Envy Lawn Service
LawnSite Fanatic
- Location
- North Carolina
Yes, the saga that is the beginning of my '04 season continues leading off these three reference threads...
Need to change but how?
Need to Change but how? Part 2 "routes"
Am I ureasonably Expensive?
Let there be no doubt that I have found out I am a fish out of water in my efforts to do what I wanted to for this season. I've spent countless hours trying to work myself into the largest market where tight routes can be constructed. the cold hard facts are...
So far, to this point I have had returns on 86 bids placed.
Right now the record stands at 3 - 83.
Yes that's only 3 out of 86 bids placed or just shy of 3.5% positive return. Want to know what's even harder to cope with than that? Try keeping your sprits up and continuing to give the bidding process all you've got when you have lost 52 straight before winning the first one!!! that's something beyond hard!!!
Out of these 3 not a single one was won based purely on the fact I was the lowest bidder. The first one I was tied with the other bidder on a per service basis. He bid charges only for work performed v/s my flat seasonal billing. The customer wanted me instead though, so we negotiated a few items. I closed the deal by sales technique and proving superior quality of service.
The second was one that selected me although I was the highest by far out of 4 bidders. They said they spent a while trying to decide rather I was the type to try to rip someone off or if my pricing made a loud statement about how valuable I felt my services were. They said based on my knowledge and professionalism in pointing things out to them and their judge of my character that they decided it was the latter. So far they are not disappointed by the way.
The third one was much like the second one. I was by far the highest bidder, with the next one down in line being at 50% of my per visit rate and not only that but billing only for work performed v/s my flat seasonal billing. In the end, although the owner really wanted to save the money, he wanted my services more. My services were more in tune with his needs but my final price was outside his budget. After a great deal of effort and pursuit on his part, I did for the very first time ever negotiate my rates and lower them just a little to fit his needs in exchange for a few things that were beneficial or of value to me.
What's the moral or point of this story. Well to tell you the truth, I don't know. Maybe it's just part of the venting process. But I do know one thing is for sure. This will certainly be a good thread for anyone to re-visit when they are having a tough time of it. I think it will certainly serve as a reminder that even though things might be tough for you, they could always be worse. A least you don't have to fill my shoes right now...................
Need to change but how?
Need to Change but how? Part 2 "routes"
Am I ureasonably Expensive?
Let there be no doubt that I have found out I am a fish out of water in my efforts to do what I wanted to for this season. I've spent countless hours trying to work myself into the largest market where tight routes can be constructed. the cold hard facts are...
I am outside my area of operation.
The market is saturated with low ballers.
I can't compete with those who are willing to work at or below costs.
They want my services but are not willing to pay the premium.
There is little to no demand for my level of services in this market.
I've wasted my time money and energy just spinning my wheels.
I may very well hold the title for most expensive in my area.
I have by all definitions worked my butt off
I have slaved on in the face of extreme disappointment and unfair odds.
So far, to this point I have had returns on 86 bids placed.
Right now the record stands at 3 - 83.
Yes that's only 3 out of 86 bids placed or just shy of 3.5% positive return. Want to know what's even harder to cope with than that? Try keeping your sprits up and continuing to give the bidding process all you've got when you have lost 52 straight before winning the first one!!! that's something beyond hard!!!
Out of these 3 not a single one was won based purely on the fact I was the lowest bidder. The first one I was tied with the other bidder on a per service basis. He bid charges only for work performed v/s my flat seasonal billing. The customer wanted me instead though, so we negotiated a few items. I closed the deal by sales technique and proving superior quality of service.
The second was one that selected me although I was the highest by far out of 4 bidders. They said they spent a while trying to decide rather I was the type to try to rip someone off or if my pricing made a loud statement about how valuable I felt my services were. They said based on my knowledge and professionalism in pointing things out to them and their judge of my character that they decided it was the latter. So far they are not disappointed by the way.
The third one was much like the second one. I was by far the highest bidder, with the next one down in line being at 50% of my per visit rate and not only that but billing only for work performed v/s my flat seasonal billing. In the end, although the owner really wanted to save the money, he wanted my services more. My services were more in tune with his needs but my final price was outside his budget. After a great deal of effort and pursuit on his part, I did for the very first time ever negotiate my rates and lower them just a little to fit his needs in exchange for a few things that were beneficial or of value to me.
What's the moral or point of this story. Well to tell you the truth, I don't know. Maybe it's just part of the venting process. But I do know one thing is for sure. This will certainly be a good thread for anyone to re-visit when they are having a tough time of it. I think it will certainly serve as a reminder that even though things might be tough for you, they could always be worse. A least you don't have to fill my shoes right now...................