[GreenMachine102]

I swear my parents complain about every upgrade I make in my lawn care business, want to buy a gas powered hedge trimmer "do you really need that?" Well the battery one just ain't cutting it!!!!!!!!!! They would be happy if I went around with an old reel type mower< (the ones they had in the 40's), and a broom!! Does anyone else have this problem??????? It's so anoying!!!!!!!!!!!:angry:

 

[lawnkid]

Oh yes, I had that problem back about a year and a half ago. My parents are both cool but sometimes stubborn. They were always questioning my actions and so far I've done well to back my actions up. They won't let me get a trimmer with multi-attachemnt, they were kinda weary about buying a second mower, but I made up my mind and I'm keeping both mowers, the older one for backup. But keep annoying hem, they'll crack one way or another. Tell tehm it will make you more productive because you will not need to hookup all of those extension chords and when they get tangled and so forth and therefore save time and space if you are tight on that. When I bought my first backpack, the used PB-602, my dad waas always saying why do you need that thing, and eventually he began using it hne I wasn't home on some of his rental properties and now he's glad we have one, it saves a lot of time. Good luck

 

[Turf Technologies]

Im 23 yrs old live with my wife and still have this problem.

 

[leadarrows]

I only wish I still had your problem. I lost my mom ten years ago. Enjoy your parents while you can. They will quit there complaning and worrying about you all too soon.

 

[FrankenScagMachines]

Cool your jets. I used to think my parents were over-reacting when I asked for a new peice of equipment but they've proved right. I now have a good eye for good used stuff and if you lay out the good points to what you want and the bad of what you got, and ask them to sit down and look at the info you've pooled together, and tell them why you need it and how fast it will be paid for, they'll probably listen to you and may surprise you. You also have to prove that you are responsible and can indeed make money with this and how much better of a job/faster job it will do than the old one. My parents now trust me and if I say I need something, I lay out the facts and why and the cost, how long it will be paid for and how much better it is, and they usually listen and consider it. My mom is a good business partner (unofficial) and helps me with the money side of it and is good at talking me out of spending money on something I don't need
Try to be more patient and work with them more. Patience is key!
Good luck this season!

 

[battags]

Originally posted by Turf Technologies
Im 23 yrs old live with my wife and still have this problem.

Ditto, here. They don't understand that upgrading boosts productivity, which makes my day go quicker/easier, which gets me home for dinner on time and in a better mood!

Dam? Is that like a ****? JK I'm not calling your folks that! Damn.....

Brian

 

[colonel landscaping]

well when i need new equipment i pay cash for it and make sure i have atleast double what i am going to be spending.. no biggey for a hedge trimmer or string trimmer.. took me awhile to get enough for the Lazer though but its Great not having any payments, it was well worth busting my balls to double the money... i understand that at 17 when i purchase my new truck i wont be able to have 64,000k in the bank but i can have pretty close to the cost of the truck... for me if i dont have the money... i dont get it... cant get into debt that way and you dont have to make payments every month. if you dont have the money for stuff chances are you dont really need it at this point in time. bust your butt for a while like i did and get the money... then your parents cant complain.. you have the money you have it in cash.. go buy it! ....thats just my opinion everyone has there own way just thought id throw my idea out there.

 

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by FrankenScagMachines
Cool your jets.

Well what happened when you needlessly bought a SCAG 61" STHM not once but TWICE?

You didn't need either one.

Go out and buy those hedge trimmers, you shouldn't need to convince your parents to spend small sums of your money.

Whatever you do don't get a 3 colors, pieced together one. It don't look professional.

 

[DLCS]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER
Whatever you do don't get a 3 colors, pieced together one. It don't look professional.

What was that in reference to? lol j/k

 

[GrassInPA]

I'll have to agree with mostly everybody about parents complaining about buying stuff. I've talked this over with my parents, mostly my mom and it's just because they don't want to see me get in over my head and fail. I'll say that I have to see where they are coming from on that.

I'll have to say that my parents are worried about me buying a piece of equipment until they see that it helps me out, or they actually get to use it and like it.

My main problem lies in when I want to take on more customers or more jobs. They get mad because since I am also working a full time job 35-40 hours a week, it doesn't leave much time for me to help out around the house. About the only time I am home is when it is raining or dark outside.

That is basically my two cents on this. All I have to say is that the parents are just trying to make sure I succeed, not fail

Zach

 

[crazygator]

Green machine,

At least you have parents that are still alive and care about you and your business. One day you will look back and thank them for trying to help you.

Please remember that they are not in the way.

I'd give a whole lot to have my Dad here again telling me how to do things.....wow do I miss him!

 

[Lazer_Z]

My .02 worth is 2 years ago i took out a $2,200 loan and had a little over $300 in cash in my fist when i went to my dealer and my dad was there when i paid for my first commercial mower but before that was my 2601 and it was paid for in cash the only time i had to borrow money from my parents was when i did'nt have enough to buy my 650 but i made a promise to pay them back and in less than a week i had the full amount i borrowed given back to them and now my dad goes with me to ztr shop and he even though he has never been on one picked one out but we don't quite see eye to eye on what mower i want to get and when i wanted to go full time i was told what ever you want to do do it but my dad still does not understand the need for some equipment like a nice new stick edger oh i forgot something my stihl saw bought in cash a little over $400 and LGF i respect your opinion but please leave FSM/BHB alone he's done nothing to hurt you

 

[Live4Mowin']

Kinda goes both ways. My mom suggests new equipment and my dad doesnt want me to get new equipment.:dizzy:

P.S. I voted for good parents

 

[Live4Mowin']

btw, whats up with dam parents? are your parents that bad?

 

[bobbygedd]

thats the great thing about never having parents, i cant miss them

 

[battags]

Originally posted by Lazer_Z
My .02 worth is 2 years ago i took out a $2,200 loan and had a little over $300 in cash in my fist when i went to my dealer and my dad was there when i paid for my first commercial mower but before that was my 2601 and it was paid for in cash the only time i had to borrow money from my parents was when i did'nt have enough to buy my 650 but i made a promise to pay them back and in less than a week i had the full amount i borrowed given back to them and now my dad goes with me to ztr shop and he even though he has never been on one picked one out but we don't quite see eye to eye on what mower i want to get and when i wanted to go full time i was told what ever you want to do do it but my dad still does not understand the need for some equipment like a nice new stick edger oh i forgot something my stihl saw bought in cash a little over $400 and LGF i respect your opinion but please leave FSM/BHB alone he's done nothing to hurt you

I think I know what you are trying to say, but that is one heck of a long sentance....

 

[65hoss]

I understand you being upset...but...they are in charge. We've all been there. My parents tried to keep me from blowing all that money on cars. Still my main weakness.

Its all about responsibility. Responsibility works both ways. Being responsible is more than can you buy your own equipment. That is good. But it also shows them your responsibility on how you act to their authority.

All those huge fights I had with my dad when I was younger were pointless. Water under the bridge. We had some huge fights over me spending to go faster. That was 10-12 years ago. I'm 30 now, he's been gone for just over 1.5 years and I'd take back every fight I ever had if I had the chance.

 

[walker-talker]

Yeah....I heard it also when I was younger, but now they tell me the opposite. They want me to add a backhoe and front loader to my fleet so that I can help them with their new basement/room addition.....lol

Parents....gotta luv 'em
MATT

 

[Remsen1]

Parents just want to protect you from making irrational decisions. Making irrational decisions is habit forming so they are trying to get you into a good habit. By making you justify to them why you need something, it will form a habit that you will continue throughout your life, but you won't be answering to your parents, you'll be answering to yourself and taking responsibility for you and your family. You'll look back on this someday and say "damn, I sure am thankful that my parents taught me to think about my purchases thouroughly".

Also, since you are young, this may not be easy to comprehend, but we should not be in business to buy equipment. We are in business to make money. For example I could use a new walk behind cause mine is starting to require occassional tinkering, but it still works and cuts well. I could get a new one and improve my productivity slightly, but that would cut directly into my "take home" money. The longer I can productivly use this mower the better return on investment in the mower.

Someday, If you are successful, you will be able to make a very good living and support a family with what you are making. Just remember that you should be putting some money aside for yourself and some for the business, not just working your balls off for new equipment. It sounds like you are well on your way to a very successful business.

 

[hubb]

I think it was Samuel Clemons (Mark Twain) who once said, "It amazed me, how smart my father became between my age of 15 and when I turned 21"
Think about it.