Customer Asked For A Discount. What Happened Next.

[@christopherhughes3029]

Hi Rob , I have been a self employed gardener for 42 years and like you always waited too long to put my rates up. I think the best way to do it is to put your prices up with the rate of inflation every year in a set date. You can let all your customers know this and the new ones too. That way everybody knows what's coming and where they stand. Grass still growing very fast here in Devon. Good luck mate.. Grass still growing very fast

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

You are so right. We all need to do this.

[@johnsweeney1712]

Great video. Correct strategy in my opinion… “Mag to Grid”. Keep up the good work.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers John.👍🏻

[@FireFlySamson]

Spot on. I will also be increasing my prices for next year. I lost two regular clients in the space of two days (usually its one or two a year max) they were very well off (seem to be the worst type) and after 3 years being on time, no cancellations and working hard I was dropped via text message. They were hard graft jobs with very large lawns so i won't miss either of them. New clients will be at higher rate and only if im happy with size of lawn and work + how client is. Deffo learning to toughen up and say no more. We are Qualifed, skilled workers and should be treated and act as such

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant comment. It’s what we all need to do. Large jobs require an appropriate return. I get this so wrong sometimes.

[@here-is-my-profile]

Have been looking forward to this :D Grabbing some popcorn.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Hope you enjoy!

[@Wilsee]

Fair play to the foreign guy, wooden cart, brand new van whatever he is showing some ambition / work ethic and working! Can't knock a man for that. There is always someone ready to undercut you whether it's above board or not. Max you are right to stick to your guns, plenty of loyal customers about to replace these tight arses. Keep on mowin!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I totally agree with you.

[@mr.tidygarden]

Charity Gardening Services is not written on our vans Rob. Great topic fella. Damien from Ireland

[@SuperTruebrit]

i find myself wondering do some customers think im running a charity? the cost of living affects us as well!

[@mr.tidygarden]

@@SuperTruebrit we have to stick to our rates and know our margins fella I harp on about these type topics on my channel aswell. We are all in the same boat fella not easy out there👊

[@benhowlett7693]

That’s what I say!!! All these old dears wanted it done for nothing! Where not a charity!!

[@mr.tidygarden]

@@benhowlett7693 there are plenty of family to do the little jobs once we do the heavy work and get paid fairly mate. Its a business not a charity we are running👊.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Damien. All the best.

[@garethjudd5840]

I did a job for a client and they accepted my price. When they went out I went into their kitchen for a glass of water and in big black lettering on their notice board read, " Ask him for 50% off when he finishes". At the end, I said, No! 😂

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

50 percent. Wow.

[@paulduffy8510]

Starting out myself and some people they want the job done for nothing. Spot on you need to get the best out your business instead of wasting time with customers like that .Plenty of good people too they will see if your a good worker 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Paul. All the best.

[@robpgardens7592]

Agree with you Rob. We all get a little too loyal to some customers, which is a mistake if not recipricated.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree with you. All the best.

[@chriselliott726]

I said on your last video don't go back! I work in a very specialist trade and have just binned off a USA customer who has messed me about and I feel excellent about it! Pleased that you took the advice and it seems we both made the right choice. Both our customers will be worse off as a result of not valuing what they had. It's important to know when to walk away.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for sharing! Wise words indeed.

[@davidprice6994]

Good on you mate

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@susanhancock7984]

Hi never go backwards always go forward well done they lost a good gardener good on u xx

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Yes, thank you.👍🏻

[@joshuabush2569]

Hi Rob, I wanted to say that you've definitely helped me see the light a bit with letting customer's go. I've held on in the past but now I'm more to the point, we absolutely do have to have confidence in ourselves and know our worth. I'm currently chasing a late payment from a customer that I gave the benefit of the doubt one to many times but they'll be gone as soon as the payments received. Onto better things.. All the best.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

A very wise decision. Good luck with your business.

[@frankkearney7174]

Well done again Rob a good honest lad just remember thats important things level out over time

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

They do. Many thanks.

[@Jake-sf3bj]

Good decision mate, same around here people going around cutting massive lawns front and back for £20🫣 good luck to them😅

[@benhowlett7693]

Always get them people sadly! Come and go every year they do!

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

There is a market for them. We need to find ours. All the best.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your right.👍🏻

[@markopolo-1]

Your integrity is admirable Rob, still can't help feeling you're taking things a little too personally, but hey nothing wrong with that, if you have customers you enjoy working for and they appreciate your hard work then you're in a good position as are your customers. It's your business at the end of the day and if a customer can't just come back to you and say ok, appreciate your response, hope you appreciate the need to ask (although it would appear they weren't exactly filling their basket with happy shopper brands at the supermarket!), then maybe not a customer you would want anyway. Their loss, your gain!. Weather's turned barking up here in not so Bonnie Scotland at the moment. Always appreciate the vids Rob :)

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you. Your probably right. All the best.

[@shanedavies6846]

you have done the right thing in my eyes mate, it is a scrap the crap job i have had a few come and go this year we have spoken before i had one end of last season fob me off saying it was my work and they would not need me but spring came and they called me back i said the slot has gone. but i have also had some people put an extra £5 on to there lawn cost etc and passing me on to more customers that want me doing the work. i have just had one chap who i cut hedges for ask me to price the lawn so i did front and back £30 he wanted cheaper and said he still wanted to do the back lawn so i said £20 for front he come back with someone will do it for £15 it doesn't cover the cost to do the work and make something we can keep going end of season coming but it is growing well all the best

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Shane. All the best.

[@adrianjones5492]

Know your worth mate! Always another customer out there.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks 👍

[@michaelgough4489]

Well done Rob, glad you took my advice👍😂. Said it before, you will always replace bad customers. Keep smiling 👌

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Michael. Appreciate your support.

[@christopherashurst4610]

Uve hit the nail on the head here Rob and Ur not being selfish your being wise and know what Ur worth and there's nothing wrong in adjusting things to make life easier

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Christopher. 👍🏻

[@uksteveee]

This guy don’t giv a f”&@ck if you ain’t paying then see ya. Total respect

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@jamosreef]

Top man Rob👍absolutely the right decision

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@bch7447]

Totally agree with you ,if they are not happy with your price,let them go, you have your running cost too, petrol ,van ,machinery and insurance, I think some customers see you pull and don't see the cost of you getting there and like you I pick what gardens I do now ,keep up the great videos 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you . Appreciated.

[@EGCC4284]

Rob I’m soo pleased and proud of you for standing your ground. Remember when this year ends, increase your prices. Cost of living is always going up. Give your customers lots of notice of price increase. Maybe at the end of this season, let them know then so they have time to look elsewhere if they wish. It’s a bus not a charity Regards Rob in Manchester

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Rob. All the best.

[@keo8863]

Hi Rob. I took your advice earlier in the year re a video you did about awkward clients. Got rid of one who was a late payer and never answered my questions. Best thing ive done this season. Stress levels reduced straight away. So you definitely did right with this one. Thanks for all the great advice as always 👍 Tim

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Appreciated Tim. All the best.

[@neilward8545]

Well done for sticking to your guns Rob everything you said was spot on.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks Neil.

[@adamstockton67]

Well said Rob. Prices up cherry pick what’s best for you.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you Adam. All the best.

[@Sophsfghds]

Quite right pal. Will be doing the same with my electrical company next year

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Cheers Mark. All the best.

[@patrickwoods4603]

Rob don’t go back they’ll need you before you need them mate.👍👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your right. All the best.

[@Chris_Senpais_Mitt]

Yessssss 💪🏼 2 parter🍿

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

😂

[@ched999uk]

Well done - I think it's the right decision for you.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@davidrhead8740]

if you make your price less you are undervaluing yourself.they must think cost of living crisis doesnt affect you Rob,bit cheeky.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Your so right.

[@williammorris7895]

Don't worry too much about it, such people exist but I wouldn't really class them as competition. Every tree surgeon loses the odd job to 'a cheap bloke with a chainsaw'... just a part of life. Same across all industries. 😊 You're confident in yourself, you have a great personality, and you do nice work, all in a secure industry (people will always have gardens). Crack on mate, earn a living and feel proud of youself doing it. 😎

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you William. Appreciate you kind words.👍🏻

[@waynehammerton5698]

Correct decision in my humble opinion Rob as I have said before it's your business your decisions to make

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

You certainly have Wayne. Thank you.

[@waynehammerton5698]

My pleasure Rob

[@markdyballuk]

well done, if you don't have principles you have nothing. 👍

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Very true! Thank you . 🙏

[@simonparry3823]

Yep price on some lawns are going up next year

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Me and you both.

[@ajshearinggardenservices]

Same as you no discounts and for the last year we have a minimum charge of £50 which includes up to the first hour and we have a waiting list for when availability comes available

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Good point! All the best.

[@adrian_dickinson]

Gosh Rob I wish my phone was ringing & could pick up new, good work. I just bought a ride on to save the leg's on the big one's, time will tell if a good purchase or not. wet here in north west no bloody wind to dry up the green gold.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

It’s wet here too. Starting to lose work. Fingers crossed it dries up soon.

[@Sam-c4f2v]

Love your videos dude was hoping for an update 😎 keep mowin 🤙

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks! Will do!

[@davet732]

Got to put your prices up the mower's have took a right hammering this year 😢

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

I agree , mine are starting to struggle.

[@nealwilson6488]

1 Word "Correct"

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thank you .

[@leehaynes7815]

I’m in the early stages of the business so wouldn’t be turning away customers. I wouldn’t give a discount though! When they said they would be in touch I would get back to them saying that I’m already undercharging them for the amount and quality of work I’m doing for them and could they please confirm if they want their space because the phone keeps ringing. In a sense you’re taking control back from the situation and they say no well that’s it

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for sharing your opinions. All the best.

[@andybell9245]

If people don’t value you what you do move on no loss to you always someone else

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

There certainly is. All the best.

[@funkyduckproductions.8844]

Price increases. For me it's generally bi-yearly. They'll be going up for everyone next year. Now. I generally give my advice / thoughts on questions you've raised. Now I'd like your opinion on something that's niggling me. My van has been off the road. So I decided to take the entire week off and just move everyone on one week. So it will be 3wks since my last cut instead of two. I messaged everyone in good time and explained to them that the vans off the road. But by next week (this past week) I'd have it fixed or replaced. Everyone was fine about it. Today I was suppose to go to this house but she said "no" she didn't want it done this time as she'd done it herself. So call in another fortnight please. It's only a quick £20 back garden. Mow, blow and go job that takes me 25 mins to do. I must admit I was a bit pissed off with her. So. Your thoughts please. Should I drop her immediately . Drop her and the end of the season (approx 6wks time) or just stop being so precious about it all and keep her on?

[@doomedbook1020]

Keep her on mate. Women are shortsighted after all and she was probably entertaining in the garden. One of my customers wanted to do it herself and I left her to it. Seemed like she was messing me around saying next week next week and in the end she confessed she had a lot to pay out and obviously the gardener comes last on the pay pecking order. Her mower also broke when she attempted to do it herself. Of course I charged her 50% more as a 4 weekly cut turned into a 6 week visit and she was happy to pay it.

[@funkyduckproductions.8844]

@@doomedbook1020 Thanks buddy

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Keep her Gary. Sometimes these things happen. Don’t do as I do, do as I say. 😂 All the best.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Well said.

[@funkyduckproductions.8844]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Thanks Rob. I don't know. She did piss me off. I think I'll keep her on until the end of the season and decide what I'm doing before the start of next year. Cheers 👍

[@Grahams-Grass]

Who doesn't love 🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒 🤠👍🍻😊

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks

[@billywhitham5617]

Where I’m from there’s no way I’d get away with charging over £30 an hour for mow blow and go to be honest. Good luck to the chap with the wooden cart!

[@Mystyknomad]

The thing is, wherever you live, there are people charging less than they should. I guarantee you there are guys in your area who are asking over £30 to cut a lawn and they have plenty of clients willing to pay it. You could be one of those guys. Earning more money and working less hours. The choice is yours.

[@billywhitham5617]

@@Mystyknomad £30 an hour and £30 to cut a lawn are two different things……

[@Mystyknomad]

@@billywhitham5617 I was referring to the sort of lawn you can cut in under an hour. Just a friendly suggestion that I believe you could make more money and have an easier life. Why not try it on your next new client?

[@pablo9364]

Or maybe travel to an area where £30ph is acceptable for cutting a lawn to a standard of excellence. New builds, new developments, more lucrative areas? Be an entrepreneur and chase the money like a wolf !

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@tomjones9383]

Price of everything is going UP, so why should yours go down??? Some people think we do this for fun lol

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

They certainly do. A hobby not a living. 👍

[@dogmangreengrass736]

i have spent over £1000 on training this year . someone got pay fot it . 😢❤

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Hope you enjoyed it.

[@dogmangreengrass736]

@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices strimmer / brushcutter , hand held hedge cutter / leaf blower & vac . pedestrian/ ride on mower booked in for jan .

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Brilliant. Good luck.

[@melike1984]

I am happy to make a donation to a GO FUND ME Page if you want to set one up, to help them out in these tough times.

[@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices]

Made me laugh.👍🏻