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Thread: Things that make me grumpy

  1. #346
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    Had a similar scenario here during the week that is still buggin gme actually.

    Was called in to quote for a Sudanese migrant family. Got there and was shown the front yard. Was lead through the house to the back yard. (On the way through the house noted very well appointed, renovated kitchen, loungeroom with huge leather couch, massive flatscreen TV and two laptop comps sitting on a nice solid timber coffee table.

    After seeing the backyard I gave my price. $60 to edge and mow and clip a couple of small shrubs near front door.

    "Oh no too dear" she exclaimed over and over.
    I asked what the current guy charges and she said $20!


    Anyway after she talked to hubby he agreed straight away to $60. Cool I thought but then as I was leaving she goes into action.

    "When you come to mow can you prune this and this and this and this...." On it went.

    "Can you also get all this grass (couch) out of these gardens..." Gardens which were full of rocks as mulch which the couch had grown through.

    I said that's going to cost a lot more than $60.

    "No no no no" she said. "You do for $60".

    I just said "Not Likely" and got in the car and left.

    After then receiving about 4 voice messages on my mobile to come and do the job I turned up yesterday morning. No-one home and gates all locked. Phoned her and she said someone would be there soon but could I come back" Went back after my next job and gates still locked and no-one home.

    Left a polite note in their letterbox not to waste my time.

    Have since received four more voice messages (I recognise their number now) aasking me to come and do the job.

    I'm wondering why the guy who did it for $20 isn't still doing it.....

    Sorry for the rant but my Mrs just doesn't understand how frustrating it is to be stuffed around like this by clients!
    Dont even go near it!
    Thats not because they're Sudanese, its because of their attitude.
    Cheers Fred.

  2. #347
    Senior Member kakegc's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    Had a similar scenario here during the week that is still buggin gme actually.

    Was called in to quote for a Sudanese migrant family. Got there and was shown the front yard. Was lead through the house to the back yard. (On the way through the house noted very well appointed, renovated kitchen, loungeroom with huge leather couch, massive flatscreen TV and two laptop comps sitting on a nice solid timber coffee table.

    After seeing the backyard I gave my price. $60 to edge and mow and clip a couple of small shrubs near front door.

    "Oh no too dear" she exclaimed over and over.
    I asked what the current guy charges and she said $20!


    Anyway after she talked to hubby he agreed straight away to $60. Cool I thought but then as I was leaving she goes into action.

    "When you come to mow can you prune this and this and this and this...." On it went.

    "Can you also get all this grass (couch) out of these gardens..." Gardens which were full of rocks as mulch which the couch had grown through.

    I said that's going to cost a lot more than $60.

    "No no no no" she said. "You do for $60".

    I just said "Not Likely" and got in the car and left.

    After then receiving about 4 voice messages on my mobile to come and do the job I turned up yesterday morning. No-one home and gates all locked. Phoned her and she said someone would be there soon but could I come back" Went back after my next job and gates still locked and no-one home.

    Left a polite note in their letterbox not to waste my time.

    Have since received four more voice messages (I recognise their number now) aasking me to come and do the job.

    I'm wondering why the guy who did it for $20 isn't still doing it.....

    Sorry for the rant but my Mrs just doesn't understand how frustrating it is to be stuffed around like this by clients!
    I know what you mean mate, my wife used to work with me, but she forgot about how frustrating these people can be very quickly after she stopped.

    If I were you I'd forget them, they are just trying to get their bond back. I don't think they have any intention of paying you once you do the job, JMO.

  3. #348
    Member Andy B's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    Had a similar scenario here during the week that is still buggin gme actually.

    Was called in to quote for a Sudanese migrant family. Got there and was shown the front yard. Was lead through the house to the back yard. (On the way through the house noted very well appointed, renovated kitchen, loungeroom with huge leather couch, massive flatscreen TV and two laptop comps sitting on a nice solid timber coffee table.

    After seeing the backyard I gave my price. $60 to edge and mow and clip a couple of small shrubs near front door.

    "Oh no too dear" she exclaimed over and over.
    I asked what the current guy charges and she said $20!


    Anyway after she talked to hubby he agreed straight away to $60. Cool I thought but then as I was leaving she goes into action.

    "When you come to mow can you prune this and this and this and this...." On it went.

    "Can you also get all this grass (couch) out of these gardens..." Gardens which were full of rocks as mulch which the couch had grown through.

    I said that's going to cost a lot more than $60.

    "No no no no" she said. "You do for $60".

    I just said "Not Likely" and got in the car and left.

    After then receiving about 4 voice messages on my mobile to come and do the job I turned up yesterday morning. No-one home and gates all locked. Phoned her and she said someone would be there soon but could I come back" Went back after my next job and gates still locked and no-one home.

    Left a polite note in their letterbox not to waste my time.

    Have since received four more voice messages (I recognise their number now) aasking me to come and do the job.

    I'm wondering why the guy who did it for $20 isn't still doing it.....

    Sorry for the rant but my Mrs just doesn't understand how frustrating it is to be stuffed around like this by clients!
    Ranting is good if you get it off your chest, then you can move on! Had a lady yesterday who've i've never even seen before approach me from a neighbouring house counting out some money. I think WTF, she asked me to do her lawn, says she usually pays $15 so here it is... oh yeah here's $2.50 change I prepared earlier... yeah right guess who didn't get their lawn done?

  4. #349
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy B View Post
    Ranting is good if you get it off your chest, then you can move on! Had a lady yesterday who've i've never even seen before approach me from a neighbouring house counting out some money. I think WTF, she asked me to do her lawn, says she usually pays $15 so here it is... oh yeah here's $2.50 change I prepared earlier... yeah right guess who didn't get their lawn done?
    i hope you were polite and explained that you couldn't do it because it just wouldn't feel right only doing 1/2 the nature strip
    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

  5. #350
    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy B View Post
    Had a lady yesterday who've i've never even seen before approach me from a neighbouring house counting out some money. I think WTF, she asked me to do her lawn, says she usually pays $15 so here it is... oh yeah here's $2.50 change I prepared earlier... yeah right guess who didn't get their lawn done?
    It'a an Australia-wide phenomenon!!!!

  6. #351
    Member Andy B's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    i hope you were polite and explained that you couldn't do it because it just wouldn't feel right only doing 1/2 the nature strip
    Should of accepted it as a down payment like layby or something.

  7. #352
    Senior Member gcsmow's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    I've had these b@$t@rd$ as well,
    It's very simple more work = more time = more money. Imagine taking your car in for a service and the agreed price is $150.00 then asking them to buff and polish it, wash it and shampoo the carpets for no extra charge !! I know what the mechanic would say : Two words and the last one is OFF !!

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    Had a similar scenario here during the week that is still buggin gme actually.

    Was called in to quote for a Sudanese migrant family. Got there and was shown the front yard. Was lead through the house to the back yard. (On the way through the house noted very well appointed, renovated kitchen, loungeroom with huge leather couch, massive flatscreen TV and two laptop comps sitting on a nice solid timber coffee table.

    After seeing the backyard I gave my price. $60 to edge and mow and clip a couple of small shrubs near front door.

    "Oh no too dear" she exclaimed over and over.
    I asked what the current guy charges and she said $20!


    Anyway after she talked to hubby he agreed straight away to $60. Cool I thought but then as I was leaving she goes into action.

    "When you come to mow can you prune this and this and this and this...." On it went.

    "Can you also get all this grass (couch) out of these gardens..." Gardens which were full of rocks as mulch which the couch had grown through.

    I said that's going to cost a lot more than $60.

    "No no no no" she said. "You do for $60".

    I just said "Not Likely" and got in the car and left.

    After then receiving about 4 voice messages on my mobile to come and do the job I turned up yesterday morning. No-one home and gates all locked. Phoned her and she said someone would be there soon but could I come back" Went back after my next job and gates still locked and no-one home.

    Left a polite note in their letterbox not to waste my time.

    Have since received four more voice messages (I recognise their number now) aasking me to come and do the job.

    I'm wondering why the guy who did it for $20 isn't still doing it.....

    Sorry for the rant but my Mrs just doesn't understand how frustrating it is to be stuffed around like this by clients!

  8. #353
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by gcsmow View Post
    I've had these b@$t@rd$ as well,
    It's very simple more work = more time = more money. Imagine taking your car in for a service and the agreed price is $150.00 then asking them to buff and polish it, wash it and shampoo the carpets for no extra charge !! I know what the mechanic would say : Two words and the last one is OFF !!
    i don't agree i think he would be more likely to say if you want your keys pay me the extra $200 for the additional work you requested
    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

  9. #354
    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
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    Aussie Re: Things that make me grumpy

    The clients that expect you to do more without paying.....get rid of them now because they will always expect more! And the time you spend doing the extra freebies you could be doing PAID work. If they want charity call F>>>ING LIFELINE!

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


    fairdinkumlawns.com.au

    facebook page

  10. #355
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Ppl who get u round to quote & they cant really tell u what they want!.
    Cheers Fred.

  11. #356
    Senior Member NLALM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    This really gets me, came home today to find an email from the strata mob I do a bit for, saying my services are no longer required at one of the unit complexes I do for them. No big deal really I couldn't give toss but the thing that gets me is this job is worth a few grand a year to me so thats a nice little pay cut. The story is someone that lives there has a friend that mows lawns and wanted them to look after the grounds. This is just crap there should be some sort of contract signed it is just to easy to loose jobs this way. The spineless strata manager hasn't even got the balls to phone me it's done via email thats just gutless.Any way just another reason to spread yourself around and don't have to many eggs in one basket. Oh yeah I thought it was a bit suss when they got these guys to do the gardens, what a joke you should see the work they done bloody funny how there are guys around who think they are proffesional gardeners and really wouldn't know their arsehole from their elbow makes this little black duck grumpy

  12. #357
    Member geoff1969's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by NLALM View Post
    This really gets me, came home today to find an email from the strata mob I do a bit for, saying my services are no longer required at one of the unit complexes I do for them. No big deal really I couldn't give toss but the thing that gets me is this job is worth a few grand a year to me so thats a nice little pay cut. The story is someone that lives there has a friend that mows lawns and wanted them to look after the grounds. This is just crap there should be some sort of contract signed it is just to easy to loose jobs this way. The spineless strata manager hasn't even got the balls to phone me it's done via email thats just gutless.Any way just another reason to spread yourself around and don't have to many eggs in one basket. Oh yeah I thought it was a bit suss when they got these guys to do the gardens, what a joke you should see the work they done bloody funny how there are guys around who think they are proffesional gardeners and really wouldn't know their arsehole from their elbow makes this little black duck grumpy
    send them back an e-mail saying no problem you understand the position there in ... but when the time comes to rectify the f------ ups the other monkeys have made , you will be happy to re-qoute and take them back on as a regular client again ..

  13. #358
    Senior Member danz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Getting sprayed with dog **** while whippersnipping edges first lawn of the day. That makes me very grumpy

  14. #359
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by NLALM View Post
    This is just crap there should be some sort of contract signed it is just to easy to loose jobs this way.
    Yes your right. We need to cover ourselves for this. I don't have a lot of commercial clients but all I have I have a contract with. The Americans do it for residential lawns and I can see some merit in that too.
    Cheers

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


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

  15. #360
    Member BCMS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Smashing $1700 worth of safety glass window with a gum nut hidden in long grass in a new property I have picked up on the first visit.
    This is after doing a careful lap of the complex and removing all the builders rubble from the lawns.

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