smaller city = smaller price?

[yard sloth]

we are considering moving from the DFW megatropolis to a smaller 25k population city (Paris, TX). Mowing jobs here in DFW are plentiful and pay well. From inquiring around Paris so far I have found people generally pay less for their lawn service than what I am accustomed to charging. Does pay decrease along with the population? if so, why? Will people still pay higher prices in the smaller communities for premium service?

[Elwood]

Will people still pay higher prices in the smaller communities for premium service?

Yes and no. Typically in smaller communities, there are less high paying jobs, although the population ratio may be close and the cost of living is less, therefore less price. Of course, to some extent, your cost of living should fall in line with your clients if you live among them, so in reality, your required salary could be less. There will be some people who will pay more for quality service, but not much more than the "going rate" and the number of people who will do this will be a lot less than in DFW.

Look at Paris TX and find out what the average income is and what percentage is "middle class" and above. Also look at cost of living, real estate costs and taxes. Look at what provides the Paris economy and where it will be going in the future. You don't want to move into a town that is dying or will be soon.

You will then need to crunch your own numbers and see if you can be as profitable and as successful as you really want to be in that smaller market.

[pride]

I came from a bigger city in Nebraska to a small tourist type town in Arkansas a lot different, people are use to paying less but when I show them my service is better then billy bob with a push mower in the back of the truck and no insurance, they are willing to pay more for a professional. Not like the city but still a little better than the average.

[shortgut]

IN PARIS YOU DO HAVE SPOTS WITH PEOPLE that will pay higher prices and others that will not depends if they work at Kimbley clark or campbell's soup do know know what else is there any more i lived in Clarksville for about 10 yrs but got transfer to Texarkana in OCT 85 when Mulberry lumber moved all their trucks to Mulberry Ark Good luck in your endever .
shortgut

[andersc1]

I agree with shortgut, although I think the use of a couple more periods in the sentences would make reading it a little easier. We mainly service areas that have populations of 30,000 or less regularly. There are always areas in the city that the so called "Upper Crust" live which are willing to pay higher rates for a premium service. But with a smaller town, also comes those neighborhoods that you will eventually find yourself avoiding because you grown weary trying to justify your prices to customers who are only interested in the bottom dollar.

Good luck in your move to Paris, Tx.

Curtis