Dissatisfied customer

[teamrmt]

I had a customer that wanted a flower bed made and a variety of flowers in place. The work was done to what we verbaly agreed on. That was in august. Now the flowers are dying and she is not happy with the work she thinks now it was not worth $300.00 for a 7' x 4' bed with landscape timbers stcked 3 high, soil, and flowers. I am new to this and would like to know if there is any legal issues she can use. Thanks, Russ

[qualitylandscaping]

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If you have a signed contract agreement that says you are not guaranteeing anything on the project, then you are safe. Another this would be, if it was homeowners fault or your fault that the plants died. It would be your fault if you didn't tell them what they needed to do in the beginning (watering,etc) or if you installed them incorrectly. It would be their fault if you told them to (water 1 hour per day) and they didn't do it. Leagal action really won't get either one of you anywhere unless you can show proof what what you said you would do and what you wouldn't do.

Good luck!

[Scott]

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Tell her to get bent.. noooo, just kidding
what was your cost, timbers, nails, dirt, flowers? how long did it take?

Did you explain to her that that was two months ago. Is she pruning them as per plant type, has she been watering them accordingly?

She can complain but I seriously doubt if she'll do anything else. You might want her to explain to you what she'd like for you to do to remedy the problem. If it's minor, fix it, if it's plant replacement, tell her you're very sorry that she didn't maintain those plants. You where hired to create a flower box, fill with dirt, and plant. Now unless there's something else that you didn't list, tell her you've done everything that was agreed upon, including price. Sounds like to me you gave her a good deal.
I just did a 3x20, killed off weeds, removed lava crapola rocks, filled up with good soil, fertilizer, fixed sprinkler heads, 28 1gal mums, and mulched for $450, cost was approx. $175.

[smartwork]

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If you go the route of whether she maintained them, rather than asking her "yes/no" questions, you might simply ask her how she cared for them - and then be quiet and let her talk. Don't offer her "multiple choice" answers to pick from. She'll pick "yes" every time short of asking her if she put gasoline on them... ha! Simply asking her how she cared for them opens her up to having to know the right answer to prove her case.

-shaun

[Scaper-S2k]

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She really doesn't have much she can legally. Yeh, she could take you to court, but only for the dead flowers. By the size of that bed, how much is that?? If this gets worse for you, explain that planting flowers in August is not the best time to do it, but the only time you could do it to suit here needs. Chances a Judge awards someone anything for a floral design are slim. Now if the timber work was shotty, well, that's another story. Just dying flowers in October?? That's almost normal.

Worse case? Go buy her a couple flats of flowers and be done with it.

[alcpi]

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Try to discern what type of person she is. What I mean is, is she someone who has gripes about everything, wants everything for free? Or is she legitimately a fair person and just wants a bed with flowers that she paid for to live? If the answer to the latter is yes then it might be better for you to replace the flowers and just eat the loss. Be kind, and more than likely a favorable experience with your company will do more for you in the future than telling her to get lost. "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches" Proverbs 22:1

[Bobby D]

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I agree with Scaper. See if you can just buy her a couple flats and be done with it. If she already paid you, maybe not do anything. I would certainly never do business for her again. Anytime people screw me, I will never work for them again. However, if you have not been paid yet, you might have a problem on your hands. Eat a little of the profit and try to bargain with her but make sure she knows you don't have to do this. Be careful though, some people will take you for every Fing penny if you let them.

One time a guy didnt pay me, I took my grass clippings from his lawn and delivered them back to him all over the front yard. I simply returned the work to him. though, that is very rare, but it was necessary. ;-)

[alcpi]

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Professionalism is very, very rare in the lawn service industry...