Clients Say, I Am Too Expensive.
Рет қаралды 18,472
5 ай бұрынHello You Tube, it’s Rob from Maxwells Grass Cutting Services, based in the North East of England.
In today’s video I want to talk about how my customers have reacted to the 2024 price increase. It’s not good news. Your advice is requested.
I look forward to reading your comments and feedback.
Thanks for watching. Please like and subscribe.
Remember, when the green gold is growing, keep mowing.
All the best.
Rob.
Thank you for watching and supporting the channel. Please like and subscribe, this allows me to grow and move forward. Your support is appreciated.
Take care.👍
@EGCC4284 5 ай бұрын
Thanks for the latest video. I’m sat in a hotel bath tub on a 48 hour layover in Djibouti Africa and was scrolling through KZfaq looking for something to watch. Can I suggest you make a spreadsheet of all your customers and work out what % have replied unhappy. I think you are getting to emotional and attached to customers. It’s a business, not a charity. I really would not worry about it. Put your price right, give them a deadline to respond and if no response, fill their slots. It’s a business, return on capital employed, your capital is your time, effort and professionalism. Do not be upset at all. If the lady is prepared to take a risk on a new unknown gardener because of £2.50, then let her jog on. Stop underestimating and under selling yourself.
@dciburnsidesniffsniff6119 5 ай бұрын
Ya lucky bastard
@ericclark3782 5 ай бұрын
Spreadsheet is exactly what I do. Keeps track a lot easier.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you for your comment. Enjoy the sunshine.
@mistymorningz9042 5 ай бұрын
Iv been watching your videos for nearly 2 years. I was a gardener for 5yrs and i give it up in late 2020. Look threw your videos and ask yourself am I happy with this because everything you speak about is exactly what i experienced also, it just brought me down to the point i couldn't do it no more. Your seen as "just the grass cutter or gardener" not a working professional with a trade. Im currently a joiner and life is so much better now. The same customers you speak about not liking the increase in cost will happily pay thousands for a trades person to carry out work on there home but grumble about the window cleaner or gardener increasing there prices a couple of quid.
@michaelrigby7968 5 ай бұрын
I do garden maintenance and landscaping work. Customers will pay thousands for landscaping work and moan if gardening work is more than a couple hundred pound. You do get treated differently for just cutting grass,customers attitude is will just look same in 2 weeks.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
I am happy doing what I do , most of the time, you tube is just a snap shot of the whole picture. All the best.
@TheCurtisdavies 4 ай бұрын
I agree with your comment completely mate, fair play
@robertllubnrut Ай бұрын
used to be a joiner, but I'm all right now. lol.
@kylesanders3502 14 күн бұрын
@@mistymorningz9042 I read yours and yes, we do have a moan. We are allowed to, because in any new build estate, all tradesmen drop this or that in the grounds to save them a couple of bob. Then we are given the job to sort the gardens. Looks ok on the face and without digging about, we take it on. Then we find boulders, sheeting, bags of cement, shopping trollies and a dead dog! (I threw the last two in to check you were keeping up! 😁) But serio, this lad here (gardener lad) isn’t going on about bad stuff. There is far more good stuff. And wothout saying nowt bad, yes a joiner will earn more. And here in U.K. it rains more. But I’d sooner be out there turning a mess into something lovely when we leave it, than indoors with time dragging on in the same property for weeks. I could no sooner do what a joiner does than tap dance. To be honest, I’m sh1t3 at any DIY so I admire you lads. But I always get satisfaction in garnering and seeing the customers face when they’re happy. Then the tiny bill comes in and their face hits the floor quicker than a tap dancer on skates! 😂😂 Upside down face happens then! It’s like you’ve just told them “Oh by the way, I did the full neighbourhood, and billing you the lot! 😁 Any gardener here will know these words. How many gardeners do you see eating at the Ivy? None! Why? Plastic plants! ☺️ Not really! They’re quite nice theirs. Why, I’ve even sampled a cutting or two! ☺️☺️☺️
@bobbelsekwol 5 ай бұрын
When i first started, 30yrs ago, losing a customer was almost devastating. Why did they leave? What have i done? What have i said? I lost one last yr because i didn't sign up for her daughters garden which is covered in dog bombs and she still owes me money from about 2yrs ago. I've just lost another one and honestly i couldn't care less. The reason was i didn't cut the grass often enough. I was told to go around there and cut the grass with frost on the ground and i told them its not a good idea because of the usual reasons. They insisted, so i did cut the grass. I think they sacked me because of the state of the grass after the frost thawed. I don't care. These people we call friends are business. Thats all. They'll drop you like hot shite. I've stopped talking to new customers. I don't tell them anything about my personal life and ask them nothing. Keep trudging on Rob, and keep putting videos out. Its the only thing that keeps me sane..
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thanks for that. I will definitely use your systems. 👍🏻
@neilhatton6018 5 ай бұрын
I hear ya.. you sound like me as of a few years ago. There's taking it too personally. You've obviously a big heart, it can be a curse. Obviously never change you, but yeah you're on the right path, it's the distinction 'tween business and personal. Keep business business.
@chiefrocka8604 2 ай бұрын
I’m a doorman My boss said this your not mates unless you’ve gone out together or been round their gaff not after finishing work. Think that’s fair it’s just work acquaintances unless you nip round for a brew or go out for beers on a day off etc Happy to help 👍
@melike1984 5 ай бұрын
One step back to go two places forward.... for the new prices and new customers. It's not a problem Rob your fill the places easily, stay confident. your see its just change to grow a better business.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you , appreciate your support.
@darrenmartin4014 5 ай бұрын
Just a thought, if you tell them the increase to their face there is less chance of them dropping you.
@rogermorey5267 5 ай бұрын
Hi, I have read all the comments on this post, and can relate to a lot of them What you can charge is geographically based, the more affluent the area you live in, the more customers are prepared to pay. I live in a village on the south coast of Devon, when I started up over 40 years ago, you could list the gardeners in your area on one hand, now we are satuated. Like others have said, retired are doing it to top up there pensions, or are bored. No one cares now if a shrub or any other plant is pruned at the correct time of year, nothing is hand pruned anymore, everything is cut to a ball, block or spire in shape. I have progressed more into the landscaping side to address this, people are prepared to pay for a decent patio, or other hard structure as it isn't something most jobbing gardener's can do. I only now will look at garden maintenance requests if I have been recommended, if you are competing with all an sundry, you've got no chance, as people will normally go with the £10 an hour guy. By the way, we had two dry days this week, yippee 😁
@RobT-wq2eq 5 ай бұрын
Hang in there Rob, prices have to go up. If they don't you won't be able to offer the professional service. If they want you back in 6 months time and you have space take them back at an even higher rate. Some people only appreciate your work when your gone sadly. On a separate note good luck with trying not to be to friendly with customer, I've been trying that for best part of 20 years and fail miserably. It just the way we are! Have a good season. Rob
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Love this comment, thank you .
@maxngm8590 5 ай бұрын
Yeah as soon as u class a customer as a friend etc it makes it harder to put prices up in my opinion. As the old saying goes don't mix business and friends
@GlossaME 12 күн бұрын
Most people don't deserve good quality service.
@bungabening3530 5 ай бұрын
This just popped up in my feed for some unknown reason and I gave it a watch. I'm not sure what size lawns you're talking about but my mother's home is in a middle-class London suburb and her lawn front and back probably totals 175m. She has a simple cut, no treatments or anything and pays £20 which seems extremely reasonable. It's not just your prices that are going up, everything's on the rise and there comes a point when people have to prioritise. Food, heating, health etc. Lawns are way down at the bottom of the list. Anyway, good luck and I hope things pick up
@MichaelWarnock 5 ай бұрын
A lawn that size I charge £30. That's in the North East. I don't agree with the prioritising aspect. During the 2008 downturn my client went through her expenses with her son and the first thing he said was 'Mam, you need your gardener'. Nobody dropped me. You have to remember, if there is no gardener, the clients children will have to do it and they usually don't want to.
@user-of5oe7tx4u 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob, don't be deflated over your price increases. Everyone is feeling the squeeze financially at the moment. They use this increase as an excuse to drop you, it's probably a knee jerk reaction that they will regret in the future when it dawns on them that not all gardeners are as professional as you. Your channel is a pleasure. Keep up the good work. Eamonn E N G Gardening Services
@SHM-Garden-Services 5 ай бұрын
Hey Rob, I've been following your progress closely and have learned some fantastic tips to incorporate into my own business. Thank you for sharing your insights. It's disappointing that some customers haven't fully embraced what you offer, but their loss is their loss, mate. I have no doubt that the tide will turn soon, and your phone will be ringing off the hook again! I want to commend you for your unwavering transparency in how you run your business. It's a quality that sets you apart and builds trust with your audience. Keep up the great work, and here's to even greater success ahead! Best regards, Scott
@ianmccaughan7121 5 ай бұрын
I have had some that say there granson will do it but then most realise later that they are not reliable and the lawns are not cut as per every 2 weeks .All the best Rob
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
You’re spot on . 👍🏻
@mr.tidygarden 5 ай бұрын
Rob all my prices gone up this year mate I just jumped on the inflation bandwagon. Take no prisoners Rob its getting hard out there👊
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Wise words from a top man. Thank you .
@scotthancock9793 5 ай бұрын
Thanks for posting this. I often found when I was trying to start up, folk wanted the most work they could get out of you for the least they would give. I even had someone say they'd pay me £10 ph for doing the work. Needless to say I didn't take them up on that offer.
@ianjones1732 5 ай бұрын
Everyone with a business needs to put there prices up every year or two within range that's how you make a successful business if you don't the customer will not look at it as normal. Every other business does, it's a business not a charity. If you don't your business will be left behind. We all need to make this a normal procedure and prise increase together at the same time especially if your overheads go up and cost of living etc. People who work from a car boot who charge peanuts when should be retired but topping up there pensions on the side, there putting our business out by charging nothing, respect to them but we don't want them to set the prises of our services for us.
@alex_n8863 5 ай бұрын
Retired old dude does a couple of gardens in my village to top up his pension. He's charging £8 an hour! Get a job at B&Q mate! 😭
@ianjones1732 5 ай бұрын
@alex_n8863 it's sad mate putting us businesses out we got bills & kids to feed. Don't no why they don't charge what we charge instead of peanuts.
@alex_n8863 5 ай бұрын
@@ianjones1732 it is. I think a lot do it just to keep themselves occupied; and a bit of pocket money. Doesn't help us guys trying to make a living though. Some jaws drop when they hear how much I want to charge, but minimum wage is up to £11.50 this year. Guaranteed hours, pension, holidays, no bookkeeping or equipment to buy and maintain, chasing work, physical job. We need to charge a premium for what we do. I sometimes think about getting a "normal" job again, especially this time of year when it's quiet, but I'd hate to have to go back to taking orders! 😂
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Wise words Ian.👍🏻
@frankkearney7174 5 ай бұрын
Hi rob another good video just one bit of advice i wouldn't be mowing the lawn a second time that would save time and effort a lot of them don't respect the difference either way
@outoftownr3906 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob I go on inflation rate every year.This year it’s going up 5 % as that was the annual rate for 2023. Doesn’t sound much but all my customers accept it as fair enough. £35 to £40 is nigh on 15% increase which most wouldn’t accept.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
It’s the first increase in a couple of year. I think it’s fair.👍🏻
@tjk355 2 ай бұрын
If you are using professional equipment you want to be charging at least £40 ph for a lawn cut.
@Ppp-kk6hw Ай бұрын
Love your tips and learning from you big up from Scotland brother 🏴
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Ай бұрын
Thanks 👍All the best to you.
@HardingsGardenandProperty 5 ай бұрын
Yet again, another great video with refreshingly honest content. I will be putting my prices up for the first time in 3 years this season and have been considering my timing. I’m in the east mids, the ground is sopping wet still and expecting the first cuts to be late March. I think in the customers head, it’s wet and cool still and the garden seems like it’s 6 months away. Catching them at the right point of urgency is key to them accepting the increase. Would be interesting if you made a video in a few weeks time to revisit how many of the refusals have called up to try and get back on the maxwells train when the grass starts growing. All the best Rich
@777darcy 5 ай бұрын
Problem with gardening ,window cleaning ect is its a regular bill on top of all other bills compared to a one off repair by a plumber or electrician ect ,when people have something breakdown they will pay alot just to get it fixed done and dusted , its not right though as gardening is very hard work , in my area £20 ph is about tops can charge unless its grass only then can charge more , but near citys and more higher areas can charge alot more than that
@thepikeangler2022 26 күн бұрын
Hi Rob, just started watching a few of your video's. Maybe why customers felt it a bit harsh was you hadn't put it up the year before, so £5 on a lawn could've be done £2.50 then £2.50 year on year.
@davidprice6994 5 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that mate, I've been laid off due to not much work here as like you say no one wants to pay for a garden service much now since cost of living gone up .let hope things pick up .
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Fingers crossed David. Good luck to you.
@aabb6677 2 ай бұрын
It is what it is, what I take from this video is that when you start up you are probably best off charging on the higher side and try not to raise prices - as you get newer customers your prices can go up a bit if you feel that is what is needed. I would go back and put prices up on older customers if I had 'new' ones to replace them with. Unfortunately there are 'chancers' out there - I recently saw a customer asking for a tradesman on a local community group to which several responded including one who stated 'Will beat all quotes by 15%'.... Some people have no shame!
@markharvey6749 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob, the problem is there's new people popping up all the time on FB etc offering to do work for peanuts. I do exterior cleaning and usually win every quote. So far this year I'm struggling to do that. What customers seem to forget is cheap is usually that for a reason. A professional job comes with a premium but worth every penny in the long run. Thanks. Mark
@stevo1970 5 ай бұрын
Yeah with the recession starting a lot of trades people have already started to drop there prices. Our local sparkys gone from 60 pound hour to 40 pound.
@yorkshiresnumero2gardener244 5 ай бұрын
The difference being many of us nowhere near £40 to start with. Plus we have more gear than them...
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Not sure that’s a good idea Steve. Thanks for sharing your experience.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
A great point.
@stevo1970 5 ай бұрын
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices our local window cleaner put his prices up, last year he does them once a fortnight. He told me now most people just want them doing once a month , he said he's now earning less but ha can't afford to let them go. it's definitely a tricky one especially with the cost of living crisis. I personally wouldn't tell them on a text message especially before the start of the season I'd tell them face to face, that your increasing the prices it's much harder for a customer to decline your services, when your casually having a chat with a cuppa. People that were already thinking of letting you go would use the text increase to reply and use it as an excuse to no longer want your services.
@fazfinisher5598 5 ай бұрын
My best mates been in the game for 40 plus years, and up till recently had 74 gardens on his rotas split over two weeks.Some very large jobs but the majority small and medium size, but after seeing youre last video i knew you would loose a lot.People complain about 10p on a loaf so sticking your prices up by fivers and tenners was doomed to failure, the first thing that goes when times are hard are the luxury items.My mates trimmed all his gardens down depending on size to a manageable amount he can service alone, and left all the prices as they where for this year at least.
@stevefilby2838 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob, sorry to hear about your troubles. Unfortunately gardener's aren't an essential trade if you get me . Plus most able bodied people can do gardening and cut grass, coupled with KZfaq they can get all the help and advice for free. I've learnt this aswel. Good luck and keep going
@TheGreenOne87 5 ай бұрын
hey rob, you're on the right way! always look forward. i'll put my prices up this spring too. greetings from germany
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you , appreciate your comment. All the best.
@lancerichardmorton1981 5 ай бұрын
Appreciate your honesty as always Rob. I'm putting all my prices up April this year. All grass jobs will go up and my hourly rate jobs will go up too. Have a good Saturday mate. 😉
@robpgardens7592 5 ай бұрын
I've been in a similar situation and the customers came back after a few months. All on the new client rate, which was higher than the original increase.
@AWgardens 5 ай бұрын
Spot on
@ericclark3782 5 ай бұрын
Ha ha. I do he same. If they want to come back it's an additional stupidity increase!
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Very wise.👍🏻
@petercarton8162 5 ай бұрын
Give it time Rob, they'll come crawling back. When the grandson wants to go out for the day instead of doing the grass or when they can't find someone as reliable as yourself. These people think the grass is always greener, well, not always.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you Peter, appreciate your comment. All the best.
@user-px2mv3ry8k 5 ай бұрын
Rob , newish to the gardening game , and watch all your videos yes I have subscribed no problem ! Customers says you're too expensive , thats not actually correct these customers can not afford your expertise work and knowledge . therefore you're not too expensive they just can't afford you there is a subtle difference , keep those videos coming sir ! Darren Bedfordshire .
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you Darren. Appreciate your comment.
@Premier_lawns_official 5 ай бұрын
£35 to 40 is a big jump for a lot of people as it's over 14 percent
@paudielyons3918 5 ай бұрын
Great video Rob. You look a bit rattled alright. Things will pick up for you.. quality work always shines through 😊
@djbricky6918 5 ай бұрын
You work very hard for your money Rob as ido myself on building side your a tradesman as i am .you have to value yourself stick to it my mate .let them see what they replace you with that might make them think again . Keep smiling Rob the sun will be shining soon all the best .
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you, appreciate your support.
@martjadex 5 ай бұрын
I bet you will get them customers back ! When both realise you’re worth every penny
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you , appreciated.
@kylesanders3502 15 күн бұрын
I feel your pain lad. I can see the hurt in your face and we do hurt. You and me have spoken. We are made to feel special because they confide in us and get involved. We do that because it’s a two way street. Sometimes a bacon butty and a cuppa tea. Others, nowt! We have to have a balance and be as nice with them all. But when I put one up, £2 pers visit, there was a face on from the old girl and she said “I thought you were my friend”. This lady I liked, her husband was idle, and she had three sons around my age. But I didn’t charge enough from the off. Another woman had this huge property. Widowed with two very successful sons a little younger than me. These were ‘posh’! I put that up £2 and the mother had a face on her like half a brick. She questioned it so I told her this is on me! She smiled and was chuffed. As I left, I told her to get her lads on the job. She paid me then tried a £5 tip. It hurts lad as we get to know them. But guess what, they do t have a cleaner as they can do that. They don’t have a cook for the same reason. But outdoors is lousy almost ALL year in U.K. They have us for that. They get to know us and lead us in. It’s almost Mickey taking but nah, we want to believe it’s a good rapport. Then ask for an extra couple of bob per visit…. I’ve made my case. I’m too flighty and I really do go! I’m proud. We are gardeners. We have green fingers and soft hearts 😄😄
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 14 күн бұрын
Thanks for sharing your experience.
@jimbandit1250sa 5 ай бұрын
I’ve put my prices up as I do every year for those customers who moan I just crack on id rather work 25 hours a week on worthwhile £££ then slave 45 hours below minimum wage, good lad Rob keep high value of yourself always 👊😄👌😉🙏 believe in yourself and get what you’re worth
@awalk5177 2 ай бұрын
I had a big garden and worked with my gardener every Saturday morning 9 till 12 until I left that address. I was paying 24 pounds a week and that was good value for everything needed in the garden. Three hours a week just about kept on top of the garden and each week was a different activity depending on what was needed. Basing your charges on an hourly rate is more effective and understandable.
@leesgardeningservices8749 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob, A great video personality i agree with you ive lost lots around December, customers ive been to for 6years ....Its their loss you had to do what is right for you,i did... Im sure you will get what you want soon... Take care and look forward to more of your educational videos.....😊
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you , appreciate your kind words.
@neilcrabtree6713 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob, your video is very funny. I will be putting my prices up this year. Like you, I'm sure we'll get a few of them that Don't like it but I tend to wait until I do my cuts in March and then I message them with an invoice saying from April. I will be putting my prices up to this much. Hopefully by then the grass is growing and it's a bit late for them to start looking around. But don't worry, you will always get better jobs. They were probably thinking about cutting back before you put the prices up
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Very wise. Thank you Neil.
@TheCurtisdavies 4 ай бұрын
Hello Rob, love your videos they’ve made me feel better about the people I deal with (knowing that everyone else experiences it too) what I will say & hopefully this gives you comfort, in the winter I tend to lose around 40 customers for various reason, especially this year I really did lose a few. I promise you you’ll always get loads back once the sun comes out but i’m sure you know that anyway. Keep cracking on & stick to your guns
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 4 ай бұрын
Thank you , appreciate your kind words.
@ZacandOllie 5 ай бұрын
Thier loss pet! You know you are doing the right thing and just fill those spaces with new ones. 😊
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you . 🙏
@DullGardener 5 ай бұрын
Second year operating, we had about 25 regulars at the end of last year. Put our prices up around £5/lawn and it was nice to see we only lost 2 customers. Got lucky I guess!
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Very nice! Good luck going forward.
@DullGardener 5 ай бұрын
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Cheers pal.
@ericclark3782 5 ай бұрын
Now you're going to make more money doing less work!
@DullGardener 5 ай бұрын
@@ericclark3782 Exactly 🤩
@markopolo-1 5 ай бұрын
Due to your last video Rob, I've convinced my son to put up his prices too, he's been going for 3 years now and hasn't raised his prices in that time but that's changing now. End of the day, we all know the white vans with no signage and the "joggy bottomed" gardeners with no uniforms may scoop our lost customers up, but I can guarantee our lost customers won't be happy with them, especially once those "gardeners" have earned enough and drop them like a hot brick. There is always work during the summer for professional gardeners, our phone rings off the hook and we rarely refuse work even if it means we're out at the weekend. Stick to your guns and price your time accordingly, people will pay it, if they don't and leave, it's their loss.
@ronniecumming7685 5 ай бұрын
Chin up Rob, and soldier forward you will do it.
@MyScottyboy1 5 ай бұрын
I admire your confidence in pricing. I give each customer a different price depending on a number of variables. Some you win, some you lose. It's about value for money and if they don't understand that then that is their problem. Some customers I only break-even however that is because those ones are prolific on promoting me on facebook etc and so that saves me money on advertising.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
As long as you’re happy. We need to make a living.
@davefish4965 5 ай бұрын
Nice to hear you wont take any quitters back,please stick to this because otherwise you would regret it in the future
@FromLawtoGardening 5 ай бұрын
Rob, I hear you. This video speaks of the current economic climate. People who consider themselves with Middle-class salaries have either lost their jobs, selling their houses for less than their worth (because they can't afford them or are divorcing because of financial stress or 'enter the reason here', everything falls in shambles and then selling the houses because of the divorce). People think they will 'employ' their grandson (let me giggle here a bit as I can see the poor dude working out resentment for the job he needs to do EVERY 2 weeks ON TIME ALL SUMMER LONG when he just wants to play video games. ) I hated weeding as a kid when I was forced to do it. Now I'm a gardener and I love it. There is a psychological theory that tells us that people don't value a job that doesn't need doing, for example, grass is not growing AT THE MOMENT and people think they can 'put you in your place' because you raised your prices so tell you to sod off. Believe me when I say they come back apologising when the season has started and they struggle to find gardeners. We don't have enough gardeners to do the work in this country. It's a fact. Kepp doing you Rob, you are amazing x
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you , I appreciate your kind words.
@tonymcnamara9368 5 ай бұрын
Lesson - don't get 'friendly ' with your customers. I learned this the hard way, once that friend/customer line is crossed, they start to expect you to be more forgiving with them, and they start taking liberties. People simply don't care about you, your life, your bills etc, all they care about is what they can get, as cheaply as possible for them. They will justify spending their money on trivial things, that are far more expensive than what you're charging. If you start giving in to them, they will only want more! Stick to your principles.
@davidmartin7695 5 ай бұрын
So far so good for my price increases , ive done a gentle rise , got a couple more to do , my biggest moaners did complain but kept me on , i was worried about losing some , my area in Surrey is saturated with garden maintenance teams and solitary gardeners so you have to remain competitive........all the best rob
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Pleased to hear it’s going well David. All the best.
@susanhancock7984 5 ай бұрын
Hang in there your good at what you do they will miss you
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you .
@darrenmartin4014 5 ай бұрын
Being a window cleaner with 320 customers all prices are going up next week I've told 50 already and not lost any. I usually lose an handful and it's generally the ones you least expect. The most satisfying feeling (and it often happens) is months later they contact you to come back and clean their windows, I always feel pretty chuffed with myself when I decline their request. Never take it personally Rob.
@johnsweeney1712 5 ай бұрын
Great video. Some people are stretching their budgets others are looking for an excuse to offload a bill or two or get the notion that the friendly gardener has some cheek to rock the boat with a price hike. Hard to win but you can’t work for nothing. If you don’t replace the leavers with better customers at least you’re not loosing money and can use your non garden maintenance time to earn money by doing another type of work. Maybe a shock or two is no harm to evaluate your own thinking and keep you on your business toes. Happens to big businesses of all sorts, even they get jolted about and have to look around for the new product or direction of travel. Keep up the good work.
@kevintrussell1967 5 ай бұрын
Every day there are new garden business”s starting up and some of them have just left school and just use mum and dad’s hedge cutter etc or borrow the customers equipment and then put all the green waste in their bin and charge ridiculously low prices because they have no overheads so how can you compete with them it just a waste of time trying to but the customer thinks it’s cheaper so it’s better it really annoys me seeing just how many people think they know what they are doing but have no clue but it must be the latest craze to become a gardener 😢
@ScottBuckland 5 ай бұрын
I’ve just raised my hourly rate to £30ph for general gardening, and lawns are going up by 20%. Waste has gone up by 50%. It is what it is
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
I agree with you.👍
@jasonhewlett1283 5 ай бұрын
Times are tough, but you need to keep increasing prices a little and often . ☺️
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
So true! Thank you.
@alanrounsevell3334 5 ай бұрын
Keep your chin up Rob there is plenty more out there . Love you channel buddy great job. Yours big Al from Cornwall
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thanks Al , all the best.
@kevintodd6150 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob, greetings from Whitley Bay ! I’m a former time served painter and decorator, and now work part time as gardener for a good friend! I think the reason why some people won’t pay the increase is the same reason some people won’t pay the going rate for decorating, i.e they can do it themselves. I would tell customers who said ( after giving them a price) that they would do it themselves, that obviously that was their choice, but it wouldn’t be as good a job, it wouldn’t last as long and it would take them weeks, when I could do it a couple of days.Exactly the same as gardening, if they can do it themselves, then if they think it’s too dear, then they will! It’s a completely different story if someone needs an electrician, plumber etc! They may not be happy paying the price, but they have no alternative. Thanks for taking the effort to make the videos, and don’t forget,” when the green golds growing, get mowing”😁
@Nickpaintbrush 5 ай бұрын
Good luck mate I seem to be able to charge decent prices for decorating when I'm recommended, which is most of the time so I guess the same applies to gardening!
@kevintodd6150 5 ай бұрын
Thanks Nick, Its half the battle when you've been recommended, or you have repeat customers. Your customers obviously know they'll be getting a good job, and they're prepared to pay a good price, as they know what they're going to get! Even if the price is more than they expected! Take care 👍
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you Kevin, appreciate your comment. Good luck for the season.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thanks Nick.
@tsid5870 5 ай бұрын
Keep your chin up Rob. I've been listening to a podcast called entre leadership it's by an American guy called Dave Ramsey. The episodes from around March 23 onwards are with Dave presenting them. I've found it very inspiring and also interesting to hear how other people deal with challenges in their business. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. I have every faith that you will have another busy year this year. Keep being friendly with customers. It's what comes naturally to you and putting that positive energy into the world will attract more positivity back. 👊
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you . I will check out the pod cast.
@fwlp11 5 ай бұрын
Rob you’re great, don’t take it to heart. Everyone is cutting back and an increase or over 10% is justified but a bitter pill when everything else is going up.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you, appreciated.
@thedorsetbeachbum 5 ай бұрын
don't sweat mate I'm finding it hard this year, being told £20 is to expensive being well under cut down here.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that.👍🏻
@tonybush1115 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob.I wouldn't worry about too much.I consistently lose about 10% of customers at season start,. As long as you've put your prices up accordingly this mitigates for much of the loss. Regards Tony
@garryedwards8451 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob enjoyed the video as always. I put my lawn mowing prices up £5 last year. First time in 5 years, Never lost any customers. I don't think a yearly increase is wise, they just wont stand for it. I know its not a lot over the course of the season, They only see it per visit. Best wishes Garry Solihull.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Hello Garry. This is the first increase in over two years and the gardens / lawns are hard work. Access etc. I am able to do them quickly because of the equipment. We will see what happens. All the best .
@petersellers6104 5 ай бұрын
This is the issue with the domestic market, small minded people with no idea of the costs of running a legitimate business. We are nearly all commercial and you are negotiating with customers who know and appreciate your costs to supply a professional and reliable service, we have increased our prices by 10% this year without loss. I think that possibly messaging/email is not the correct way to go about it. We have found that taking the time to visit and speak to customers explaining the reasons for the increase will give a much better outcome than just sending a message/email saying it's going up by whatever.
@user-cy9il3fs4s 5 ай бұрын
My Gardener is very greedy not by the amount he charges but for the fact he still wants to cut my lawn in December when their is a snowman in the garden
@adamrobinson2696 5 ай бұрын
Good on you Rob, I like how you stick to your principles! I have got rid some of clients for various reasons with nothing else lined up. However, I’m confident that I will replace them. I have gained another two this week, how long they will last is up to them or ultimately me! If you are good at what you do and the competition is either cheaper and not as good, the market is yours! By the sounds of it, you are a cut above the rest, excuse the pun and sounding like I’m blowing smoke up your arse. 😂
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you for your kind words Adam. All the best going forward/
@user-pb4hw2ll5c 5 ай бұрын
The son/grandson will do it is common. You will probably get a call mid summer asking you to come back and tidy up the overgrown garden. I don't tell them beforehand and make a big deal of it, after the first visit I just say its gone up by £2 or whatever.
@jamesmcdaid6124 5 ай бұрын
I am self-employed for 20 years mate what public don't get is like everyone else things as go up don't take it to Hart just keep going 👍 👏
@mariepownall6629 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob, don’t be phased , we cannot believe the attitude of some of the folks you described! We made an increase last year in most of the mows we had under- priced and are holding the prices on our regulars this time, but that’s different . Marie&David , Grassbusters , IOM
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thanks Marie, good luck going forward.
@garycatley7809 5 ай бұрын
Hi,i hear you mate,i'm a 1 man band from n,lincs,customers eh! i've put my prices up thinking/hoping i would lose a couple and so far everyone has said yes,ok,not a problem! typical!great videos,cheers
@MichaelWarnock 5 ай бұрын
Last year I put my rates up by 10% but I made sure that my clients knew it was in line with inflation and pointed out that their state pensions will also be going up 10%. Everyone said that's fine. This year, wage inflation is 8%. As a result of the triple lock, my clients state pensions will be going up by that amount. Furthermore, energy prices are dropping. I got an email saying my direct debit to EDF is going from £280 a month down to £160 a month. Nice! So my clients are probably getting drops in their energy prices too and things not so bad as far as their cost of living is concerned. Those clients still in work will of course be averaging out at 8% wage increase as well and can't argue that I not get a pay rise. So, I'll be putting my prices up by roughly 8% this year (to the nearest pound)
@carlwaylett7013 5 ай бұрын
Hi rob did you tell all your customers the price is going up? How many have you lost then? Are you not worried just in case new customers don’t happen. I totally agree with what you say thou sometimes prices have to go up and it is sometimes to get new customers. All the best rob👍
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
I will know the full facts next week after I send the second message out . Some are slow to respond. Watching this space. Am I worried, a little.
@peterholley7829 5 ай бұрын
Another great video..... You have set your plan in place , and rightly so. Don't let these customers change your thinking. just keep plugging away to get your "tailor made" round at your prices and know your worth. It can be extremely frustrating , even though we try not to let it drag us down.... these customers that cancelled will end up having a below par service or end up paying more in the long run . their ego probably wont let them contact you again ... I am not a gardener btw... I am a window cleaner of 32 years .... just something I have been pondering on is the types of jobs I do on my round. I like the smaller jobs . eg for the standard small semi , I charge £14 on average ... I can do 3/4 an hour just plodding along (im 52) some larger detached houses I do at £25 or £30 on average ...... but when I break it down these larger properties are the size of 3 or 4 small semi detatched..... see the difference ? they should be more like £40 to £50, but I wont get that within reason. just a thought
@125adfTtp 5 ай бұрын
The customers I have are happy with my prices but I need to keep advertising.If customers want cheap they get cheap then they are unhappy and eventually have to always find someone else it's a never ending stagnant cycle.
@darter216 5 ай бұрын
Nobody likes price increases but it’s a fact of life….I personally wouldn’t mind it especially if I had the same person doing a good job for me
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you , appreciate your comment.
@andrewmardell85 2 ай бұрын
All businesses have to increase prices but lots of tradesman think there making a good living but more than likely breaking even at best and what's the point in that
@shanedavies6846 5 ай бұрын
dont worry about them Rob, we spoke last year i had someone drop me when i put price up and was more saying work was poor etc i didnt even bit back with a message to them but then they called me up can you come do the garden again last spring come back to sort the garden i said slot has gone now and like you just said on here the phones are getting warm now i have had 5 new inquiries this week and 8 asking when am i starting back " scrap the crap" mate if the coffee goes up in coffee shop they will pay it to keep up with the joneses if not willing to pay us they are not worth our time mate the slot will get full my way people are telling me they cant find people to do work. all the best mate
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
You’re right Shane. Thank you and all the best.
@pablo9364 5 ай бұрын
It's hard not to feel emotional about it (most good gardeners do i think). Sounds like the ones who said no might ring back as the sun starts shining more. 👏 i admire your business acumen
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you, appreciate your kind words.
@adamstockton67 5 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that Rob. You will replace them no problem.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you Adam.
@davidedge630 5 ай бұрын
I really like your channel - I work for a huge corporation (and nothing to do with garden care) but I’m always interested in how smaller businesses “tick”. I can see both sides of the discussion - but I do agree with your point that they might contact other people and realise they were getting a well priced service from you. Might be a bit of a wake up for some customers as well! Keep up the good work and great content David Cheshire UK
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you David, appreciate your comment.
@adamslawnandgardencare9403 5 ай бұрын
Rob. Great post, price increases are always a thorny subject with customers, yes we do need to keep pace with prices etc. But I try to be realistic around what percentage we up our prices, £35 to £40 i believe is around 15%. If that was on the back of an increase last year I would question it as well. I’m not a great believer in annual increases as such, I’ll go couple of years. I also set my new customers prices at the higher end ie if it’s a £20 lawn the new customer would be £25 that way I don’t need to worry about an annual increase. My business model is lots of small medium lawns, high volume at a reasonable price. My minimum is £15 for for a small lawn that takes 10 minutes and in £5 increments up to my largest lawn at £40 which is half an hour. That way I’m easily 15 plus lawns a day. High volume at a reasonable price is my way, but I have very compact rounds with minimal travelling so that won’t work for everyone. I’ll also speak to the customer regarding rises face to face, I find emails a bit impersonal. You do what is best for you, I’ve said before it’s your business therefore it’s your rules!
@garyyorke1080 2 ай бұрын
If you lose them that's their problem . Definitely keep a good service at a decent rate . Nothing is for nothing in today's world it's all based on costs . I'm in the joinery and builders merchant trade and quite often we get customers complaining about prices and off they go to another supplier only to come back later as the new local supplier doesn't carry the stock or item they want , yes competition is good for business however in today's economy it's the supply and costs that go up rather than the wages . You're in business to make a living doing something you like doing I'm sure if the customer was asked would they continue running a business if all you did was meet costs and not get any profits which probability is returned to update and replace machinery and tooling . Not just covering day to day running costs .
@fortnightlygardenmaintenan8987 5 ай бұрын
Thats why i havent put prices up since covid started everyone is struggling i wont be putting my prices up again this year
@mcpheesgardeningservices 5 ай бұрын
lets get some real time on this subject ..onya Rob for what you have done of course we need to raise prices ...Not sure what you guys do in the uk but in down under oz we raise prices during the peak season when every one is flat chat and normally we split the rises amongst customers ,I raise prices in groups rather then the whole ...When you raise prices in the peak if the y complain well there's a lot of others that come on board..you have to call bluff with the because if you don't your will go broke quick...we have prices rises with out stuff like you said so they have to passed on for us to survive ..timing is the key different around the world but we just do it in peak season there's no wriggle room
@ngpears 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob, long time watcher, first time poster, gardener for over 20 years. I relate to most of your videos, all I will say on this matter, do you know what alot of your competitors charge in the area? Every couple of years I phone my competitors pretending to be joe bloggs to see what they charge for different jobs, could be a case your at the top end of charging, just a thought
@martjadex 5 ай бұрын
I’ve built up the confidence after 5 years and messaged all my customers adding £5 or £2.50 and I was worried when I didn’t hear back from some for a couple of days and then all have said it’s fine .
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Pleased to hear it . 👍🏻
@Ken-dr9gu 5 ай бұрын
Been there got the tee shirt. Learned the hard way that if they only want you because your cheaper than others, forget them they find out the hard way that if you give a good service it cost. After the new person does their work you will be shocked by how many plead for you to come back, but remember if they do it once they will do it again.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Wise words, thank you for sharing your experience.
@andrewsflicks7920 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob - great topic as usual. I don't think that there's anything wrong becoming friends with your clients, i think that happens automatically with trust and regularity...but just keep in mind if they drop you, it's nothing personal, it's just business...sad but true... The other thing is when you're putting prices up by £5 on a £35 lawn thats over 14%...if it's £2.50 on a £25 lawn that just 10%...big difference. Is the cost of living round about 7% just now...maybe not such a big increase would do the trick, but definitely do it every year, as it's probably too big an increase every 2 years for people...small steps... With your new clients I assume you're giving them the increased price from the off? The way I'm doing it is I'm doing the increase in May, as thats when i first started, but the client is kind of captured too, as they would struggle to find another gardener if the don't like my prices...just business after all...sorry for the long post...all the best Rob, your book will be full in no time, your pride has just taken a knock thats all...cheers 😊👍
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
A great comment Andrew. It’s the first increase in over two years and yes it’s to bring them in line with new higher paying customers. The gardens are hard work too. Access etc. 👍🏻
@jongarratt5383 5 ай бұрын
Ive just lost a customer after informing them my prices have had to go up by inflation, shes bloody minted
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
It’s beyond me. Replace with a better customer.
@waynehodge7063 3 ай бұрын
I started in 2008 and my prices for pretty much most of my customers have not changed since then but when I put some of them up 2.50 they got really funny and I lost a few , you can never tell , Also had one that I had never put the price up but with the weather we weve had we missed 2 cuts so a month of cuts and she got rid of me, Also the problem I ve had this year is the rain ,I have been stood on doorsteps with it pssing it down and customers have not understood why we arent cuttig the lawn....madness. as ever awesome videos keep em coming youll always pick up more people.........
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 3 ай бұрын
Thanks Wayne. You never lose customers, you replace with better. A wise man told me that.👍🏻
@waynehodge7063 3 ай бұрын
Cheers I like that way of thinking
@HWrenMaintenanceServicesLTD 5 ай бұрын
Business running costs and the cost of living has increased. Tradespeople have got to increase prices to at the least keep up with inflation, otherwise you are basically working for less than last year! Like you said in a previous video, remember they are clients not friends and you're right but I think as humans we naturally become more "pally" with people we see on a regular basis.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Great point! I am so guilty of becoming friends with customers. Need to learn going forward.
@charlesfalconer6231 5 ай бұрын
There is not much loyalty nowadays , you are trustworthy , reliable , and do a good job , yet the customers quibble about a couple of quid !!! your right about not getting too friendly ? because a lot of customers think kindness is a form of weakness !! just learn to move on and forget them !! it can be a bit hurtful but they are not worth loosing sleep over !!
@christopherhughes3029 5 ай бұрын
Hi Rob. Two years ago I put my prices up by 10 percent. Because inflation was running at least that and I had not done a price increase for a few years. Everybody excepted that but one did not. He said "I'm not paying you that no way. ". He was the one I thought would say no problem I understand but no. I said ok I would keep working for the old rate for a while because I had done that garden for 15 years and see how it went on. Anyway next time I went be have me 25% more than usual and said take that and I will pay that everytime. I did not ask why but he may have phoned around and either couldn't find another gardener or they wanted much more money than me. Anyway I didn't ask and just take the money. It will be their loss of they let you go... Spring is coming. Regards. Chris.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you Chris, enjoyed reading your comment. 👍🏻
@scooter0012 5 ай бұрын
Wait until the soil temperature is above 8c, there is the first blast of heat and the grass rockets up. That is when they realise the crap equipment they have doesn’t cut it, quite literally! As I previously posted, the kit I’m carrying for a basic mow, blow and go is £2k. A fortnightly cut is right at the limit based on growth in that period and they will soon realise that a small electric mower and serious physical graft, versus paying an extra £5 isn’t worth it. On a side note, the worst people I have encountered this year are property factors. They are trying to bolt you into a 3 year fixed price with the promise of a guaranteed contract. They are also ready to chuck you under a bus by telling the client about increases in percentage rather than saying it’s a £5 increase per cut. Often that looks worse.
@stevebaylis7973 5 ай бұрын
I think you might need to hold fire on putting your rates up this year.We are entering a recession. In my experience, the first thing to go is the gardener when money is tight.Plus, when other trades are starting to struggle .If they have a van, they go out trying to get gardening work to make ends meet .Everyone one goes out trying to pinch the work even if they don't have a clue what they are doing .Hope it all works out for you
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
Thank you .
@starman1969 5 ай бұрын
I lost my biggest job after putting in a price increase, and it was the beginning of the end for my gardening business. The site was a huge block of flats by a marina, it was an all year round job. After 3 years of holding, I tried to put the price up by 10% but the new management company that had recently taken over, fired me. That was after working at the flats from 1994 to 2017 (23 years). No golden handshake for me.
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
That is absolutely terrible, people can be so cruel. All the best to you .
@justinchance125 2 ай бұрын
You’ll fill the gap or do less work for same money until you do. When they realise what they’ve lost they’ll want you back. I’m not a Gardner I have a Barbershop I’ve serviced people for 20yrs and they dump you without a blink of the eye 👁️
@ianmccaughan7121 5 ай бұрын
Some years in the past I haven't put my prices up but now I find best to put it up by 50P or £1. Per hour. Or per grass cut, but if you put it up by £2 per hour they complain
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
£2 is nothing really. All the best Ian.
@ianmccaughan7121 5 ай бұрын
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices I agree with you ,but I have found that they complain if I do that, so better to just get them every start of the year by £1 and with my one off hedge cuts I put on what I feel they and me are happy with .It keeps them coming back .
@alex_n8863 5 ай бұрын
It's a difficult one, I've put a few up to test the water. Some have come back ok. I've lost a couple, but they're ones i wanted to lose anyway. Got a couple more lined up this year. Swings and roundabouts...
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
You’re so right. Testing the water is a great idea.
@danielorchard8979 5 ай бұрын
Hang in there rob,we had to increase our price by 20percent as went over the vat threshold a couple of years ago (construction work) and people accepted it otherwise we couldnt do the work without charging the vat. Not booked up as much but we still get work,This separates us (my company and you a proper company) from the people doing it as a side hustle so to speak, the grandson, the benefit claimant etc
@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices 5 ай бұрын
I totally get it Dan. Good luck going forward.👍🏻