When they call and ***** about stupid stuff. The want the price dropped after thet have signed a contract. I personaly feel I came in too low with the bid in the first place, This was my first ever bid.
I have 25 drive ways, and three small commercial lots, If I do drop this one mobil station it will not hurt me nearly as much as it would hurt some one else. I have very low over heard. I still live at my parents house and do lawncare/plowing for rent. I only have one truck payment, plus my insurance's I have another contracted accout which has the insurance and bills covered until march. So yes I will be loosing 2k but In my eyes at this point it is worth it these people have no respect and do not understand how to properly maintain a property and do not like to pay to do things the right way. This customer has made me/my company look bad because the do not want to pay to maintain there property.
Perhaps a "man to man" no BS convo with the account will help? It seems like some of this may be pent up aggravation on your part. Maybe if you contacted the principal on a neutral day and brought up your issues while you were both calm things could get better? I have found in the past that having a straight up convo can alleviate much stress, and can improve a situation greatly. Some accounts just need to be backed down from time to time.
When they call and ***** about stupid stuff. The want the price dropped after thet have signed a contract. I personaly feel I came in too low with the bid in the first place, This was my first ever bid.
I have 25 drive ways, and three small commercial lots, If I do drop this one mobil station it will not hurt me nearly as much as it would hurt some one else. I have very low over heard. I still live at my parents house and do lawncare/plowing for rent. I only have one truck payment, plus my insurance's I have another contracted accout which has the insurance and bills covered until march. So yes I will be loosing 2k but In my eyes at this point it is worth it these people have no respect and do not understand how to properly maintain a property and do not like to pay to do things the right way. This customer has made me/my company look bad because the do not want to pay to maintain there property.
Gotcha You didn't tell us it was a gas station. Biggest pain in the butt with out the customer being a pain also.
__________________
Dodge 1997 3500
Myers sander gas
I am pretty mad about the rumor I herd. Im going to wait until monday and if I still feel like I need to drop them I will. Thanks for the advice guys, this is the first account that I have ever had to think about dropping.
__________________
Second year plowing
Two trucks
2000 chevy 1500
4.8 regular cab short bed
firsher plow set up
2004 chevy 1500
5.3 extended cab Z71
fisher plow set up
Perhaps a "man to man" no BS convo with the account will help? It seems like some of this may be pent up aggravation on your part. Maybe if you contacted the principal on a neutral day and brought up your issues while you were both calm things could get better? I have found in the past that having a straight up convo can alleviate much stress, and can improve a situation greatly. Some accounts just need to be backed down from time to time.
I like this, last season i had a customer complain due to the seasonal contract and lack of snow. He wanted some money back due to me plowing 3 times. I had to go and talk to this guy face to face about it as he got really rude with text messages. (I dont know why but this guys is one of the only who like text communications, he is a 70 year old veteran). Told him about how seasonals work and its a gamble not only for him but for me too! After this he saw my point better and that season went by. This year he goes per plow.
I hope it snows like a mother now lol.
__________________
1994 Silverado 6.5 Diesel R/C L/B 2500 Not your average 6.5
1994 Fisher Minute Mount Plow 7 1/2 Foot. (Full Hydraulic)
Truck left the dealer lot with the plow in '94, true lifer plow truck.
Holset WH1C, Chipped and Built. 250,000 Miles.
Rebuilt Engine @ 204,000 Miles
Rebuilt 4L80E @ 241,000 Miles
Don't make business decisions on rumors. If you want out, that's fine but not because if what you heard thru the grapevine. It doesn't look like its gonna snow this year so sub it out on a per plow basis.
So here is my issue, I have an account that has given me enough problems all year for landscaping. Just a royal pain in the ass. Now for plowing the are doing the samething. They are contracted for $2250 for the season with three payments of $750 (the lot is very small). The contract was signed in April, in November they wanted me to lower the price, which was not going to happen. So I was paid (4 days late I might add), I'v salted there twice now. Well today I herd through the grape vine that they are going to stop using me because the new mechanic has a plow truck.
So my question is, How should I go about dropping this customer? I am so sick of all of the ******** they give me. Can I get the rest of the money?
calculate how far out you feel you have been paid for, ask them if there is any truth to the rumor you heard(the mechanic may be spreading it)...if they want out, give them the date you calculated and part friends
Wait until any of the following happens:
1. They dump you for not lowering your price.
2. You dump them for non-payment.
3. They dump you because they're going to do their own plowing; a professional in this circumstance would congratulate them and part on good terms.
4. The season ends and you don't renew for next year (like jhall22guitar said).
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Past: 8.5' Diamond on 12' stake body dump 15,000lb upgraded F350, for state highways...and lack of experience.
Present: Snowbear on 2002 GMC 1500 and ancient Ariens, for personal use only.
Last edited by theholycow; 12-07-2012 at 09:08 AM..
Wait until any of the following happens:
1. They dump you for not lowering your price.
2. You dump them for non-payment.
3. They dump you because they're going to do their own plowing; a professional in this circumstance would congratulate them and part on good terms.
4. The season ends and you don't renew for next year (like jhall22guitar said).
I am proud for suggesting something good haha. I think number 2 is what will happen most likely.
__________________ HDL Landscaping and Snow Removal 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 - 2WD
- Flacon Mini Lightbar and 2 Mini Phantom Max LED Dash/Deck Lights F250 4x4 8' Fisher - 4WD (My Buddy's Truck)
- 4 Corner Strobes, Whelen Dash Light Snowblowers
Shovels
Hey cash. You asked how you should go about dropping the account and I simply told you. No need to bash on me. I actually am a very good business man. That's why I still have a profitable business for the past 15 years and can support a household and family. Good luck.
@gwhalen3 Hey cash. You asked how you should go about dropping the account and I simply told you. No need to bash on me. I actually am a very good business man. That's why I still have a profitable business for the past 15 years and can support a household and family. Good luck.
Your initial response to my question was rude, there for you got a rude response from me. I was looking for real advive from others. Not a snide comment like "end of story" Treat others as you would like to be treated. I hope you have a good season.
__________________
Second year plowing
Two trucks
2000 chevy 1500
4.8 regular cab short bed
firsher plow set up
2004 chevy 1500
5.3 extended cab Z71
fisher plow set up
Last edited by CashinH&P; 12-07-2012 at 12:42 PM..
Wait until any of the following happens:
1. They dump you for not lowering your price.
2. You dump them for non-payment.
3. They dump you because they're going to do their own plowing; a professional in this circumstance would congratulate them and part on good terms.
4. The season ends and you don't renew for next year (like jhall22guitar said).
I would probably go with #4. It sounds like you knew what you were getting yourself into when you sent the contract... I would do your very best this season with that account, then next season, depending on how things went this year, either walk away, or bid it higher and add a cancellation clause like grandview said. I have had to do this once or twice and every time they first call back and say their going to go with someone else, I simply say "thank you for your business in the past, and if there's anything I can do for you in the future, please feel free to give me a call". I usually get the account back later in the season or the next season at the higher price
__________________
After Hours Snowplowing
Holland MI.
2003 F250 SD CREW Cab
7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
short box
Boss 7'6" poly straight
2003 Tahoe
7'6" Snoway Predator with down pressure
Timbrens up front
AND 5 GREAT SUBCONTRACTORS
" SLEEP IS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO MAKE MONEY "
Im going to wait untill there next payment is due (Jan 1) and if there late Ill drop them for non payment. And in meantime if they drop me Im just going to take it and make sure the next guys knows they were late paying me the first time. Thanks for the help guys.
__________________
Second year plowing
Two trucks
2000 chevy 1500
4.8 regular cab short bed
firsher plow set up
2004 chevy 1500
5.3 extended cab Z71
fisher plow set up
Like Mick76 said, once your done with them, be done with them... I like the idea of giving your competition a heads up, but you don't want to burn any bridges with the property owner. You never know when you may want to go back and bid again (maybe when their under new ownership??). That's just me though...
__________________
After Hours Snowplowing
Holland MI.
2003 F250 SD CREW Cab
7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
short box
Boss 7'6" poly straight
2003 Tahoe
7'6" Snoway Predator with down pressure
Timbrens up front
AND 5 GREAT SUBCONTRACTORS
" SLEEP IS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO MAKE MONEY "
Like Mick76 said, once your done with them, be done with them... I like the idea of giving your competition a heads up, but you don't want to burn any bridges with the property owner. You never know when you may want to go back and bid again (maybe when their under new ownership??). That's just me though...
Thats a good point I didnt even think of that.
__________________
Second year plowing
Two trucks
2000 chevy 1500
4.8 regular cab short bed
firsher plow set up
2004 chevy 1500
5.3 extended cab Z71
fisher plow set up
How much aggravtion can it be? It snows You plow done
Plowing is easy. All the crap on the backend sucks.
If you wait till the next billing and all of a sudden your out plowing for month and they don't pay,then what? Your out the money and labor ,dump and see about picking up a few driveways to cover the lost.
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Snow is a little like religion and a lot like sex,you never know when your going to get it next!
Like Mick76 said, once your done with them, be done with them... I like the idea of giving your competition a heads up, but you don't want to burn any bridges with the property owner. You never know when you may want to go back and bid again (maybe when their under new ownership??). That's just me though...
This is good advise, other contractors screw up, things don't work out with the mechanic etc. Always good business to not take it personally and leave it with "It was nice doing business with you, if it doesn't work out you have my #." = pay increase and more loyal customer, if it happens.
SLEEP IS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO MAKE MONEY 
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