Season-to-season customer drop-off...

[njnewbie]

First season in the biz. So far we've been "dropped" by one customer so far (last week), who has a 18 year old son who wanted to make some cash before going away to college. Other than that, everyone's stuck with us for the summer and most likely will for the fall. We show up on time and do a quality job, so I'm not really surprised, but I'm still anticipating losing some accounts for next year.

What has been other LS'ers common drop-off rate for customers season-to-season? We have about 34 accounts and I am counting on losing 5-6 for whatever reason. Is this about right?

P.S. We plan on doing two cycles of newsletter direct mailings to all our current customers, once in early winter and once in early spring; just a reminder that we're still here and include some special coupons and deals inside. We're also continuing advertising through the end of the season and count on picking up several accounts to counteract any losses.

[Maddog]

It seems to fluctuate year to year. 5-6 lost customers a year sould be a close estimate. Even with the projected losses you sould be increasing your customer base from year to year.

[srlawnservice]

They will come, and they will go. Just a fact in this business. Some will drop you and then try to come back. For those, up the ante a couple bucks per cut. They are now now no longer a preferred customer, give them the new customer rate, cause they are shopping. They are coming back for a reason, if you raise a couple of books chances are you will still get them.
RL