Don't you just love some clients!

Now I’m a nice guy (well I like to think so!) – help anyone and honest, trustworthy etc.We had a client that we looked after for five years. Two years ago she wanted a small local “gardener” who would call in every week rather than fortnightly cutting and 2 – 3 tidy ups per year. So we parted company.Two weeks ago she phoned up explaining that her gardener has let her down, in fact he hasn’t been all year and could we cut her grass.I explained that we have put our prices up and regular cutting would be £17 up from £15 two years ago but would charge her £20 for the first cut. All quoted over the phone and stressed that if her lawn hasn’t been cut for six months or more we would normally charge in the region of £50 - £75.She rather reluctantly accepted and duly advised us that she would be away on holiday and to go ahead.The grass was over two foot high, full of moss and her flipping car on the driveway causing some considerable effort to get the Hayters round to the back.Job done – looked brilliant. Total time about 1 hour all for £20 – Boy did she get a deal!Received cheque this morning and a “little” note saying how shocked she was that we even dared put our prices up and we were more interested in making a profit and taking advantage of people. And on and on she went about everything and her dog and how she will have to reconsider using us again but could we come tomorrow!I think she will be disappointed tomorrow!Sorry for whinging but just wanted to get it off my chest rather than phoning to (ex) client!

Replies

Classic Gardens June 17, 2009 at 9:07pm

lol love it

You should write a note explaining to her you pay for what you get.
Graeme @ BGS June 17, 2009 at 9:35pm

I think I will re-invoice her! :-)
Lawncare-4u.co.uk June 18, 2009 at 12:28am

sounds familiar in respect to many aspects of many customers - i am going to have to stick to my prices & black and white now it is busy !!!
3 months to save?! for winter -----they can all whistle at the moment . up to them !! not wasting my time , i want a life too and my garden half tidy ...............stuff them !
Marc Cole June 18, 2009 at 8:23pm

It must be catching, just spent an afternoon strimming & mowing a lawn that hadn't be looked at for while. Shame there isn't a programme 'Rogue Customer's'
Interested though in what kit you used to sort out 2 foot tall grass, interested because I've got a job coming up for a plot about 1/3 of an acre and pretty tall thick grass, of a sort.
Graeme @ BGS June 18, 2009 at 8:36pm

Shame you were not a little nearer or you could of put the Scag (48 inch) on it. Would only take 30 minutes.

Garden we done was small and tight access so hence no choice but to strim it down then mowed it (twice)
PRO

Phil Voice June 18, 2009 at 8:40pm

This is another good thread and customers will be wise to take note that they too have responsibilities when it comes to forging a partnership.

I experienced this many times too over the years.
Ofer El-hashahar June 19, 2009 at 9:47pm

Hey,
no wonder where the other gardener gone?
It took me a while to understand that it is better to keep the energy for good customers- than spend it for about nothing.

Clive Warwick said:
Classic I love clients like that, what balls a!! We just had a great client, complained about every material that was delivered to site, despite the fact that they choose them! The classic one was the bricks they liked at the stone merchant and choose. Once delivered to site, they where the wrong colour! What can you do!
PRO

Paul @ Ashgate Garden Care June 19, 2009 at 10:49pm

For me the alarm bells start ringing when I go to see a prospective client and they say something on the lines of 'yes, we've had quite a few gardeners'.
Lawncare-4u.co.uk June 20, 2009 at 12:44am

lol - hehe ............we \Will learn slowly...........................i bet colin doesnt have many problems !!

Paul Gregory said:
For me the alarm bells start ringing when I go to see a prospective client and they say something on the lines of 'yes, we've had quite a few gardeners'.
Sefton Paine June 20, 2009 at 9:33am

As business owners or tradesmen, we can quite easily be exposed, even if it is of no fault of ours. I was thinking, can we expose or have customers blacklisted...not really, but I wish we could.

Customers are a funny breed and there is no rhyme or reason as to their actions at times. I had a customer who forgot I was his gardener!! Others think I am overpriced - but we have had this kind of discussion before.

I have even had one who only wanted to pay me £1.20 an hour, of which I explained that I would have to work an hour and a half to be able to afford a cup of takeaway coffee.

Sometimes you just need to appreciate such stuff.