Independent LawnMowing Contractors Of Australia Forum

Thread: Things that make me grumpy

  1. #271
    Member geoff1969's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    melbourne area
    Posts
    1,239

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    And the thing that really pisses me off is that every day I see more and more fly by nighters / just in it for the summer season types with full trailers going to the dump. They are cutting for next to nothing. Makes it so f*cking hard for the guys in it for the long haul to make a decent income when they will undercut your prices by 50 to 70%.
    seems to be like it in a lot of areas saw a flyer at the local shop aprox 6 weeks ago any average size lawn under ankle high $25.00 then another bloke has put one up the same aprox 2 weeks ago .. now in my area the average size block is about 800 / 900 meters with 3 bedroom houses = how can you compete with that

  2. #272
    Very Helpful Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    melb.sth. east
    Posts
    4,908

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by geoff1969 View Post
    seems to be like it in a lot of areas saw a flyer at the local shop aprox 6 weeks ago any average size lawn under ankle high $25.00 then another bloke has put one up the same aprox 2 weeks ago .. now in my area the average size block is about 800 / 900 meters with 3 bedroom houses = how can you compete with that
    so geoff looks like you have plenty of potential subbies in your area
    Anything Ian says may or may not be garbage, it may also be his own opinion or it may not be his opinion at all, it may just be something he felt like stating anyone following his advice does so at their own risk and may be doing something Ian would actually advise against.
    And if you don't like what Ian has to say use the ignore function if you don't know how ask i will gladly tell you

  3. #273
    Member geoff1969's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    melbourne area
    Posts
    1,239

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    so geoff looks like you have plenty of potential subbies in your area
    if you wat to pay them cash in hand and cop all there f---- ups etc yes i suppose there is was talking to a bloke at the tip i know hes been in it for about 8 years localy , hes said hes sick of it and pulling the pin soon as hes realy starting to struggle , claims hes luck to complete 3.5 full days a week now due to these people .

  4. #274
    Senior Member gcsmow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Tolga N.Q.
    Posts
    1,391

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    All they do is make it harder for everyone else. Damn them!! I have heard some of them go around and take note of the jobs they see other lawnies doing then go back later and tell the owner that they will do it cheaper than who you currently have doing it.

    It's not right.



    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    And the thing that really pisses me off is that every day I see more and more fly by nighters / just in it for the summer season types with full trailers going to the dump. They are cutting for next to nothing. Makes it so f*cking hard for the guys in it for the long haul to make a decent income when they will undercut your prices by 50 to 70%.

  5. #275
    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    St Clair NSW
    Posts
    1,109

    Aussie Re: Things that make me grumpy

    F..k them! I used to worry about them. But there are a few things I have noticed lately that make them beneficial to my business. Firstly they are unfriendly, unprofessional and do a crap job generally. So I do the opposite and charge more ). I get so many calls from people who are unhappy with their current lawnmower bloke who is messy and unreliable. Another thing that keeps me positive about the part timers is that a lot of them will disappear when the peak season dies off which means there will be more potential work for me in the quiet times when I need it most. Most people prefer a reliable gardener who is available year round. Those who would rather get the cheapest bloke around usually don't care about their lawn/garden, are bad payers and PITA in general...the kind you don't want anyway. My advice....don't try and compete. Just maintain your high standard....even use it as your selling point and make sure to emphasise the fact that you are fully insured and put your A.B.N. in your add.

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


    fairdinkumlawns.com.au

    facebook page

  6. #276
    Member of Forum Stripes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Baulkham Hills
    Posts
    1,544

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Spot on Jason. I never tried to compete with the cheap muppets and always had plenty of work, but I think there must be less people getting mowing done for them and more contractors in some of the areas the other guys are in so it is harder for them. There is plenty of work around here for good contractors, but seems the cowboys prevail in other markets where $ rule over quality.

  7. #277
    Translawner administrator's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    3,820

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Lawn Monkey or muppets can be a security risk for customers .

    Please Support The Sponsors www.lawnmowingdirectory.com.au

    As they support this forum




    Carrum downs Dandenong Doveton

  8. #278
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    5,863

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by fairdinkum View Post
    that sounds like the one. Probably about an inch long. They have been chasing me everywhere lately. But first time one ever caught me
    Yep sounds right. I had 3 or 4 of them drive me off a tractor when I was about 14. I legged it and the tractor ran into a tree (at low speed) and just stayed chugging away with the wheels turning. These bloody wasps repeatedly attacked the wheels. Held us at bay for about an hr until they gave up and left.
    Cheers

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


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

  9. #279
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    5,863

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by RSM-Gazza View Post
    In my past career I was directly in charge of 150-160 people and was for 30yrs.
    I always dreamed of being responible for me only, everyday I woke up, throughout night and day.
    That dream has been realised and I don't need to expand the business to live comfortable.
    So I'm living me dream.

    I concur. I too have been at the sharp end of a big organisation. I would prefer to sit at the blunt end of a small one
    Cheers

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


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

  10. #280
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    5,863

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    I wish I was knocking back work like that but despite the effort I put into every single job I do, despite forking out exorbitant amounts for advertising, despite everything, I'm losing some of my mowing clients and only seem to be badgered and bargained with by people to provide more for less. Turned up at a regular job today only to find it had been mowed by someone else despite talking to the client only three days ago. I need to find more clients who don't have dementia and who will remember they've actually booked me to work for them.
    Hang in there Paul. Not sure how long you have been going. Stick with it mate. It will get better.
    Cheers

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


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

  11. #281
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    5,863

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by fairdinkum View Post
    F..k them! I used to worry about them. But there are a few things I have noticed lately that make them beneficial to my business. Firstly they are unfriendly, unprofessional and do a crap job generally. So I do the opposite and charge more ). I get so many calls from people who are unhappy with their current lawnmower bloke who is messy and unreliable. Another thing that keeps me positive about the part timers is that a lot of them will disappear when the peak season dies off which means there will be more potential work for me in the quiet times when I need it most. Most people prefer a reliable gardener who is available year round. Those who would rather get the cheapest bloke around usually don't care about their lawn/garden, are bad payers and PITA in general...the kind you don't want anyway. My advice....don't try and compete. Just maintain your high standard....even use it as your selling point and make sure to emphasise the fact that you are fully insured and put your A.B.N. in your add.
    x2. This is good advice. Never ever try to compete with the lowballers. Let them kill themselves
    Cheers

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


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

  12. #282
    Senior Member gcsmow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Tolga N.Q.
    Posts
    1,391

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    I can think of easier ways to go broke than busting my @r$e in the hot sun for peanuts.
    I could go to the pub, drink and gamble all day and go broke that way, that would be a lot more enjoyable.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bluey View Post
    x2. This is good advice. Never ever try to compete with the lowballers. Let them kill themselves

  13. #283
    Senior Member kakegc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by RSM-Gazza View Post
    In my past career I was directly in charge of 150-160 people and was for 30yrs.
    I always dreamed of being responible for me only, everyday I woke up, throughout night and day.
    That dream has been realised and I don't need to expand the business to live comfortable.
    So I'm living me dream.

    What unit/s were you part of Gary?

  14. #284
    Senior Member kakegc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Bluey View Post
    x2. This is good advice. Never ever try to compete with the lowballers. Let them kill themselves
    Yeah, let them "fly under the radar!"

  15. #285
    Senior Member Arfa Brayne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    The 'Gong.
    Posts
    520

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    got stung by a wasp about 6 weeks ago put 2/ stroke on it and took an antihistamine and no problems got stung buy a bee 2weeks ago put 2/ stroke on it took an antihistamine then took 2 phenergan when i got home and my arm only swelled up to about 1/2 as big again
    Onya Ian !!!
    Good to see someone gave the petrol trick a go - nice to see it helped you.
    Strewth it was hot last week. The wasps seem to love the humid conditions too.
    "Can't" is a dirty 4 letter word.
    If someone says "Can't" , take the "T" off the end and brew it.
    Sip on a mugfull, relax, and take a look at what you've got left to work with.

Page 19 of 333 FirstFirst 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201202203204205206207208209210211212213214215216217218219220221222223224225226227228229230231232233234235236237238239240241242243244245246247248249250251252253254255256257258259260261262263264265266267268269270271272273274275276277278279280281282283284285286287288289290291292293294295296297298299300301302303304305306307308309310311312313314315316317318319320321322323324325326327328329330331332333 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •