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Thread: Things that make me grumpy

  1. #2191
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    I have found that most of my pitas that I had hung onto have gone. A good thing really. In their place I have picked up a few really good gold clients. I am pretty picky now about what I take on. I have raised prices quite a bit this year. Lost a couple but the new ones have not quibbled at it. Less clients but better pay. There are still ppl out there willing to pay for our service. A lot of my new ones are ex Jims or VIP not happy with their service. Seems the common thread is franchises are too rushed to spend time with what they want to do. I can understand this if they have to service a lot of customers.
    Cheers

    Bluey
    Adelaide Home & Garden Solutions
    http://www.ahgs.com.au


    "Success occurs when no one is looking, failure occurs when everyone is watching."

  2. #2192
    Member of forum SM MOWING's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Ive found the same bluey, get at least 3-4 new clients a week that say they are over jims and franchises and ask if i have time to fit them into my schedule!!!! I also get alot of people who say the franchises wanted to charge $80-100+ for a $30-40 job! that takes 20-30 mins. All good for us.
    Independent and i know it

  3. #2193
    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Simmo View Post
    I agree costs are definately going up (minimum 25% electricity increase across sydney from my research) and impacting somewhat on how many people get there lawns done by a professional.

    I've done some local advertising this spring and my current heading that promotes value for money is getting the phones to ring... This indicates to me people are starting to look at cost cutting alternatives...

    Problem is they want a premium service which needs to be done "yesterday" and haggling on price. I'll admit It is getting somewhat harder to quote $50 or more for a regular block (30 - 40 minute job). Some try to negotiate $5 - $10 off my desired price and then once agreed "some" throw in weeding, hedging and other small jobs This is when i just walk and laugh.

    I've decided to now stick with my price and not negotiate at all... My theory is it keeps my business in control and if they don't like it they can use someone else...

    I would hate to think how the Jimbo's and co's are going charging $80 a lawn around here... might be a slow slow summer once it does rain as many won't be able to pay that fortnightly or weekly!

    Hey Jason, Is it just me or is there more lawnies popping up around here?

    Simmo.
    I've been limiting the time I spend down there. But I have noticed a few pretty shoddy looking operators around there and out here. And I've seen the job some do too. The thing that annoys me is that they are actually working while I had 2 days off this week. They must be bloody cheap.

    Jason Forrest
    Fair Dinkum Lawn & Garden Care
    Servicing St Clair, Erskine Park, Colyton, South St Marys
    0407 435 642


    fairdinkumlawns.com.au

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  4. #2194
    Senior Member Blaktop's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Been seeing quite a few cars with 6x4 trailers with a mower and snipper that I haven't seen before in the past few weeks. Spring must be bringing the part timers out of the woodwork.

  5. #2195
    Member of forum Stump's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by fairdinkum View Post
    I've been limiting the time I spend down there. But I have noticed a few pretty shoddy looking operators around there and out here. And I've seen the job some do too. The thing that annoys me is that they are actually working while I had 2 days off this week. They must be bloody cheap.
    The best way to beat them is to find the work before they do. Go searching for clients rather than wait to be found. You will get the price that you want on most occasions
    I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Grandfather.....not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car!!!

  6. #2196
    Member of forum SM MOWING's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    4 quotes all in a row, all say had cheaper quote and the average price difference was i charge 120, "cheaper guy" $40.................see how my day went........................................bloody beer bob pension toppers, its almost like winter rates you can charge normal prices and in summer you have to compete with $20 nut cases...................
    Independent and i know it

  7. #2197
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    I'm glad Indy's exist. They do all the crap work for the miserable tight arses that we won't do, leaving us with the cream

  8. #2198
    Member of forum Jayk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    i was doing job the other day when the lady next door wanted a chat. she was realy unhappy with the job her indy guy was doing. there were patches of grass clippings left on the lawn, edges were rooted etc etc. i quoted at $50 and she was happy for me to do it then and there. i asked what the indy guy was charging and she said $30. i could then understand why he was doing a half arse job. i felt bad about taking his job, but that is the way it goes. alot of people will still pay for quality, even in bad times. if he had just charged more for the job to allow time for a good finish he would of kept it. there are good jims and vips. there are bad jims and vips. there are good indies and bad indies. moral of story rate urself and ur work, and charge accordingly! ... most of my walk ups are from clients who had indies doing their property. if they charged more they would not have to cut and run in order to make a profit!
    "Time trial. Start as fast as possible, finish as fast as possible and hope it is fast enough,"

  9. #2199

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Classic Cut View Post
    I'm glad Indy's exist. They do all the crap work for the miserable tight arses that we won't do, leaving us with the cream
    Dont think the six or so new jim boys working 1 of my areas think that way.You better tell them about pricing

  10. #2200
    Member of forum Jayk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by SM MOWING View Post
    4 quotes all in a row, all say had cheaper quote and the average price difference was i charge 120, "cheaper guy" $40.................see how my day went........................................bloody beer bob pension toppers, its almost like winter rates you can charge normal prices and in summer you have to compete with $20 nut cases...................
    Its not alway about being cheaper! Its about quality for a fair price. I think us lot need a union of something lol!
    "Time trial. Start as fast as possible, finish as fast as possible and hope it is fast enough,"

  11. #2201
    Senior Member cadase's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Jayk View Post
    ... most of my walk ups are from clients who had indies doing their property. if they charged more they would not have to cut and run in order to make a profit!
    I get a lot of jobs from clients who've had jims or mr clip doing their lawns. Talk about hit and run..................

  12. #2202
    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Jayk View Post
    i was doing job the other day when the lady next door wanted a chat. she was realy unhappy with the job her indy guy was doing. there were patches of grass clippings left on the lawn, edges were rooted etc etc. i quoted at $50 and she was happy for me to do it then and there. i asked what the indy guy was charging and she said $30. i could then understand why he was doing a half arse job. i felt bad about taking his job, but that is the way it goes. alot of people will still pay for quality, even in bad times. if he had just charged more for the job to allow time for a good finish he would of kept it. there are good jims and vips. there are bad jims and vips. there are good indies and bad indies. moral of story rate urself and ur work, and charge accordingly! ... most of my walk ups are from clients who had indies doing their property. if they charged more they would not have to cut and run in order to make a profit!

    The real moral of this story is 'communicate with your client"!

    If the Indy and client had had a chat to each other this should have been sorted. He could have charged more to take more time and client would have been happier.

  13. #2203
    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    On the other side of the coin some clients won't pay what the job is worth no matter how good the quality of work is. For indies and jims alike it's best to walk away from these. However when you don't have much work it's sometimes necessary to take on a cheapie or 2 just to make ends meet. I personally always try and leave a top quality finish regardless of price. But i also try and get through the jobs as quickly as possible.....without compromising on quality. It's the non professional operators without the necessary skills or equipment that give us all a bad name. So for all you lurkers out there, wake up, start doin a good job and stop bringing this industry down! Speed comes with experience, quality comes with patience!

    Jason Forrest
    Fair Dinkum Lawn & Garden Care
    Servicing St Clair, Erskine Park, Colyton, South St Marys
    0407 435 642


    fairdinkumlawns.com.au

    facebook page

  14. #2204
    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Being so r88ted from the last two days work that I only woke up at 9.30am today. And having to work till dark again because I underestimated and underquoted this current job. Makes me grumpy and tired and thirsty for a beer already and it's 11am....

  15. #2205
    Senior Member AJD Mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by cadase View Post
    I get a lot of jobs from clients who've had jims or mr clip doing their lawns. Talk about hit and run..................
    Hey cadase the morel to that story is Just Indies Mow Best
    AJD Mowing Giving Back Your Life

    http://www.ajdmowing.com.au/

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