Need a new zero turn mower(new or used)

[MikeInMaine]

Hi 'Dutch,

Me, with more advice. I disagree with offering an introductory price, or offering to do the first one free. Here's why. While you are thinking of yourself as a business person, i.e. the boss, you also will want to view yourself as an employee of your own business. Why would you work for a company that asked you to work for nothing? You could get an hourly job anywhere else and do better. As the boss of "FlyingDutch16 Lawn Service" you need to be competitive with other employers. If you don't, your employee (i.e., you!) will be better served working for someone else.

I hope the above isn't too confusing, treating you as both the employer and the employee. The bottom line is, you need to treat yourself well, and working at a discount is a bad way to treat yourself. Your customers should hire you because of everything else you can provide -- a quality job, dependable service, trustworthiness, satisfaction guaranteed, etc. If you charge a fair price and provide a quality product, your customers will be very satisfied.

 

[sweettractors]

Dutch, Ad cost zero. Get on the computer and make up some 1 page color flyers. Something with a catchey phrase like "You grow it and I'll Mow it" along with your contact Email, phone # and maybe a facebook business account address and "Free Estimates" . Put these in the local grocery, minit marts, FSA office and any business that has a bulliten board. All free. I also like the mail outs suggested earlier. Ken Sweet

 

[MikeInMaine]

Hi 'Dutch,

One other friendly criticism of discounting the first cut -- you might be sending some unintended messages:

My rate is negotiable.
I am a kid, so I can afford to work on the cheap.
I am desperate for work -- I'll do anything to get the job.
I'll treat new customers better than I treat my old, loyal customers.


The messages you want to send go more like this:

I am a hard worker.
I do a great job.
I charge a fair price.
I am not so desperate that I'll bust my butt for nothing.
I'll reward my old customers for their loyalty.


Frankly, I hate being an established customer and seeing new customers get a better deal. That stinks. So, perhaps you could turn it around -- offer some kind of reward for sticking with you. Perhaps, "12 cuts, get the 13th free". (This might be too generous -- it's just an example.) Advertise this in the beginning, so this promotion will still have the effect of attracting new customers. It also sends the message that you will be there for them months from now, and not just a "hit and run" service.

Once you get customers, you want to be able to count on them being there, long term. That's why rewards programs are used by so many businesses: Subway sandwiches, airlines, credit cards, etc.

How you structure this reward may depend on how long your mowing season is, and balancing the cost to you versus the value to the customer.

 

[flyingdutch16]

Dutch, Ad cost zero. Get on the computer and make up some 1 page color flyers. Something with a catchey phrase like "You grow it and I'll Mow it" along with your contact Email, phone # and maybe a facebook business account address and "Free Estimates" . Put these in the local grocery, minit marts, FSA office and any business that has a bulliten board. All free. I also like the mail outs suggested earlier. Ken Sweet

I did that last year thats how i got my first customer for last season(sadly hes moving this year so i wont be mowing for him this season)

Then my second customer. They moved in during the summer 3 days later i walk to there door introduce my self to them gave them my flyer. That weekend i got a call and they wanted me to mow for them.

The idea of emailing people is really good, my mom has an whole entire mail list from the neighborhood(i think its 30+ houses) and many neighbors know me, and know that i work pretty hard ( my mom got some compliments, not trying to brag tho) anyway i hope this really works. THanks guys for the help its unbelievable how quickly they respond on this forum, love it.

Now any suggestion on the 3 mowers i mentioned earlier.

 

[gpick]

In rereading the initial post, I read that Dutch is not starting a new business. He is EXPANDING his business. That means he should already have some good work references. If not, he should attend to that first.

Assuming he does have existing satisfied customer, then the first step I would advise him to do is personally visit each one, tell them that he is planning on investing in his business by purchasing new commercial equipment and ask if they would help him by giving him a letter of reference. If they agreed, then I would also ask them for referrals to their friends and neighbors. If he is a good worker I will guarantee you that most will be pleased to help -- especially if he is earning money for college.

When I got the letters and personally followed up on the referrals, then I would print up a flyer with a couple pictures of the best looking freshly mowed lawns of his customers and excerpts of favorable quotes from his references. (Since it sounds like he may be in snow country, the pictures could be added to his Spring flyer.) Either way, then I would take the flyers and go door to door to the houses near each of his current customers. Tell them, he cuts the lawn of their neighbor and that he wanted to let them know that he has purchased some new equipment and is adding new customers.

I think if he professionally presents himself he will find many people who will be thrilled to use him if for no other reason that seeing that there is at least one kid left who isn't shuffling around with the butt of his pants down around his knees.

Pricing is an issue only in that someone is already cutting their lawn. Either they are or a service is. If they are and don't enjoy it, they may just ask your price. If they like to cut it, agree with them that you enjoy it too and ask them for a referral. If they are using a service, then your price is going to be strongly influenced by the competition assuming you are trying take their customers away from them by under-cutting their price. Here is where you, Dutch, will have an opportunity to learn some valuable, practical lessons in business. There is always the guy who will do it for less. Don't be that guy. Look for ways you can earn your price.

In the process of cold calling and meeting these prospective customers, you will quickly learn your local market. You will learn who your competition is, what they do, what they charge and whether their customers are pleased. Talk to the people.

When you talk with the people, you may be a little nervous. That's normal, but don't give them a mechanical memorized spiel. Treat them with respect like friends of your parents and give them a chance to talk. Just tell them who you are, which neighbor is your existing customer and you just wanted to make them aware of you and your services. Ask them a question, like do you cut your own lawn or use a professional service? Then, be quiet, let them talk and engage them in conversation. After a couple of these you should know what to do.

 

[gpick]

I did that last year thats how i got my first customer for last season(sadly hes moving this year so i wont be mowing for him this season)

Have you introduced yourself to the new owner?

 

[flyingdutch16]

Have you introduced yourself to the new owner?

They havent moved out yet, but i will do that as soon as they move in. Since the professional mowing rates are kinda high a lot of new comers like the lower prices so i have a good chance

 

[flyingdutch16]

I was just looking on the john deere website. I noticed that they have a used equipment section. Would it be better to buy a mower off of there instead of buying it from ebay or craigslist?

 

[crbr]

I was just looking on the john deere website. I noticed that they have a used equipment section. Would it be better to buy a mower off of there instead of buying it from ebay or craigslist?

Of the recent selections that you have mentioned, Dixon is the better choice. JD doesn't hold up. They used to have good small equipment in the early 90s but not any more.


All you need in a simple local paper ad (as a closing point of sell) is "free estimate" and "satisfaction guaranteed." I used to cut grass more than I care to remember. Had more yards than I could accept. One thing I found beneficial is to not cut crappy yards that will take too much time or beat up your machine. I got my yard clientel to my preference to where I could cut 7 yards a day (decent size yards) because I chose the yards that were easier to cut. I never even hauled a push mower for trimming. A weed trimmer does the trick. Again, too much time to fool with the push. And never offer to rake or accept someone's petetion to rake grass. Never. Takes too much time and manual labor. You can mow two or three more yards instead of raking one. Also, yards with crap scattered in them that would need to be picked up, toys, etc.... Don't pick up toys for the customer. Mow around them and move on. Said customer will get the hint (or ask them nicely to have the yard picked up). And never feel bad about losing a customer (and it will happen). If you're doing your best, it's usually a customer that will never be satisfied, even if it were being done for free.

You'll learn the most efficient methodology that works for you. Never work for the customer or they will wear you out with pickiness. Work for you. Do them a good job but make it to your benefit, and move on to the next yard.

Or you can lolly-gag all day long......... Just sayin'.

Good luck. And carry a spare set of sharp blades. Grass cuts out nicely and quickly with good blades. And don't forget a sack lunch.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Custom mowers here walk each yard and figure in how many shrubs and trees and size of the yard that they have to mow around before they will give a quote for mowing. We have 1 acre with about 50 things to mow around and we pay $65. The striping kit is not available for that mower, however, one can be fabricated from some heavy matting or belting material and bolted to the back side of the deck for a cost of zero. Ken Sweet

Around here its by the minute. My neighbors rate is $1 per minute. He figures when he engages the blades to disengage the blades. So my 2.5 acre yard takes him 45 minutes its $45 if I were to pay him.

This is using real commercial mowers like the Ferris and Scag with 61 and 72" decks.

Chris