[BuenPatron]

Here at Bob's Yard Care, Inc., we have already started to think ab

out snow season, and the incredible beating we took last year.

We have two plow trucks and 39 commercial accounts, plus a

bunch of residentials we plow afterwards.

Problem is, if there's a decent storm, 39 is too many for us and

everyone gets mad at us. The rest of the time, it doesn't snow

enough to plow fewer accounts and still keep "food on our family."

So I just read all the selections on winter work in the Archives.

Great stuff. Chock full of ideas. Even saw some things I wisht

I hadn't said. Still, I'll ask the question:

What are ya gonna do this winter?

[Mac]

Bob, im unique in my area in that now I charge a fixed fee per winter for an unlimited number of snow events.

In the begining of my business career, I went with the flow, as it sounds you are, and charged per push and per salt. Some winters I did great (the client blew their budget), and others I was in a serious financial pinch (the client was seriously underbudget). In this old situation, both the client and I are sharing financial risk however there is no ceiling on the client's expenses and there is no floor on my revenues.

However, last winter I experimented with offering clients two payment options. One was the standard per event as they were accustomed to. However, the new optoin was the "one price for the whole winter" approach I previously touched on. With this, I know exactly how much revenues I have to work with and the client knows exactly what their expense will be. We still share financial risk but it is reversed; I risk "leaving money on the table" when its a heavy winter while the client risks overpaying in a light winter. Im much more comfortable with this risk reversal. In fact, this year, im only offering this option to my clients. However, they can either pay in one shot by Nov. 15th or send post dated checks by Nov 15th dated for Dec, Jan, and Feb 1st.

To do it this way, you need to have significan historical data. Some may call me nuts but I dont even require multi year contracts for this price structure. I believe it will all work out in the end.