Customer Is Becoming A Nuisance - Mowing Overgrown Neglected Property

[@kenlancto7582]

Whenever I have someone that has a lawn like this want me to take them on as a customer I explain that it’ll take me a few cuts to get them looking good and I’ll be billing them per man hour until I can cut it in the time it should normally take. When I tell them this lawn should have been cut a few times before now they sometimes understand and sometimes they don’t. I have picked up some great customers that started off with jungles but have also had to many I didn’t keep long.

[@VanLoweLawnCare]

Here in Maryland I generally cut at 3"-3.5" in the spring just because the grass does grow so much. In summer I'm 4-4.5 to help keep the grass green. I had one customer for at least 5 years, but in the last 2 years always insisted I cut lower than 3. I did cut lower one time, but would always go back to 3. I kept telling her there was nothing else I could do. I only kept her because she was actually really nice and paid on time everytime. She just recently moved to North Carolina.

[@VanLoweLawnCare]

Oh, and that one customer called someone onetime in 2018 when it would never stop raining because I couldn't get to her when she wanted. I wasn't too happy about that needless to say

[@MrTdogg175]

We've been dealing with flooded yards here in NH at my company this spring and its been crazy, we dont open cut often, but my recommendation would be after the first pass, cut it in another direction stripe and it chops up and disperses the clumps that get smushed down from the tires better, then if necessary you can run it over in the original direction again, and then the second direction again. Crossing over in another direction helps pick it up and throw the clumps easier instead of some of them being smushed down from being run over with the tires in the same direction as the original stripe! I'd order yourselves a couple of those aluminum grass catchers and if your truck isnt a dump body you can get a dump insert for the regular bed, reason I say that is not only does it help to catch the clumps because it reduces the amount of passes you need to do (generally 2 passes only when using a grass catcher on soaked lawns) but you can also charge more on the accounts for hauling away the grass and it leaves a cleaner brighter stripe as well! Of course open shoot it during the summer and burn season as the natural spread of seeds in the clippings helps keep the grass greener, but the spring and fall its definitely good to catch that grass and eliminates a ton of the mess. Not only does it save you on the messes, but it also saves you on time and fuel consumption as you won't need to run the lawns over as many times making you more money on these jobs as well by using less man hours and less money spent running the mowers fuel. Just my thoughts, still good work just tips I've learned along the way that cut time spent on soaked lawns in half or less than half my friend! Hope y'all have a good rest of the season!

[@547Rick]

I'm speaking as a homeowner and not as a lawn care company. I cut my grass at 3 inches early in the spring to promote lateral growth and at the end of May. Then I start cutting it higher at each cutting to reach a 4-inch height to promote vertical root growth for those dryer summers. Then in the late fall, after the growing season, I cut it back down to 3 inches or lower for winter. Now as a homeowner, I can cut it more than once a week to maintain a 25% rule. I understand as a contractor doing once a week mowing service it sometimes impossible to follow those practices. Keep up the great work you two!

[@vikingstrong19]

Here in Louisiana/Mississippi. This time last year we had 21 inches of rain. This year so far we just hit 50 inches. The ground an grass stay saturated. Everyone is lucky to get one cut a month in. Its been 4 days of rain( Monday through Thursday). , here you need 2 (Friday, sat) hot sunny days to dry out..on the 3 day (Sun) hopefully it's dry. Then you have to hustle hard because on Monday it rains. Hard to cut on a Saturday here also becuase it's crawfish season, an every is having a boil. Also I purchased equipment defender products an you your codes. I hope they give you guys kick backs. May the Lord Jesus keep you 2 an enrich you both.

[@libertybelllandscaping1757]

I tell clients straight up. "I'm not going to do that" when it's wet & long. Learned my lesson the hard way

[@belindakennedy5828]

Yeah no point cutting grass that's long and wet,you could use a Strummer to cut it down so the air can get into it to dry ,then come back and cut it with a mower.

[@shaneparnell1477]

Yall need to run mulch kits on yalls mowers. We we're literally mowing tall grass in water today and our mowers leave no clumps. We run john deere mowers with 7 iron decks with the actual mulch kits no mulch on demand decks they dont do very good. We never have to double cut.

[@GranmaShell]

I don't know much about mowing lawns but what I always remember my grandad saying and i quote "You do not cut the lawn when its wet, anyone with 1/2 a brain will know that"....if it was me I would flat out tell your customer look Karen your yard it just too wet to cut, when it's dry I will come and cut it or you can find someone to cut your yard. And just walk away. This isn't you being an ahole this is you taking care of you.

[@LawnCareJuggernaut]

its kind of overgrown lol. NAW for real though some of these lawns that don't look that bad are way harder to cut than the crazy high lawns. KEEP KILLING IT GUYS!

[@therobable1]

Word!

[@Woody-iv3ud]

100% true I rather have it talk to we’re it is ankle High.

[@SpencerLawnCare]

Hahaha just a little bit

[@csmlawnandlandscape7619]

That was me yesterday afternoon in the rain here in Annapolis, MD. I was doing two 1.5 acre lots across the street from one another. Finished one and was halfway through the other when it started raining. I told the customer that I'm going to stop and come back the following day. Nope, the customer wanted it done... in the rain. I told him the clippings are going to clump up all over the yard because it's wet now. He told me to come back when it stops raining and clean it up, but he wants it done since I started. So, I completed the cut in the rain. I was going to come back anyway, but given the customer's attitude and how mucked up I was and the equipment, I'm going to surcharge him for a service visit on his monthly invoice.

[@barbrn]

I'm just a woman, but even I know that you never cut grass when it's wet. The blade tears the grass instead of cutting it which makes it susceptible to disease.

[@ellisbrandi84]

Does she want a dead lawn? You can't take but so much off the top before you kill the grass when you let it get long. My yard is small so I only use a push mower, but I start at 4 or 5 inches to get everything even after the fall (we really don't have winter down here in the south anymore), and then I go to a 3 so I can shade the yard a bit since I get direct sun on my yard. I stay at about a three unless I know rain is coming. When its going to rain a lot I trim it down very low to avoid having to cut long wet grass.

[@mr.bipolar3344]

Mowing wet grass is never fun. I'm in the lawn care business as well and it's been raining here in East Texas non stop. The main problem that I'm having, is that the ground here is extremely saturated! It's like one big swamp. Lol

[@lukasandre4077]

yup me and my buddy do lawn care in nj its been raining for the past week one customer didnt listen to us when we told them the lawn was to wet and insisted us to cut the grass and our mowers got stuck in the backyard

[@mikeandre9903]

Hey what's up I live in a very small town but yet I still have customers that complain like that also I tried to be nice and polite and satisfy my customers but if they are repeat complainers I just have to cut the cord and move on and I tell my customers upfront I never cut grass when it's wet or soaked I just tell them when it dries out then I'll come and cut it👍👍 I've watched your videos for a very long time and you have my respect

[@derekhelms5642]

I have had to do a yard like you did where you had to cut it a million times it’s no fun!! The grass was as tall as my mower! I have a cub cadet lawn tractor! That like 3 feet. It was not a fun job. I had to go over it like literally 20 times. I’m saving up to try and upgrade to a zero turn but I don’t have enough money yet. You know what that’s means I gotta keep mowing!!

[@normandong4479]

It is almost impossible to make wet grass look perfect. There will be clumps and the mowers pick up a layer of wet grass under the deck. A lot depends on the weather and each lot's drainage. If a customer complains to the point of unreasonable, he or she should hire someone else. Wet grass, especially in early spring, is just tough to make perfect, wheel marks notwithstanding. When weather gets warmer & drier, mowing can get a little easier. Great effort & service here.

[@mmafanatic90]

I hear ya. Problem customers are a pain, especially in the spring rush! I got one that calls every few weeks, wanting their yard mowed, so you can only imagine how tall it is every visit. I’m quickly knowing my worth though! Keep crushing it out there guys!!! Great work as always!

[@votered1552]

My dad and I started a mowing business back in 1988. In 2003 we decided to do commercial properties only. Best decision we ever made. It’s now 2022 and I’m still doing only commercial. We got tired of dog poop, kids toys and everyone wanting their yard cut at different heights. And everyone wanted done on Friday. Much easier not dealing with residential.

[@bretforfar6582]

I tell them I can’t control how fast the lawn grows. I reassure them that the grass will slow down in a few weeks and their yard will look great the rest of the year.

[@damiensampson7323]

Just because you and your team are not willing to put the time and effort into this person's lawn care doesn't mean you should be chastizing the customer for wanting the best job possible out of you and your crew. Just because it may take you a little longer to get it to the height they would like to see it at or not. You always talk the good talk now let's see you walk it, Shawn. It's the small jobs that might see you through the hard times in the future of Spencer Lawn Care. Play nice

[@penniesfromheaven2511]

Try this when wet n weedy like this one. Blow it all out first, like how most homeowners mow. then go back over it with your striping passes. When u stripe from the start, your blowing two passes out every other pass. It will lay out better with less clumps and hopefully dry a little before you go over it again.

[@edwardkane3237]

Spring in our neck of the woods is difficult to say the least. I had a few lawn treatments that had to go on the back burner to go help my son with our mowing accounts today. I feel your pain. On a good note this past April has been the best I’ve can remember for the 21 years I’ve been in business. I guess we will pay the price with May showers...!!!

[@arielgranados2070]

Stop going back and forth and go across diagonally. You're just flattening the grass over and over the same way and that's another reason it doesn't cut right 💯idk just me

[@577buttfan]

I usually raise my deck then cut across the other way then finish up with my back pack blower breaking up some of the remaining chunks.

[@scanz7837]

Yup they r killing the lawn by doing that. Hackers

[@barrywooten249]

Agree you can the ruts from the last cut before they even start

[@jamesleake2121]

Looks like that customer needs to put some French drainage so that the water can run out of the backyard and might need to bag it Shawn anyway have a great Friday and Wonderful weekend

[@rontopping2048]

Why? There's no standing water

[@bobhoffman5581]

@@rontopping2048 So, French drains "drain" only "standing" water? They never help when it rains hard? Wow--I didn't KNOW that... smh

[@esoj7775]

Love these vids man , especially when you talk over them and give more inside info!! Good stuff ! Be safe brother

[@rowandegnan1064]

Great Video! You’ll always have that “one” customer that is annoying or that just gets on your nerves. Hope you have a great night! "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing." -Abraham Lincoln

[@joevoss4883]

Got my first condo complex at the age of 15!!

[@leonardmsl68]

I would have never even gotten on that lawn as wet is it was

[@Vbll4Lif]

It kills me the customers who don't care to take care of the weeds in their lawn will complain about everything.

[@Prieze868]

Those customers on something for nothing

[@Fencearmor]

Some days are hard, but you always work through them together. Nicely done!

[@usamariner3999]

What i found to be the best solution when cuttin' wet grass is to keep the flap on one side, forward on one pass and reverse on the next step keeping the grass blowin' away from the cut.

[@jamesreid5950]

That’s a great tip

[@myleseastwood1904]

That’s like one of my customers that is sooooooo long and thick in the spring but thanks goodness she’s cool and understands that sits not going to look as good but yea definitely don’t want customers like that. Awesome video 🙏

[@andywashburn91]

Hey there! I’m not sure if you guys make the first pass on tall lawns with the deck all the way up, but if you know it needs cut more than once bring the deck down in 1/4” increments 🤙

[@danieldilger9203]

Cut twelve inches off. Those must fifteen in wheels on the front of that mower.

[@randyloire9857]

just curious if bagging it would have helped with clumps etc

[@andrewwiesmann330]

Fuc bagging

[@anthonyoty7123]

Not necessarily bagging will make it way to heavy with it being wet

[@RuggedIndividual1990]

Bagging definitely takes more time than side discharging but it always looks great in the first pass.

[@randyloire9857]

well i did my own same day this video came out and we bagged it .. it was first cut ad it was as tall or taller than this property and it was wet was the first day in a long time it hasnt either snowed or rained ..one day window...my question was really instead of 3 passes would one pass with a bagger made it look better with less or no clumps .. it is slower but perhaps the same amount of time 3 passes would have took? i know what worked for me but as i said i was just curious. some people hate bagging others dont ..shrugs ...and when i did my own it didnt have the clumps could have used a second pass if i wanted proper stripes but was first cut and wet so left it till it dries out more

[@likeluke5761]

Someone please delete this comment

[@jeannankeefe845]

She's just nervous because her yard looked crappy. If she keeps complaining encourage her to find someone else. Usually I try to put up with it until the weather gives me a 90 degree day and then I cut it at 2.25 or 2.5" which slows it down and makes more manageable. Remember, this time of year is still cool outside and is perfect growing conditions. It will slow down.

[@markhoffman5719]

20% of your customers provide 80% of your headaches. Sometimes they have to be shown the door

[@mickowen568]

myb if ppl in the states start getting your grass clippings up .it would help all I see u do is transfer grass from 1 side 2 the other just get the clippings up no wasting fuel keep going over and over .try it or charge 4btaking clippings away

[@alienationsec4480]

Should have bagged it. Going over a soaking wet lawn that many times is going to rut it. You guys should know this.

[@kdubbzfour206]

I have to explain the same thing to new customers and I slash explain it’s a good sign when a few days after cut grass has grown and will be needing a cut shortly means it’s healthy but people go cut it lower to the point where your scalping it and burning . People doesn’t get it

[@ronniestowe4147]

You guys did a great job with that yard

[@behrlawnmowingyardwork9930]

I know what you are talking about. I have some yards that the customer has a local lawn weed/feed company come out and treat the yards. This time of year the grass grows to the point where I really need to mow it twice in one week in order to not have to catch it. Is this a duplex? Are you only servicing one of the tenets? You need to corral those chickens......LOL

[@burtoncummins8970]

Shawn and TQ love your channel I know I don't post much, but I do hit the like button. I know it's early, but I want to wish TQ a Happy Mother's Day. Have a blessed day and prayers for your family and chickens and the dogs

[@taffyden9718]

I love the grandstands, you gotta walk the lawns down. Bought a ZK last week and the cut blows balls. Our 7 grandstands will always be the workhorses! Cut is awesome

[@connieroberts4626]

When my dad was in business he always said their are some customers you just don't need. He was a very kind and Christian business man who never raised his voice and always tried to please the customer. He just felt that at times it was just better to part ways. I think you may have the same issue here. Some people will never be pleased no matter what.

[@luisbarrueta8207]

It's interesting to me how people in other States don't pick up or bag the grass clippings.

[@breakinstuffandlikingit6821]

All depends on where you are and what services are available. Some areas have free dumping of yard waste. If you have to pay to dump it adds up quickly. I alternate on my lawn; sometimes I mulch and sometimes I bag. When I bag those clippings are going to the chickens or the compost pile. Not paying to dump greens that they'll just compost and sell to somebody else when I can "reuse" them myself.

[@jeremymassey5940]

Hello I notice that you dont overlap your cuts when you turn you always return with the cutting deck on the inner edge of the last cut leaving an un cut strip except this front one the cutting was beautiful til 9.10 second from last cut near the bungalow then theres an uncut strip with the mown grass on it

[@larrewslawncare3451]

At this point your best bet is to just bag the yard your going to have to go over and over you will save time and $

[@shanew7361]

True story

[@gateway8833]

It’s been so wet here in Eastern North Carolina I can’t even take my Mower out of the Barn yet.

[@cartermarchenkuski]

Yeah that client is not helping the situation you guys are in with all this rain! Love the video you guys do a great job💚💖💚

[@jerryzaborski2676]

Shan and tq and Tyler you guys rock it out .your doing a great job . I in joy your videos as all the time . You work so hard I believe you guys . Shan have a great day for tomorrow . I going to be mowing my lawn at 11AM tomorrow morning .i will be thinking about you shan and tq . 👍👍👍👍

[@richardharms8748]

It's hard on the grass when you cut alot off. To shorten the length and not stress the grass takes awhile. Stay cool, be safe, thanks for the videos.😊

[@johnieprice3871]

You guys teach me many helpful things that will make my business better. Thank you keep up that good work

[@doughboy1966]

She’s one of those customers you need to politely drop via a certified and notarized letter explaining that no matter what your company did she was not satisfied with.

[@timothykkkz]

Extra 50 for the tall grass and that is hard on the equipment.

[@carlagarrett8584]

she probably thought the dead patches would magically heal and look as good as her neighbors, without upkeep or care.

[@humanbeing845]

I hate driving by these properties and seeing the. I can’t imagine what it’s like mowing on of these. Love the vid btw.

[@neighborhoodlawncare9872]

From my view of the video I see this customer as one who wants “more for less”. Talk about milk the cow here, this customer supplied the town. Glad to see you swallow your frustration and.still come out looking good, Great job!!!!

[@louienarvaez260]

Blessings to Spencer's lawn car🙏👍

[@jamesbowman7996]

Why not bag???

[@Dale.Nienow]

Great video Shawn, TQ and Tyler, I give my clients three strikes, but also they got to keep in mind that it is normally wet and rainy in Spring!

[@williamnowacki]

To put it this way the customer was probably being rude and not to mention very annoying. She should understand that you guys all did what you had to do and that’s to mow it many times to get it perfect. Man sometimes I even have to deal with clients who can’t make up their own minds 😤 I honestly loved your take on it to possibly leave the customer in the dust if she continues to be rude great idea. People need to learn to respect your quality of work

[@joelsmithers6887]

Thou shall not mow wet grass. It's the golf course motto.

[@ryanfoley9999]

That last yard would've got on my nerves

[@scottodonahoe9505]

As a weed and fert company I'm by law required to post flags on every corner of my properties with my company name on them and date of application .If people mow lower than 2 1/2 inches I will not guarantee that their lawn will look nice . I cut off many accounts for scalping their lawns after explaining to them why not to do it ! People see a crappy looking lawn and it has my flags on it they automatically think it's my company . It's not a money thing , Image is everything !

[@_K_W]

I hired a guy to cut my back lawn, it had rained heavily and I couldn’t get to it myself for two weeks and grass was easily 1.25-1.5ft tall. Guy charged me 200€. I only complained once, when the guy used my own lawn mower to cut and he didn’t use the weed eater as promised.

[@michaelbaguley6005]

You can't please every person guy's, no matter how hard you try. The three of you give a triple AAA class professional service

[@K9-66]

Bet she calls and says now you need to fix her yard because its all rutted up.

[@vincebella3328]

Tell the customer to cut ✂️ their own lawn if they don't like the way your doing it.

[@Subrbn1999]

In that scenario you need a set of wavy blades that are extra sharp and only be at 50-60% throttle.

[@gamerfarms9362]

iv never heard of running a mower at half throttle while mowing mower engines are built t be at full throttle for long periods of time

[@Subrbn1999]

@@gamerfarms9362 Nothing about anything I stated has anything to do with the engine or what it was designed to do.

[@gamerfarms9362]

@@Subrbn1999 you said ¨50-60% throttle.¨ thats has to do with the engine

[@ricepadi29]

Taking a tall, wet,dandelion filled yard down that low and make it look good is about 3 or 4 times the work than normal. At least the neighbor’s yard will give her a perspective on the quality job you did.

[@colinfryett8174]

Don't cut grass when it's long and wet it's called basics

[@kcsowers-thetoes8643]

Taking time is good thing but no hurry. things will slow down soon. I have to keep up with mowing and catch up with the lawns. If far behind then it's stressful.. Have a good one!

[@CG-zz4nd]

I find it more easier to disburse wet cut grass near the max height or 3 clicks from max height the deck will go as a last pass after the initial cut.

[@thebeans804]

I got rained out this afternoon trying to get my yard mowed. Mine will clump when it is wet so I got the trimming 90% done and will finish tomorrow. You all work so hard. Stay safe! 😊

[@nannyboyett8360]

Edge the grass back in a straight line up and down the drive and road.

[@cjbsr3]

Yes sir,I had that kinda day today also, I said to one customer to instead of biweekly let's do weekly cause your lawn grows fast,he laughed and said I'll let you know, cutting 12 inch soaking wet grass is frustrating plus going through 4 plus inches of water not good,I told him that and again he laughed,I said won't be laughing if my motor seizes up...

[@danmichaels2393]

2.5-3" in the spring, in Ohio. She's crazy. Our Baseball fields are at 3 but they get mowed every 4-5 days

[@shaunotoole561]

Stay strong brother,keep at it. You guys got this

[@henrycrawford5034]

TQ goes at it with that weed eater 😂

[@aceofspades9785]

She’s hacking it up rough with that weed whacked...yikes

[@colbymcvay8649]

Love the videos. Hope all are good. Stay safe out there. Best was to get clumps out of a yard with a push mower for a huge yard.

[@carterslawncare7111]

Good job on mowing!! I did a couple today to!!

[@davidmcnerney3048]

Dealing with it here and Buffalo too. This cold sporadic rainy spring and cusyomers always wanting a 3" cut are really stressful on me and my equipment. Ive had to clean decks after every shift rather than every week.

[@chrisjimenez9902]

You guys did great, the lawn looks awesome. I agree with Shawn %100. If any other kind of issue comes up just cut that customer loose, let her be someone else’s headache

[@chuckmaxon3727]

Some folks are high maintenance. I have about 3 that are targeted to be dropped, I spend more time listening to them than I do cutting their grass.

[@LrGLazyBoy]

Gotta love those customers

[@ericstinnett9182]

Great video, hang in there. What you go through sometimes can be a blessing for someone else.

[@jamesreid5950]

Yea fuck that. I’ll be my own blessing

[@labbrockington7854]

I remember when my husband had a grass cutting we had a woman like your dealing with now we finally had pass her on to some one else.

[@hanleyglowka3352]

Hi I woch your videos everyday tell the team I said hi and I woch thor videos everyday I love you guys I love the video

[@bobhoffman5581]

Overgrown, out of control properties would mean I'd charge at least 25% more, maybe even 40%--trying for 50% may piss off a customer, even though it actually isn't unreasonable, to me. People who neglect their properties are also likely to be the ones who would cry the most about the price increase, due TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE! smh...

[@Lawn_Care]

There's always at least one bad apple among the customers. The lawn looks great.

[@raphaelszok8561]

Should have given her a pink moo moo and white furry slippers and sent her to WalMart.

[@jordanloeffler4879]

Posted my first add on Facebook because of you guys yesterday and already have 2 lawns. That I you for the inspiration. Hopefully my number only grows. Awesome content!

[@jacobm.6904]

0:02 and that’s why I don’t wear shorts.

[@georgew.5639]

When it comes to lawn care, the customer is not always right.

[@Julian-do7bv]

Running a swipper or bagger over it would make a huge difference but I know its a lot more time and energy

[@mightycrane5135]

We're on the same boat. Here I Texas the rain has been a problem for us too and I feel the frustration with costumers and the pressure to finish my schedule

[@glendajune9140]

I think y’all did a great job, considering all the rain you’ve been dealing with. Please don’t stress, you explained the circumstances to your customers. If they can’t understand what is obviously in front of their eyes. Let the cards fall where they land. Rough day, relax, get some rest. Tomorrow’s another day. Have a good evening.💯👍🏾😲🤔🙋🏽‍♀️✝️🙏🏾🇺🇸

[@easttnlawncare6740]

I have been running into the clumping same to this week because it has rained like I said in my video I don't know if you guys are watched it from Sunday Sunday till Tuesday that's how long it rained but if I cut it on 4 in and then I go back over it with the deck all the way up in the air is high as it will go that cleans up the pumps a lot better

[@liciaspencer9955]

I think it looks wonderful. Sorry about the pain in the asses. Some people are never happy no matter what.

[@jesserousseau2481]

Bag it!!!

[@cadenmercer2082]

I’m out of Zanesville and everything is just soaked right now. Definitely making things more difficult

[@anthonymorrison2167]

hey I"m in caldwell and belle valley same here. who are your mom and dad?