Home/Growth/💬 General/Raising Rates on Lawn Care Jobs in Texas - Customers are Losing Their Shit
Raising Rates on Lawn Care Jobs in Texas - Customers are Losing Their Shit
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CoilCleaner
·1mo·460 replies·400 participants
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CoilCleaner⚒️ JourneymanOP1mo
300
Tried bumping my rates from $45 to $55 per cut on my weekly lawn maintenance routes here in Texas, and holy hell the pushback is unreal. These folks act like I'm robbing them blind after I spent two days edging and fertilizing with my Stihl gear, but fuel and labor costs are through the roof now. Anyone else dealing with this crap when trying to stay afloat?
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FloorFumbler⚒️ Journeyman1mo
28
texas homeowners act like they own the damn oil wells, screaming about a measly $10 hike while they drive suvs that guzzle more than my stihl eats gas.
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KeyMasterKate⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
screw the whiners, if they cant handle $55 for a proper cut with stihl edging then let em mow their own damn lawns and save their bitching for someone who cares.
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RidgeRunner2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
53
Screw the hagglers, just walk away and let them mow their own damn yard. I've lost a few clients but gained better ones who value the work.
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ChillMaster9⚒️ Journeyman1mo
107
Same here, quality over quantity every time.
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SodSlinger3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
108
Yeah but in a small town it hurts.
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WireWizard8⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers are the WORST about price hikes, acting like they've never heard of inflation while they sit in their air-conditioned mcmansions. i raised my rates 15% last year and half of 'em bailed, calling me a rip-off artist when gas and labor costs are through the roof. these small-town cheapskates think we're still charging 2008 prices, and it pisses me off every time. screw 'em, the good ones will stick around.
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ScrewLoose⭐ Expert1mo
7
raised my rates 25% this year and the deadbeats bailed, now im pullin in $85k without breakin my back for penny-pinchers.
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V8484🌱 Newcomer1mo
0
man i get it, been bustin my ass in this texas heat for cheapskate neighbors who complain about every damn weed and now they ghost me when i try to charge fair.
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ColorWheelCarl2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
those cheapskate texans act like theyre doin us a favor lettin us sweat our asses off in 100 degree heat for pennies, screw em, let the weeds take over their yards.
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SprayTanSavant⭐ Expert1mo
56
Exactly, better to have empty slots than constant complaining.
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DirtBagLandscaper7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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those cheap ass texas homeowners think theyre entitled to bargain basement prices while we sweat our balls off in this heat, screw em, ill take the empty slots over their nonstop bitching any day.
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CircuitSavage⭐ Expert1mo
69
man, i feel that. lost three accounts last month after the increase.
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SparkPlugJunkie⚒️ Journeyman1mo
55
it's brutal when regulars bail.
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SparkPlugJunkie⚒️ Journeyman1mo
41
but you gotta do it or go broke.
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DrainDemon2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
22
eat the cost and stay at old rates? nah, that's suicide. raise em and filter out the cheapskates.
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FurnitureFury⚒️ Journeyman1mo
67
preach. my biz doubled after i stopped chasing lowballers.
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DustDevil⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
raised my rates and now my cheapskate customers are mowin' their own lawns with safety scissors... priceless! 😂
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RoofRat876⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
man, same here in texas... raised mine 20% last year and half the crybabies ghosted me for some backyard bandito with a rusty push mower. pisses me off how they nickel and dime you til the cows come home.
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SawdustSavant23🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
yeah, next time i tell the crybabies my rates just went up another 10% to cover therapy for dealin with their cheap asses 😂
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KeyMaster99⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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those cheap bastards in texas think they can haggle down a mow like it's a flea market, but fuck that, we deserve every dime after slaving in this heat. stick to your guns, OP, or they'll bleed you dry.
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BoxTosser⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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those texas cheapskates haggling like its the end of the world when gas and insurance are up 30% already, im done bending over for their bullshit.
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HammerHeadHal2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas cheapskates think they're entitled to a free mow just cuz they smiled at ya, screw em all and hike that rate higher.
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HeatPumpHank⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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dont keep undercutting yourself with those small hikes, i saw a guy in dallas lose half his clients to competitors who held firm and now hes scrambling for jobs.
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CleanFreakCindy⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas cheapskates are the WORST, always whining about rates like they don't pay $5 for a damn coffee. screw em, raise it 20% next time and watch half bail.
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V4142🔧 Apprentice1mo
5
howd you tell em about the rate hike without them walkin away?
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BoltBoss2⭐ Expert1mo
3
man, same shit here in texas, jacked up my rates 20% last month and half my regulars vanished faster than a june bug in the heat.
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TenYearVet25⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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damn, i bumped mine up 15% and now im chasing payments from these cheap bastards like its my full time job, texas customers act like theyre doin you a favor just by breathin.
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CoolantKing⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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good riddance to those lowballers, i bumped my rates up 25% last year and now i'm pullin' in steady $80k without the headache. customers who stick around actually value the work and tip better too. feels damn good runnin' a tight ship finally.
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CanvasCrusader⭐ Expert1mo
39
use jobber to automate your quotes with the new rates built in, makes it less personal.
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DrainDevil⚒️ Journeyman1mo
59
good call, i've been using it for a year now.
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FittingFiend3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
how much did you bump your rates by to piss em off that bad?
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PeakProspector2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
i bumped mine 25% last spring and the whiny customers who bailed were the ones who wouldnt even tip for the extra weedeating, good riddance to cheapskates in this market.
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DirtDevil⚒️ Journeyman1mo
10
same shit here, bumped my rates 20% and the cheap bastards who bailed were the ones nickel and diming every damn weed. good riddance to em, texas market's too hot for that crap.
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Insul8r⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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those cheap bastards in texas think theyre entitled to rock bottom prices forever, screw em if they cant handle a fair increase.
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V8330🔧 Apprentice1mo
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yeah man, same shit here in texas, customers flip out over a 10 buck increase like i owe em somethin. been there, just gotta hold firm or theyll walk anyway.
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HandyDanDoIt⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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damn right, these texas folks act like 10 bucks is a fortune when gas alone costs me more than that. been there brother, theyll whine but the good ones stick around.
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SubfloorSam⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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fuck those cheap bastards in texas, they act like gas and labor are free then bitch when you charge what the job's worth.
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ShockJockElec⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
yeah, texas customers flip out over a $5 bump, been there and it aint worth the headache.
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BugBlaster3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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had a guy in houston threaten to call the cops over my $8 increase last summer, like i stole his damn mower or somethin.
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TenYearVet9⭐ Expert1mo
6
had a customer in dallas flip out over my $10 bump last year, acted like i was ruinin his retirement fund... been there brother.
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V6331🔧 Apprentice1mo
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how do you even deal with those texas customers losin their shit over a $5 bump, whats your go to way to calm em down?
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DustBunnySlayer3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas customers think a $5 bump is the end of the damn world, like i ain't got gas and equipment costs climbing. i just tell em to shop around, half the time they come crawlin back.
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JackOfAllTrades⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas folks lose their minds over a nickel more, been dodging those blowups all summer. it aint worth the hassle when they act like you stole their truck. just lost two regulars over a $10 hike and good riddance.
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FurnitureFury2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas customers are the WORST about prices, acting like you're robbing em blind over a lousy $10 while gas and wages keep climbing outta control.
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RootRider⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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try bundling the $5 bump with a free seasonal fertilizer app; it softens the blow and keeps 'em from bolting.
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PaintSplatterPete⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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bundling that $5 hike with a free fertilizer app is smart, but i usually throw in a quick weed check too, keeps the yards looking sharp without extra cost to me. did that on a couple accounts last summer and nobody complained, even got a referral out of it. try timing it with their first mow of the season so it feels like a bonus right off the bat.
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RoachRidder⚒️ Journeyman1mo
6
does it handle the angry calls?
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BugHunterPro⚒️ Journeyman1mo
67
kinda, templates help.
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LeakHunter6🔧 Apprentice1mo
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these texas customers act like theyre entitled to 2015 prices when gas and labor aint stopped climbin, had one guy call me a crook for uppin my mow and blow to $50 a yard last month. its bullshit, i work my ass off in this heat and they bitch like i stole their damn mower. stick to your guns or theyll walk all over you every time.
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WeedWhackerPro⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
told one complainer id mow his yard for 2015 prices if he pays me in bitcoin from back then. now he thinks im the crazy one in this heat lol.
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NailGunNinja8⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas heat turns everyone into a whiner, man. i've had customers lose their minds over a $20 bump after i sweated my ass off for years at the same rate. bitcoin comeback was gold though, keep em on their toes.
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ACWhisperer🏆 Master1mo
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man, these texas cheapskates act like that $20 hike is stealing their last beer while im out there dying in 105 degree heat, pisses me off every damn time.
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DustBunnyHunter3⭐ Expert1mo
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texas customers think they're entitled to free labor while we're baking in the sun, it's bullshit. had one guy flip out over a $30 bump last week, like i aint paying for gas and equipment too.
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BowlBreaker🌱 Newcomer1mo
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how'd you handle that guy flipping out over the $30, did you end up walking or what?
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KeyMasterMike3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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tell ya what, next time one of these texans gripes about the $20 bump, just hand em a water bottle and say 'here, hydrate your wallet too'. im out there sweatin balls in that heat and they think im runnin a charity. shoulda charged em extra for the comedy show of watchin em freak out.
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HandyMandy⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas heat's got everyone actin crazy, customers especially. been there, told one guy to mow his own damn lawn if he wants 2015 prices lol.
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ACWhisperer🏆 Master1mo
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texas homeowners think they're entitled to free labor just cuz they own a yard, screw em if they cant handle real prices in this economy.
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PickLockPete⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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man, texas customers act like theyre doing you a favor by lettin you mow their damn yards, been there brother.
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JoltJockey2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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screw those texas customers, they think $40 a yard is highway robbery but cry when their lawn looks like a jungle. if they cant afford a raise, let em find some broke ass kid with a rusty push mower to do it cheaper.
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WeedWhackerKid⚒️ Journeyman1mo
10
haha yeah man, had a texas lady scream at me last week for bumping it to $45, said she'd rather have her weeds 'cause they dont complain about the price.
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RustyNailBob4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
dont fold on those rates or youll be workin for peanuts next year when gas hits $5 a gallon again.
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DrainDiver5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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screw those entitled texas yahoos, they deserve to lose their yards if they cant pay $50 for a proper mow in this heat. id rather work for half the customers who actually value the sweat than chase cheapskates who bolt at any hike.
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RollerRabbit⚒️ Journeyman1mo
64
worth the sub fee imo.
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ThermostatTamer2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
man, these texas homeowners lose their shit the second i bump my rates even 10%, like they think we're still in 2019 with gas at $2 a gallon. i've been using jobber for years and yeah it automates the quotes, but half the time they call back pissed, demanding i explain why their $80 mow is now $95. it's frustrating as hell when you're just trying to cover the rising costs of fuel and equipment, and they act like you're robbing them blind. last week i had a guy in the dallas suburbs threaten to switch to some angi lead hack who undercuts everyone, and guess what, his yard looked like crap the next month. i stick to my guns now, but damn if it doesn't make you question why we put up with this bs. shoulda raised em sooner, but hindsight's 20/20.
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ZapZapZoe⚒️ Journeyman1mo
39
don't do it all at once, phase in a 5% hike every quarter so they don't riot.
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FrameFreak5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
30
smart, i'll try that on my next round.
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HueHustler⭐ Expert1mo
36
yeah gradual is key in this market.
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AirflowAce⚒️ Journeyman1mo
29
offer a loyalty discount for long-term clients to soften the blow, worked for me on mulch installs.
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JoltJester2⭐ Expert1mo
11
solid idea, tying it to service add-ons?
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LeakHunterJoe⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
texas homeowners are the WORST about whining when you bump rates, like they think we're still charging 2010 prices after inflation and fuel costs went nuts. these cheap bastards act like add-ons are some scam when they're just basic shit to keep their yards from looking like a jungle. i've lost a couple clients over it but screw em, the ones who stick around actually appreciate the value. time to raise again next season, who's with me?
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SparkPlugJoe⚒️ Journeyman1mo
14
try adding a 10% fuel surcharge on top of the base rate instead of a straight increase, it softens the blow when texas gas prices spike. i started doing that last year with my stihl crew and kept 80% of the whiners who saw it as fair play. explain it upfront in your next invoice so they know it's tied to real costs, not just greed. clients who get the value will stick around longer than the cheap ones anyway.
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TarPaperTitan2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
texas customers deserve to lose their shit when you jack up rates without 'em realizing fuel's up 50% since last year, but hell, if they can't see value in a clean yard, let 'em mow it themselves with a rusty push mower.
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RustyNailBob4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
113
texas heat makes everything worse, customers expect summer rates to stay low.
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LaminateLegend2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
texas customers think they're entitled to sweatshop prices while we're out there dying in 100+ degree heat. it's bullshit how they lose their shit over a $10 bump when gas and everything else is through the roof. time to weed out the cheapskates and find ones who get it.
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CleanFreak99⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
yeah man, same bullshit here in texas with folks flipping out over a simple $15 hike while we're baking in the truck. time to drop the whiners and chase clients who aint scared of fair prices.
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TenYearVet15⚒️ Journeyman1mo
72
tie your rate increase to rising gas prices, show em the receipts from shell or whoever.
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GarageGuru2⭐ Expert1mo
16
receipts? hell yeah, makes it factual.
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GarageGuruGus⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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print those receipts on every invoice so they cant argue the increase is BS. then explain the new gas prices and labor costs hit you 20% harder this year.
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PipeLord42028⭐ Expert1mo
39
PE firms are buying up every landscaping outfit and jacking prices anyway, might as well join em.
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SparkPlugPro2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
64
those bastards are ruining the game for all of us.
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JointJuggler2🔧 Apprentice1mo
10
yeah man, those cheap bastards are killing the whole industry down here. had to raise my rates last month and half my clients bailed, sucks.
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HVACHero⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
fuckin cheapskates in texas think they can still pay 2010 prices after fuel and insurance doubled, man. lost 40% of my crew last year to burnout from underpaid jobs, it's bullshit.
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RoofRat4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
add a flat $10 fuel surcharge to every job and explain it upfront in your quotes, keeps things transparent without jacking the base rate too hard. customers get it when you show em the receipts from this years gas prices.
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FlushKing⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah, same crap here in texas, customers flip out over a fuel surcharge even when gas is hittin $3.50 a gallon. i started addin it upfront too, but man the pushback is real. feels like they think were tryin to gouge em every time.
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V8330🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
dont fold on that surcharge or youll be the one losin your shirt when gas spikes to $4, had a buddy eat the costs last summer and he damn near went under.
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CanvasKing6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas cheapskates wouldnt know a fair price if it mowed their lawn, last guy i dealt with tried to haggle me down to 2010 bucks while sippin a $8 starbucks like the fuel aint real 😂
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AmpedUpJoe⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas homeowners are the WORST, always actin like they own the world while nickel and dimin us over a 50 cent hike in gas prices, screw em all.
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EaveExpert⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
raised my rates 15% last spring and now im only dealing with customers who actually value the work, feels damn good to run a profitable outfit.
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PipeLord42018⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
hell yeah, my old customers threw a fit when i hiked rates, now im mowin less lawns and smokin more joints.
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DustBunnyHunter6⭐ Expert1mo
0
sounds like a win-win, fewer lawns means more time for the good stuff... just dont tell the wife about the extra smokin part 😂
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HaulHero3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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raised my rates 25% last spring here in texas and now im only doin the premium yards, pullin in double the cash without the headache.
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WattTheHeck18⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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same here in texas, customers flipped out when i bumped mine 20% last year. now i got way less bs calls and the ones i do are worth the drive.
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GarageGuru4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
yeah man, the customers flipping out over a rate hike is the worst part, like they think grass cuts itself. been there too many times, just nod and move on to the next gig.
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FrameForge⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
tell me about it, these customers act like fuel and time are freebies. lost a couple regulars last month over a $10 bump, but screw it, the new ones pay up without whining. been there, just gotta keep pushin to the next yard.
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MowMan⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
those cheap bastards in texas think we're out here for the free tan and not the fuel costs that doubled this year. screw 'em, i'll find the ones who get it or just mow my own damn yard.
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BugBusterBob⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
hell yeah, screw the whiny customers who think grass cuts itself for pennies. i bumped mine 25% this year and lost the bottom-feeders, now im booked solid with folks who pay without bitchin.
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HammerTimeGuy5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
66
screw the PE vultures, they're why insurance is insane now too.
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HueHustler5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
48
i feel ya, been fighting the same battle with my fence installs.
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OpenerOperator6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
23
fences too? thought it was just us in lawns.
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NailBender⚒️ Journeyman1mo
72
nah, all general trades getting hit.
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DustBunnyHunter3⭐ Expert1mo
54
yep, universal pain.
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ChillTechChris⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas customers think theyre entitled to 2019 prices while gas and insurance skyrocket, pisses me off every damn time. had to fire three this month who wouldnt budge on my $75/acre rate.
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VoltageVagabond4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers are the worst for that entitled crap, had to drop two last week who wouldnt pay the bump even with gas at $3.50/gal.
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BasinBoss🔧 Apprentice1mo
4
texas folks act like their grass mows itself when you mention a price hike, next thing you know they're out there with a push mower and a beer yelling 'i got this!' 😂
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BreakerBreaker⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
man, same shit here in texas, customers flip out over a 10 buck hike like you're robbing em blind. i had one guy try to haggle down to push mower prices last week, total BS. been there, just let em go and find the ones who get it.
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NotAnElectrician26⭐ Expert1mo
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these texas homeowners act like a 10 buck bump is the end of the world, but fuel costs are up 20% and im barely breaking even. had one lady threaten to call the cops over a five dollar surcharge last month, total BS. i just walk away now, cant deal with the entitled crap. let em mow their own damn yard if theyre that cheap.
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CircuitSmasher2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
don't cave on those rates or you'll be underwater in no time, i lost a whole season to cheapskates who bailed after i ate the fuel hikes. walk away like you are, there's always someone who values the work.
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FlashingFiend⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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those cheap-ass texas customers act like they own the damn mower after one cut, haggling like it's the flea market, pisses me off every time.
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TrimTim⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas customers hagglin over a $50 mow like it's their last dime on earth, drives me nuts every damn time. been there, bro, just quote higher and watch em scatter.
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MowMan⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, texas cheapskates haggling over every nickel and dime is the worst, been dealing with that crap for years and it never gets easier.
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SparkFreak⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
those cheap bastards in texas deserve to lose their overgrown yards, raise that shit 20% and watch the real customers show up.
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V9820🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
dont chase those cheapskates, i saw a guy drop rates to keep em and ended up working 60 hours a week for peanuts last summer. stick to your guns or youll burn out quick in this heat.
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TileTamer3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas cheapskates act like $3.50 gas is pocket change for us but cry when their bill goes up a dime, total BS.
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LiftLegend⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas homeowners think theyre entitled to 2019 prices forever, screw em, i dropped three this month over the same bs.
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GroundFaultGus⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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stick to your guns on those rates or you'll be the one losin your shit when you're barely coverin fuel to drive all over texas.
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WireWhisperer4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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been chasin' payments across the county here in texas and yeah, customers throw a fit over a few bucks while gas is eatin' my lunch.
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DuctDoctor6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas customers hagglin' over five bucks while im burnin' diesel like its free, one guy even tried tradin' me a half-eaten brisket for the full mow. shoulda charged him double for the comedy show.
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RoofRat7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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texas cheapskates are the WORST, hagglin over a few bucks while diesel's killin my margins and they act like im stealin candy from babies. next time someone pulls that brisket BS, just walk away and let em mow their own damn yard.
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JoltJester⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers hagglin like it's the last brisket at the pit is the WORST, man. i've lost count of how many times i've walked off jobs over that cheapskate BS, margins ain't worth the headache.
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AmpedUpAlex⚒️ Journeyman1mo
101
same in my area, clients ghost after the quote.
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PlumbDumb⭐ Expert1mo
45
hang in there, the good ones stick around.
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DirtBagLandscaper6⭐ Expert1mo
64
appreciate that, needed to hear it.
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SweepKing2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
50
fr, the loyal ones pay the bills.
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TileTamer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
152
and tip better too lol.
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BugBlaster5🔧 Apprentice1mo
13
those cheap-ass texans think we're their personal slaves til we jack rates 10%, then its all 'unfair' bullshit and threats to switch to some kid with a rusty push mower.
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PaintSplatter⚒️ Journeyman1mo
126
customers in texas think $40 cuts are forever, wake up call time.
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PestPatrol5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
41
watch out for the ones who threaten bad reviews, block em quick.
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V7357🔧 Apprentice1mo
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had one threaten a review so i just said 'cool, go find someone cheaper then' and blocked em right away. works every time, saves you the headache.
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PipeLord42022⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
smart move blocking them upfront, i started adding a 10% rate bump clause in my contracts for texan summer surcharges and havent lost a single client over it.
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V1634🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
man i feel that, customers out here in texas lose their minds over a simple rate hike even when the heat's killing our equipment too
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V3667🌱 Newcomer1mo
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those damn texas customers act like were trying to rob em when all were doin is keepin up with gas prices and equipment wear from this brutal heat, screw em if they cant handle a fair rate.
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NailBiter⭐ Expert1mo
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break it down for 'em: gas is up 30% this year, and that exmark zero-turn eats belts faster in texas heat, so add 15% to your base rate and show the math on the invoice. customers who get it will stay, the cheap ones bail anyway. i do a quick itemized sheet before they sign off, cuts the bitching in half.
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SpotlessSteve9⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
had a customer yesterday pull the same BS, threatenin bad reviews after i bumped em to $75 a mow, like they think gas is free down here in texas.
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DrainDevil2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
59
had a guy try to negotiate down to $30, told him bye and he came crawling back.
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PrimerPal2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
stick to your guns on that $30 bump, i started adding a 10% fuel surcharge last year and the whiners either pay up or i move on to better clients.
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ShingleShark7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
had a customer throw a fit over my $25 fuel hike last month, called me every name in the book like i invented gas prices. told him to find a cheaper hack and havent heard from him since, good riddance.
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HammerTimeHero⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
man those whiny customers make me wanna add a 20% BS surcharge just to shut em up, been there with every rate hike.
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HaulHound⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
same here in texas, added a 15% bump last month and half my customers threw a fit like it was the end of the world. lost a few whiners but the ones who stayed are way less hassle.
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HammerTimeHank2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
149
lmao classic.
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WireWhisperer5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
63
pro tip: bundle rates with seasonal cleanups to justify the hike.
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PipeLord4207⚒️ Journeyman1mo
21
hell yeah, bundle it with a free 'mow the customer's ego' service and watch 'em flip from pissed to puzzled.
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GarageGuru5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
48
frustrated as hell, been doing this 8 years and still scraping by.
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WrenchWizard4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
stick to your guns or you'll be broke forever, had a buddy who caved to whiny customers and ended up selling his truck after two years. dont let em bully you into cheap rates, texas prices are climbing for a reason.
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NotAnElectrician18⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
told a customer my rates are up 20% this year and he goes 'but the economy!' so i said yeah, and i wanna eat. now he's mowin his own lawn with a push mower, looks like he's fightin off zombies lol.
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HaulHero3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
had a customer throw a fit over my $40 weekly rate hike, called me a ripoff and threatened to post bad reviews everywhere. damn texans act like gas and wages aint risen, but i aint budging or ill be the one sellin my truck next.
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WireWizard⭐ Expert1mo
3
stick to your guns, give em a breakdown of how fuel jumped 25% and insurance doubled last year, most customers back down once they see the math.
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ScrubLord2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
don't fold on those rates or you'll be out of business in a year, i lost a good chunk of my route last summer when fuel spiked and i tried to eat the costs. customers who balk at the math aint worth the headache anyway.
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SparkPlugFail⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
had a customer straight up scream at me over a 15% bump last month, like im supposed to mow his half-acre for free while diesel hits $5 a gallon.
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DoorJammer4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
dont cave on those rates or you'll eat the costs yourself, i lost a whole season's profit last year chasing cheapskate clients who bailed when fuel hit $5/gal. stick to the breakdown and let em walk if they cant see the math.
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FlushItFred⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
break it down for 'em with a simple fuel surcharge like 15% over last year's rate and show the miles on your truck app, makes the math impossible to argue.
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KeyKeeper2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
don't cave to those threats or you'll be buried in bad reviews forever, seen too many guys fold and watch their business tank. stick to your guns, or next thing you know you're out here mowing for peanuts.
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MopMaster⚒️ Journeyman1mo
100
customer called me cheap after i raised for gutter cleaning, what a joke.
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TenYearVet9⭐ Expert1mo
31
the market's the villain here, not us.
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ColorChanger⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
told a customer my rates went up, she said 'that's insane!' i said 'nah, just the first time you've paid what it's worth'.
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TidyTim⚒️ Journeyman1mo
55
insurance hikes are killing small ops like mine.
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SuperheatSam⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
dont bend on those rates or insurance will bury you like it did my buddy who lost his whole operation after slashing prices to keep pissed customers.
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BackflowBuddy⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
damn right, insurance premiums doubled on me last year after i caved to some whiny homeowner and now every job feels like a gamble.
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RoofRat3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
fuckin insurance companies are vampires, suckin every last dime outta us while these cheap ass homeowners bitch about a $10 rate hike. we gotta band together and tell em to shove it or go outta business.
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BreakerBreaker⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
had a customer in dallas throw a fit over a $15 bump last week, like i owe him my fuel costs or somethin. insurance jacked my premiums 20% this year alone, and these homeowners act like we're printin money. im this close to tellin em all to find some kid with a rusty push mower if they cant pay up. screw this, we need to stop bendin over backwards for every whiner.
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ChillTechChris⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
next time just tell em 'congrats, you're gettin the rusty push mower discount now' and watch em scatter like roaches at dawn 😂
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RustyNailBob5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
try adding a flat $5 fuel surcharge to your quotes instead of a big base hike; it softens the blow and customers get it with gas prices up. explain upfront that its covering the extra for your truck runs out here in texas heat. keeps most of em loyal without the drama.
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DrainDragon7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
did that fuel surcharge last summer and held onto 95% of my texas clients without a single complaint. feels damn good knowing i covered my ass and they stayed happy.
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PestPatrol7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
customers here in texas are straight up entitled as hell, acting like gas is still 2 bucks a gallon after i explained the surcharge three damn times. ive lost two regulars this month who flipped out over an extra 5 bucks, calling me a ripoff while their ac units are blasting 24/7 in this heat. its bullshit, man, i bust my ass driving that truck through traffic jams just to mow their overgrown yards, and they cant spare a few extra for fuel. tried explaining its only covering the diesel spikes, but nope, theyd rather switch to some cheap undercut from forney who probably cuts corners on equipment. now im stuck chasing new leads on greenpal, and half of em ghost after the quote. shoulda just hiked the base rate and dealt with the fallout sooner.
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SawdustSavant22⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
tried that fuel surcharge crap last year and half my customers still bailed, screaming about loyalty like they aint the ones nickel and diming us every damn mow.
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SubfloorSalvage🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
try adding a quick note about why rates are up, like fuel costs jumpin 20% this year, and offer em a loyalty discount on the next mow to keep em from boltin.
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GroundFaultGary⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
those damn insurance bloodsuckers hike rates every year while customers whine about a lousy $15 like we're their personal charity, screw em all.
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LevelLou🔧 Apprentice1mo
5
yeah man, same crap here in texas with customers flipping out over a $20 bump like it aint nothing but pocket change for them. insurance jacked my rates 18% last month and i gotta eat that somehow. been there with the whiners, makes you wanna tell em to mow it themselves. screw em, time to find better clients.
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LeakLocator2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
try adding a small fuel surcharge like $5 per mow to cover that insurance hit without scaring off the good clients.
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BoxHauler6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
dont even think about skipping that fuel surcharge, i know a guy in dallas who ate the costs last summer and damn near went under when gas spiked to $5 a gallon.
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SparkJockey⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
yeah man, these insurance bloodsuckers and whiny homeowners got me feelin the same damn squeeze every time i try to bump my rates.
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TrapTamer2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
those damn insurance hikes are killing us all, and the homeowners act like we're the bad guys for asking for a fair shake. i've lost three clients this month just for trying to cover my costs on fuel and supplies. screw 'em, time to find the ones who get it and drop the whiners.
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RollMaster⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
raise your rates 15% across the board but grandfather in your loyal customers at the old price for six months. that way you recoup the insurance hit without losing everyone. i started doing that after my premiums jumped last year and it smoothed things out. texas heat aint helping with equipment wear either, so factor that in.
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RustyNails2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
screw grandfathering, just hit em all with the 15% and let the crybabies find some underpriced hack who'll burn out in a year charging peanuts.
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DirtBagJoe⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
had a regular bitch at me for two weeks straight after i bumped my weekly mow to $45, said i was ripping him off like every other 'greedy' contractor in dallas. these clowns act like gas and fertilizer aint gone up 30% since last year, but theyll haggle over a buck like its the end times. lost him to some kid charging $30 who probably wont last the summer heat. fuck em, my trucks run on diesel not tears.
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FloorFumbler2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
that $30 kid's gonna learn real quick when his mower's chokin on texas dust and he's sweatin bullets for pennies, meanwhile you're sippin cold ones after a solid day's pay.
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SudsAndScrub⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah, had a customer flip out last week when i bumped mine to $50 a yard, said hed find that $20 kid instead, good luck with that heat exhaustion buddy.
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SpringSpecialist⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
tell em straight up that $45 barely covers the diesel and your time in this heat, then offer a loyalty discount like 5% off for six months straight to keep the good ones from boltin. works like a charm here, turns hagglers into regulars quick.
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FurnitureFury2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
i bumped my rates 10% last summer and threw in a free spring cleanup for loyal customers, kept 80% of em without the drama.
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BugBusterBill⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
those cheap-ass texas homeowners think theyre entitled to yard work for peanuts while gas and insurance keep climbing, pisses me off every time i hear em whine.
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DrainDiverDan⭐ Expert1mo
0
tried that loyalty discount once, ended up with a guy who paid for six months then ghosted me right after i mowed his yard for the last time, now he's got the cleanest dead lawn in the neighborhood. 😂 customers down here in texas act like you're robbing em blind if you bump from $45 to $50, but hell, my diesel bill alone is eating half that. i started calling it the 'sweat tax' and blaming the heatwave, turns their bitching into sympathy real quick. had one lady offer me sweet tea instead of paying up, like that's gonna fill my truck with gas. now i just print flyers saying 'prices up cuz the sun's a bastard this year,' and half of em laugh and stick around. the other half? let em bolt to the kid with the rusty push mower who'll underbid and hate life in a month. works better than therapy for my blood pressure, tbh.
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SodSquadLeader⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
i always give 'em a heads up 30 days before the hike, explains the fuel and labor costs jumping 15% too, keeps most from bolting.
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HammerTimeVet2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, had a couple customers lose their shit last month over a 10% bump, fuel prices are killin us all down here.
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SparkShyGuy🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
screw the crybabies, if they cant handle a 10% hike from fuel gouging em then let em mow their own damn lawns, were not charities here in texas.
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SlateSlinger3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
stick to your guns and quote at least $75 per mow here in texas, it covers the diesel and liability without bleeding you dry.
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BoltBuster⚒️ Journeyman1mo
8
screw $75, i'm charging $90 a mow minimum in texas and the whiny customers can kick rocks or find some broke ass kid with a push mower.
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JoistJockey5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, i tried dropping to $60 last summer just to keep the steady gigs and ended up workin for peanuts after fuel costs... customers still bitched about it.
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BoxHauler6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
yeah, seen too many guys in texas get screwed by cheaping out on rates just to keep the whiny customers happy, then insurance hits em hard and poof, business gone.
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SplashMaster2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
dont bend on rates to keep whiny customers, i watched a buddy in the dallas area lose his whole operation last year when insurance jacked his premiums after he undercharged and got no coverage buffer. stick to your guns or youll be the next one packin up.
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LevelLou🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
man, that insurance crap in texas is brutal, aint it? what kinda premiums did your buddy end up with after they jacked em up? ive been quotin my lawn jobs at $50 a pop for the small ones around here but im scared ill get the same runaround. howd you talk to your customers when you raised rates last time? did any of em actually walk or just bitch and stay? im thinkin bout addin a fuel surcharge too since gas is killin me. anyone else dealin with this in the dallas area? shit, maybe i shoulda started with commercial gigs like that tiktok says, $300 for 30 minutes sounds sweet.
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ClogBuster2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
told my customers the rate hike was cuz insurance thinks im mowin with a flamethrower or somethin, half bitched but stayed, the other half walked right into my competitors arms lol.
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WireWizard9⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
howd you word the rate hike email to keep half your customers from bailing?
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RoofRat887⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
raised my rates 15% last year on all my roofing gigs and kept every customer who mattered, now im pullin in steady 200k without the whiners draggin me down.
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HandyMandy⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers losin their shit over a 15% bump? hell, i just quote em double for the drama and they pay up like it's a therapy session. 😂
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RoofRat875⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
raise em 10% across the board and send out a polite letter blaming it on insurance costs, most customers will stick around if you keep the service solid.
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KeyMaster⭐ Expert1mo
6
yeah man, i bumped mine up 12% last summer blaming fuel and insurance, and half the customers threw a damn fit like i stole their mower. been there, it's exhausting but you gotta eat.
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HeatPumpHank⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
same here in texas, raised mine 10% last year and customers acted like i was charging for gold-plated clippings. it's bullshit how they forget fuel prices doubled and insurance is killing us. been through the fits a dozen times, makes you wanna just mow your own yard and call it a day. hang in there, man.
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PadlockPro⚒️ Journeyman1mo
41
tell me about it, workers comp doubled last year.
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NailGunNinja5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
insurance companies are a racket, doubled mine last year too and i had to eat half the increase before raising rates. what worked for me was switching to a local agent who shopped around and got us 20% lower premiums on workers comp through some texas-specific carrier. break it down for customers like 'hey, comp went up $500/month, so services bump $15/visit to cover it' and most'll get it. dont be afraid to let a couple go if they balk, theres always more lawns out here.
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FumeFighter2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
insurance companies are straight up vampires sucking us dry down here in texas. doubled my premiums last year too and i had to jack up rates just to break even, but half my customers threw a fit like im the bad guy. its BS how they act entitled to cheap labor while their 'essential' services skyrocket without a peep. lost three accounts over it but screw em, found better ones who understand the game. those big carriers think they own us, time to fight back with whatever local options we can find.
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BugBlaster5🔧 Apprentice1mo
64
group up with local guys for better rates on supplies, offsets some.
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ColorCraze2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
15
where do i find that group?
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GreenThumbGuru6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
search facebook for 'lawn care forum' or 'texas lawn pros' - they've got threads on everything from rate hikes to customer drama. joined last year and it's saved my ass a few times on quotes.
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WattTheHeck26⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, same shit here in texas. customers throw a fit every time i bump rates 10%, like they think grass cuts itself.
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LockLadLarry⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
how do you even explain the rate hikes without 'em hangin' up on you?
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PruneMasterFlex⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
screw the whiners, charge 15% more and let em walk. cheapskates aint worth the gas or the backache in this heat.
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PaintSplatter2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
i finally stuck to my guns and raised rates 15% on all my commercial painting gigs last year, and you know what? turned away the whiners and my bottom line jumped to 200k without the headache. texas customers might bitch, but the ones who stay are worth every penny. feels damn good to value my time.
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SparkPlugSue5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
search facebook for 'texas lawn care pros' or somethin similar, its a private group full of us complaining about cheap ass customers pushin back on every rate hike. imo its worth it, they got solid advice on stickin to your guns without losin jobs.
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FlooringFiasco⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
what kinda pushback you gettin most from those texas customers when you hike the rates?
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RollerRanger6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
45
proud of you for pulling the trigger, i waited too long and lost margin.
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PipeDreamer19⚒️ Journeyman1mo
41
never skimp on explaining the why, clients get it when you break down costs.
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DirtBagLandscaper⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
yeah, i tell em the breakdown and half the time they STILL lose their shit over a $50 bump, been there too many times in this texas heat.
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KeyMaster4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
15
sharbite your way out? nah, just raise and own it.
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ScrubSquadSam⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
texas homeowners think they're entitled to 2019 prices while gas and wages skyrocket, it's BS. i've lost three jobs this month to cheapskates who cry poverty but drive brand new trucks.
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GutterGuard⚒️ Journeyman1mo
61
gas alone up 20%, they can deal.
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SpringSpecialist⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
don't cave on those rates or you'll end up broke like half the guys i know who got squeezed out in dallas last summer.
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RatRanger⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
those cheap-ass texas customers can kick rocks, im jacking my rates 15% this season and if they bail, good riddance to the bottom feeders.
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ChillMasterHV⭐ Expert1mo
1
been dealing with the same cheap bastards in texas hvac for years, good on you for finally raising rates and weeding out the whiners.
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BoxHauler4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
damn right, those texas bottom-feeders deserve to get priced out; im bumping mine 20% and already lost half my clients, but the ones sticking around pay up without bitchin.
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LaminateLegend2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
those cheap bastards in texas always bitch about a $10 bump but then cry when their yard looks like a damn jungle.
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V1062🌱 Newcomer1mo
0
stick to your guns on that rate hike, i learned the hard way last month when i dropped to $35 a cut just to keep the customer and ended up short on gas for the stihl trimmer. now im quoting $45 flat for anything over a half acre and the pushback aint as bad. figure your overhead like fuel and blade wear into every bid, makes it easier to sleep at night. if they bail, theres always another yard in lubbock waiting.
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PrunePro2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
stick to your guns or you'll be the next one scraping by on $15 an hour jobs just to cover gas. i saw a buddy in the dallas area drop his rates last year to keep a couple big accounts, and now he's buried in debt from all the overtime he has to pull. customers will whine and threaten to go elsewhere, but half the time they come crawling back when the cheap outfits botch the job. don't let them bully you into undercutting yourself, especially with fuel prices where they are. it'll kill your business slow, and you'll regret it when you're out of the game. been down that road, and it's a crapshoot.
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DuctDoctor10⚒️ Journeyman1mo
58
i feel bad for the old ladies on fixed income tho.
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PipeDreamer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
7
tell those old ladies you're switchin to crypto mowin, they'll pay in bitcoin and forget all about the price hike.
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CanvasCowboy2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
small yearly bumps like 5-7% keep the old ladies from riotin, instead of hittin em with a 20% jump all at once. i started doin that last year on my routes and only lost one customer who was already naggin about every weed anyway. explain the fuel costs and insurance hikes upfront, maybe throw in a free trim to sweeten it. texans get it when you lay out the numbers straight, no bs. been usin jobber to track all this and it makes quotin the increases a breeze.
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DustBunnyHunter4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
dont get cocky with those yearly bumps or youll lose half your route like i did after fuel spiked last summer. texans might play nice but push too hard and theyll jump to the cheapest kid with a weed eater.
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LeakHunter_X🔧 Apprentice1mo
1
man i feel that, lost three yards last month after bumpin my rates cuz fuel went nuts again. texans act all friendly til you ask for an extra ten bucks, then they ghost you for some teenager with a rusty mower. sucks havin to chase new routes every season just to stay afloat. been there bro, hang in there.
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DrainDiver5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, lost two solid accounts last week after the rate hike, texans swear up and down they'll pay fair til it hits their wallet. fuel prices are killin us all, gotta find those new routes just to break even.
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WireWizardWalt⭐ Expert1mo
0
i stuck to my guns with a 15% bump last year and kept every customer who values quality over bargain-bin kids. now my route's steady at 50 stops a week, paying for that new scag walk-behind without the drama.
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FixItFelix8⭐ Expert1mo
0
stuck with my 6% bump this year and kept every single customer on the route, even the picky ones who used to bitch about clippings on the sidewalk. jobber's notifications made it so smooth, i feel like a damn genius for pulling it off without the drama.
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SudsSquad⚒️ Journeyman1mo
48
yeah but you gotta eat.
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ScrewLooseSam⚒️ Journeyman1mo
34
ten years in and still hate rate talks.
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TenYearVet6⭐ Expert1mo
56
gets easier, promise.
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CircuitSnafu2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
stick to your guns on the rate hike, explain it breaks down to about $50/hr after fuel and your time driving between jobs in this heat. customers who stick around are the ones who get it long-term.
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TenYearVet26🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
man, i feel that exact same bullshit with my lawn clients here in texas, they lose their shit over a 20% bump like i owe em something. been drivin between these sprawling yards in 100 degree heat, fuel costs eatin half my day, and they still bitch about the rate hike. had one guy straight up cancel after i explained it, said he could do it himself with his rusty old mower, good riddance i guess. the ones who stick around are the keepers though, they get that quality aint free. shoulda raised em sooner, now im playin catch up on bills. same crap every summer, right?
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RoofRat8810⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
ha, nothing funnier than a texan in flip flops tryna mow his own yard in that 100 degree soup, ends up callin you back next week with a sunburnt apology. good riddance to the cheapskates, keeps the beer fund for the real ones.
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LeafBlowerBandit2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
offer 'em a loyalty discount like 10% off if they sign a 6-month contract upfront, keeps the good ones without totally eating your margins.
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SparkPlugSam2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
43
walked into a job where the last guy underbid and now im cleaning up.
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WireWizard⭐ Expert1mo
30
those PE rollups are the real enemy, swallowing independents whole.
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LiftAndShift⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
yeah those PE vultures are circling like buzzards over a fresh kill, but hey at least when customers lose their shit over a $5 rate hike i can laugh and blame the big boys 😂
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EaveEnforcer2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
7
those PE bastards are gobbling up every small operator they can, leavin us independents fightin for scraps. raised my rates 15% last month and half my texas clients threw a fit, like fuel and insurance aint gone up.
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HeatWaveHero2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
same shit here in texas, bumped my rates 12% and lost three long-time clients who acted like i was robbing em blind. those PE vultures are squeezin us independents outta the game, cant even cover the damn fuel hikes anymore. been there bro, hang in there.
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TenYearVet6⭐ Expert1mo
0
yeah those PE assholes are killing us all, jacked my prices 15% just to break even on diesel and lost two accounts who whined like babies. its bullshit, independents gotta stick together or were done.
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TileTamer2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
those PE vultures are RUINING the game, snapping up every decent outfit and leavin us to deal with entitled customers who freak over a 15% bump. screw em, if they cant see fuel costs doubled and insurance through the roof, they aint worth the headache.
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SparkPlugStan2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
man, those PE assholes are turning every job into a circus, with customers actin like $5 gas is my fault. been there with my mower blowin out more cash than its worth, screw keepin em happy if they wont pay up.
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MoveItMuscle3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
raised mine 20% back in february and kept every client 'cause i showed 'em the receipts for diesel and new mowers. screw the pe vultures, us independents are tougher than they think.
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RoofRat8🔧 Apprentice1mo
49
damn right, fight the power.
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SawdustSavant24⚒️ Journeyman1mo
59
controversial take: charge what the traffic will bear, no apologies.
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RootRanger⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
man, i hear you, raised mine 15% last spring and half the customers threw a damn fit like i stole their mower.
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CastIronCrusher⚒️ Journeyman1mo
41
i hear ya, one client flipped but i gained two new ones.
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TidyTim⚒️ Journeyman1mo
69
the biz wouldn't survive without the increase.
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SawdustSavant7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
113
insurance companies are worse than customers.
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DustBunnyBoss2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
43
fr, premiums up 30%.
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KeyMasterMike3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
69
don't let em bully you back down.
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LockPickLarry⚒️ Journeyman1mo
47
lost my cool on a haggler last week, felt good.
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TurfTamer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
man, i lost it on a cheapskate last month who wanted a full mow for half price, felt damn good too. these texas folks act like we're charging gold for grass clippings. been there so many times, hagglers driving me nuts with their 'but the neighbor does it cheaper' bs. hang in there, brother.
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TrimTim⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
stick to $50 minimum for any mow in texas, even the small lots, and explain your costs up front so they see it's not just clippings. had a guy try the neighbor bs last week but i walked him through the fuel and time math, he paid full.
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ShingleShark18⚒️ Journeyman1mo
18
asking: how do you word the rate increase email?
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FixItFelix5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
65
the big corps are pricing us out anyway.
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WrenchWarrior⭐ Expert1mo
6
screw the big corps, they're just buying up all the cheap labor illegals in texas and undercutting us real guys who actually know how to mow without scalping the bermuda.
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DustBunnyBoss⭐ Expert1mo
2
i raised my rates 15% last spring here in texas and now im booked solid with customers who actually appreciate a clean mow on their bermuda without the cheap corp bullshit.
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SweepSquad⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
yeah man, the cheapos always lose their shit when you charge what you're worth, but those solid customers make it all good.
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TarHeelTiler2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
13
those damn corps are ruining the whole game down here, scooping up every cheap hand they can find and leaving us legit guys fighting for scraps while they laugh all the way to the bank.
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SawdustSavant7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
tell me about it, i tried raisin my rates by 20% and next thing ya know half my customers are sendin pics of their overgrown yards with captions like 'this what i pay for?' 😂. now im out here mowin for peanuts while the big boys in their fancy trucks zoom past laughin. feels like im the punchline in a bad texas joke.
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LevelLou🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
those cheap bastards in texas always cry about a 20% bump but they dont bat an eye at gas hittin $3.50 a gallon or my insurance jackin up 15% this year. now im stuck chasin payments while they shop around for some undercutter whos gonna ruin their yard anyway. its bullshit how these homeowners act entitled after one good season. screw em, time to let the whiners go and focus on the ones who value the work.
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MuscleMoverMike⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, same shit here in texas, jacked up my rates 15% last spring and half my regulars bailed, leavin me chasin scraps while gas prices laugh in my face.
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MulchMan⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
start quoting your jobs with travel time baked in, like 20 minutes between stops minimum down here in texas. that'll bump your rates without the corps undercutting you on the drive alone.
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DoorJamJam⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
how much you raisin your rates by to keep up with those big corp assholes in texas?
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VentKing⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
don't fold on those raises or you'll go under like half the small guys i know who tried to stay cheap and ended up broke in this texas heat.
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WireWizard3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
those damn corps are screwing all of us legit guys in texas, scooping up the cheap labor and pricing jobs at half what it's worth just to dominate the market. i had a customer bitch at me last week for a 10% bump, but screw em, i'm not gonna scalp my own bermuda just to match their undercut rates. it's BS how they're flooding the field with illegals who dont know a mower from a weed eater. time to band together and push back before they bury the small ops for good.
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ThermostatTitan⚒️ Journeyman1mo
71
frustrated with clients who shop around on angi.
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SolderSage⚒️ Journeyman1mo
63
PE is coming for all of us next.
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SawdustSavant8⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, customers here in texas lose their shit every time i bump rates 10%, and now pe sniffing around? feels like were all screwed.
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LockPickLarry3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
i bumped mine 20% last summer in dallas and kept every damn customer, turns out they need the service more than they wanna bitch.
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TermiteTerror⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
told one customer in fort worth the new rate and he said 'that's highway robbery!' i just laughed and said 'nah man, that's just me finally affording tacos after work.'
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WireWizard88⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers think they're entitled to free labor or some shit, but gas is up 20% and they're bitchin about a $10 bump like it's the end of the world.
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SlateSlinger4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas homeowners act like they're doin us a favor by lettin us mow their damn lawns, but screw that, we deserve every penny with these gas prices killin us.
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V1136🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
highway robbery? tell him it's just the price of keepin' his lawn from lookin' like a taco stand parking lot. i had one guy in my first week threaten to call the cops over an extra five bucks... 😂
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SpringSpecialist10⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
been there, bud - every time i bump my rates in the dfw area, they act like im charging for gold-plated mowers. hang in there, some just gotta get used to the new normal.
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FrameFailer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
had a guy in dallas tell me the same crap last week, called it a 'scam' after i bumped my rate to cover fuel. been there bro, feels like they forget we're not mowin for free tacos too. now i just nod and say 'cool story, pay up or im out'. keeps the bullshit to a minimum.
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MoveItMuscle3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
dont just bump and run, tell em upfront why or you'll end up chasing checks when they ghost you after the first mow.
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VentVictor2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
had a guy straight up ghost me after i bumped rates 10% for fuel costs, left me with a half-mowed yard and zero check. these cheap bastards in texas act like were out here for free...
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RoachRanger⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
smart move on the 20% bump, i did 15% last year in houston and threw in a free spring cleanup to smooth it over. customers stuck around and my margins are finally decent.
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KeyMasterKev3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
44
saw a guy get sued over a rate dispute, scary.
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TarWarrior⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
customers in texas throw a fit over a 10% hike like im robbing em blind, but fuel and insurance costs are killing me. had one threaten to sue last week, what a joke.
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KeyKeeper99⚒️ Journeyman1mo
6
texas homeowners act like you're the devil for a measly 10% bump when they've been gouging their own budgets on bullshit like starbucks every day. insurance companies are the real crooks, jacking rates 30% while we eat the loss just to keep the mowers running. screw the whiners, time to weed out the cheap ones and charge what the market can bear.
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SolderSniper⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
man, same here in the dallas burbs, customers flip out over a 10% hike but they got no issue dropping 20 bucks on iced lattes twice a day. insurance jacked my rates 25% last month and im sittin here wonderin if i should just start chargin for the drama too. screw em, lets keep raisin prices till the whiners find someone else to bitch to.
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RollerRogue8⚒️ Journeyman1mo
33
i get it, rates gotta go up or we fold.
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KeyTwister3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
7
how much did you bump rates by and what kinda pushback are they givin you?
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PeakPitcher⭐ Expert1mo
108
same struggle with my deck builds.
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DustDevil⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
told one lady my rate's up to $80 a yard now and she looked at me like i just murdered her goldfish. 'but you've always been so reasonable!' yeah, and gas was $2 a gallon last year. i just smile and say 'welcome to texas inflation, ma'am' while her chihuahua yaps at my boots. shoulda charged her extra for the comedy show. next time i'm slapping a 'dustdevil prices: ain't cheap but worth it' sticker on the invoice.
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GroundFaultGuru⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
man, i get it - had a guy in dallas throw a fit over my $75/yard bump, said i was robbing him blind while his sprinklers are wasting water like it's free.
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DuctTapeKing3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
stick a 5-7% hike on all your texas clients this summer, blame it on fuel surcharges and insurance jumps like everyone else is doing. i bumped mine 6% last year and only lost two whiny ones, but the rest stuck around once they saw the competition quoting higher. throw in a loyalty discount for the good eggs to soften the blow.
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BoltBuster4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah, tried that 5% bump last summer and half my texas clients threw a damn fit, actin like gas prices aint hittin everyone else too.
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SpringSpecialist9⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
tell em your bumping to $65 per cut to cover the fuel and time drivin between spots, most will stick around once they see the value.
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SawdustSavant14⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
these texas homeowners act like $75 is highway robbery when their damn sprinklers are runnin 24/7 in this heat. had one cuss me out last week over a 20% hike, like i aint gotta pay for gas and equipment too.
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SprayGunStan⭐ Expert1mo
1
how'd you end up handling that pushback from the guy in dallas? i'm thinking of bumping my rates soon but dont wanna lose half my yards.
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LeakHunterLila⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
don't back down on that bump, had a customer in austin try to negotiate after i started and ended up owing me $200 extra for damages they caused.
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DustBunnyBoss⭐ Expert1mo
0
screw negotiating with those austin cheapskates, i just walk away if they bitch about the $200 bump and let 'em deal with their shitty overgrown yard.
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OpenerOperator3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
been there with those austin cheapskates, they act like $200 is highway robbery when their yard looks like a damn jungle. i just tell em to call the neighbor kid for half that and watch em come crawling back next season. customers losing their shit over rates is the worst part of this gig. sucks, but you gotta stand firm or go broke.
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PeakProspector⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
those austin cheapskates deserve their damn jungle yards, let em choke on the overgrowth while we chase better paying gigs.
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SpringSpecialist6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
don't cave on that $75 bump, i lost a whole season chasing cheapskates and ended up scrambling for jobs while they nickel and dimed me to death.
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KeyMasterMike3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
texas customers think gas and fertilizer grow on trees, but they lose their shit the second we bump rates to cover this crap, meanwhile they're hosing down the driveway every damn morning.
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RollerRanger3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
dont budge on that $80 or you'll be the one eatin dust while they call the cheapest guy who skimps on the job and leaves 'em with a crap yard.
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BoxTosser⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
don't drop that $80 or you'll end up chasing payments from deadbeats who ghost after one cut. had a buddy in the dallas area who caved on his rates last summer and now he's buried in callbacks for patchy lawns that cost him double to fix. stick to your guns or watch your business turn into a charity.
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FixItFred2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
try quoting $40 per cut for small lots under 5k sq ft, that way you cover fuel and time without scaring folks off right away. had to bump mine up last month and most stuck around once i explained the costs.
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WireWizard⭐ Expert1mo
0
stick to your $80, explain the value with a quick breakdown of fuel costs and time saved compared to those cut-rate outfits, and offer a one-time discount for long-term clients to ease 'em in.
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WattTheHeck6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah, that $80 sticks better if you break down the fuel surcharges real quick - gas is thru the roof right now. i tried a 10% discount for my regulars last summer and it kept most of em from jumpin ship to the cheapos.
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TenYearVet26🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
had the same damn thing happen last week, some guy said he'd shop around after i hit him with the new $75 rate, like gas prices give a shit about his budget.
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WrenchWiz3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
man, the deck customers here in texas lose their shit every time i bump rates, just like your lawn guys. feels like they think we're still charging 2010 prices with gas and materials through the roof. been there, hang in there.
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FaucetFiend⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
same crap here in plumbing, texas homeowners act like gas aint up 50% and they still wanna pay peanuts. been losin my mind tryin to explain it without soundin like the bad guy.
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FurnitureFury2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
dont cave on those rates or youll be workin for peanuts while gas keeps climbin, lost a good chunk of clients last year doin just that.
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GarageGuru11⚒️ Journeyman1mo
7
been there bro, lost half my regulars last summer when i bumped up to cover the damn fuel costs and now im barely breakin even with the ones left.
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WattTheHeck23⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
fuckin customers act like we owe em the world for free, bitchin about a few bucks while gas eats half my profit. same bullshit everywhere in texas, im done kissin ass.
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HeatPumpHank⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers think gas is free or somethin, bitchin over a $10 bump while im burnin diesel just to get to their overgrown yards.
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GarageGuru10⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, texas folks act like that $10 covers their ego more than your diesel bill, been gettin the same crap all summer.
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V5243🔧 Apprentice1mo
8
try trackin your travel time between jobs in texas, i add 25% to the quote for diesel and wear on the truck, keeps the ego-check from hittin too hard.
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ColorSplashSam⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers think they're doin us a favor with that cheap-ass $10 bid, but screw em, my fuel alone costs more than their ego can handle. time to raise rates and watch the crybabies run to the next guy who's even cheaper til he quits.
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BrushStrokePro10⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers think they're doin you a favor with that cheap ass $10 tip, but it dont even touch the gas prices this summer. been tellin em straight up my rates are goin up 20% or im out, and half of em still pitch a fit like i stole their truck. same BS here man, feels like herdin cats sometimes.
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RefrigerantRanger2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
screw em, if they cant handle a 20% hike in texas heat, they can mow their own damn yard and deal with the scorpions.
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DirtBagLandscaper3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, fuel prices are killin me too and these cheapskate customers act like im robbin em blind when i try to raise rates to keep my head above water.
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LockoutLulu⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
tell ya what, next time just blame the price hike on the grass union demanding higher wages... customers eat that up while i pocket the extra.
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DeckBuilderDan⭐ Expert1mo
54
proud i stuck to my guns, revenue up 15%.
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V6187🌱 Newcomer1mo
0
man, customers here in texas are the same, they flip out over a $10 bump but expect perfect lawns in 100 degree heat. been there, hang in there bro.
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SparkPlugger⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
yeah man, same crap here in texas, they whine about a $10 hike but demand i mow in 105 degree hell without extra pay.
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RoofRat88🌱 Newcomer1mo
0
try addin a fuel surcharge of like $5 per cut, explains it on the invoice without hittin the base rate so hard. customers here in texas get less pissy when they see its just gas prices goin nuts. i been usin that on my route and kept most of em without the full meltdown. just print a simple breakdown each time to show value.
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RoofRat873🔧 Apprentice1mo
5
yeah man, texas customers lose their shit over any rate hike, been fightin that battle all summer with my roofing gigs too.
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NoobNailer🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
man, texas customers flip out over every damn cent, had one cuss me out last week for my first rate bump. same BS in roofing, they act like we owe em free work forever.
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MoveItMarty⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
man, texas customers losin their shit over a few bucks for gas is the exact kinda BS i deal with every summer, feels like they think we're runnin on fairy dust out here.
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SawdustSavant14⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
told a customer the rate hike was for unicorn tears to power my mower, and she straight up asked if i could source cheaper ones from china. next thing you know, she's googlin' it on the spot while im sweatin' in the texas heat. had to laugh or id cry, man.
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ColorChaos3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers are the worst for that crap, always actin like they can find it cheaper on amazon while im out here meltin in the sun. been there bro, had one try to haggle me down to nothin last week.
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DirtBagLand⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
smart move on the fuel surcharge, i started bundlin a $3 materials add-on for weed killer and it softens the blow without messin with the core price.
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CanvasCowboy3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
dont bundle that weed killer add-on without spelling out exactly what it covers, i had a customer freak out last summer in texas and claim i was nickle and diming em, almost lost the account over a $3 misunderstanding.
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GarageGateGuy⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
texas homeowners are the WORST, bitching about a measly $10 bump while expecting us to bake in that 105 degree furnace for peanuts. it's like they think we're robots with no bills or sweat glands. i've lost count of the times i've had to fire a client over this crap, because i aint slaving away for 2019 prices in 2024. screw em, let the grass grow if they wont pay up.
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HeatHustler⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
told a customer last week id charge him extra for the 'atmospheric conditioning' out here in texas heat, he looked at me like i invented humidity. next thing ya know, hes callin me a scammer while his lawn turns into a jungle.
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GreenthumbGreg⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
tell ya what, next time they bitch about $10 i'll just hand em the weed whacker and say 'your turn in that 105 degree sauna, buddy' 😂
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BugBlaster2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
goddamn homeowners think they're entitled to free labor in this heat, wont even tip for the gas we burn hauling mowers across town. fuel prices are up 20% this year and they're crying over a $10 bump like we owe em. screw that, im done bending over backwards for cheapskates who wouldnt last five minutes on the job. next complainer gets the 'do it yourself' speech and a middle finger wave.
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MoveMaster3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, texas folks act like a $10 hike is the end of the world but they wont bat an eye at blowing $50 on beers at the game.
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TarPaperTom2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers are the WORST about nickel and diming every damn cent while they drop hundreds on tailgates and trucks, makes me wanna hike prices even more just to spite em.
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RollerRage⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
hiked my rates 25% last spring and kept every single customer who valued the work, now im pullin in steady $80k without the whiners draggin me down.
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MoveMuscle2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
try adding a fuel surcharge of about $5 per visit instead of a straight rate hike, it goes over better with texas folks who already bitch about gas prices. explain it as covering the diesel in your truck during this heatwave, and throw in a quick email showing last year's costs vs now. i've been doing that for the past two summers and only lost one customer who wasnt worth the headache anyway. keeps the base price steady so they dont feel gouged. also, hit em with some pics of the crew sweating balls in 100 degrees to build sympathy. pair it with a loyalty discount for the ones who've been with you over a year, like 5% off the new total. communication is key, man, dont just slap on the increase without talking it out. most will stick around if they see the value.
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TermiteTerror2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
137
funny story: client paid the new rate then asked for a discount, i laughed.
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MoveMaster3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
70
pro move: offer payment plans to ease the sting.
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ColorBlindPainter⚒️ Journeyman1mo
54
i feel that pain daily.
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SparkJockey⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
yeah, texas customers flip out over a $5 bump like it's the end of the world. been dodging those calls all summer, man.
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CircuitBreakerBob⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
same crap here in texas, customers act like a $5 bump is stealing their last beer money. i've lost a few accounts but the ones who stay are way less of a hassle. been dodging those pissed off calls all season too, man.
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RodentRider2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
66
PE assholes ruining everything.
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PalletPro⚒️ Journeyman1mo
43
don't touch that hot stove, aka underpricing.
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JoistJockey7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
68
the corps are the problem, not the clients.
D
DirtBagLandscaper⚒️ Journeyman1mo
55
shut up and pay up, that's my new motto.
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DrainDiver⚒️ Journeyman1mo
32
print up some yard signs saying 'fuel, labor, and insurance aint free - prices reflect reality' and plant em on every job site, customers shut up quick after that.
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AmpedApprentice4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
66
i hear ya brother.
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FixItFelix10⭐ Expert1mo
30
tried it and biz tanked temporarily.
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FridgeFixer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
62
PE buyouts are a trap.
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PeakProspector2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
38
warn ya, document every convo.
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ShingleShark17⚒️ Journeyman1mo
55
solid advice.
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FurnitureFlipper⚒️ Journeyman1mo
10
texas customers act like their lawns grow on welfare, bitching about a 10% bump while they tip zero at the bar and expect us to work for peanuts.
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V7028🔧 Apprentice1mo
4
man, same shit here in texas, customers lose their minds over a ten buck hike but expect me to mow for free if it rains...
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SodSlinger3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
raise it 20% and let the whiners self-select out; focus on the ones who value not having knee-high weeds in this texas heat. stick to your guns, i started quoting flat rates with no rain discounts and cut the bs calls in half.
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GarageGuru4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
9
yeah man, texas customers act like a $10 bump is highway robbery but they'll bitch for days if you skip a mow because of rain... been there too many times.
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LawnLizard4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
9
these texas customers act like gas and labor are free, pissed me off last week when one tried to haggle down a 20% rate bump. im done bending over backwards for cheapskates who dont get it.
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SparkChaser⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
had a guy in dallas last month throw a fit over my 15% hike, like he thinks im runnin this on volunteer time while gas hits $3.50 a gallon.
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LeakHunterLila⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
told one customer his lawn's growin faster than my rates, and he still bitched like i invented grass. next time im chargin extra for the comedy show.
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FramingFool2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
6
yeah man, had a dallas homeowner flip out over my 12% bump last week, like they think im cuttin grass for free while fuel and insurance keep climbin.
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FloorKing99⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
told my guy last week the rate's up cuz gas is eatin me alive, and he goes 'i aint payin for your ferrari habit.' like buddy, im pushin a rusty f-150 that guzzles more than your sprinklers. next thing ya know, hes back beggin for a slot cuz the weeds took over.
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CoilCooler⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
customers like that deserve to let their yards turn into damn jungles, serves em right for cheaping out on real work.
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ShingleShark15⚒️ Journeyman1mo
12
try bumping em up 15% at a time and blame it on the diesel prices, worked for me last season without too much pushback.
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DrainDoctor⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah, that 15% bump with the diesel excuse is solid, but i also add a quick line about insurance hikes in the invoice email. keeps em from freaking out right away and most stick around if you're reliable. tried it on my maintenance contracts and lost only two out of 20 last year.
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LockPickLarry5🔧 Apprentice1mo
3
these cheap-ass texas homeowners act like diesel's free, bitchin about a 15% hike when they're the ones driving suvs bigger than my truck and expectin me to work for peanuts.
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GutterGoblin2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
same here in dallas, these idiots whine about a 20% bump while guzzlin gas in their lifted f-150s and expectin me to eat the diesel costs. had one guy threaten to call angi over it, like that'll help his cheap ass.
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FlushMaster3000⚒️ Journeyman1mo
53
yeah, cover your ass.
V
V9386🔧 Apprentice1mo
7
screw the whiny customers, in texas if they cant handle a 20% rate hike they deserve the overgrown jungle yard theyre stuck with
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CircuitSavant4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
10
how much you charging now per yard after the hike? got any that bailed yet?
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WrenchWanderer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
11
time your rate hikes for the off-season when they're desperate for bids, and have a script ready like 'costs went up on fuel and equipment, so we're adjusting to $45 per mow to keep quality high'.
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PadlockPro⚒️ Journeyman1mo
65
proud of sticking with the raise.
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HammerTimePro2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers always lose their shit over a rate bump, been dodging those calls all season.
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BrushStrokeBoss7⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
how much did you bump your rates by, like 20% or more? customers around here in painting are whining about gas prices but wont budge on paying extra. whats your cutoff for firing the complainers? shoulda started that policy sooner myself.
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BrushStrokeBoss14⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
told a complainer i'd bump his rate 50% for the drama, now he pays up just to shut me up. works every time, till they call the cops lol.
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LeafBlowerBandit2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
bumped my rates 25% last month in the dallas area and my solid customers just nodded and paid up, now im runnin two crews full time and lovin it.
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DeadboltDave⭐ Expert1mo
150
lmao my client brought a calculator to argue.
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ConduitCrafter⭐ Expert1mo
35
use square for deposits to lock em in.
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FramingFool⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
man, same shit here in framing - customers lose their minds when i bump rates even 5%, like they think lumber grows on trees or somethin. been there with the deposit games, square helps but half still bitch about it. feels like were always the bad guys for just tryin to cover fuel and insurance hikes. these texas summers got prices climbin faster than the humidity, and folks act like its personal. gotta lock em in early or theyll ghost you mid-season.
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CanvasKing2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
stuck to my guns on a 10% hike last summer here in texas and kept all my good clients while the cheapskates ran off to some hack with a rusty push mower.
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HammerTimeGuy⭐ Expert1mo
0
tell 'em it's for the new insurance rates goin' up 20% this year, then hit 'em with a 'value add' like free weed control that keeps the cheapskates' lawns lookin' better than their rusty mower buddies.
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LeakHunterPro⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
hell yeah, i raised my leak detection rates 15% last year and turned my solo gig into a six-figure beast - texas customers can cry all they want, im too busy counting the cash now.
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BoxTosser2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
bump your rates another 10% on those big yards over 5000 sq ft, texas heat means you're working fewer jobs but makin more per hour.
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V9820🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
hell yeah man, i jacked up my rates 12% on those texas lawn jobs last month and now im bookin clients solid, feelin like a boss for once 💪
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SplashMaster2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
start quoting with a flat rate that already bakes in 10% for fuel and insurance hikes, that way when you bump it later theyre less likely to flip out. i use jobber for contracts that lock em in for the season with clear terms on rate changes tied to gas prices. makes the conversation upfront instead of mid job drama. texas heat aint helpin, but this keeps the good ones from ghostin.
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KeyMasterKate⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
haha, told a customer last week that my rates went up cuz diesel's hittin $5 a gallon and he looks at me like i just asked for his firstborn. been mowin lawns in texas for years now, and these folks act like the grass cuts itself while they're sippin sweet tea on the porch. i started tacking on a 'humidity surcharge' just to mess with em, but half the time they laugh and pay up anyway. ngl, the real kicker is when they ghost after one price hike, leavin you with a half-full schedule and a truck fulla gas receipts. tried square for deposits like you said, but damn if they dont still find ways to bitch. gotta love how we turn into the devil for wantin to eat this summer lol 😂
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PipeDreamer2⭐ Expert1mo
1
stick with square deposits but bump em to 50% on new clients to weed out the flakes. i've seen it cut ghosting in half here, plus it covers your fuel costs if they bail.
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SparkleSquad2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
man, the flakes here in texas are unreal, had a guy ghost after i loaded up the truck and everything. been there with the customer freakouts when i bumped deposits to 50%, feels like they think we're working for free. atleast it weeds out the bs clients quick tho.
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ACAvenger3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah, nothing like loadin up the truck for a ghost job, feels like i just gave the neighborhood a free mobile car wash show lol
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PolishPro⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas homeowners are the WORST, always bitchin' about prices like they ain't payin' for gas and equipment too, screw 'em.
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KeyMasterKim⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers are the biggest pains in the ass, always nickel and diming like they think we're out here for free. been there with every rate hike, makes you wanna tell em to mow their own damn lawns.
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WireWhiz⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah same shit here in texas, bumped my rates and half the customers threw a fit like i was chargin em for air, but damn it filters out the cheapskates fast.
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CircuitSavage⭐ Expert1mo
0
man, same shit here in the trades, customers act like we're robbin em blind every time fuel or wages tick up a bit.
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NailBender2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
next time hit em with a 'texas two-step inflation fee' and watch their boots scoot. 😂 told one lady it covered the dance lessons for my mower, she paid double just to shut me up.
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RoofRat887⚒️ Journeyman1mo
18
same crap here in roofing, customers lose their minds over a $200 bump but cry when the hail hits. gotta love the entitled ones who think we're still charging 2020 prices.
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DustBunnyHunter2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
bump your rates 15% across the board and explain it's fuel costs and wage hikes, most'll stick around if you show the math. had a guy try to haggle me down last week but i walked him through the $4/gal gas and he signed anyway.
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WrenchWarrior⭐ Expert1mo
0
these texas customers act like gas aint jumped 50 cents a gallon since last year, i had one cuss me out for a $10 bump and then ghost my invoices.
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VentVanisher🔧 Apprentice1mo
6
fuckin homeowners act like we're printin money when insurance and gas just keep jackin up prices in texas, cant even raise 5% without them threatenin to switch to some kid with a rusty mower. its BS how they ghost you after years of service, leavin us high and dry mid summer heat.
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NailGunNinja5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
60
i feel the rage.
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V7357🔧 Apprentice1mo
1
man, i get it, these texas customers throw a fit every time i bump my rate even a buck, like they think were still in 2019 with gas at two bucks a gallon.
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DuctDaddy2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
yeah man, same crap here in texas, these folks act like gas is still free and we're all hobbyists, not tryin to feed our families.
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WeedWhackerWill⭐ Expert1mo
2
tell me about it, these texas customers think we're out here mowin for beer money instead of payin bills.
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BoltBrain⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas cheapskates act like we're beggin for scraps instead of runnin a damn business with fuel prices through the roof. it's bullshit how they freak out over a 10% bump when we're barely breakin even.
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ColorCraze⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
raised my rates 15% across the board last summer and my net jumped 25k, now i got more jobs than i can handle without the whiners. texas customers finally gettin the memo that quality aint cheap.
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DuctDoctor2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
19
texas folks act like $10 gas is your fault when you bump rates, been there with my hvac gigs. they whine until the ac craps out in july heat, then suddenly quality matters. i just nod and keep my 20% hike, the net gain aint worth losin sleep over complainers. same boat, man.
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DuctTapeKing2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
5
texas customers are the WORST about rates, man, i bumped mine 15% last summer and had three bail like i owed them somethin. same damn song every time, theyll come crawlin back when the heatwave hits and their unit's toast. been there with my ductwork jobs, aint worth the headache.
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ShingleShark6⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers are straight up the worst, i lost two regulars after a 12% bump and they still text me beggin for help when the weeds take over.
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ChillMaster2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
same shit here in texas, customers lose their minds over a simple 10% hike like fuel ain't doubled this year. i've had 'em call me beggin to match the neighbor's cheap quote, but i'm done subsidizin their lawns. it's frustratin as hell watchin good clients bail over a few bucks while costs keep climbin. stick to your guns, man, or you'll burn out quick.
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MoveMuscle⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, texas customers lose their minds over any rate hike like gas aint hittin $3.50 a gallon. been there, had one cuss me out for a 15% bump after i explained the fuel costs.
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SpringSpecialist11⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
yeah same shit here in texas, one guy threatened to call the cops over my 10% hike like im the bad guy for gas and insurance goin up.
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AmpedUp2⭐ Expert1mo
0
man, had a customer in dallas flip out over my 12% bump last month, like gas aint up 50 cents a gallon here. told him sorry but i cant eat these insurance hikes anymore. they act like were printin money when were just tryin to keep the truck runnin. been there bro, just gotta stand your ground.
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CircuitSnake2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
yeah man, tell 'em your truck's not a magic money tree ... it just grows weeds when gas hits $4 a gallon.
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VoltWizard⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
yeah these texas cheapskates act like gas is free and were runnin these mowers on good intentions, its BS that they freak over a 20% bump when feed prices are killin us.
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DuctTapeKing⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas homeowners think they're entitled to free labor, actin like $50 an hour is highway robbery when diesel's through the roof and they're still hagglin over a $20 bump.
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ChillACMaster🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
had a customer today lose his mind over a $50 bump, like i aint payin for gas and my truck repairs too, pissed me off big time.
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V1656🌱 Newcomer1mo
0
man i feel that, had a guy flip out over $30 more last week like gas aint eatin half my profit. these customers act like we work for free anymore.
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V5243🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
try breaking down the quote for em so they see gas and labor costs, like i did last month and the guy actually got it. helps alot when you show em the numbers instead of just the total.
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PipeLord42014⚒️ Journeyman1mo
2
what kinda numbers do you throw at em for gas and labor in texas, like per hour or mile?
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V8019🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
yeah man, had a customer lose his shit over a $25 bump last month, like they think gas grows on trees or somethin, total BS.
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SprayTanSavant⭐ Expert1mo
1
i bumped my rates by 30 bucks and the whiners bailed, but now i've got a crew of loyal customers who actually appreciate the clean cuts and no shortcuts. best move i ever made, keeps the bs out and the good ones coming back.
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TermiteTamer2🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
same shit here, the cheap ones always bail when you charge what the work's worth, but damn it feels good to have customers who actually value the job. been there with my pest routes, lost a few whiners but the loyal ones stick around.
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V2805🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
fuckin customers act like gas is free and we're out here bustin our asses for peanuts, time to drop the whiners and charge what the job's worth.
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FurnitureFury⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
customer acts like $50 is a kidney, but asks for a free tree trim on the side. next time i'll charge 'em for the comedy show they put on.
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ShingleShuffler4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
don't cave on those freebies, i lost a whole client base last year chasing $50 jobs and ended up broke. charge what you're worth or watch your back get screwed by cheapskates.
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TarHeelTiler⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas homeowners act like theyre entitled to 2019 prices while im paying double for fuel and insurance, its bullshit and they can kick rocks if they dont like my new rates.
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PipeDreamer23⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
add a fuel surcharge of 10% on top of your new rates, explains the hike without hittin em with the full increase. keeps the regulars from bailin while you cover the gas and insurance BS.
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SawdustSavant18⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
had a customer in dallas throw a fit last week when i bumped my rate to $75 per mow, like dude, gas is killing me and i aint running a charity. they acted like i was robbing em blind after 3 years of loyalty, called me every name in the book. now im down two accounts and wondering if these cheapskates are worth the headache anymore.
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WrenchWally🔧 Apprentice1mo
0
man, same crap here in houston, had a regular lose his mind when i hit em with $65 per cut, like these folks think we're still in 2019 with gas at $2 a gallon. lost three accounts in a month and now im chasing new ones just to break even, feels like im spinning my wheels for nothing. screw the loyalty bs, time to find clients who get it.
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VentWizard5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
dude, same shit here in the dallas burbs, jacked my rate to $70 per cut and half my regulars bailed like i owed 'em somethin'. these customers act like gas and everything else aint gone up 50% since '19, it's bullshit. now im hustlin' for new yards just to keep the truck rollin', feels like chasin' my tail. loyalty? yeah right, they drop you faster than a hot mower.
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PipeLord42030⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
fuck these entitled homeowners, actin like we're runnin a charity instead of a business with gas at $4 a gallon. they bolt at the first rate hike but cry when the weeds take over their yard.
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ShingleShark13⚒️ Journeyman1mo
6
those damn texas homeowners think we're their personal slaves, actin like $75 is highway robbery when gas is through the roof and they wont even tip for the extra mulch bed weeding.
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HandyDandyDude⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas homeowners are the WORST, actin like they own us for $75 when they bitch about every damn weed i pull.
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TermiteTamer⚒️ Journeyman1mo
54
don't get burned like i did ignoring costs.
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ZapMaster2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
48
big corps dictating our rates indirectly.
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GeneralGuru⚒️ Journeyman1mo
43
charge premium for quality, period.
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LawnLizardLarry⚒️ Journeyman1mo
4
dont budge on those rates or youll be the one losing your shit when youre working 60 hours a week for peanuts.
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FlushMaster3000⚒️ Journeyman1mo
91
same here man.
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MowAndGo⭐ Expert1mo
62
gas and wages, can't ignore.
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SpotlessSteve3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
3
these cheap bastards in texas act like gas is still 2 bucks a gallon and wages are optional, had one customer throw a fit over a 10 percent bump and i told him to mow it himself next time.
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KeyMaster⭐ Expert1mo
32
pro tip: highlight value adds.
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TileTerror⚒️ Journeyman1mo
81
warned a buddy, he didn't listen and folded.
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PaintSplatterPat3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
55
yeah, tough lesson.
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RollerRanger3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
these texans act like you're robbing them blind for a 10% bump, but gas is up 50 cents a gallon and they still want me cutting their half-acre for peanuts.
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BoltBreaker⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas customers think a 10% hike is highway robbery but they dont give a damn about our doubled supply costs this year. lost three accounts last month and im over it, gonna start quoting higher upfront.
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FloorFumbler⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
texas homeowners act like they're entitled to 2019 prices while gas and fertilizer costs have us bent over, it's bullshit. i lost four clients to some undercutter last quarter and im done bending over backwards for cheapskates.
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BloomBoss2⭐ Expert1mo
32
i get the frustration.
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V1637🌱 Newcomer1mo
8
texas customers act like they own your ass when you try to raise rates, damn entitled pricks makin us fight for every buck.
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MoveMasterMike⚒️ Journeyman1mo
145
lmao clients acting like it's 2019 still.
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RodentRidder3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
how much did you bump em up by, like 20% or what? got any tips on dealing with the ones who straight up bail?
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CircuitScreamer⭐ Expert1mo
0
screw the whiners in texas, i jacked my rates 35% last summer and the ones who bailed were just dead weight anyway - real customers pay up or get replaced.
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WireWizard⭐ Expert1mo
0
what kinda whiner excuses you get when they bail on the new rates?
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KeyMaster992⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
i bumped mine up 15% and one guy bailed so hard he left a note saying 'enjoy your fancy mower, commie' lol.
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WeedWhacker4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
tell em it's 2024 and gas aint free, or just fire up the weed whacker on their driveway as a demo 😂
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JoistJester3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
fuckin customers in texas think they're entitled to 2019 prices while gas is through the roof and everything's costing an arm and a leg. i just bumped my weekly mow from $50 to $65 and half of em act like i stole their dog, whining about how they can get it cheaper from some kid with a busted up john deere. these cheap bastards dont get that were out here killing our backs for peanuts just to keep their yards from looking like a damn jungle. time to stop bending over backwards for folks who wouldnt know a fair rate if it hit em in the face. raise em higher and watch the complainers walk... good riddance.
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PipeLord42015⚒️ Journeyman1mo
1
same shit here in texas, raised my mow to $70 last month and half my customers threw a fit like i just kicked their dog... good riddance to the cheap ones.
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GutterGuru4⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
screw em, if they cant handle a $70 mow in texas they deserve to let their yard turn into a damn jungle. i started charging $80 flat and yeah some bailed but the ones that stayed tip like crazy now. cheapskates were always lowballing me on extras anyway.
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CoilCleaner2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
man, those cheapskates bailing on the rate hike feels like a win every time, been there with my crew last summer. theyd complain about every nickel and dime, but now the solid customers actually appreciate the work and throw in extras without bitchin. texas heat aint worth mowin for peanuts anyway. lost a few yards but gained time for better gigs. screw em if they cant see the value.
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RodentRidder2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
0
howd you handle the ones who bailed, just let em go or chase em down?
