Neighborhood Pricing / Group discounts

[NOVAMowing]

Good afternoon everyone,

So Id like to bounce my next marketing idea off you folks...

So my neighborhood has about 70 houses that are all right at 1 acre. Going prices from my future competition are from $50 - $64 per cut/trim/blow, the yards are all pretty homogeneous.

Starting in January (For Going "live" March 1st 2013) I want to market my neighbors... Have any of you had success, failure or have any cautionary words about the following

"Dear neighbors,

Bla bla bla, Im starting my business and would like to extend the following offer to my wonderful neighborhood, bla bla bla.

1 - 5 homes $55
6 - 10 homes $50
10+ homes $45

Please contact me today to signup for this great neighborhood special

Sincerely, NOVAMowing"

So of course the actual message will be nicer/clearer/punctual/professional and of course the flier will explain detail that each price is pending a site inspection.... but what about the special itself, the pricing? Have any of you done business like this? Blanket price a neighborhood? Offer specific discounts/pricing for specific volumes of clients?

Thanks as always!

[Glenn Lawn Care]

I tried that in a new housing development that I had a yard in a few years ago. I mailed a letter to every house in the neighborhood saying I would give a discount on certain services if all the neighbors were to join. I got one phone call and that was it. i was a little disappointed because I thought it would really work, butr nothing ever works out in my favor.

[NOVAMowing]

Thanks for the info Glenn Lawn Care! When I was a kid I dropped fliers and picked up 5 clients in a weekend.. I guess Im hoping for a repeat performance.

On a separate note, possibly you could include or rework it to include additional next-door neighbors and cul-de-sac discounts... the idea being that people may talk with their immediate neighbors about going in but they may not ever talk to someone across the way...

[TheBetterDoorhanger]

When/ If you decided to advertise, check out A'Deas Printing, We have some specials going on for our door hangers and a couple on our direct mail as well. Do other types of printing as well like business cards, fliers, and yard signs. Our website is www.adeasprinting.com. You can call or email me if you'd like any more info or any pricing. I'd be happy to assist with any of that. My name is Glenda and my # is 1-866-778-4254 or my email is glenda@adeasprinting.com

[Glenn Lawn Care]

Originally Posted by NOVAMowing

Thanks for the info Glenn Lawn Care! When I was a kid I dropped fliers and picked up 5 clients in a weekend.. I guess Im hoping for a repeat performance.

On a separate note, possibly you could include or rework it to include additional next-door neighbors and cul-de-sac discounts... the idea being that people may talk with their immediate neighbors about going in but they may not ever talk to someone across the way...

The following year I sent out letters I went door to door handing out flyers and still didn't getting any work out of that neighborhood. Out of all the flyers
I have handed out, I've only got one weekly account from it and still have it to this day.

[NOVAMowing]

Glenn, Are you saying that in all your time in business you have only ever picked up one lawn from fliers? Or do you mean from that one particular neighborhood?

[32vld]

The problem with group discounts is when you have 10 people paying $45 and one person drop out the remaining nine are not going to be willing to pay you $50.

Whether the group is 2, 3, 4, or 40. Once the original amount of customers decreases to not qualify for their price break all they know is that you have accepted less then full price before you can and therefore they expect you to continue to do so.

This is why I don't do them.

[knox gsl]

Originally Posted by 32vld

the problem with group discounts is when you have 10 people paying $45 and one person drop out the remaining nine are not going to be willing to pay you $50.

Whether the group is 2, 3, 4, or 40. Once the original amount of customers decreases to not qualify for their price break all they know is that you have accepted less then full price before you can and therefore they expect you to continue to do so.

This is why i don't do them.

x 2............

[Glenn Lawn Care]

Originally Posted by NOVAMowing

Glenn, Are you saying that in all your time in business you have only ever picked up one lawn from fliers? Or do you mean from that one particular neighborhood?

Yes I've only gotten one yard from handing out flyers. But in my defense I don't do it as often as I should. I'm also saying it doesn't work well, at least in my area. I don't have time to walk around and hand out flyers.

[sealcutter]

Originally Posted by 32vld

The problem with group discounts is when you have 10 people paying $45 and one person drop out the remaining nine are not going to be willing to pay you $50.

Whether the group is 2, 3, 4, or 40. Once the original amount of customers decreases to not qualify for their price break all they know is that you have accepted less then full price before you can and therefore they expect you to continue to do so.

This is why I don't do them.

Been there done that...!