Last night I get a call from the maintenance man at a local business. "You came by a couple weeks ago and I haven't heard from you. I need you here tonight to mow the lawn. I have important people coming tomorrow morning."

I was there a couple of weeks ago but when he asked me to give an estimate for mowing and snow removal I stated that I don't do snow removal and he should keep the guys he already has.

I didn't give an estimate because I thought it was settled.

I called the guy back but his voicemail is full (is that even still a thing??).

We played phone tag, never catching each other, for an hour or so, so I called his boss.

I told him there's no way for me to do it tonight. He said, "OK, then tomorrow is fine." Tomorrow is a 13 lawn day, no dice. "Friday is fine". NO! This went back and forth with me ending up figuring he wasn't going to take no for an answer and I told him I'll have to check my schedule when I get back to the office but no promises.

I never even quoted a price and that makes me leery of the whole thing. Why would they drop their old lawn care guy without even hearing an estimate from me? Am I that hot?? I mean, yeah, but still.

I fired off a guesstimate but won't do anything until I hear back. I don't even think I have a slot in my schedule for another acre of lawn.

I wonder what their important visitors think of the unmowed lawn. I don't think I know how to deal with this.

If it don't feel right,it ain't right. Go with your gut felling and you will seldom be wrong.

Never leave a client without a firm understanding of next steps.

And by firm understanding, I mean vehement agreement between both parties on what those next steps are.

This does not seem like the kind of customer you want.

Sometimes the most profitable jobs are those that you turn down.

You already know what you're in for based on their behavior. They can't remember discussing a price, which means they'll forget in the future. They will either forget to pay, or want to argue when they get the bill.

They're also the type to demand last minute service at odd hours. What is an emergency right this minute can wait the next.

Sounds like a lot of headache.

One of the tough things about business is knowing which customers you cannot afford to service.

Just think - if this is how he is now - wait til he is a 'regular'... bounced checks, complaints, unreasonable demands, unrealistic expectations, last minute changes, etc...

Of course dealing with tough customers is part of the deal - I typically don't shy away from it because I enjoy helping them with their situations. And they can be loyal also. But sometimes....

I have some customers just not worth it - they are the quickest ones to want to 'talk to management' also.

Good luck -

-----------------------------------

I'm reminded of a sign in my long ago favorite gun shop in New Orleans:

"Failure to plan ahead on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
I don't think I know how to deal with this.

I'd ignore them.

A lot of solid advise here.

Particularly since it sounds like your dance card is already full.

10% of your customers cause 90% of your problems. This place has that written all over it. Just count your blessings that you found out BEFORE you started doing business with them. Run.

You'll get the same bullshit run around when you're trying to collect.

Pass.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
I don't think I know how to deal with this.

I'd ignore them.

I like it!

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
I don't think I know how to deal with this.

I'd ignore them.

This, in spades. Block their number(s) and go on with your life. This is a squirrel colony. They probably want a few 'free' lawn services before you figure out they'll never pay. I'd bet they've done it many times.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
You'll get the same bullshit run around when you're trying to collect.

Pass.

Didn't you just have this problem?
Perhaps they need someone because they didn't pay the last guy?
Maybe you should go in and tell them the price but tell them you want to be paid up front at least until the relationship is established?

Business agreements need to be done in writing. Even with someone you know. Spell out scope of work and any and all terms and conditions.
Doing things this way have prevented or solved 90% of my problems. The rest are from unreasonable people and having it in writing still was a great benefit.
This may sound time consuming but if you don't have time to do business this way, you will spend a lot more time dealing with issues because things weren't spelled out on paper.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
Didn't you just have this problem?

I don't think anyone ever expected me to work for them before hiring me before.

quote:

Perhaps they need someone because they didn't pay the last guy?

There's only one reason to drop a commercial account and that's it.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
... They're also the type to demand last minute service at odd hours. What is an emergency right this minute can wait the next. ...

Wonder how they feel about that now. Haha.

I just picked up another on a referral so I really can't help them.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
Sometimes the most profitable jobs are those that you turn down.
...

Yep.

Sometimes the most costly jobs are those that you take.


Mark, as others here have stated, trust you gut instincts, and your experiences. They help get you to this point in life.

If it seems odd, it is likely because it is odd.

What does their former guy say about them? I'd bet you'll find your answer therein.

I was just going to echo the "old guy didn't get paid" is the reason they called, now you could mow it for cash up front, and charge them 150% of the rate you'd normally charge, they are in a bind, need it cut, cash talks, bs walks...