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Replies

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  Dan Frazer Gardening June 17, 2012 at 11:13pm

  My thoughts are to avoid this job. The fact he has taken so long to get back to you rings alarm bells and I guarantee you'll spend a long time chasing payment. There are much better ways to get knock-on jobs.
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  Chris @ Tidy Garden Company June 18, 2012 at 9:51am

  Couldnt agree more

  Ive had a similar customer who turned out to be very problematic
  
  Dan Frazer Gardening said:

  My thoughts are to avoid this job. The fact he has taken so long to get back to you rings alarm bells and I guarantee you'll spend a long time chasing payment. There are much better ways to get knock-on jobs.
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  Colin Hunt June 18, 2012 at 10:14am

  It seems to be a trend, especially in some parts of the commercial sector, whereby you visit the site, email a detailed quote(by request)...........then nothing, not even an acknowledgement.  Then sometimes after 6 weeks it all springs back to life.  I have always worked on the principal that an acknowledgment is not only good business procedure, but good manners.  Dinosaur that I am!
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  Chris @ Tidy Garden Company June 18, 2012 at 10:54am

  Ive also had this happen a few times over the past 12months,

  If a company cant be bothered to call or email you to let you know they want the work, then its not a good sign they're gonna pay on time
  
  Colin Hunt said:

  It seems to be a trend, especially in some parts of the commercial sector, whereby you visit the site, email a detailed quote(by request)...........then nothing, not even an acknowledgement.  Then sometimes after 6 weeks it all springs back to life.  I have always worked on the principal that an acknowledgment is not only good business procedure, but good manners.  Dinosaur that I am!
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  Craig Downey June 18, 2012 at 1:57pm

  Tell them its late on in the season and you can not guarantee results
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  John Cooke June 18, 2012 at 4:14pm

  Guys! Where's the love??

  We are in a service industry and if people don't get back to us, so be it. Sometimes they are embarrassed to tell you bad news, sometimes they get tied up with more important things.  If you think payment is an issue ( and it may be with a pub) get a deposit to cover costs. 

  But the question was about supplying good looking baskets. If it's too late in the year, them tell him so.  If you manage a customers expectations, you can normaly work things out.

  Frankly I have no idea about hanging baskets, never get involved with that stuff.  Just surprised at the direction the thread was taking!
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  Mulberry June 18, 2012 at 6:37pm

  There's still plenty of plants available to create a great display in a hanging basket. If your not too hot on plants then go into your local wholesale nursery and ask them for thier recommendations. They'll do trays of bedding plants like Bocopa, Petunia, Verbena, Trailing ivy, Lobelia.. the list goes on. They'll be plug plants but if planted properly will grow pretty quickly to fill the basket and as long as they are watered regularly they will flower contiuously untill the first frosts. You could then take them away and replace with winter flowering verieties of pansies and evergreen ivy such as Hedra helix. These should take care of themselves until the Spring when you can bring out your re-planted summer baskets. Give a price for maintaining a constant display instead of just a one off fire and forget install people will enquire if they see somthing that has obviously been thought about and looked after. Get hold of Dr Hessayons books, Bedding Plant Expert and Container Expert. Packed with good info, available at most garden centers and only around £7.00 each.
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  Dave Lockney June 18, 2012 at 8:40pm

  Thanks for the responses!  I think with this one it is the first "commercial" baskets I have done, and as it is on a main road I wanted them to look great - we all want to showcase our work!  I think a combination of the lateness and the poor weather means that my original plan to have them immediately great is going by the wayside.  Also some customers (this one in particular) dont understand that plants have to "grow into" their space! The couple of baskets I have done for this job so far which are still in my greenhouse are looking much better after only a few days, but I think I will infill with more - and will take the hit on price just to get the job right this time. I have some lobelia and ivy I have brought on since spring - so will use them too.   Live n learn - live n learn!  I will look out for those books too - thanks again everyone.
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  Dan Frazer Gardening June 18, 2012 at 8:43pm

  Consider getting a deposit for the work as the price will consist of a significant materials element.

  Update us once done anyway as it will be interesting to know how it goes.
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  Austin Powell-Allen June 19, 2012 at 11:47am

  I quite agree I look after a village hall doing the bookings in my free time and when I obtain quotes I always follow them up once we have decided. Its just good manners
  
  Colin Hunt said:

  It seems to be a trend, especially in some parts of the commercial sector, whereby you visit the site, email a detailed quote(by request)...........then nothing, not even an acknowledgement.  Then sometimes after 6 weeks it all springs back to life.  I have always worked on the principal that an acknowledgment is not only good business procedure, but good manners.  Dinosaur that I am!