Matt, don't give up. I've had this for the last few weeks. I'd recommend buying a new car. Get one of 3-5 years to keep the payments low. The cost you'll save in having a reliable vehicle will be more than worth the outlay and you'll love to be at work. (And customers will like the professional look too)
Not giving up anytime soon. Been at it for nearly 10 years and still enjoy the work. Beats the hell out of working in an office. I sometimes think a 'normal' job might be better, but then I might end up with people I don't like and lose the flexibility I have now. Besides pretty much all the major things have been fixed on the car now so should be good for another 5-6 years. When the budget allows I'll look at another car, something blue to match the trailer. Looking at upgrading some of my equipment first, like a backpack blower, another mower to compliment the HRX and possibly a walker next spring when the hustler is paid off. Sometimes it's just nice to have a whinge, get over it and move on. As someone mentioned before, this place is our therapy.
Send a text message to a customer saying last invoice is now overdue and the prior one is 3 weeks overdue.
Get a response back saying snowed under with bills this week, will pay you next week.
Gees what's mine if it's not a bill. A flipping pay when you want piece of paper ? The arrogance of some people.
Matt - Colorscape Gardening
http://www.colorscapegardening.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/colorscapegardening
Yep nothing like the "I'm going on holidays so don't have the money at the moment" No worries ....you have a nice time . I'll just tell my family we cant eat because so and so are going on holidays. Arse wipes.
Unfortunately that is the way a lot of people look at our invoices, it's only the lawn mower man, he can wait.
"I'm not alone cause the tv's on yeah,I'm not crazy cause I take the right pills.... everyday" Jimmy Eat World
http://www.dreamlawnsandlandscapes.com
I got one now who wanted the front and back cut,cut it twice and sent email invoice to her work as requested.I know she works there as her face and name is in the web page.
Her work sent me a return email saying she doesn't work here any more.
Today i dropped the invoices into her letter box so see where we go from here.
I use to work on a 3 cut rule,no payment no cut anymore till paid.Bought it down to 2 cut rule.
Cheers.
MIGHTY MOW Lawn & Garden Services
Brett Youlten
Mob: 0415 112 163
Web: www.mightymow.com.au
Email: info@mightymow.com.au
Proudly Australian Owned
I have the two cut rule. Works fine but you got to be on the ball and hit them with an overdue straight away. Any 4 weekly jobs or jobs $50 and over get invoiced every time. It's all about cashflow.
Newish clients only ever get one cut, don't go back until payment safely recieved. Once established (several cycles) I will move to 2 or 3 depending on circumstance.
Has anyone been so pissed off after being ripped off by a new customer( I won't say what nationality they are) that you left the grass clippings on the driveway after four hours work for $80 when they were quoted double that.
A Lebanese customer did that to me. Didn't leave the grass. There was no chance getting the extra money owed out of this prick as he just yelled and screamed until I walked away. Didn't care what I quoted as he believed he should pay half. There's a free weed spray yet to come.
Some customers are good at setting you up and then not pay or offer a lesser amount.Just low lifers.