[Lanelle]

Educating the customer by explaining the steps and specific traits of a high quality installation and mentioning that 'some companies' don't do 'x' or 'y' is different from 'bad mouthing' a competitor. If you know that you are up against this big-mouth, draw as many positive distinctions of your company as the client will hear. Put together a marketing piece with positive comments from your customers, references, and professional association memberships listed.
I don't think any of us are suggesting that you roll over and let the competitors have your clients. But making the clients want you is very key.

[mrusk]

Originally posted by Stonehenge
That's a valuable point, and one I'm trying to educate a customer about right now.

We were/are bidding against two of the largest companies in our market - both have G&A costs above ours. They had already received a bid from one of the companies, and that bid was nearly half what mine was.

Knowing where we've fallen on prior competing bids, I'm almost certain that we're not bidding on the same project. That is to say, our interpretations of what the client wants and needs were different. Especially when their labor charge was going to be in the neighborhood of $1,500 and ours more like $3,800.

So I'm going to try to convince this client that more investigation on her part is necessary, because the things we were going to do on this project can't be done by someone else for less than half the labor cost, no matter how fast they go.

Is this bad-mouthing the competition? I don't think so, but I am encouraging them to discover the differences in what they'd be getting, us vs them.

@mstiles - Is the guy a member of the local landscape association? If so, I'd bring it up at the next meeting.

I recently gave a proposal for a paver patio. The HO talked to 5 different people. All 5 people were bidding completly different things. There patio size varied from 500 sq ft to 1500 sq feet. I had full masonry pillars and out door kitchen unit. Others were building pillars and kitchen out of SRW block. The material and everything out varied completly between each contractor that submited a proposal.

I have no doubt in my mind this homeowner is completly confused and has no idea whos giving him a good deal, vs whos price gouging.

[PSUscaper]

" recently gave a proposal for a paver patio. The HO talked to 5 different people. All 5 people were bidding completly different things. There patio size varied from 500 sq ft to 1500 sq feet. I had full masonry pillars and out door kitchen unit. Others were building pillars and kitchen out of SRW block. The material and everything out varied completly between each contractor that submited a proposal

I have no doubt in my mind this homeowner is completly confused and has no idea whos giving him a good deal, vs whos price gouging"

If someone is receiveing 5 bids on a job, I think that would be a giant red flag and not spend too much time on it, especially on a large project like it sounds to be. If the customer is this confused already, imagine how confused they will be when the job actually starts.

[Raj Venugopal]

The other option, if you have the time and inkling, is to sit down with the homeowner and set the record straight by providing good solid information in a neutral, "educational" way.

Sometimes people are so used to being "sold" and worrying about salespeople always trying to close on them that they're afraid to enter into a trusting relationship with the person they're giving their money to.

I've found that once the trust is there, the proposed budget makes more sense to the homeowner.




I have no doubt in my mind this homeowner is completly confused and has no idea whos giving him a good deal, vs whos price gouging"

If someone is receiveing 5 bids on a job, I think that would be a giant red flag and not spend too much time on it, especially on a large project like it sounds to be. If the customer is this confused already, imagine how confused they will be when the job actually starts. [/b][/quote]

[FungusMudGrub]

I always try to give specifications on a bid or quote that are as detailed as they will be in the contract. One, that saves me having to write it out twice if I get the job, but more importantly, the HO know exactly what they will be getting for their money. It really impresses people when you take the time to provide that level of detail, because so many contractors don't bother.

And actually, it doesn't take that much time, because I have a template on my computer with almost all the possibilities for a job, and I just erase the ones that don't apply, fill in quantities, and Bob's yer uncle!

[kendall69]

Youdon't have to bad mouth him, just explain to the customer if his name comes up say " He's great for my business - I get tons of calls to fix his work after he is done, so I love the guy"
sorta says it all....

[GLAN]

I was doing some bad mouthing.....I do it all the time when 2 companies are mentioned.

I hear the name of one or both of the companies and I just ckring (sp?)..........

I tell the owner all the things they do wrong and I sometimes get into a rant.....I had one person this past spring say.......Sorry I mentioned who I had.

1 is just high priced for who they think they are and they provide such awefull work......

The other.......it's just a game he and I have been playing now for 2 years.



Most times it's hard to discuss what is so very different of my company compared to the rest.........They all do weekly, they all do cleanups, most are licensed for pesticides (not that it means they know what they are doing)........most do a decent job........there isn't much I am seeing today that makes anyone stand out among the others.............

so........I tell them that my response time for lawn applications is primo. Hire us you'll never worry about your lawn again. In fact you never think about your lawn ever again........that's my job and I am the best there is. All our landscape services that we provide there is no other that comes close to the quality we produce day after day after day.


< that is if I can keep a straight face while saying that >

[Rich678]

I was recently the recipient of a bad mouthing competitor, and I must say I was uncommonly agitated as a result. We are in the process of installing a two tier patio with a unilock retaining wall which overlooks a pond. Their landscaper, who competed against us for the job, stopped by to say hi the other day, and we had a nice cordial conversation. Than while working yesterday our client came outside and showed us the email this individual sent to them stating that our work is substandard and not going to hold up to the test of time. He told them they will see 20 percent more settling in their walkway because we excavated deeper than he would, and that our retaining wall would not hold up etc... I know that our work is structurally sound, as does my certified engineer, and I just can't stand people who will be nice and friendly to you when they are inspecting your work, and than do such a thing.

[Dale Wiley]

Go ahead and forward the e mail to the engineer and he can bring action against the guy and you can split the proceeds.

Then send the hole a certified letter and tell him to stop slandering your work.

He will only get away with it if you let him.

[Stonehenge]

Yup-yup. You should consider legal action, if for no other reason than to shut his hole.

And I have to say - using under-excavating as a selling point is a new one to me.

You should also find out if they are a Unilock certified installer - I would imagine that is against their program terms.

[Pelican]

So the failure rate will be higher because you've installed a heavier base??? That must be what I've been doing wrong all these years, LOL!!! I think I'd follow the above advice, especially since you've got evidence in print!!

[Rich678]

Thanks for all the advice. Our client is actually really pissed at this guy already, who currently does all of his lawn maintenance. I am going to sit tight until my client has a problem, we have discussed everything and nothing in our plans has changed. This guy is just trying to bully us because we are new to the business, and he has that snob attitude of entitlement. I prefer not to escalate at this point, and just let my work do the talking. Thanks guys.

[Dale Wiley]

Your not escalating it Rich... take it from a guy in the business 28 years..if he wants to roll that way, he will continue doing it to you until you draw the line..

Letting your work speak for itself has nothing to do with him running his pie hole about the quality/ engineering of your work. He perceives you as a threat and is going to keep doing what he is doing.

Set the line right now... cross over it again and the hammer comes down. I don't think I have talked with another contractor in our area once in the last 8 years. Don't want to, don't need to.

Interfere with my business and my salary, and my family's grocery money and my retirement, and we are going to get the straight real fast...

[Rich678]

Yeah we are going to handle our friend first thing tomorrow. Our client is still very pleased, and if there is any inclination of doubt I will get them on the phone with the engineer. One thing is certain I wouldn't mind never hearing from this guy again. It's a bigger job than we've ever tackled, and having to deal with his crap is just icing on the cake.