business

[allseason]

I know a guy who is selling an 2004 arrons zoom 44" ztr,echo 44cc backpack blower,ryobi push mower, weedwacker, and 25 accounts for $3000.00. Is that a good deal?

[chriscampbell]

has the equipment been maintained, how many hours on the equipment? are the accounts under contract? what if any conditions are there if the accounts do not stay with you. are the accounts priced correctly for the market and what do they gross?

[Scaper-S2k]

If the accounts are priced right, and the contract is done properly, sure. Then sell the equipment, keep the clients, and buy a commercial mower.

[l&r]

Pretty weak equipment, I agree with Scraper Unload the home owner stuff and get yourself better commercial equipment

[JPK 90]

How much do the 25 accounts gross per week? I heard you should pay for 5 cuts for each account.

[allseason]

the accounts gross 500 per week

[l&r]

If you have your own commercial equipment offer $1000.00 he keeps his equipment and sells it himself to make up the difference. Chances are he will bite if he wants out. Make sure they are signed contracts for the upcomming season.

[jgc8fan]

the accounts gross 500 per week

What's he charging??? If these are weekly accounts then $500/25=$20 per cut. That's insanely low even from down here in "the land of the cheap." If they are every 2 weeks then it's about right (for down here not sure what the rates are up there) at about $40 a cut.

If the accounts are in order then I'd agree with l&r to offer $1000 for just the accounts. If they are not contract accounts then you need to make sure that those customers will not drop you. Maybe make him introduce you to them all, so that they will know you, and give you an idea about how they feel about the situation. Plus it will give you a chance to see the accounts before you spend your money. It might be a tight route or they may be spread all over, and for myself I'd want to know before buying. 25 accounts should only take a few hours to visit. If he doesn't want to go with you then at least get a list so you can go visit them for yourself. Don't just look... Knock, introduce yourself, and get to know these folks... It will go miles for your customer service and image when/if you take them.