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Most will have a set day with the knowledge that if rained off they will be serviced the following day or two. All clients have either an AM or PM slot but again this may be swapped around if the weather is against us.
I just can not give "appointments" other than for larger jobs for which we will arrive bang on time.
A few regulars have requested for example before 10AM but no later than 11AM due to their other commitments which again we will endeavour to accommodate.
We also hold keys for side gates so it does help get around the problem.
Biggest nightmare is traffic and if they close the M3 off it could put us back 2 hours.
As to those little extra requests whilst you are here! We can normally handle the quick ones else the work will be scheduled in on the next visit.
Worst time delay is when they want to chat. They don’t tend to do this with the lads and if we are busy I normally make my apologies and leave and if necessary phone them in the evening. For some clients we are the only people they see all week! They also take comfort in the knowledge that we will be there on a set day and if for example we notice the milk hasn’t been taken in that we will endeavour to make contact with them. To some we are the 4th emergency service.
Have an agreement that you'll visit weekly/fortnightly etc, and that you'll do an agreed number of hours.
Explain that if you're limited to a particular time slot there is more likelihood of the job not happening.... weather, unpredicted complications elsewhere, etc. If you're able to hold keys for gates then the client need not be at home and you can collect payment next time. This also means that they are able to go out and not feel they need to be in waiting for you.
I have only one customer who i have to make a firm appointment with each visit... if they were all like that it'd be a logistical nightmare.
With time they'll see it can work perfectly well.
If I am running more than 15 minutes late then I (or my staff) will telephone/text or email (if appropriate) with a revised time.
The only time when problems occur with scheduling is in the winter when daylight hours are shorter and there is no margin for error with over-runs, but customers can always then be re-scheduled to another day or perhaps a weekend if staff wanted to earn some overtime :)
We rarely lose days to inclement weather unless conditions prevent it (lots of snow on the ground, frozen ground). We would normally work in the rain, I supply my staff with good quality raincoats.
i think they all understand . if they need it desperate they phone me. if asked for it gets done as requested.
a few i have keys for (in london) and others in shropshire they are all out at work earning to pay me.
the jobs ''get done'' , i think they mostly know know im always busy so im not avoiding them.
tbh there are so many variables in my life now sometimes its
weather
time
busy
better jobs come first
requested jobs i do / if they chase me up ;-)
cars need servicing .
diggers get stuck
ride-ons need fixing
i need a break etc etc
so , its never important / its only a hedge/lawn/plants/ whatever..........its taken them 1/2/3weeks to ask you anyhow so whats so important.
im bust all the time and if im not getting full-price then they can get a sub-standard service - its there call !
just get the job done . be honest, trust worthy , explain why you are delayed and they understand
anyone agree ? its took me 7years to work this out. maybe if it was mega busy (not recession) id speed -up again..................................it seems to be picking up though now :-) good luck all
You have just summed up my working week
On Tuesday afternoon I had to get it into our heads that it was our bit for the community as she had called earlier in the day to make sure we coming as round. The last time I had to decline on staying for dinner!!! You better believe it - sandwiches, pancakes, fruit, tea!! She wrapped them all up and insisted we take them home as we are all such hard workers. She passed comment on Tuesday that I'm a lot thinner than I was 2 weeks ago!!
The very least she'd let us away with was a sweet whilst working, then a cake and cuppa when finished. This took half an hour!! And that was at 4.30pm when all we wanted to do was get home.
Just as well that was at the end of the day or else my day truly would go to pot.
Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt said:
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