Independent LawnMowing Contractors Of Australia Forum

Thread: Things that make me grumpy

  1. #4756
    Senior Member 4 Gardens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Well done!
    We all have those clients from time to time, dont let them get you down , there will be a better one come along soon enough

  2. #4757
    Member Redeye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    don't stew on it mate.....another client will replace it before long




    http://curraronggardening.com/

    "All sin is washed away in the Holy goodness of Beer"
    Book of Redeye, Psalm 69

  3. #4758

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by NLALM View Post
    Done 4 hrs hedging for a client on tuesday , wife sent invoice last night, after I told her how much , she said I'm not charging enough and yes it was a bit cheap but this guy gets me to do a fair bit of work , and I have put a bit of work into his lawns and have them coming on well. I won't say how much I charged as you guys would give me serve and tell me to wake up. But I will say I didn't add anything to get rid of the green waste , which is stupid, and I sprayed his weeds a week ago and didn't charge him, wish I had of.

    Anyway a bit about the guy, late 60s multi million dollar house , holiday home at nelson bay , owns a block of units where I have done work for him , owns several rental properties, told me he is building a new development ,drives a merc , you know typical aussie doing it tough.

    So got a text off my wife this morning saying he sent an email saying he wasn't happy with the price and could I give him a breakdown of what I charged him for. I thought you must be kidding, well it played on my mind all day, I don't need this crap off any client if your not happy with my price get someone else. So I just couldn't help it on my way home I went to his place to front him, I can't stand these spineless people who are so tough behind their keyboard. I asked what the problem was and he said he was shocked by the price , I explained what I charged and let him know what he got for free. I told him he got a very good deal and being polite which is unlike me in these situations, I told him I will no longer do any work for him, as this has soured the relationship.

    The thing that really gets me is that this guy has had his own business, he must know what it costs to run a business. I should of asked him what he thought a fair hourly rate would be for a qualified tradesman with 35 years experience would be. Let me tell you the hedges were trimmed to perfection , the place always shines , I used to get comments from people walking past all the time, it just feels like a real kick in the guts , Im just about ready to give this crap away, sorry for the rant guys
    Just let it out on those people who treat you (and probably anyone else who crosses their paths) like Sh**. Sometimes they just need to be told, probably won't understand but someone has to tell them

  4. #4759
    Member of forum ASTRO's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Mark,
    The customer does not value the garden . Period.
    He was checking how you value yourself + your business in the email.
    Unfortunately there are customers who need to be reminded how you need to be treated.
    If he was not happy with the first invoice then re-invoice him with the actual cost of the job. He's a smart guy let him work it out.
    Good luck getting payment. Then keep on walking.
    Did a days work for a well-off bloke once who said and I quote " Its amazing what you can do with slaves + whips and chains. Just FKN Wow!
    Tomorrow is a new day to a wise man.

  5. #4760
    Senior Member steveo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    RIP Australia manufacturing. Sad day for Australia today. Sad day for future generations. Are you reading this Joe Hockey?

  6. #4761
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by steveo View Post
    RIP Australia manufacturing. Sad day for Australia today. Sad day for future generations. Are you reading this Joe Hockey?
    What was he supposed to do travel back in time and convince Ford not to close,if labor were willing to let Ford close why blame the LNP when the others follow,it was a well known fact that if one of the 3 closed the others would soon follow unless the Government was willing to throw billions at these companies to try and keep them
    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

  7. #4762
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by steveo View Post
    RIP Australia manufacturing. Sad day for Australia today. Sad day for future generations. Are you reading this Joe Hockey?
    I have heard a rumour the Holden CEO has said no amount of government subsidies would have convinced them to stay. Car manufacturing in Australia is dead. Time to look at something else rather than lament what was.
    Cheers

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


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

  8. #4763
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by NLALM View Post
    Done 4 hrs hedging for a client on tuesday , wife sent invoice last night, after I told her how much , she said I'm not charging enough and yes it was a bit cheap but this guy gets me to do a fair bit of work , and I have put a bit of work into his lawns and have them coming on well. I won't say how much I charged as you guys would give me serve and tell me to wake up. But I will say I didn't add anything to get rid of the green waste , which is stupid, and I sprayed his weeds a week ago and didn't charge him, wish I had of.

    Anyway a bit about the guy, late 60s multi million dollar house , holiday home at nelson bay , owns a block of units where I have done work for him , owns several rental properties, told me he is building a new development ,drives a merc , you know typical aussie doing it tough.

    So got a text off my wife this morning saying he sent an email saying he wasn't happy with the price and could I give him a breakdown of what I charged him for. I thought you must be kidding, well it played on my mind all day, I don't need this crap off any client if your not happy with my price get someone else. So I just couldn't help it on my way home I went to his place to front him, I can't stand these spineless people who are so tough behind their keyboard. I asked what the problem was and he said he was shocked by the price , I explained what I charged and let him know what he got for free. I told him he got a very good deal and being polite which is unlike me in these situations, I told him I will no longer do any work for him, as this has soured the relationship.

    The thing that really gets me is that this guy has had his own business, he must know what it costs to run a business. I should of asked him what he thought a fair hourly rate would be for a qualified tradesman with 35 years experience would be. Let me tell you the hedges were trimmed to perfection , the place always shines , I used to get comments from people walking past all the time, it just feels like a real kick in the guts , Im just about ready to give this crap away, sorry for the rant guys
    Well done mate. He does not deserve you. He will find out to his cost you did a great job for him and provided freebies. You did the right thing. Things like this are designed to make you think...why didnt I charge him more
    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. #4764
    Senior Member Scooby Steve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Nlalm seems to be how the richies roll. Some don't know how good they have it. Betcha it felt good sticking to your guns.

  10. #4765
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Just about to start a lawn this morning and phone rings. Answer it and woman says..I need my lawns cut. I say ...Ok what suburb are you in.... she tells me it and it is one about 30k away probably about 50 min in traffic and one I dont service. Sorry but I dont service your area.... I says. Silence for a bit.....when can you start... she says. What....says I. When can you start... she says again. I dont service your area... I say again but louder.....Oh...how much will it be...she says. I take the phone of my ear and look at it quzzically thinking ..Why me. Look luv I dont work in your area ok...says I. Can you come today...she says. What part of I do not work in your area do you not understand... says I. But I need it cut she says. OK I think well if we are doing this lets make it worth while. Then I say....I will need to have a look at it to quote you a price. There is a $80 quote charge and the barest minimum price I would be looking for the job would be $150 plus the quote charge. Silence. Then ...to dear.... Oh really what type price were you thinking then. ...says I. I can pay $25 ...says she. I laugh and ...say good luck with that... and hang up to her going...wait...wait
    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. #4766
    Member Redeye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    get them ones too Bluey, quite often from about 2hrs drive away lol




    http://curraronggardening.com/

    "All sin is washed away in the Holy goodness of Beer"
    Book of Redeye, Psalm 69

  12. #4767

    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by Bluey View Post
    Just about to start a lawn this morning and phone rings. Answer it and woman says..I need my lawns cut. I say ...Ok what suburb are you in.... she tells me it and it is one about 30k away probably about 50 min in traffic and one I dont service. Sorry but I dont service your area.... I says. Silence for a bit.....when can you start... she says. What....says I. When can you start... she says again. I dont service your area... I say again but louder.....Oh...how much will it be...she says. I take the phone of my ear and look at it quzzically thinking ..Why me. Look luv I dont work in your area ok...says I. Can you come today...she says. What part of I do not work in your area do you not understand... says I. But I need it cut she says. OK I think well if we are doing this lets make it worth while. Then I say....I will need to have a look at it to quote you a price. There is a $80 quote charge and the barest minimum price I would be looking for the job would be $150 plus the quote charge. Silence. Then ...to dear.... Oh really what type price were you thinking then. ...says I. I can pay $25 ...says she. I laugh and ...say good luck with that... and hang up to her going...wait...wait
    Get a message on phone for a nature strip next to 2 clients my brother does.
    We get back to him a couple days later leaving a text saying $10 when we do the others. Leave bin out etc etc .
    Get a voice message back from Pete the plumber saying he though $5 would be the right price and he will either do it or try to find the other guy??

  13. #4768
    Senior Member RSM-Gazza's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Fancy expecting one to do a job for $5 even if your working next door and a Plumber at that. Like the people who tell you its a little job that hubby take 20 minutes and gives you a price. When its a 1.5hr job and the price will be 3 times that Luv.

    I did a rare quote for a caller on Thursday for a large joint on a cnr, into the quote he says I'm sacking the current guys for non/slow attendance and then whilst in the rear yard he tells me he sacked the guy before that being a Jim's after an incident.(With a grin on his face)
    I thought, I don't want this due to the mega amount of grass pick up required and this guy thinks his better. Quoted super high price and walked away very quickly, put phone number in my contacts to ensure if there was a return call not to answer
    Cheers Garry

  14. #4769
    Senior Member NLALM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Can you imagine a plumber charging $5 for anything..........hope he finds the other guy

  15. #4770
    Member Redeye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    IKEA flat packs make me f**king grumpy......




    http://curraronggardening.com/

    "All sin is washed away in the Holy goodness of Beer"
    Book of Redeye, Psalm 69

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