Dethatching

[Scott]

Does anybody else offer this service?
I actually hate dethatching but the look on the customer's face is priceless when they look at the finished product and you give them the bill!!
Last week I had just finished one and the customer got really upset with me. So I had to repeat the whole spill again on the whole process and the benefits, which I gave upfront and they agreed to. I'm gonna start having them sign some kinda agreement/release prior to initiating the job.

[Phil Nilsson]

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Scott,
Enter key words on search engine "dethatching" and see the info there that describes it along with pictures of the benefits ... maybe you could use this as an educational tool for customer?

Phil Nilsson
Nilsson Associates Consultants
Visit Lawn Service & Landscaping Book Store

[Bill Moriarty]

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I've never had any trouble once they've seen all the crap that comes out of their lawn!

Hey scott, what are u using to pick up all the thatch after you've dug it up?

[GrassMaster]

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Hello Scott:

I know exactly where you are coming from! I have Similar Problems Dealing with Customers at my Shop. I Feel Yo Pain! <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Do this First Take Phils advice & Show them the Benefits, Pictures & Wording?

Next Go Over your Spill that you give the Customers, You already know what they going to be asking & what Pain they Feel? LOL, I do not care how good you think it is as Far as your Presentation, I promise you it can be Improved. I do it at Work all the Time. Everytime I have a Problem, I then Modify my Spill as Needed.

The Problem with People these days is they so Busy & Have so much to do, that when you are there Talking to them (Running them through the Verbal Meat Grinder) they Only Listen to What they want to Hear? Make sure they Understand all of it & if you still having Problems. Put it on Paper & Hand it to them. If a Big Job get them to Sign agreeing to it!

Cover Every Detail of the Process (Maybe in Steps), Ask them every so often do they Understand the Amount of Work involved, Do you Mr. or Mrs. Don'tlistentoawordi'vesaidtoyou, get them Involved in it. Make sure they understand that this takes 3 to 5 times as much work as a regular Cutting. It takes So & So Amount of Dollars due to all the Extra Work & La Dee Da? Get the Picture?????

The only Folks that will Truely Understand your Services is the Poor Devils that have done it before. Customer Education is #1 Priority these Days, in the Green Industry Profession. This will Seperate you from the others, You be Different, You be Proffessional! It will Pay off Big Time in the Future! Ca Ching$$$$$

GrassMaster
Lawn Care Service Business Resources
Click here PM to the Forum Administrator

[Scott]

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Hey Bill it's well,, umm, I rake it up by hand.
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not!
I have this peace-o-crap yardman rider that I used back in the day w/bagger. It's impressed me since it has paid for itself 10times over just for dethatching. The only problem I have is when the customer doesn't listen and keeps the sprinklers running prior to me showing up. It will not pick up anything with a hint of moisture. I used to run this little snapper also which did an excellent job but its motor has gone kaput.
Every time I finish a dethatching job I tell myself that this is the last time I'll ever do this,,, until somebody agrees to some outrageous(just plain greedy) quote.

Phil that sounds like a good idea to lay out some pictures as part of my presentation and maybe leave them a some kind of flyer with process and benefits of dethatching. BUT if I ever do another dethatch I'm going to create some kinda release for the owner to sign.

[Bill Moriarty]

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Sure would be nice to have a real machine that can pull it up and mulch it! Giant vac? Billy Goat?

[kutnkru]

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Scott

You should ALWAYS have clients sign an agreement before you perform any work at their homes. This way you elimate the BS that you have begun to undergo trying to service accounts -LOL!!!

I have a simple form that looks just like an invoice. It also lists other services that we perform, this way if they are need of another service they can cross-reference our estimate and find that we do/dont offer what they're looking for.

*** A side not on fliers ***

If your out doing spring dethatching and someone asks you for a card, give them a flier on fall aeration instead. This will help to get your name out there for services that are up-coming/future dates.

It helps because now they have to call you to talk with you about the services they are interested today. Yet, they already will have you in mind for the summer/fall etc. because you have given them the next piece of literature for that season.

[GrassMaster]

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Hello Everybody:

Bill has got a Point there!<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

If you can't Find one of these, Giant Vac or Billy Goat?

Look for a Snapper Hi Vac Walk with at Least 5 Hp or More Or...

A Snapper Hi Vac Rider a 28" or 33" and in Either case make sure they have the High Lifts that Bolt on to the Blades, Also Make sure it's Turning Plenty of RPM's.

The 1/2" Rolled Lip Deck on the Hi Vacs using Air Lifts will Suck the Black off of Dirt!

I'm Only Suggesting these Mowers because they could also Be Used in other Applications & they are Killer with Getting up Leaves Also. I used them & Roll around Blower in the Winter!

GrassMaster
Lawn Care Service Business Resources
Click here PM to the Forum Administrator