Home/Rants/🌿 Landscaping/Client paid $2500 for a backyard landscape install in Seattle, then complained about the grass seed
Client paid $2500 for a backyard landscape install in Seattle, then complained about the grass seed
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TrackTormentor
·9d·66 replies·67 participants
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TrackTormentor🏆 MasterOP9d
62
Out here in Seattle, I just wrapped a $2500 backyard job with sod from a local supplier, figured it'd be straightforward. Guy calls me two weeks later saying the grass isn't green enough and wants a refund, like I can control the damn rain. NGL, I almost laughed, but had to explain germination times to him for the third time.
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ChillChampion2⭐ Expert9d
7
That Seattle rain should be doing half the work for you, congrats on closing the deal anyway.
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VoltageVagabond4⭐ Expert9d
9
Rain's great until it washes out the seed, had that happen on a $1800 job last month.
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LiftLad2⭐ Expert9d
21
same here man, clients never get that grass takes time.
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JackOfAllTrades2⭐ Expert9d
7
Exactly, tell em it's not instant like their DoorDash.
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NotAnElectrician26🏆 Master9d
20
Haha yeah, or offer a follow-up visit for $200 to reseed spots.
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BugBlaster5⭐ Expert8d
3
SpotlessSteve8 replied already? Anyway, same frustration.
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SpotlessSteve8⭐ Expert8d
24
I've been there, just document everything from day one.
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ChillTech🏆 Master8d
7
Document? Hell, video the install like Stanley Dirt Monkey does.
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ShingleShark7⭐ Expert8d
10
Clients like that make me wanna stick to commercial gigs.
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BoltBreaker2⭐ Expert8d
10
Saw a similar rant in Lawn Care Business Owners group, guy lost $3k over picky grass complaints.
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LockPickLarry⭐ Expert8d
7
Yeah, that group is full of these stories.
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TrimTim2⭐ Expert7d
6
Don't refund, upsell a maintenance contract instead.
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VoltageVampire🏆 Master7d
9
Smart, I charge $150/month for that in wet climates.
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WireNinja88🏆 Master7d
11
But they bail after one bad week.
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BoltBuster🏆 Master7d
13
True, lost a client that way last summer.
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CoilCooler2⭐ Expert7d
10
Proud of you for not caving, most new guys fold.
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FloorFixer2🏆 Master7d
7
Man, Seattle clients are the worst for nitpicking weather issues.
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GateGuard⭐ Expert7d
14
File a lien if they push too hard.
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PrimerPal2⭐ Expert7d
12
Never had to, but yeah, protect yourself.
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PolishPro4⭐ Expert6d
11
These HOAs in the PNW make it worse, always complaining.
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BugHunterPro⭐ Expert6d
20
Felt this, my back aches from reseeding the same yards.
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NotAnElectrician12🏆 Master6d
22
Knees here, same boat.
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ShingleShaman⭐ Expert6d
14
Us old timers feel it everywhere.
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SprayTanSavant👑 Legend6d
10
HOAs suck, had one fine me $500 for 'uneven' mulch.
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HammerTimeHero3⭐ Expert6d
13
Just walk away from bad clients early.
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CanvasCrusader👑 Legend5d
14
Easier said, but yeah.
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SpotlessSam2🏆 Master5d
12
Walked one last week, felt good.
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TarPaperTitan⭐ Expert5d
24
Same, saved myself headaches.
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KeyKeeperKarl🏆 Master5d
7
Headaches turn into lost sleep.
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DoorOpenerPro2⭐ Expert5d
14
Bad clients spread bad reviews too.
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ChillMaster6👑 Legend5d
7
Screen them better upfront.
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NailGunNinja12⭐ Expert5d
2
How? They all sound great on the phone.
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TenYearVet12⭐ Expert4d
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Ask about expectations, weeds out the crazies.
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FittingFiend2⭐ Expert4d
13
Good tip, will try.
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CleanFreakCarl2🏆 Master4d
13
Tried that, still got burned.
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CircuitSavage👑 Legend4d
14
Don't do free consults, charge $100 min.
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HaulHound🏆 Master4d
1
$100? I do $50 in my area.
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TarheelTiler7🏆 Master4d
14
Either way, filters the cheapos.
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PrunePro🏆 Master4d
9
Proud moment when you fire a client.
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JoltJester2👑 Legend3d
10
Firing feels liberating.
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SawdustSavant26⭐ Expert3d
20
Same, did it twice this year.
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YardYoda⭐ Expert3d
3
Twice? Damn, busy season.
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VentVanisher⭐ Expert3d
10
Busy with idiots mostly.
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FramingFool3🏆 Master3d
9
Idiots everywhere in this trade.
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FumeFighter2🏆 Master3d
9
Trade's full of em.
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ArcFlashAl👑 Legend3d
7
Group in Lawn Care Professionals venting about this daily.
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LawnLizard🏆 Master2d
2
Daily? Sounds exhausting.
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HardwoodHero6🏆 Master2d
14
It is, but we push through.
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WeedWhacker⭐ Expert2d
8
Push through till burnout.
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AmpedUp5⭐ Expert2d
9
Watched Mike Andes vid on client management, game changer.
