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Yep - I recognise that one. Its difficult.
I put the rates up (as for all clients) each May. Most actually paid, occasionally one said they really couldnt afford it, then you have the decsion to drop back on that client to the previous rate, or just say good bye.
I agree its a difficult one though - good luck
It's really the time which is the issue, happy to take the money hit. The other concerns are opening the door to unscruplous cowboys who will see an opportunity to take advantage
Hi I had two similar early this year I just had to harden my heart to their plight, it was early January so didn't give them any notice, 2 elderly living next door to each other so I sacked them both by letter simultaneously to make it fair, I think one of them still owed me for a couple of sessions but fitting them in had become untenable, one rang up and left a voicemail on 2nd Jan wanting moss scraping off driveway in case they slipped, if I were to remove said moss and they still slipped I might be liable. Both lovely people I found out that sadly the moss one died a few weeks later. Those jobs just didn't fit into my round well although we liked each other personally and 1 in particular incredibly precise requiring hedges trimmed 6 times per year etc. I think during the growing season a few weeks notice to find someone else is appropriate
Money isn't everything. They're longstanding customers that were there when you started so to ditch them now seems rather mercenary. If you've only got a "few" I'm sure you could keep them on if you really wanted to. Just do the bare minimum if necessary to keep their gardens under control ........ monthly visits instead of fortnightly perhaps?
Think you misread the post, it"s not the money side which we are happy to take a hit on it's a logistical/time issue
No, didn't misread it.............. you did say "financially unrealistic" Not wanting to come across as stroppy lol!............. I'm sure there are logistic/time problems but this is only because you're taking on more work to make more money!! .. Can't blame you for wanting that at all. I do understand however.................. I've longstanding customers that I know all their personal details with chats over tea and a couple of biscuits and they involve travel that I could really do without but they're lovely people I've been doing 15 years +
Ok thanks
fair enough for the kid on minimum wage but we're not in that category.... I'd say well above it. Doesn't doing these peoples gardens give a certain enjoyment that you don't usually get doing commercial work? To be fair here, I'm biased as the money comes in handy but I could manage without it if I had major health problems............ I actually do it because I enjoy it and I can escape the missus!! If you genuinely need every penny, then I guess you have to be ruthless. .
As sad as it is you've got to be objective. Business is Business. It's a problem for socal services.
I actually work in social services, for what it's worth - here is my take on this.
On the assumption that there are no contracts in place. Morally, only youll be able to answer as to whether you're happy to carry on work and how that may look for the business. With that in mind, you may feel obliged by duty and history, this is absolutely understandable. We all have bills to pay.
In my humble opinion you have three options. Serve them a 4 week notice for them to find someone else. Serve them a notice that you'll carry on for the rest of this year but from January, they'll have to find a different lawn care provider or third - you carry on as normal.
I much prefer the second option, as it'll give them ample time to find and plan for someone else. Your consciousnesses will take less of a hit, whilst also not leaving them in a sticky situation. With any luck, once you serve the notice - they'll immediately start looking for a new contractor and end your services sooner than December.
Ultimately it's your choice but I fully appreciate the struggles you're facing
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