I have some lawns that I just hate to service so I have decided to drop a few of them. There are two reasons:

1. The customer doesn't get fertilizer or weed killer and the place is very visible (on main street) and I'm often seen mowing these horrible looking lawns by passersby. It's a little embarrassing to be seen mowing them.
2. I mow but another company fertilizes. The other company places blame for any and every problem on me. It's kind of a slap in the face to hire another fertilizing company when I'm there every week.

Can you take a look at this letter and tell me if it is acceptable or if I should make some changes?

quote:

Dear <<first_name>,

I wanted to send you a letter to thank you for being an excellent customer over the past many years. I really appreciate the opportunity to serve you. However, the nature of the business is changing and I am slimming down the mowing schedule to concentrate on fertilizing services. I am currently only offering mowing to fertilizing customers and regrettably, am unable to continue servicing your lawn.

Due to concerns of insurances and reliability, I cannot suggest a replacement at this time. I wish you continued success.

Best regards,



mark123

quote:

I am slimming down the mowing schedule to concentrate on fertilizing services. I am currently only offering mowing to fertilizing customers and regrettably, am unable to continue servicing your lawn.

There's nothing wrong with it. Yes, it is acceptable. Most importantly, you gave them a reason. People would want to know why.

sounds reasonable enough and the letter isn't snarky at all ( to me )

Hmm, should there be a comma before and after "regrettably"?

That is fine. Above and beyond I would say. As in any business two percent of the people cause 98 percent of your problems.

I think that sentence could work with the two commas or no comma at all. Wouldn't worry too much about it.

No grades forthcoming - only less mowing or more fertilizing...

Why a letter, just tell them next time you cut. this is the last service for your yard, or two, give them time to arrange a replacement.

Or do like most lawn services down here, and just stop showing up, don't answer the phone, ever, and disappear....

Letter looks fine being the wordsmith I'll play..

Dear <<first_name>,

Thank you for being an excellent customer, I appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

However, the nature of the business is changing, we now only provide mowing service to customers
who participate in our fertilization program.

Thank you again for allowing us to provide mowing services

Regards,



mark123

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

I am slimming down the mowing schedule to concentrate on fertilizing services. I am currently only offering mowing to fertilizing customers and regrettably, am unable to continue servicing your lawn.

There's nothing wrong with it. Yes, it is acceptable. Most importantly, you gave them a reason. People would want to know why.

Yes, I figured that I would want to know why.
It's certainly not because they were bad customers or didn't pay. They've all been good customers.

quote:

Originally posted by SBrooks:
sounds reasonable enough and the letter isn't snarky at all ( to me )

Thanks. I didn't want to be offensive in any way.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
That is fine. Above and beyond I would say. As in any business two percent of the people cause 98 percent of your problems.

They are good people and good payers, it's just that the lawns don't fit into my schedule anymore and when the other companies blame me I have a hard time telling my customer that the other guy they trust more than me for some reason, is full of crap.

Mark,

I think the letter is good. Very professional and non-offensive. My only concern is that customer #1 might become a fertilizer customer, and that you are trying to get rid of him due to reflecting poorly on your image. Unintended consequences?

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Why a letter, just tell them next time you cut. this is the last service for your yard, or two, give them time to arrange a replacement.

Or do like most lawn services down here, and just stop showing up, don't answer the phone, ever, and disappear....

Mowing doesn't start until first week in April and I want to give them time to call around for a replacement.

quote:

Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler:
Mark,

I think the letter is good. Very professional and non-offensive. My only concern is that customer #1 might become a fertilizer customer, and that you are trying to get rid of him due to reflecting poorly on your image. Unintended consequences?

I have no issue with that. If they become a fertilizing customer then I won't be embarrassed to be seen mowing their lawn.

I'd give them a couple weeks or a month to find a new vendor...unless lawns are all dormant for a a few more weeks.

"As of 1 April..."

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Why a letter, just tell them next time you cut. this is the last service for your yard, or two, give them time to arrange a replacement.

Or do like most lawn services down here, and just stop showing up, don't answer the phone, ever, and disappear....

Mowing doesn't start until first week in April and I want to give them time to call around for a replacement.

Agreed, note the smiley,,, down here mowing season never ends, after 30 years we tend to forget that you northern guys have a "mowing season"

The best trick in business is giving a bad customer to the competition. You are then free to find a good customer.

Mark, the letter seems fine. However I had a neighbor lady that falls into category no. 1. She was a long time customer and her lawn serviced dumped her and boy was she pissed off. Bad mouthed them to any neighbor that walked by. Just couldn’t understand why she was dumped, complained she was one of the lawn services original customers. I had no answer for her other than “Sorry”. As far as category no. 2. I’m not sure, but if you wanted to keep them as a customer perhaps lower your price if possible. I know some of these outfits can fertilize a lawn cheaper than I can buy the stuff and do it myself. Just my 2 cents.

I like it and I think it leaves open the possibility of them contacting you to add fertilizer to the service.

Can you raise your “mow only” rates (double?) to make it *well* worth your while?

If they can’t afford your rates, they’ll “drop” you.

If they *can* afford your new rates, you’ll make more. Win-win?

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
I like it and I think it leaves open the possibility of them contacting you to add fertilizer to the service.

I was hoping it would sound that way.

If you want the fertilizer service biz, then price that on the letter

if you truly want to drop then I would say gas is up and we are unable to service your location, or they may just ask to add the fertlizer service, then you are back dealing with a problem client