kickbacks

[humble1]

Do any of you give kickbacks to landscapers for their referals, I dont like to be a sub, if the contractor stops paying me I cant sue the homeowner.

What kind of referal reward do you give the homeowner that reccomends you to his neighbor?

[RigglePLC]

humbel:
I used to give a free application when i sold a referral. It worked out OK.

[ted putnam]

Originally Posted by RigglePLC

humbel:
I used to give a free application when i sold a referral. It worked out OK.

Good idea Riggle. Humble needs to give em a Lime app free....It's CHeap!
Ive done that before. They're glad to get it.

[Rayholio]

I give $20 for a new seasonal customer + more in a christmas card at years end... makes a huge difference.. mower guys lub me.. and referrals just keep comin'

[garydale]

We offer:

- !0% prepay
- $5.00 Senior discount(one time)
- Free appl. on 6-appl. package(lime or late fall)
- Free appl. on referral (lime or late fall)
- Price of one appl. as sales commission(paid on 2nd appl. payment)

The word "free" is a great sales tool. Just watch your #'s.

We also send out "Thanksgiving" cards.

[Whitey4]

I prefer to call it a finder's fee as far as a landscaper referal goes. In NY, I am not allowed to sub any pesticide apps, by law I must have a seperate signed contract with the customer directly. Since this is the first year I will be certified, I have no idea how I might handle this yet.

I am not crazy about customer give backs on referals. I figure if they like my work, they will recommend my services. I started last year with 10 properties, and finished with 30, all on unpaid referals. I want to dump at least 15 of them though, a lot of them aren't regulars and are price shoppers that needed some cuts because their LCO started charging fuel surcharges and whatnot. I'm looking for more upscale properties this year with apps.

As for freebies, I think I might consider an ornamentals fert feeding instead of a sercive I am more likely to get anyway, like lime. That way I keep the billing, and open the door to other than standard apps. In other words, give them a free "extra" service, instead of a "standard" service for free.