[sandim]

What a spring. If I wasn't so passionate about what I do and a relative optimist, I'd quit!
- Recently had a client contact us b/c they bought a home in the wrong neighborhood and didn't realize it. It's a very upscale neighborhood down by the beach. Now realizing he doesn't fit in he wants to sell his house. He now hates the house and the neighborhood. He realized his house needs landscaping. Ah, smart man...so I thought! All the landscaping in the neighborhood is relatively formal. Totally not his style. But we need to match it. So, we take a design fee and do some minor changes and finally get it to where it's acceptable to him. He wants to send the renderings to his real estate agent to see what the agent thinks. The agent is a bone-head!! Client emails me back and has decided to put his landscaping on hold b/c he doesn't think he'll get his investment back. His meager landscape was around 4k. His house has deeded beach rights and probably will sell for a cool mil. What a bunch of dummies, esp. the agent!! Ever heard of curb appeal??!!

- Got an email from a client today regarding a quote I got approved over a month ago for maintenance. Wanted to know if the bed edging price was accurate and if it was he'd do it himself.

- Had another client that I walked through overseeding (they insisted even though I recommended they wait until fall). Had me out twice, had me explain in detail everything we would do then turned around and said they'd do it themself.

Aye carumba!!!

How do you all weed out the idiots? Is it just the economy where people are seriously penny-pinching? For many (like the edging guy) I would bet this is their typical behavior. How on earth do I stop wasting my time with people like that and attract the people who understand the quality of work we provide? We kill ourselves to be the best we absolutely can be.

Thoughts....other than mean ones?

[Terre]

My only thought is, if you figure out the answer to this one, I'd sure love to know it! I'm having some of the same issues.

I tell myself that for everyone who isn't totally clueless, there are 10 who are, but I'm beginning to think that 10 is too low.

[LandArts]

The "I bought the wrong house" people usually choose the wrong landscaper also

[sandim]

Terre,

I think you're right, I think that number is too low. I may finally have a really good client who gets it. Fingers crossed!

[Greensmith]

I just had a call back to one of my paver jobs because the step off pad was" lumpy". I get there and I don't even have to investigate. Little muffy poo the poodle apparently decided to run over the concrete pad and they tried to cover it up. Like I wouldn't notice the paw marks. Sigh.

[jshilan]

Maybe you should stop advertising in the Pre-K newspapers

[Stonehenge]

Guard your time like it's your most valuable asset that you'll only give away to those worth spending it on. Ask about budget. If they don't know, get some rough specs from them and give a rough price (err on the cautious side and shoot high). Ask if that's what they were looking to spend. From there decide if you need to recommend they call your least favorite competitor or make an attempt at DIY, or set up a day and time for a site visit with you.

I just saved myself about 3-4 hours today by screening out two pieces of dead wood.

[Terre]

craigslist = Pre K newspaper.

Yeah, but it's free. And I'm cheap. I get the total idiots from there, and I get some of my most marvelous people from there. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground.

I'm not yet seeing any return on doorhangers, but I"m hopeful.

[Stonehenge]

Do you have a website?

[sandim]

Jody...you do make me laugh!!!

Stone..we do have a website, but it's a mess right now. Just contracted with someone to re-do it. He "get" us. I'm going to have people go to the site before anything else so they get a scope of our work...can't wait.

Terre... different opinions are different but mind what Stone said. Guard your time. We did something even worse than craigslist...Service magic. Complete waste of time and energy. Granted, there are those people out there that get that one big job that makes it worth it but even they'll admit they have to go through an awful lot of tire kickers. I'm just not the right personality for that. I get too frustrated b/c we care too much about what we do. Damn Service Magic nearly bled me dry.
"you want to charge me for a design fee??"
Live and learn.

So Jody...maybe we should go with the Junior High times?? Hee hee~!

Hey, you know life is good when you can laugh at the things that frustrate you.

I love this exchange! Ten thumbs up for GTX!

Ok, off to install 30 white pines in the rain. Fun! =)

[Dire Wolf]

I think its a sign of the times !! This spring it took 3 weeks to close a simple curbing job. In the past week we have sent out at least 15 estimates that range from 50.00 to 80,000. Everyone would like to spend the money on landscaping but are hesitant with all the doom and gloom on tv about our economy. The maintenance is VERY STRONG but upgrades are hesitant to spend unless they feel stong about getting their investment back.

[JeffreyScott]

Sandi M,

I checked out your website (via your profile) -- it is very nice!
Yes make sure you send people thru your site before your appointment.
There are many ways to qualify a person over the phone, and thru the mail, before ever setting up an appointment--I'd be glad to share what I have learned in our business.
(I built the following site specifically to qualify out shoppers: Glen Gate Company: Pool and Property. Take a look)
Plus we have created other mechanisms.
Buzz me and we can talk 203 943-3991.

Jeffrey Scott
Jeffrey Scott!

[johnkeegan]

Landscape contractor (LC):" Did you read the maintainence instructions for the new plantings I gave you about watering etc."
Customer: "Yes, thank you."
LC:" When did you water the new plantings last?"
Customer:"Oh they still need to be watered even though you mulched them?..."

[sandim]

Jeffrey, I will buzz you, I have a few questions.

Johnkeegan...damn, I needed a laugh like that!!!!!

[jb mows]

That one about the overseeding free consulting and that sucks but it happens to me all the time