The Search For Mower Man

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I just came across this email that I wrote some years ago and found it to not only be somewhat humorous – but also found that it contained some important lessons on how to and how not to service your customers.

‘Just thought I’d share the latest about my adventure to find a mower man. It’s quite humorous and I’ve sorta written it in a lazy style….

My guy – Andrew – who has been with me for over two years decided to sell his mowing business to Frank. Now Andrew was lean and muscly and a mean, lean, mowing machine who was always on time and always did an excellent job. I rewarded him with a cool drink most times that he turned up and mowed.

And then there was Frank – well Frank was carrying a few extra kilos than he probably should have. I sort of knew what was coming. But I gave him a chance, but he just didn’t have it – no attention to detail that is. So Frank was invited to leave after just one week.

Now Andrew had spoilt me for years for $20 a mow, and only recently put it up to $25 – probably to attract his buyers, and so he could charge more for his business.

So I then hired another Andrew. Now Andrew is a good name – had lasted me over two years without a hitch. This Andrew though was going to charge me $30 – well what with petrol price rises etc. I can handle $30, though I would have liked to have gone back to $25. So Andrew turns up last Friday to mow my lawns. But then I get a phone call. Andrew declares that my lawns don’t need a mow. So he won’t see me until the following Friday. I come home. I don’t know what he saw, but I saw differently. He obviously needed glasses, and even my dog agrees – cause I had to look at un-mown lawn all long weekend. So Andrew didn’t last for long either.

So I then ring another guy who has a fancy ad in the newspaper. Says he will turn up in an hour after my call. He does that. I’m impressed. He then says he will charge me $45 for the privilege – probably paying for the ad. I say that that is double of what I normally pay. He smirks and leaves. I throw his magnet in the bin.

So I heads for the local noticeboard and find Des. He is mowing acreage at the time and says he will come and check out our lawn in a few hours. He does. He never calls. I have to call him a couple of times and then finally got him at the pub. He says $35. I ask if he can come down to $30. He slams the phone in my ear. I tear up his business card.

I then hit the web and find another half a dozen guys – all of which will descend on my property to quote. I wonder if they’ll all arrive at the same time.

Shelley has even emailed an old friend who I know would do it for $25 if he still mows.

I even sent out a call for a mower man to all my friends by email, and it is possible that I could end up with 200 mower men descending on my place to quote. It could be quite a scene.

Oh well, wait until you read the final report. I hope it is a mown lawn, or maybe it might not need a mow after all, from all the guys who have walked across my property in their boots this week, and have flattened the whole lawn.’

Tags: Business, Excellence