I've been reading a lot on here about fierce competition, stealing accounts from other companies, etc...
In my experience, the greatest competition to all of us is the homeowner. Rarely have I been let go because the homeowner wants a different person for the lawn maintenance. The majority of the accounts I lose are because the homeowner just wants to do it himself to save some money.
Anytime a homeowner stops doing it himself and hires a lawn company, it's a win for all of us. People see their neighbors with a lawn company and then they want one too. Over time, the company gets bigger, moves on, and a new little company gets a shot. This is why I really don't mind competition from other companies too much.
Theres enough grass for everyone to mow. He's right, the biggest win for this industry is convincing the home owners who watch us work to quit mowing themseleves amd pay us to do it. Posted via Mobile Device
the worst competition is when ZTRs started being marketed toward homeowners.
this website creates a lot of their own problems by suggesting homeowners to buy commercial brand mowers.
nearly any idiot can run a ZTR, once they all figure out you all don't have skill, and the ZTR makes the big yard pretty small, all your perceived value drops tremendously.
i try to sell the idea that they have better things to do and to hand over the stress of lawn care to me, so they can relax and do what they really want with their extra time.....
My neighbor just bought a Hustler Fasttrac, I watched him cutting his bank near the road and was sure he was going to turn it over the way he was throwing it around.
lol He was having so much fun he mowed parts of 3 other neighbors yards.
the worst competition is when ZTRs started being marketed toward homeowners.
this website creates a lot of their own problems by suggesting homeowners to buy commercial brand mowers.
nearly any idiot can run a ZTR, once they all figure out you all don't have skill, and the ZTR makes the big yard pretty small, all your perceived value drops tremendously.
They've had big, fast mowers for homeowners for a long time now. I really don't see that as a hindrance at all. You either want to/have time to mow your own or you don't. Simple as that.
Until they find a way to be able to mow from inside a 72 degree home with 95 degree temps outside I think we will be ok. Also...never underestimate the weedeating and edging. My customers and even myself hate doing it. I would much rather sit on my ZTR all day every day.
A colleague of mine sells Invisible Fence for pet containment. Operating off a very similar idea he is now selling a robotic mower that is somewhat like the vacuum robot
The vast majority of my accounts are people who can't mow. Some have never mowed, some are elderly, and three used to mow until they injured themselves while mowing. If I lose an account it's because someone moved or died. And it seems like mother nature is constantly replenishing our supply of old people.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Lawn Care Forum
7M posts
202.7K members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to lawn care and landscaping professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!