non payers

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Lady Gardener, Feb 21, 2006.

  1. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    nah it against my religion to vandalise........
    i just want to make her work for a change ,, the bitch!
     
  2. Beefy

    Beefy Gardener

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    Put a sign in the front garden saying "I DONT PAT MY BILLS " LOL
    :D :D :D
     
  3. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    the main prob with gardening is that it all a bit of guesswork,,,,,,,,, i have to estimate how much work is involved, and i cannot be sure ...... for all i know there is 4" of concrete below the area i agreed to to dig out
    stones, clay, the client changes mind, the neighbours object, a tree has to be moved, a bird has nested....... i mite hit a powerline, a drain is needed / not needed .. each client has different standards [am i the only one who suffers?]
    i find weeds, the client says they are rare exotics!!!!!......... they ask for perfection, i explain cost,,,,,,,,,, they ask for cheaper option..... i suggest another way, they ask ofr time
    ///// gardening is full of ifs and buts
     
  4. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    BEEFY.... should i get it laminated?
     
  5. Beefy

    Beefy Gardener

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    If you think it will be there that long. Sometimes embarrasment can help cash flow! :D :D
     
  6. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    i know you mean well, but if there is one part of the job i enjoy, it is that my customers trust me to give them a really good deal .. and if i had to get them to sign in blood, the nice ones would probably shy away.......
    and as explained be4 it is impossible to give an accurate estimate for any gardening job except. "i will spend 30 mins in your garden"
     
  7. Tortuosa

    Tortuosa Gardener

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    Don't do anything that would be embarrassing to explain in a court of law ! [​IMG]
    Its a sad fact that you will get one of these now & then, Ive been caught out a couple of times & turned down some jobs which seemed to be good but on meeting the customer,'smelled' of hassle.
    Some customers will have a genuine fear that you are trying to rip them off so you need to be whiter than white & give as much benifit of doubt as you can.
    A written estimate stating what payments would be due at what times will help avoid genuine misunderstandings.

    Cool & professional is the best approach as anything else could damage your reputation.
    If she's a rip off merchant, she'll come to a sticky end. :cool:
     
  8. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    yep
    but who ever heard of "i ll have to inspect it to see if the work is satisfactory?"
    what does that mean .... if i remove an Agrostis Repens and leave a Poa Annua.. it that good or is it bad?
     
  9. frogesque

    frogesque Gardener

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    "just how akward i can be with all the garden refuse which is neatly stashedaway in my bags!"

    I think you are entitled to give notice that you intend to reclaim your rightful belongings. Second class post should give you plenty of time ;) The contents however are hers and should be neatly piled somewhere 'convenient' within the boundary of her property. Take photos as proof for your own records in the event of dispute over ownership as you don't want to be accused of stealing anything of hers. Then let wind and weather do the rest.

    I think you would also be within your rights to remove any plants you provided.
     
  10. Tortuosa

    Tortuosa Gardener

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    Some customers look on their gardener as a skilled professional. [​IMG]
    Some customers look on their gardener as a servant. :mad:
     
  11. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    although she initially asked for landscaping, actually she wanted a cheap job of weeding, cutting back overgrown hedges, shrubs and roses
    i asked her to buy some bare root shrubs at ridiculously low cost but she declined!
    i cant spend 40 mins with a new customer [cost is approx �£20] and then get a one off payment of �£35
    i m in the business of building a customer base
     
  12. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    Tortuosa .. i agree with your summation, and i don t care what some **** think, but i m not going to let them off with stealing my time and money....... as far as i m concerned its no different to shop lifting ..... worse in fact cos they are stealing form a small business without large resources
     
  13. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    I cant belive ive spent a whole evening discussing a garden which is near to 20 aubery crescent and even nearer to number 16 , and that poor lady who is either agnes brownie or mc callum
    oops did i say that!
    i think people should be able to respond
    there may be another side to this!
    would you like the email?
     
  14. Lady Gardener

    Lady Gardener Gardener

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    is it browniemcc@ho..........
    and can any1 tellme where is 01479?
     
  15. Tortuosa

    Tortuosa Gardener

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    I know it's a major wind up but try not to do anything when you're angry :cool:

    We try wherever possible to work to a fixed price for stated works, this can be a nightmare to work out (guess) for some things but you don't have to give the price then & there; take pictures, send a written estimate. Alot of customers like it this way as it takes away the worry of unknown bills for them.
    Ok sometimes end up working for �£5 :rolleyes: an hour but other times �£25 an hour. :D
     
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