after week, year after year, all they have to do is keep the checks coming.

Exactly how I run things. The trouble customers get weeded out reeeeeaaaallll fast. The best customer is the one who pays on time and only talks to you when they want to start service in the spring and when they want to stop in the fall...okay not really, you get my point though.