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Replies

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  Gary Hedges July 26, 2014 at 8:15pm

  Simple you tell them you will cut there grass fortnightly on a mutually agreed day.
  If you turn up and they turn you away ditch them.
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  Mitchel ingham July 26, 2014 at 8:22pm

  Gary what if I ditch them then they contact me again?
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  Gary Hedges July 26, 2014 at 8:39pm

  When they ask why tell them the truth,your a professional gardener and will only undertake work on a regular basis. have you ever had a customer pay you extra because the grass was wet and long? It's swings and roundabouts and to be brutally honest you really don't want customers that turn you away, remember you are self employed and not an employee, you call the shots.
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  Geoff Norfolk July 26, 2014 at 8:50pm

  
  
  Gary Hedges said:

  remember you are self employed and not an employee, you call the shots.

  If only it was that simple!! Unfortunately, since the customer holds the purse strings, they would seem to call the shots. If they're not happy with the grasscutting arrangement, they'll soon find someone else who will do what they want, when they want...... unjust though it seems.
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  Gary Hedges July 26, 2014 at 8:57pm

  It is that simple Geoff.
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  Mitchel ingham July 26, 2014 at 9:00pm

  Never pay me extra just expect me to sort it then it takes longer as more grass box empties
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  GORDON July 26, 2014 at 9:03pm

  Hi Mitchel
  It is very difficult and need to employ as much tact as possible. I have 90 customers for lawn mowing some weekly some every two weeks. I do not have contracts as it's mostly private customers but when they first engage me I mention for the fortnightly customers that a season equates to 16 cuts minimum per season. That provides scope for them being on holiday, me being on (as I am now) holiday and the customer starting the season late or finishing it early.
  It's enough not to frighten them off but it establishes the boundaries of what is expected from each other.
  
  I have only had one which I walked away from and another couple to which I mentioned "how would you feel if you went all the way into work and the boss said, sorry don't need you today". Handled in a delicat maner most appreciate and accept the situation especially if the finish you provide is what they desire and they are not so sure the next person would do the same.
  Hope this helps.
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  phil@gardenchief.co.uk July 26, 2014 at 9:03pm

  I've never had this problem unless its been serious drought.
  
  I do weekly or fortnightly.
  
  This year ive ditched any 3 weekly as its a pita.
  
  Ditch them its your business.
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  Dan Frazer Gardening July 26, 2014 at 10:24pm

  Of course it's US who call the shots, getting rid of a client simply gives you the chance to start a new one. There are always going to be new clients looking for our services. I'd get rid of a client who calls me off because they feel the grass hasn't grown enough. I have a one-strike policy, one instance of this and I will get rid.
• PRO

  Andy July 26, 2014 at 10:29pm

  It is simple. I have half a dozen or so fortnightlys and if they send me away I still invoice as an abandoned call at customer request I still charge full price. After all I now have two hours to kill which I could have used elsewhere. Time, in this game, is money!
  
  However if they call and cancel at least 24 hours in advance I don't charge as 99% of the time I can plan something else and shoot off elsewhere.
  
  The whole point, for me, doing this job is reduced stress. I had one fortnightly customer who became very erratic with cuttings saying no on his regular day and then a week later call me and expecting me to drop everything and cut his lawn. Despite reminding him of our agreement he continued in this manner which caused delays and problems with other customers so I dropped him as it was very unfair on my other customers. I told him this but I have no idea if he took it on board.
  
  I now have happy customers and a regular clientele who are happy to contact me if lawns don't require a cut but most of them leave me to make that decision.
  
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  Geoff Norfolk said:

  
  
  Gary Hedges said:

  remember you are self employed and not an employee, you call the shots.

  If only it was that simple!! Unfortunately, since the customer holds the purse strings, they would seem to call the shots. If they're not happy with the grasscutting arrangement, they'll soon find someone else who will do what they want, when they want...... unjust though it seems.