True Deffinition of a Scrub.

[FreshCuts]

I got a call yesterday from a lady that got my flyer and wanted me to come by and give here a price. She said that that last guy quit to go back to colloge and she had some body that started it and didnt come back. Low and behold when I show up to look at the job, there are the guys fininshing the job. They had 4 guys running weed whackers and one on a push more working out of the back of an old van with the previous owners name spray painted over. They had budwiser cans sitting on the fence as they worked. I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw what was going on. This yard is not your average yard its. It is in a rual area with a valley running between the road and the house. A lot of fence row to trim. A pond to trim around and lots and lots of trees. I figure with my Gravely 260z and my 46" rider with 2 guys cutting then both trimming it will take about 4 to 5 hours to do. These guys were using only 1 push mower and cutting the grass with weed whackers. This job also has severl thickets that will have to be cut with a bush hog just to get started cleaning them up. It may turn into a good job as long as she doesnt have stroke over my price. Just had to share what I saw.

[Phil Nilsson]

Maybe they were doing the best they could with what they had to work with (aside from the beer cans). I can count on one hand the companies that I know that started at the top ... with proper insurance, new trucks, the right sized mowers for the job, proper licenses, experience, the RIGHT prices and work methods.

[FreshCuts]

Thats true. But you had to see the site itself and I acutually talked to them and they have been doing it for some time. I understand everyone had to start somewhere but like I said, would prob would have to see it.

[JACKEMILLER78250]

Wow

Beer cans.........speechless unles thay came from the customer but even then i would have to decline. I have one customer that insists that I have a beer with him when i pick up my monthly payment.

Why don't you offer to do her lawn at your walk away price and use that opportunity to land her woth your servcie and quality of work. Let her know up front that the first cut is at an "introductory price" or something. Tell her that after you are finished then you will let her know what the regular price willbe to maintain. She will think she is saving money and also feel that your regular price is fair, honest, and accurate having actually done the work.

I do this alot and it works wonders.

[indmowing]

SCRUB THIS, SCRUB THAT.

Excuse my rudeness, I am not even going to read the posts in this thread - just the heading got me lol - ah the good old scrub story. Been there, done that heard the story atleast 5,000 times in a soooo many different industries.

Seriously - I am feeling a little like cinderalla with all these threads hehe.

I ended up reading the posts, couldn't help myself - did u end up getting the job then FreshCuts?

[hopperflores]

A Scrub

After reading these posts I truly believe I'm a scrub. The deal with me is that I'm trying to become legal but still can't afford it.
I have a BA registered with the county, checking account, but still can't afford the darn business insurance and commerial auto insurance. But I'm working on it.
I want to know how long some of you 'legals' decided business insurance was a necessity.
At this time I do 9 residentials.
And 2 'mom & pop' commerical.

[GrassMaster]

Insurance is a Must Have...

Welcome to the Lawn Service Forum Community, hopperflores!

If I knew that I wasn't going to be covered by insurance by the end of the day tomorrow, I would not leave the house in the morning!

We live in a suing society & people take advantage of it!

[Phil Nilsson]

hopperflores ... welcome to the forum ... looking forward to working with you to develop your business.

Phil

[FreshCuts]

I did give her my price and got the job. Its a big job. Will cut if for the first time this week. The beer cans didnt belong to the owners, they belonged to the guys working because I watched them pic them up and drink from them. She wasnt real happy with them at all and gave me the job even though my price was much higher.

[Bo]

Every trade industry has scrubs. My defenition is one who goes to bid a job and says just show me your other professional estimates and I'll beat them. (as long as it is OK for me to drink beer while I work too).

[jimslawnservice1]

I think I have a customer that still tries to have me come in for a beer after I'm done. She used to also invite me in for.... well anyways. I do not feel I am a scrub, I pay insurance ( a whole bunch) A bunch of taxes and many other expenses. I pay out 2000/month in payments.
Hopperflores Insurance is fairly reasonable for an LCS. Also you can usually buy a supplement to your current insurance to cover it for business use and it won't hurt you too much. Last year I had 2 trucks and used one soley for the bus. It only cost like 24 bucks a month to have it as a commerical veh. And with that supplement it would cover the trailers as well.

Be Legit, If you can't find a way to be.

sweet jimmy