Some times i wonder

[Chuck Sinclair]

I have been taking classes at the local collage at night for Horticulture, I find it interesting the people you meet there.
I met one couple running a scapen biz and you can tell by listening to them that they will try to get away with anything they can, don't have the proper licenses and insurance, I reported them to the state contractors board.

Then threes this other guy that has been in biz for 20 years and complains that his customers havent GIVEN him a raise in 5 years, When he said that I looked at him and asked what do you mean havent given you a raise you should be raising your prices yearly. He just looked at me like i was from a different planet.
he's a nice guy and all but he is a SCRUB illegal to the end

[Esby]

As with any industry you are going to find all variations of lawncare "professionals"(term used loosely); from the very worst-to the very best. Sometimes the people who "cut corners" and "bend the law" make it hard to compete for pricing on some jobs, but often their work is near the same level of thier professionalism. How good do YOU want to be? Its all about presenting your business and bringing yourself towards the top of the business world. The people who try SO hard to save a buck here and there, don't educate themselves, and cheat the law will never find themselves where they could have been with a different approach.

[Crazygator]

The guy who hasnt had the "RAISE" is typical. He cuts corners and it must show. If he was 1/2 decent he could bring prices up some. But since he does just enough to get the job, then the job pays just enough to survive. Guys like that wonder how guys like us make it. I mean paying all those taxes, liscense, those expensive mowers and what have you, we surely cant make any money now can we? WHATEVER!

Sometimes we think we had a hard day. Think what the people you describe has to go through each and everyday. Talk about a struggle. No way for me! I'll do it the legal way and have less to worry about.

[Jean'sLandscape]

When I saw this thread, I had to say something.

I live about 75 miles from Chuck. I know the conditions that he deals with first hand as I've been dealing with this for the last 10 years. I personally think that it is worse here than up there in the Sacramento area.

I been making my money off the people who:
Aren?t around because they didn't charge enough and just stopped showing up.
Didn?t know the difference between bluegrass and cheat grass

I do have to admit, there are some scrubs that do good work. I just wish that it would be worth my time to report them to the proper authorities. I have yet to see any of these guys stop working in this field because they got busted.

John