"You Make More Money Than Me."

There are some clients who have an issue with the speed in which a service is completed. They see the efficiency in which we operate and feel like they've overpaid for the service. Not all clients do this, but there are always a handful that can't seem to get over it. It seems trivial, but nevertheless, it something you're eventually going to have to deal with in your business.

[@doublebrewski5294]

My dad was doing a yard solo a while back. He charged the customer $50 and it took him an hour to finish. The customer said “what you’re done already? That was too quick, how can you be making $50 an hour? That ain’t right! “ Then he canceled the service after that. My dad was not mad though, he was glad because that’s not the type of customers he wants to service.

[@chrismazzotta910]

I've been in the biz since 93' in Maryland. Here's a couplle lines I use in situations like that. Feel free to borrow them. I did...lol. 1) I know im not the cheapest guy in town and i also know im not the most expensive. My prices are right in the middle and we provide a good quality service at a reasonable price. 2) I have well over $100,000.00 sitting out front of your house between the truck, trailer, and equipment. I don't have to be eating steaks every night but I work too hard for Ramen! 3) Its taken me almost 30 years and 10's of thousands of dollars to be this efficient. I charge for the years, not the minutes! If they still don't get it... you don't want them anyway!

[@mattpahuta]

Lol. Good ones. Lol.

[@justinwalthall2998]

3 Man Crew - 12 Minutes X 3 Guys = 36 Minutes + Drive Time ... some people just don't know how to compute that.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

🤔 Wow! I just posted a video on the same topic. I guess that since customers are home and bored they're trying to find something to complain about, great video 👍!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

That's what I'm thinking... They're home more and actually see the service happening rather than coming home to a fresh cut lawn and just being happy.

[@justinwalthall2998]

@@FloridaTurfPros I have one lady not wanting me to cut between 10-11 or between 3-4 because she is working from home now. Not sure if you guys would accommodate but I sure won't. You land where you land, not time slotting grass mows.

[@mattpahuta]

There is a lot of truth to that!!! Is there a full moon this week?

[@mattpahuta]

@@justinwalthall2998 we love them, but no way man!!!

[@TomDobyMowerRepair]

as a full time school maintenance worker... the teachers are back and driving me absolutely nuts cause they are bored, i use to think it'd be a good job if it wasnt for all the kids, heck no its the people sitting around empty buildings bored watching flys hatch... like being married to a thousand women

[@Thelawncarenut]

Sounds to me like some of these customers just do not respect our profession in general. "Anti-lawnites". in these cases, I like to use the smoke and mirrors strategy to play on their ignorance. Something simple is to pull a core soil sample and leave it in a bag on their door with a note "I took a soil sample and recommend you water 3x per week, 1/2" each time" Do this monthly and recommend something obvious each time "soil is sandy, may need to amend with a carbon source like biochar" Doesn;t matter if it's a service you are upselling or not - it's just you providing something over and above what they think they are paying for. The key is to keep it easy, quick and simple. Load on as much BS as you like. THey want the fluff to feel like they are getting something extra, give them the fluff and keep moving.

[@keatonduckett6966]

Genius!

[@TomDobyMowerRepair]

in 1992 i made a deal to cut a man's grass, when he seen me pull up with a large zero turn on my trailer he said "man i aint paying you to cut it with that!" he watched me drive off

[@sunseeker5071]

This video is. VERY important...... seniors citizens in particular do not like seeing 3 guys tearing around their lawn and bolting after 10 minutes. For this large demographic, relationship is KEY. They dislike the “Hit-n-Run” approach. We have observed that two man crews do not bother them.... move to three and the world starts falling apart for them. Very timely and informative video.

[@techevar]

Sun you are spot on. I can’t tell you how many clients we picked up because they said the last company got too big and would buzz through their yard!

[@DoyleBros03]

No one takes lawn guys serious. Some lady asked recently “so what are you going to do for your career?” I was like well I made $90,000 in just March through June. And probably on pace for about $140,000 by December. She looked at me like I had a 3rd eye. Unreal. Morons

[@FloridaTurfPros]

So true!

[@cleangreenlawnservicellc2630]

😳

[@ericpabon2458]

did she know you were the owner?

[@DoyleBros03]

Eric Pabon yeah. Rude AF

[@easybuttonlawnservice8697]

Amazing how so few realize this business is easy $120k per crew from Mar-Oct.

[@sunseeker5071]

I often let my clients know that my zeroturn mower cost more than 12k and that I have three of them. I also tell them that I burn through a couple thousands of dollars a year in gas. They are always shocked......and I want them to be.

[@mattpahuta]

I love making a lot of money and say, "I just mow grass". Lol.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I love when people look at me with “I’m sorry” eyes when I tell them I cut grass for a living. I don’t even defend myself. I just smile and let them feel sorry for me. =)

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

yeah! I'm the same...and I'm 'just a cleaner'. People's eyes glaze over and never ever ever ask questions about my business...meanwhile I'm quietly making bank from a 3 day work week and investing $500 a week. Stupid idiots.

[@xbebe]

I had a lady tell me "wow you get paid more than my doctor!!" in an upset tone like if I don't deserve the pay. And I now no longer work for her lol but still get paid more than a doctor lmao

[@xbebe]

Ultimately it sucks we have to deal with clients like this but glad I'm not alone on this. Situations like this almost make you start to question if you're charging properly.

[@mattpahuta]

Don't worry about it! Charge what you need to charge with a smile on your face.

[@lewisjames376]

I would just “if you had to unscrew 100 screws, would use a hand screwdriver or a power screwdriver?”

[@mikelowe1080]

Great analogy 👍

[@lavalleeturfcare7523]

How relevant. Just had a client yesterday tell me he "doesn't plan on paying extra to trim the bushes" and just expects it done during mows. See ya later.

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

Yeah and I don't plan on paying my mechanic to align my wheels after fitting them...so yeah...see how well that goes down

[@ericavenarius5370]

same in landscaping. tell em to start up a biz. then!!! Ha ha good video, Thanks

[@rachelt.7408]

"Poor people's mindset"....wow, that is probably the most accurate way anyone could put this.

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

yep. these people have personal victim stories regarding what THEY earn. and they take it out on us. ditch them

[@groundeffects3032]

"Nice trailer, I must be paying you too much." 😆🤣 REALLY!!! What you pay me doesn't buy my fuel for a week. Some people 🙄

[@mrmerhtin3625]

Blades of Grass Lawn Care was talking about something similar yesterday on his "CUSTOMER PREPOSTEROUS REQUEST [ Find another lawn care company we're not doing it ] "

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Jonny speaking truth then 😂

[@chrismazzotta910]

Another term I throw around is "Industry Standard". I'm not sure what pricing is like in your area but I'll tell people "Industry Standard for cutting grass in this area is $75/acre $40/half. As long as the service is a quality service, time is irrelevant!"

[@ccww9]

I had a similar situation. Most people don't care, but some put a timer on you. Had an older lady do the math on me and figured out what I was making per man hour. She said it was ridiculous and her husband didn't even make that much when he worked as an engineer. My dad was working with me that day, and he told her ( by looking at the age they looked) ma'am you can't compare today's prices with engineering salaries from the 1950's lol..She tucked her tail and went in. She didn't last long. I don't get along with the type that micro manage me and have to come out and put their 2 cents in every time I show up. On another note, after I started thinking about lawn prices, I realize where my pricing issues have been over the years, and why customers give me a difficult time over prices on extra services. Many customers don't know how long a commercial mowing crew will take to service the property. When you price their yard, all they have in mind is it takes them half of a day on the weekend to clean their yard up and getting it mowed. So, when we throw out a price of say $60 and a crew of 2 can service and be gone in 30 minutes, it doesn't register how much you are making to them. However, I noticed that when they want extras done, like cleaning out beds or any extra time consuming tasks, then they realize what you are making and sometimes have an issue with it. So, if you do extra work on your hands and knees and spend double the time and the $60 service becomes $100-110, I often get that complaint..."What..., well you guys only did about 25-30 minutes of week pulling out of my beds" I'm like yes, but it takes 2 of us 30 minutes to service your property and you have had no issues paying $60. We spent double the time and still gave a slight discount for eliminating windshield time going to another property, and you are complaining??? It just doesn't register. They have no idea how fast and efficient we can be at the basics with the proper equipment, and it seems to be when we provide that extra work that we can't do much faster than the home owner that they begin to have an issue with the pricing. I run across that a lot in the nicer gated community in my area. Sorry for the long comment lol

[@lazarcompanies248]

I felt this whole video in my soul. So often I've heard the same things. Another fact of the matter is some people aren't happy unless they're miserable. Know what i mean? People don't understand the costs and expenses of running a business. They clock in, clock out, and that's their life. They don't understand the concept of how much it costs guys like us just to leave our house or shop or whatever it is just to show up on their property. Recently i got into it with a client who wanted seasonal mowing service and she had a 27,000 sq foot property. I so i quoted her my price and she pretty much flipped her lid. She then told me that who she had currently doing it was only charging her $33 per mow. So naturally my thought was "What mook is mowing a 27,000 sq. foot property for $33?" But at the end of the day, that isnt my problem. Maybe it's the neighbor kid, grandson, but again, who cares? If a legit lawn care business is doing that work for that price, that's on them. Either they're independently wealthy and don't mind, or have no idea what they're doing. So naturally in the early stages of a business, i would have tried to fight for any client i could. But in this case, she was booking ahead for next year's mowing season. It's winter time, so i'll have dozens more mowing customers by then. So i don't need her business, because it would cost me more to show up than i'd be getting paid for the job itself. So always be conscious of what your service is worth.

[@cristobaldelacruz142]

So true that is a big property you need at least a 48 inch mower to start. I will do a 33.00 cut for a 5,000 sg ft home. 27,000 looking like 150.00 per mow.

[@BillyGoatLawnService]

I’m solo and gained several new clients for those very reasons you mentioned. They rather pay me $45 (45 minutes) than a 3 man crew (10 minutes)

[@mattpahuta]

Yes, and I thought that being on their property for only 10-15 minutes is a great selling point. How dumb I am. Lol.

[@landmarkcreations1183]

Hey man I just want to say thank you for all your content. Fixing to be laid off in the next month from my union job and have finally decided to go out on my own. Your channel has helped me get my ducks in a row. Cheers from Tacoma Washington

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

Kevin go get that business Kevin!

[@landmarkcreations1183]

AJourneyOfYourSoul thank you!i will!👍

[@lindaguernsey5935]

Jonathan, I'm a fairly new client, and have been very happy with your services. Your KZbin programs have been quite educational . Thanks

[@AKARCHER]

Dude what’s so funny is it’s my first year running my own crew and that is how we have acquired customers. People leaving their services for the same reason so we capitalized on it and made it a top tier service. Very precise with walk behind mowers and weed eating around every inch. After the first few times you shave off most the extra time it takes to get all those small areas and bam you’re top tier. I’m in Alaska so our season is pretty short but damn this season went better than I could have ever imagined. I had like 6 years experience and you kinda talked me into it during quarantine so I was like sheeet here we goooooo haha. So thanks and keep up the videos amigo

[@thomassalazar3215]

Love your content. Been listening since the beginning and everything you put out always has great value. Keep doing what you you do brother.

[@jstu45]

Im a Master plumber and people ask me when Im done "so yall dont charge by the hour"...nope we are a flat rate company.

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

yep. why be punished for efficiency

[@BillsLawnMaintenanceLLC]

I'm feeling the same heat and almost sufficating humidity over here in Jacksonville, FL!🔥🔥🔥20 yards about got me today! Clients are gonna be that way!!! Sometimes you just can't make them happy. Honor your worth and Keep it moving! Btw, stay hydrated!

[@johncunningham3039]

Can't wait to have a 20 yard day. I love post like this. Keep cuttin man!

[@coxyardwork1524]

Man, I had the exact same situation with cutting at an angle for the same reason. If the plumber, electrician or HVAC guy provides quality work with high efficiency....there's no concern. As for the nurse, I have a college education too, I am experienced in logistics, leading people and driving fast results. Lastly, always looking for ways to improve efficiency.

[@mr.cslawncare1347]

These older videos still have great value! Thank you

[@christopherdwyer9649]

Hey man! Thanks for all you do. I have been listening to your advice and got into the business. Starting late in the season, I decided to offer aeration and over-seeding and not mow. I remembered you saying “be known as the best at something.” So I went for it. I have 24 renovation projects coming up in the next 3 weeks. Thanks for your help and advice!

[@ohanaturfservices107]

Ha! Or the “I must be paying too much... someone got a new more.” Good to see you as well, sir. 😂😎🤙🏽

[@kmorrow9638]

Man this is a great video. I had to show my helper what I have been talking about. I have a few clients that I go a little slower on just because I feel like this will happen.

[@allphaselandscape]

I've dealt with those kind of clients before...... They aren't the ones worth having!

[@sclawns5257]

Very well said.. been having that very problem.. But I sometimes think they just want to show their supposed superiority.

[@ianf3144]

Couldn’t agree more man.. great video.

[@saltylandscaper7193]

Just came over from spencer lawncare channel. He just posted a video saying that cody from pro cut lawncare is a missing persons. Please spread the word, if anyone is in his area of tenessee keep a look out for him. Pray for his safety and pray for courtney.

[@GwinnettLawns]

Tell those customers that your fast because I just put 80k worth of equipment on your yard! Thats why we are fast.

[@johncunningham3039]

Thank you for sharing this Johnathan. I was thinking about this yesterday and correct me if I'm wrong for this mind set. I'm willing to admit when I am wrong and I'm looking to grow and develop as a business owner. So I got to thinking yesterday on my way home, soaking wet with sweat and just stinking from two yards(only have 6 yards for the week mind you) and was frustrated that I don't have more. I put out nice door hangers (250) and only got one yard. Joined HomeAdvisor and have lost more than I've made and have a logo with number and fb/Instagram on my truck. As I'm driving every other vehicle (no lie here) was a truck of some sort with a trailer/mower/weed eater racks and other lawn equipment. Now along with that I'm being told by potential clients that $40 for a yard 2300 square feet or more is too much. $60-$70 for bi-weekly is too much. The last guy quoted $25/ week or $40 every two weeks. I also keep hearing that I need to offer discounts to get them signed up (not on any programs yet as i don't make enough and not tech savvy). I thought," The deal is, you aren't cutting the grass yourself. You don't have to buy expensive equipment to upkeep and clean after every use or season. You don't have to spend your evening or weekend doing your yard work. That's your deal!" So why are we hurting each other by giving these deals? We are already being hurt (if you are legitimate) by the guy doing it for $20-$25 and doesn't claim it or have insurance for damages done to a property. I don't get it. Yeah, deals maybe for $1k+ landscaping but not for a piddely yard cut, trim and blow. Sorry for one message but like you said, quality is going out the door. It seems to be more about the cheapest and they don't have to do it. But had your guys hit that tree base he'd been really pissed. Thank you for sharing sir.

[@dailydoses8774]

I started out this spring and started in a similar situation. I did take on some work for too cheap and in the long run I've kind of regretted it once I did start to get busy. So stick to your guns and get paid what you feel you're worth. As a suggestion for accumulating some more business. Try yelp and throw up a cheap website. 90% of my clients come from yelp. Facebook adds aren't bad either. Try to get on some community Facebook pages. Mind you I'm not huge by any means but I am making a living which is huge for me.

[@masonaroundthehouse5230]

YOU ARE COMPLETELY CORRECT, Jonathan!!

[@thelawncaregivers6034]

Good- good- good video Jonathan.

[@trigatupp]

I’m in very similar business and know exactly what your talking about. Sometimes I purposely drag out time because of this even though I make less. Even though we have professional equipment and years of experience some people want extra customer service. It’s a balance some I have to do some chatting this keeps them happy. Thankfully it’s not a lot like this.

[@windellscott2618]

Yes I have had that issue I tell my clients that's how we stay profitable and keep our cost down.

[@TheJvergiels0001]

Your so right about the mind set of people. You can't make everyone happy.

[@tony9305]

Right on the money again!

[@tonyslawncare]

Awesome talk!

[@mattpahuta]

If a nurse makes $30 per hour, her project manager or CFO knows that it cost her company (or hospital) $100 for each hour she works. When I used to do Mechanical Design work (5 years ago) at $35 per hour, the project was billed $100 per hour for Matt Pahuta (me. Lol). The company's cost is all figured into that (ie. electric bill, employee benefits, etc). When I started mowing (with a push-mower!!!), I knew I was worth $100 per hour and worked hard to get it there. I now make a lot more being an owner of a lawn care business than a Designer. That nurse, with her salary AND benefits, MAKES a lot more than the $30 per hour that she sees in her paycheck!!!! I now love to educate any confused customers. ;-)

[@Axel-tk3tk]

Yes!! I think people don't see lawn care as a business. They see a guy showing up to cut grass, but they don't see the cost of trucks, trailers, equipment, maintenance. Employees, even if you only have 1. Everything just adds up and it's crazy.

[@sirjustis]

“The juice isn’t worth the squeeze” ouch!! If these same person, worked in the hot ass sun all dam day long, or wet humid rain, maybe solo, while having to deal with machinery, terrain issues, people pleasing, dog shit in yards etc, while at the same time worrying about our family and future lol. Then they wouldn’t say shit!!!! We have to chase after out future with hard work, while knowing with every pass that we are wearing our body down, fast!!

[@richardmercado6285]

Yea man lawn care is not easy peasy it sure is fun to do but all the BS that comes with it makes u question

[@sirjustis]

Richard mercado I was asking myself that very question, in the Virginia heat :( I feel like I gotta get better at working in the heat again.

[@richardmercado6285]

Sirjustis is it humid out there? I’m in southern California it’s dry heat out here but there’s an ocean breeze that makes it tolerable, we typically get 90 degree days but sometimes it can get over 100

[@abetterlife44]

I couldn't have said it better brother 👍

[@hrhservicesllchrhlawncare2298]

Had a customer one time say you just made $X per hour on this. That’s to much. I said you agreed on the price before we started. He said but I didn’t know you would do it that fast. Then like you I ask. Is there something we missed or not as you expected? He said no the job is great. You just made to much per hour. I said sir I don’t work by the hour. If I wanted to be paid by the hour I’d go to work for the other guy and not have pay for all this license, insurance, equipment and deal with people like you. He got quite and paid me.

[@dndlawncarellc828]

Great subject

[@SMHV_SQUAD]

I have two similar clients. One was a mowing client that wanted me to push mow because she felt since I was taking longer when I used to push mow, (before I got my zero turn) I did a more thorough job. Which wasn’t true at all lol. The other was an owner of a pool installation company that wanted a gardener basically. I learned really quick that was a bad job to take on. Anyway I gave an estimate to do crepe Myrtle trimming, weeding and lemon grass trimming with a bunch of other miscellaneous plant trimming and he agreed. I finished in under 4 hours and let him know when I finished by sending a text. He then called me saying that he was paying me $120 per hour for the job. I explained that I gave him a reasonable rate for all the work completed. Long story short he paid me and we parted ways.

[@joeligerojoe8762]

Yep you're right on.

[@molshellful]

Absolute great video man

[@charlesmefford410]

I own a business in Huntsville Alabama. I love your videos. I have learned so much. My question is how do you deal with the customers that do the set and forget sprinkler system and the yard is soaking wet eveytime I come. With gas prices I cannot circle back.

[@Thelandscapemogul]

Lol wow we have clients that we knock out and 15-20 minutes and they are surprised but in a good way.

[@davidgleason434]

You forgot to mention that Texas heat lol, we hit 105 yesterday. We have some of those same type customers here.

[@algarvegarden77]

They think that all $60 goes in your pocket. Maybe tell them how much is left of the 60 after costs and taxes.

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

Won't matter. No one wants to listen or bother to understand. They are 100% convinced it is all profit.

[@doubleeranch169]

@Andrew Wetzel hahaha

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

@Andrew Wetzel thoughts and prayers bud

[@techevar]

I had the same situation with my company. One of my clients told me "you guys cut way too fast and I don't like it for the money I pay you." I asked her if her property was OK and do we do quality work. She said "Yes, but that's not the point!" I told her we could use Scissors and charge you 10x more if you like? She smiled and walked away.

[@sebajolly]

Unreal world. Plumbers and electricians can charge you what they want and people won't complain but for us they thinks a school kid can do it for 3/4 less of money

[@imagelawnservice1348]

SOOOO TRUE

[@mattpahuta]

School kids can do it for less, but now a days there is less and less of those. Don't worry about it. You are a professional and a teenager is not. The choice is up to the home owner. Do they want a professional or a teenager? I would hire the teenager if he/she were as good as you, BUT....

[@mattpahuta]

It's not easy, but if you do it right, you can make more than a plumber or electrician.

[@Axel-tk3tk]

There a couple of smart teens in my area that started lawn care charging 40, and they are getting beat by a guy charging $20 on Facebook. Teens better realize there are other opportunities.

[@mattpahuta]

@@Axel-tk3tk one little guy charging $20 isn't really competition. At least not for too long. He's working himself out of the business. Wait until he stops showing up - all the Facebook excitement will end quick. Lol. He can't mow as many lawns as people who need service. The teens will win if they truly are smart. If their price is right for the area and if they are legit and keep learning to have consistent quality service done efficiently. ;-)

[@westprolawns1953]

Yep I had a customer complain that I did a hedge trimming job and finished in about 15 minutes and she said “ I just don’t think I need to pay you 65 dollars because it only took you 15 minutes to do it” and I said well if it took me longer could I charge you more should of seen her face that Shute her up Quick. Good video bro

[@justthebody20]

Sorry man we got people like that here in VA too. I’m 18 yrs in business. Im like u man, moving on bc there’s always another customer who is interested in are services

[@rajbeekie7124]

It is a psychological thing with many people. In the service industry businesses like shoe repair, sewing, yard works, computer repair, clock repair, etc. people want to feel they are getting value for their money and they associate value with the time you spend on the job. This is why many business owners tell you to come back in a few days even though they can do the job in minutes as you wait.

[@mattkleinstuber4294]

That last story hits home big time! I teach middle school special education and have around 100 seasonal mowing clients. The amount of times a client's tone has changed once they found out I also teach and am not "just a landscaper" is too high to count. You learn to let it roll off you, but sad to see such a pervasive lack of respect for in-demand manual labor.

[@09198126]

I let those type of clients know that when I show up to your propery, it's like watching the Superbowl and the effort those guys put into training all year. You don't see all the blades being sharped, mower maintence, drive time, cost of mower so the yard can be mowed fast etc...

[@DREWSPROPERTYMANAGEMENTLLC]

Good video and your so right bro :)

[@mattks1001]

I had this happen my first summer of mowing. Guy was upset I was too quick. Complained I make more money then him.

[@mattpahuta]

I hardly ever have sny interaction with my customers. Even from the beginning (I sign them up so quick. Lol. And 99% of the time it's through texting). A customer we had for 2 or 3 years texted me today, "Matt, I'm not sure that you know that I can see everything that you are doing to my lawn. Mowing my driveway isn't what I'm paying for." Lol!!! I wasn't even there, but I knew her lawn was on our list for the day. So I smiled and immediately called her. Lol. We are careful to try to minimize the grass clippings that go in the direction of the driveway, but then use the mowers only (if possible) to blow off any that are there. She thought the guys were just WASTING TIME by doing that. She was so proud that she could see them with her cameras even though she wasn't home. We don't know if she's there or not! Lol. I was friendly and didn't embarrass her, but you could tell that she was a little embarrassed because she realized it was part of the service. While I had her on the phone, I tried to sell her on getting core aerating by us. Which we just started doing now (actually haven't done it before. Not even my lawn yet. Lol.). She is interested for this Spring!!! Lol. I love doing this stuff!!!!! Lol.

[@kylecrisman9230]

Coming from a guy in the pressure washing industry this guy is spot on. I’ve had people say that’s too cheap of a price then an hour later say you’re already done your making too much. Lol

[@EcoNeighbor]

The sad part about it is this holds true to every business that is ran efficiently. People only do this to small businesses. #PovertyMindset

[@nicholasedgington419]

Anytime i get that i say, "you pay me for my knowledge not my time." Shouldn't be punished (cheaper price) for being good and efficient at your job instead of farting around

[@nicholasedgington419]

It's not just they don't think they are getting their moneys worth... they don't wanna see their lawn guy making more money than they make.

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

@@nicholasedgington419 we get this dumb logic in the housecleaning business too

[@larrysiers9369]

yes...got call to do estimate....i asked about who had been doing it...main complaint , they work too fast...and he wasnt going to pay that much for that little time on the yard....this was huge yard....and i knew the company.....i tried to tell him...with the equipment and experience...that they were very good at what they did and had a great system of doing yards, which allowed them to get in and out fast....he didnt like that.....also had elderly lady complain, i was only charging $30 to do her yard which took about 45 min....and she was asking me to do all these extras....and i kindly told maam you are asking a lot for $30, here answer was, well thats a lot better than factory work.....and the other guys did it for 25.....my answer ....well, factory workers dont pay for their own equipment , gas , repairs and supplies ....and you might want to get the other guys back then....but they went out of business....i just laughed and walked away....i fired her next day.....

[@mattpahuta]

Hey!!! One reason you all are getting paid so well is because you have to answer all these strange customer questions! It's true! The higher you go, the harder the questions. It's not easy being a leader. Much easier being a follower. As I was listening to 2 entrepreneur books a few years ago they both said, "This will be the hardest thing you've ever done. If you want it easy, go work for someone else." It also said, "BUT, if you're willing to learn and make mistakes, you will be successful if you just keep trying and hang in there!!!" Keep up the good work guys!!!! Remember what and why you're working so hard!!!

[@groundeffects3032]

"What comes easy, won't last. What lasts, won't come easy."

[@AdvancedLawn]

Used to Happen often in my landscaping and tree service. Until I started educating prior to showing up.

[@JonsDailyHustle]

Yep I had one customer that would rather see me struggle than get done fast....we learned real quick he wasn't worth our time and dropped him

[@TurfMarkLawnCare]

Exactly! “Blue collar workers don’t deserve that much per hour”

[@richardmercado6285]

That’s exactly what it is

[@mattpahuta]

Blue collar workers deserve it, but don't make much per hour. But we all are business owners and need to figure out how to be paid accordingly. ;-)

[@TurfMarkLawnCare]

Matt Pahuta Right. This is why I put that portion of my comment in quotes. The quotes indicate the mindset of those who look down on the labor class.

[@donnaclugy]

Im a individual lawn care service and came have come across some of my clients that are that way. I believe i charge a fair price for quality work. Its hard to deal with clients when they don't understand the abilities I have in finishing a job quickly. 😔

[@Strangeland701]

I would've said to the nurse: "well lady maybe you should get into the lawn care business" 🤣

[@cunninghamlawncarellc1695]

These people forget about overhead and the fact that they work year round while lawn mowing is seasonal. 32-36 weeks to make 52 weeks revenue. I try to gently educate our occasional customer complaint like this about what the numbers really are. If they don't understand, they are more than welcome to search out another provider.

[@michaeldenis8802]

Hi Jonathan. Greetings from Canada. I have had the exact same experience with clients over the past few years. I understand they are paying for the end result. Have you have it anymore thought on how you would word your response to "that was good, but too fast". I feel that it's too easy to come off passive aggressive. I probably hear this 5 to 10 times a season. Your videos rock by the way. Mike

[@MinnesotaLawnandLandscape]

Well said. I get calls of people wanting to switch and I ask is there anything in particular you are unhappy with current service provider. And they say no they do a good job, but just do it too fast and riding the mowers so fast. If every job took you an hour that would be find with them. For some reason they dont understand productivity and efficient mowing

[@mattpahuta]

I always thought that only being on there property for only 10-15 minutes is a great selling point. But people are pitiful, and we're all people. ;-)

[@StunnaManReedSiler]

This happens wayyyyy too often lol Get That Money Boys

[@chancecooper4006]

I would look at this as a compliment.. This means you have streamlined your processes and procedures to a tee. Now it's time to jump on HOAs or Gated Communities. HOAs will pay less but if you in and out like you're saying, you can profit. I would also explain to them that you have very expensive lawn mowers and edgers that enables you to get in and out in ten mins. I wouldn't worry about customers like these. Get the ones with money!!!

[@garrisonfamilyalbum3901]

I'll have to remember this when I start to grow. 3 men at 10 minutes is 45 minutes for one man. 10 minutes for the three (30) another 15 min it would take one man to swap out equipment.

[@timbohouston]

I make $120/hr pushing mowing some yards and I still get the same comments sometimes. I'm happy to see them go if that's how they feel.

[@TheLawnRanger1]

Your clients sound a lot like mine. I’ve had similar comments from people too. The average person doesn’t understand the investments that we all have made into equipment. I had a guy cancel services for the reason that we finished too fast because it takes him longer to finish his yard when he used to do it...mind you I run a 3 man crew 😂

[@BobbyBowker]

2:53 Sir, that’s a good thing. It’s called efficiency and profitability.

[@rjweiss1]

I own a small pool company and it’s the same way. If I’m in and out in 5-10 minutes on a service and everything is perfect the owners will start nit picking everything

[@jimbo5635]

It cost 6-8 dollars an hour to run a commercial mower last time I figured it out. I need to break it down again. That's with two dollar gas

[@cramerslawnmaintenance9322]

You should of told the nurse, quit your job, buy $100,000 worth of equipment, learn how to professionally take care of property, buy insurance, form a LLC, hire employees, create a marketing strategy, get customers and then you can make an extra $20 per hour more than your current job. People are so ignorant and unintelligent. It amazes me.

[@basicreviewsbydavid7594]

People really need to try to run a business. The "hourly" mindset has most of them screwed. Three guys on one lawn for 30 minutes probably cost you around $30 before taxes, gas, insurance, workman's comp, truck, mowers, trimmers... and the list goes on and on. People don't understand it cost me (a solo guy) around $30 just to step on your property before I can show a profit. Sorry, I don't want to drive a 95 Volvo and live in a trailer. (I apologize to anyone who drives a 95 Volvo or lives in a trailer. It's just not for me)

[@john90304]

When it is raining season how do you get by money wise? Where are you getting income from? Do you save up for those months?

[@ekoorbhtebazile]

Blades of grass lawn care has a video on this topic. It’s thy employee mindset. Everyone is thinking $ per hour.

[@jeremywilson8334]

Thanks for the video! Your customers would love me, I do quality work but am very slow lol

[@mattpahuta]

Lol. Awesome one! Lol.

[@BURSAMAN]

Firing a pain in the ass customer is one of the most satisfying things a self employed person can do. Love doing that.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Haha, it really is great.

[@Vanguardcredit]

Jonathan would you consider using EGO trimmers for your work? I just got one today wanted to know you input. Thanks

[@andrewwk007007]

Not to mention the time, wear and tear on the truck to haul the equipment there in the first place.

[@cleangreenlawnservicellc2630]

Most people definitely don’t understand the overhead of the business.

[@jacobmherrmann]

What are your thoughts on Residential Mowers. I for example am aiming to have 100 lawn care customers next summer but the mower I have is a 2019 Hustler Raptor SD60 Residential Unit. Should I look into commercial units or beat this mower each everyday until it gives up? What if it gives up in the middle of a job as we have no backup because it is the only mower we currently equip. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

[@AdjustingCrowns]

So true

[@MinnesotaLawnandLandscape]

I am going to have to file that end result away and use that.