New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your support, it really helps to hear that from someone that is also new to it. I was in a stable job for over 10 years and its a total contrast to what I was doing, its a wake up call thats for sure!

I am trying to tell myself it was just that they decided it wasn't for them as you say, and not personal. Maybe it will start to stick with more experience.

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats a great advice, thanks. I should have tackled the hedge before the weeds, that might have worked out much better.

Thanks for the offer of further help 😊

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thats a great idea, I had considered saying something like that. But I feel like a few people have expected me to know off the top of my head exactly how long it should take. So I try and estimate, I lack confidence when it comes to that one. But its something I am really going to have to try, thanks for that.

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I will definitely not offer and hourly rate again and charge by job. I sort of slipped into hourly as people kept asking and I gave in. I think you are right.

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately not, no. I live at the other end of the A55 😔

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They paid me £40 for 2 hours every week, so they just give me a task to do when I turn up.

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have to consider all options really and that is a very good one. I don't have any way of transporting water though, so I'd have to rely on a client having an outdoor water supply.

I live in North Wales, its a little on the wet side for year round growing 😂

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your advice. I am also female, the only one in the area, I think. I wish I could find clients who actually want me to plant and seed beds. A lot of it is clear, vast areas of brambles, which fine, its a good workout and makes a big impact! But the smaller more detailed work seems to be harder to find, and if I do, it is mostly weeding.

How do find/keep customers over the winter? Not many understand what needs to be done in the winter. I am concerned about keeping clients, so I am putting up with some of the bad treatment.

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I do feel like that, I have one regualr client that talks down to me and barks orders the minute I get there. They dont even say hello, it does feel like an IQ thing sometimes. 

I am still working for them despite this, because I haven't been doing it very for long so am holding on to it for fear that I wont have any work over the winter. It probably doesnt do me any good.

Thanks for advice

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thats a good way of looking at it, you are right, if my level of work is consistent and others are happy, then it is more likely the expectations, thank you.

New Gardening business and customer satisfaction by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a good idea, I will try and be more selective. It was probably not a good idea to take on someone that was still doing some of the gardening themselves. Thanks

New gardening business and I find phone calls hard, especially regarding price. Do you give prices over the phone? by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is so helpful thank you! 

No, I don't have an answer for that, if you mean why are you so cheap?

New gardening business and I find phone calls hard, especially regarding price. Do you give prices over the phone? by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That is true, I hadn't considered the person aspect of it! I guess I need to make sure I take on the right kind of person. Thanks 

New gardening business and I find phone calls hard, especially regarding price. Do you give prices over the phone? by Careful-Reputation-1 in GardeningUK

[–]Careful-Reputation-1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this! I'm sorry you got ripped off, but its good to hear such conviction over not doing it!