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  Phil Voice April 28, 2009 at 8:35am

  Tony
  
  How disturbing. Although it could have been a prankster, who knows what goes on in peoples minds?
  
  It would be interesting to hear from you if this were to happen again.
  
  Take care.
  
  Phil
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  Shadow Hall April 28, 2009 at 8:50am

  A couple of years ago, when I first started the maintenance, I had a similar experience. I had also just done the rounds posting through doors. Later that night an anonymous caller told me to stop working his area, which when I think about it is quite funny really.
  It was anonymous like yours so this shows just how brave these people really are. I doubt you would ever see this person in the flesh but I would keep an eye on your equipment as Ive also had a lot of keying to vehicles and missing tools in the same area.
  
  I would do what you said and just keep going. Hope everything goes well for you.
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  Ofelia Harrington April 28, 2009 at 12:10pm

  It's so sad we recently have been experiencing a big flood of this but it is not phone calls it is calling police on my crews saying we are illegally dumping (competitor) sprinklers shut off on new home installs, telling our crews they are the homeowner and attempting to get them to do wrong work. All competitors. Due to this we have had to implement safety measures for our crews. Maybe if they concentrated on good CUSTOMER SERVICE they would'nt be loosing accounts. Trust me if I actually catch them I will have them prosecuted. The police call was proven due to I saw the competitor talking to the police officer and lucky for my guys myself and the builder where there at the time the police pulled up.
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  Sustainable Land Management April 28, 2009 at 1:12pm

  I would imagine this kind of thing will be increasing if there is a slight downfall. Surely you need to simply call the police.
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  Graeme @ BGS April 28, 2009 at 5:11pm

  If I were you Tony - just keep carding the area! They must be a shoddy outfit if they are that scared of a bit of competition.
  
  I do get a couple of crank calls - all kids during school holidays just mucking around trying to wind us up. Such as asking us to bring all our gear to cut a large private estate and the butler will pay upon completion :-) Oh and of course the drunk "lady" wanting her bush cared for one Friday night.
  
  Mind you I had a Mr Hayter who left a message asking for a quote and I was in two minds if to turn-up. I did and that was his real name!
  
  Only once did the team have a run in with a competitor which was mainly verbal and hand signals. But I am sure as the downturn continues we will get a bit more.
  
  I must admit I was expecting a nasty phone call as I logged a complaint with a particular HA that I am keen to take over as the grounds were a complete mess. Just offered to help them out if they were having problems with their current contractor. A week later the contractor bumped into me and thanked me as the HA requested less service visits and after my call they reinstated the number of visits. He was therefore happy and I am now on their preferred list of contractors for the future. A win / win I think :-)
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  Kerrie John-The garden design Co April 28, 2009 at 5:33pm

  That's exactly what I would do. The Police are great in situations like this your local force may even know who maybe behind the call.
  
  Alert your telephone company and see if they can trace the call. Just a thought.
  
  Don't give up building your business though. Competition is healthy, sounds like there has been little of it around where you work. Oh, could that be a clue?........
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  Graeme @ BGS April 28, 2009 at 6:55pm

  Tony,
  
  You can really use this to your advantage.
  
  Report the incident to the police and then the local paper and ask them to run a story about a new and upcoming gardener who is causing shockwaves. Having the competition running scared etc. etc. Perhaps we can all suggest suitable head lines for you? :-)
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  Tony April 28, 2009 at 9:28pm

  It's made me more determined. I've got a T Shirt on it's way and I will be going out carding in that, as well as working in it.
  
  If it happens again I will report it and get it traced.
  
  My thoughts were the same, If they are good then no one would need another gardener, so he is obviously worried about something.
  
  Just spoke to my uncle and he also mentioned the ice cream wars. Also I remember how bitter things could get with Burger Vans. The worse I have been told is undertakers.