large companies

[Seascape]

I just mentioned these large companies in "lawn mafia" Got me thinking. Does anyone else see this and where are you at? Do you see fleets? Do you have trouble bidding against them whats your thoughts on this?
mike

[indmowing]

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Hi Mike,

we have large companies here in Australia, they are called franchises! [] But unlike with you, they are so easy to compete with it's laughable. Infact we had a customer call the other day for a garden tidy up and our contractor charged $290 and she had had a quote fromm a franchise for $2,000. This was not a big job and well worth the price our contractor charged. They have a bad reputation in general on service, run in run out, bad service and no quality!

I have never heard of anyone backing away from doing a bid due to the "Lawn Mafia". But I can see where it would come from as there was a complaint made against an Association here, and the gent who complained retracted the complaint as he didn't want to be on the wrong side of the association members! They are know by some as the "Little Mafia" and by others a joke haha. Small town mantality kind of thing.

[kutnkru]

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I dont think the MOB is as much a threat in our area for grounds care as it might have been years ago -LOL!! They are the ones who maintain all the old Italian homes on the hills over looking Endicott.

Todays generation is different than tomorrows. What that means exactly as far as bidding goes I dont know?? I do know of few guys here though who have sworn a certain LMO is destined for cement boots if he continues to cut-throat the commercial mkt though -LOL!!

I think the biggest problem lies with the mentality of if your doing it for $350 I can do it better for $300. First off, if you can do it better you should at LEAST get the same $$$ and if your doing it that much better you deserve even more-so.

Just my nickle.
Chao!!

[GrassMaster]

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Yes Sir, I think Mr.KutnKru is Right?

I never paid attention to what other folks said the old bids were. Because most of the time it was BS to start with?

If you Build a Good Name, Image & Reputation, they will pay dearly for your services! Always Charge as much as the Market can bare & then Some. The Greatest feeling is when you are Ashamed of that Awful High Bid You gave & You got it! Because trust me, it's still not enough. If you think so, Talk to us about Your Monthly Healthcare Premiums when you turn about 58 & then tell us if you charged them enough!

Your Job should be Marketing Your Services & Running your Operation, Not your Business Running you, Pay others to do the Work, Buy their Time low & Sell it High. Ask Bill Gates he's a Good Example!

If you are getting over 2 bids out of 10, you are Probably Too Low! Make sure you make a Good Profit on each job, because if you don't it will come home with you & it's not a Good Feeling. I've been there & Done that only a Few Times!

Any $35 to $55 Cut Lawn, if it was refered to me by another customer, I always Slapped an Extra $10 on it, because a Referral is a Good Chance you get the Job & You should get paid for it. The other would be afraid that the Referer would think they couldn't afford you! It's the Keeping up with the Jones's Scenario!