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Thread: Things that make me grumpy

  1. #1111
    Senior Member glassngrass's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    If they were truly happy with the way the existing chap cut his mum's grass, then likely he would have requested that he do HIS as well - but no! They wanted a quote from somebody else to do both.
    I really can't see an issue with you taking them both on.
    David
    Mr Sparkle Car Spa

  2. #1112
    Senior Member gcsmow's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Absolutely correct, I have gone and had friendly chat to other Lawnies and it is the best possible thing you can do. I have off loaded work on to them and they have sent work my way. I scored a really good contract just because I got talking to another Lawnie and gave him my card.

    It is much better to work WITH people than work AGAINST them.

    Quote Originally Posted by cadase View Post
    If the guy had any clue, he would introduce himself to contractors that he comes across, explain that he's new to the game, and mention if you have any excess clients or extra work you need to off load then here's my business card. He'd pick up a fair bit of work this time of year, and he wouldn't have to keep looking over his shoulder when doing a lawn in which he lowballed from another contractor. AND HIS TYRES WILL STAY INFLATED ALL DAY
    Everybody is entitled to MY opinion

  3. #1113
    Senior Member gcsmow's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Oh yeah one more thing cadase, care to elaborate about "his tyres will stay inflated all day" ? Anything you would like to share ?

    Quote Originally Posted by cadase View Post
    If the guy had any clue, he would introduce himself to contractors that he comes across, explain that he's new to the game, and mention if you have any excess clients or extra work you need to off load then here's my business card. He'd pick up a fair bit of work this time of year, and he wouldn't have to keep looking over his shoulder when doing a lawn in which he lowballed from another contractor. AND HIS TYRES WILL STAY INFLATED ALL DAY
    Everybody is entitled to MY opinion

  4. #1114
    Member Redeye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    somehow the starter cord on my new victa 560 ended up under the mower - christ knows how - on a feral lawn and I now have to replace it before I can use it again. I won't be taking it to the handle "zone" again though...pita




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  5. #1115
    Senior Member AJD Mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    I have a nasty cold at the moment and coughing up green stuff and what makes me grumpy is what hapened today when I forgot I had my face shield on...

  6. #1116
    Senior Member Kathryn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    classic! oops

  7. #1117
    Dedicated Member Cranbourne Lawnmowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by gcsmow View Post
    Absolutely correct, I have gone and had friendly chat to other Lawnies and it is the best possible thing you can do. I have off loaded work on to them and they have sent work my way. I scored a really good contract just because I got talking to another Lawnie and gave him my card.

    It is much better to work WITH people than work AGAINST them.
    agree. I have had a chat with a local guy that asked about undercutting other guys and I told him its not as cut throat as you think. There is plenty of work out there and if you start going around undercutting other lawnies all you are going to do is start a situation that could result in us all having to do the same thing to gain any work and before you know it we are fighting over territories and working for peanuts.

    Infact I think for this industry to prosper we need to realie on each other to work together and do the right thing by each other, all you need to do is think about the way the cowboys operate to see what kind of damage it can do to our rates.
    Last edited by Cranbourne Lawnmowing; 01-11-2011 at 08:24 PM. Reason: another thought

  8. #1118
    Senior Member HPM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    When it rains in the morning so you decide to have the day off and get into the shed and get some projects done then it fines up after lunch halfway through the shed therapy.. Too late to go to work but too early to not go..And now your 2 days and 20 lawns behind..bloody sh..t weather..
    Hunterpropertymaintenance@gmail.com
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    Specialising in small and Large area collection mowing with Walker Mowers.

  9. #1119
    Senior Member gcsmow's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Damn right, the only thing these "fly-by-night, peanut eaters" do is stuff it up for those of us who are in this industry for the long haul.

    Quote Originally Posted by Cranbourne Lawnmowing View Post
    agree. I have had a chat with a local guy that asked about undercutting other guys and I told him its not as cut throat as you think. There is plenty of work out there and if you start going around undercutting other lawnies all you are going to do is start a situation that could result in us all having to do the same thing to gain any work and before you know it we are fighting over territories and working for peanuts.

    Infact I think for this industry to prosper we need to realie on each other to work together and do the right thing by each other, all you need to do is think about the way the cowboys operate to see what kind of damage it can do to our rates.
    Everybody is entitled to MY opinion

  10. #1120
    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Just saw the biggest cowboy I've ever seen around here.

    Rusty XD Falcon Wagon. Even rustier old box trailer with high sides made of corrugated iron held in place by who knows how.

    Blue singlet, old style stubbies shorts with the back pocket and a pair of thongs.

    I'm still lost for words.....

    It's people like this who are probably claiming Centrelink payments for disability or something then charging $20 for a lawn and in so doing, limiting potential work for the rest of us who do the right thing and have a family to feed, mortgage etc.

  11. #1121
    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Yeah. His 5 lawns a week are gonna put us all out of business!

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


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  12. #1122
    Senior Member PaulG's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    I know your thoughts on this issue Jason but I feel very strongly about it. It might not be an issue where you live and work but it's getting ridiculous around here and frankly I'm sick of it. Is it nice living in your perfect world where every single lawnie and gardener runs a professional, above-board business and does not lower the price expectations of every second person you quote for?

  13. #1123
    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Not true mate. I see them everywhere ruining lawns and leaving crap everywhere. There's probably 10 of them to every one of us. There are times when I struggle to make ends meet too....quite often actually. But I am never gonna try and compete with those pricks. I won't even put myself in the same category as them. They way I see it...and I've probably said this many times....they make my job easier by making me look great. When new clients see the quality of work I do and my attention to detail most pay me more than what I ask. I am still quite new to this business myself. And at first I was troubled by such blokes. But my client list is growing and my average price is rising because I ignore what others are doing and concentrate on running MY business the way I want to run it. My first winter I was full of worry, had crap gear and at times thought I could have necked meself....and by the way you have to realise that some of these blokes are fair dinkum people like us just starting out and struggling to build a sustainable list of clients with whatever equipment they can afford. My second winter, this year, I struggled but I survived...and I got to spend lots of time with my new baby and my now 2 year old. Now spring is full swing and I am planning for next winter. I am pretty busy and working hard. But I don't need to do 20 lawns a day to get ahead because I put myself in a category above and beyond the so called cowboys. People pay good money for good service. You just have to find those people.

    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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  14. #1124
    Senior Member sterlo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Yesterday, last lawn for the day. BANG....rock the size of a small marble flies from the whippy into sliding glass door, shatters from an inch above the ground...."Darn it" i say.......Get home and back the trailer into the nice new chest of drawers that the missus bought that i still haven't brought inside....."Darn it" i say.....Order the wrong pizza for dinner and the kids refuse to eat, so now i'm cooking dinner as well..... "Darn it" i say. Oh well, still got today to look forward to.

    Sterlo
    I spend most of my money on beer and horses, I just waste the rest....


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  15. #1125
    Senior Member edbeek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Things that make me grumpy

    Quote Originally Posted by PaulG View Post
    I know your thoughts on this issue Jason but I feel very strongly about it. It might not be an issue where you live and work but it's getting ridiculous around here and frankly I'm sick of it. Is it nice living in your perfect world where every single lawnie and gardener runs a professional, above-board business and does not lower the price expectations of every second person you quote for?
    FWIW, I'm with fairdinkum on this.
    If I actually gave a s**t, I'd be more concerned if I saw a new 'professional' looking outfit getting around, or an established operator with a new outfit and an extra crew because they would be getting the same clients that I want.

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