What do I do now

[emerson607]

Originally Posted by GreyFlames

I have bought out businesses and started businesses. In this situation and industry it is best to test the waters and not take a big risk.

Buy some used equipment and market near buy. Try to use marketing methods that require your time rather than money. The idea is to ease yourself into the work and see if it possible for you to get work easy enough. If you are able to get a foot hold and build up a small client base, you can use a buyout to jump up where you can have some full time workers with you.

This will keep you from buying a business that has customers in an over saturated market. That kind of a market will cause higher than normal cancellations because the customers will be offered lower and lower prices as everyone tries to get enough business to survive.

Best of luck to you.

I understand exactly what you're saying. There is a guy here, he is in his late 60's his wife turned 70 yes 70. I know this to be true cause they mow our yard and it was her birthday when she was mowing ours. They have 35 clients here in our community. I know they will be looking at quitting sometime so I am hoping that I might be in line since I am already there. Thing is they get 20 a mow trim and blow but it is just like a 40' x 120' area

[GreyFlames]

Originally Posted by emerson607

I understand exactly what you're saying. There is a guy here, he is in his late 60's his wife turned 70 yes 70. I know this to be true cause they mow our yard and it was her birthday when she was mowing ours. They have 35 clients here in our community. I know they will be looking at quitting sometime so I am hoping that I might be in line since I am already there. Thing is they get 20 a mow trim and blow but it is just like a 40' x 120' area

It could be a nice opportunity. I would try to negotiate the payments based on the number of customers that continue service for at least 2 months with you. This will give an incentive for the current owners to help the customers transition well. It takes out some of your risk.