[A1 Grass]

My friends Mother-in-law, who gets her yard mowed for $30 ($5 off per mow) asked me, in an angry voice, WHY HAVEN'T YOU TRIMMED THE BUSHES??? I guess she doesn't remember me saying that $30 covers mow/trim/blow ONLY.

I wonder what she's going to do when she gets the $250 bid I taped to her door today? (heh heh)

 

[jason r.]

Don't ya just love those kinda people
Keep us posted on your next conversation with her.

 

[tiedeman]

I love those types too. That is why I put my foot down to servicing family members. I only do my grandmothers and that is all. I used to do a lot more but they always tried to take advantage of me, so I have it as a policy no family members.

 

[jason r.]

Yeah, recently I could've picked up 4 or 5 customers but they were all friends. I hate working for friends. They'll take advantage of you even if they don't know they're doing it.

The one's that want everything for free are the most aggravating. I'm starting to slowly weed them out. It seems like they're the same one's who are also slow to play.

 

[roscioli]

Originally posted by tiedeman

I only do my grandmothers

 

[tiedeman]

Originally posted by roscioli

 

[mtdman]

No family, no friends, and no mowing for neighbors.

 

[Rustic Goat]

A-1,
Question is, what are you going to do when she doesn't pay the invoice?

 

[chefdrp]

I hate doing friends. I am doing a friends mothers lawn and she has a bill for a month over due. I am not doing it till i get paid. As for my granny. She pays every time i mow. And yes i charge her. She would have to pay someone anyway.

 

[maple city]

We are bidding on a commercial property, a condo neighborhood with common areas that we would mow. When we spoke to the lady that runs the place for the first time, she complained that the people doing the work now weren't trimming her trees. It made me wonder if it was bid in their contract that they would do all tree work along with mowing, or if she just assumed they would. I made it clear in my bid that any tree work would not be included in the weekly mowing price. I don't want her complaining about us to another LCO in a couple of years!

 

[EJK2352]

Originally posted by chefdrp
I hate doing friends. I am doing a friends mothers lawn and she has a bill for a month over due. I am not doing it till i get paid. As for my granny. She pays every time i mow. And yes i charge her. She would have to pay someone anyway.

Charging Granny??? You should be ashamed of yourself.

 

[A1 Grass]

Originally posted by Rustic Goat
A-1,
Question is, what are you going to do when she doesn't pay the invoice?

I don't invoice - I always get a check under the doormat - I did her lawn, left the bid, and went STRAIGHT to the bank and deposited it. Problem solved!

Haven't heard back from her and don't expect to...

 

[Gravely_Man]

I agree that you need to get paid for the work you do but you still need to be nice to your customers. I would not want to upset a client who will talk to others saying bad things about my business. Hopefully they will realize they need to pay extra for the bush trimming but I am sure you spelled all of the out in your contact with them.


Gravely_Man

 

[A1 Grass]

Yeah, my rule is PAY ME WHEN I'M DONE!

I don't use contracts either - maybe I'll change my mind one day, but I feel like I can do good enough work that they won't need to get anybody else, contract or not.

 

[KerryB]

I think you are looking at the contract in the wrong way. I use it so that the customer doesn't come back later and say why haven't you trimmed my bushes. If they do I can show them in black and white that trimming their bushes was not part of the deal and I show them their signature. The contract just helps stop or clear up any confusion down the road.
Even with a contract they can still fire you.

 

[GLAN]

Originally posted by KerryB
I think you are looking at the contract in the wrong way. I use it so that the customer doesn't come back later and say why haven't you trimmed my bushes. If they do I can show them in black and white that trimming their bushes was not part of the deal and I show them their signature. The contract just helps stop or clear up any confusion down the road.
Even with a contract they can still fire you.

It also leaves not doubt as to what the fees are

How many times has any of you had a customer pay you less for a job you completed and swear up and down that you told them the lower price.

 

[brucec32]

Ha, I got that beat. An old lady called and left a message the other day asking when I was going to cut her shrubs, since I had PROMISED to do so over a month ago. Never did, I haven't seen her this year at all. Apparently she's getting senile. I just called back and said I'd do it next week.

 

[A1 Grass]

Originally posted by KerryB
...I think you are looking at the contract in the wrong way...

I printed "bid sheets" with my logo, etc. I require my customer to sign and return them if they accept the bid, which s-p-e-l-l-s out the work. When I'm done they get a hand written receipt (except with mowing / on request).

I'm covered.

I just feel that I personally don't need a "regular-service" contract.