Video Transcript
00:01
Mike Allen here with Callahan’s
00:02
Mike Allen here with Callahan’s corner where you ask the
00:04
corner where you ask the questions we answer them live
00:05
questions we answer them live right here on Facebook so one
00:06
right here on Facebook so one of the questions that was
00:09
of the questions that was submitted was talking about
00:10
submitted was talking about when is the appropriate time to
00:13
when is the appropriate time to have a conversation about
00:14
have a conversation about payment when payment is due
00:16
payment when payment is due with your new and existing
00:18
with your new and existing clients and repercussions of
00:19
clients and repercussions of not actually paying the
00:22
not actually paying the contractor as well. So got a
00:24
contractor as well. So got a picture here. right off my
00:25
picture here. right off my phone I wanted to grab this
00:27
phone I wanted to grab this came about when I actually
00:29
came about when I actually looked at my phone this morning
00:30
looked at my phone this morning when I woke up on one of the
00:32
when I woke up on one of the Facebook groups gentleman
00:32
Facebook groups gentleman actually had a really. And it
00:35
actually had a really. And it had 70 comments in the last,
00:36
had 70 comments in the last, let’s say 13 or 14 hours, so I
00:38
let’s say 13 or 14 hours, so I knew it was a hot topic and
00:39
knew it was a hot topic and it’s something I think is
00:41
it’s something I think is service business-owners. We
00:43
service business-owners. We struggle with a lot at least in
00:44
struggle with a lot at least in the early years, I did the
00:46
the early years, I did the gentleman’s question is why do
00:47
gentleman’s question is why do customers get so defensive when
00:49
customers get so defensive when you ask them to get paid well,
00:51
you ask them to get paid well, definitely not picking on this
00:53
definitely not picking on this gentleman because I have been
00:54
gentleman because I have been in that predicament more than a
00:56
in that predicament more than a few times but what I’ve learned
00:57
few times but what I’ve learned after 25 years of running a
00:59
after 25 years of running a lawn care and snow removal
01:00
lawn care and snow removal business in the Northeast is
01:02
business in the Northeast is there is. A preferred way in a
01:06
there is. A preferred way in a not so preferred way of going
01:07
not so preferred way of going out and making sure you’re
01:09
out and making sure you’re getting paid. so what we wanna
01:11
getting paid. so what we wanna do is have an upfront clear
01:13
do is have an upfront clear expectations. I’m actually
01:14
expectations. I’m actually gonna open up my screen here to
01:15
gonna open up my screen here to show you an example of one of
01:16
show you an example of one of the ways you can handle this
01:19
the ways you can handle this and some examples right from my
01:20
and some examples right from my lawn care and snow removal
01:22
lawn care and snow removal company how we actually handle
01:23
company how we actually handle this. so this is the back end
01:24
this. so this is the back end of a estimate template in the
01:27
of a estimate template in the software use so this is really
01:28
software use so this is really not software specific by any
01:30
not software specific by any means it doesn’t matter the
01:31
means it doesn’t matter the software you’re using With the
01:34
software you’re using With the idea here, we’ve got a a lawn
01:35
idea here, we’ve got a a lawn mowing and it was based on 7000
01:38
mowing and it was based on 7000 square feet, so we’re charging
01:39
square feet, so we’re charging 45 bucks. We know how long it’s
01:42
45 bucks. We know how long it’s gonna take and it cost and then
01:43
gonna take and it cost and then we’ve added in drive time for
01:45
we’ve added in drive time for this postal code of eight box
01:46
this postal code of eight box the consumer. what you’re gonna
01:48
the consumer. what you’re gonna see is gonna get an estimate
01:49
see is gonna get an estimate for $53 and nine cents, and
01:50
for $53 and nine cents, and that includes our on-site weed,
01:52
that includes our on-site weed, whacking mowing and our
01:54
whacking mowing and our budgeted time the reason I only
01:55
budgeted time the reason I only and the only reason I bring up
01:57
and the only reason I bring up the back end of this is your
01:58
the back end of this is your time is worth money as a
02:00
time is worth money as a business owner, whether you’re
02:01
business owner, whether you’re the owner. As a solopreneur out
02:04
the owner. As a solopreneur out there doing the work And Lawn
02:06
there doing the work And Lawn Care Home Cleaning or you’ve
02:07
Care Home Cleaning or you’ve got a crew of 20 or 30 guys and
02:09
got a crew of 20 or 30 guys and girls out in the field so there
02:11
girls out in the field so there is a cost of doing business and
02:13
is a cost of doing business and we should account for that. And
02:14
we should account for that. And if you’re doing the work you
02:15
if you’re doing the work you should be getting paid because
02:16
should be getting paid because you need to pay your employees
02:18
you need to pay your employees and vendors so we need to have
02:19
and vendors so we need to have some foundational Park here but
02:20
some foundational Park here but once we go out and Email this.
02:23
once we go out and Email this. out the idea is I am the new
02:26
out the idea is I am the new consumer now. I’m getting. I’m
02:27
consumer now. I’m getting. I’m getting this email what I’m
02:29
getting this email what I’m gonna recommend this best
02:29
gonna recommend this best practice when do we talk about?
02:33
practice when do we talk about? And when it’s appropriate is
02:33
And when it’s appropriate is I’m gonna recommend you send
02:35
I’m gonna recommend you send out some kind of automated
02:36
out some kind of automated Email the ability for the
02:38
Email the ability for the consumer to click the estimate
02:40
consumer to click the estimate and I’m gonna open the estimate
02:41
and I’m gonna open the estimate in a minute and show you how we
02:43
in a minute and show you how we deal with the payment situation
02:45
deal with the payment situation upfront when I’m also gonna
02:46
upfront when I’m also gonna recommend is before you get to
02:49
recommend is before you get to the proposal and we start
02:51
the proposal and we start talking about the difficult
02:53
talking about the difficult conversations of payment we
02:54
conversations of payment we offer something similar to this
02:56
offer something similar to this like a lead letter the major
02:58
like a lead letter the major five or six reasons why your
02:59
five or six reasons why your business is different We.
03:01
business is different We. A hundred percent risk-free
03:03
A hundred percent risk-free money-back guarantee our truck
03:05
money-back guarantee our truck in the field checking the work
03:06
in the field checking the work we don’t ensure just the
03:08
we don’t ensure just the equipment and trucks, but we
03:09
equipment and trucks, but we ensure everything on your
03:11
ensure everything on your property with a liability
03:12
property with a liability policy of say
03:13
policy of say two million dollars we built
03:15
two million dollars we built system and systems to not go
03:17
system and systems to not go out and mow and fertilize the
03:19
out and mow and fertilize the same day we communicate. we
03:21
same day we communicate. we advise we’re accessible. these
03:23
advise we’re accessible. these are some of the hitters that I
03:24
are some of the hitters that I would recommend in there and
03:25
would recommend in there and some testimonials and the
03:29
some testimonials and the reason being is we are
03:30
reason being is we are elevating ourselves. We’re
03:32
elevating ourselves. We’re differentiating ourselves from
03:33
differentiating ourselves from our competitor. Literally on an
03:36
our competitor. Literally on an office or Home Depot, carbon
03:38
office or Home Depot, carbon copy handing their estimates
03:41
copy handing their estimates we’ve already elevated
03:42
we’ve already elevated ourselves up and above them and
03:44
ourselves up and above them and we’ve overcome most of the
03:46
we’ve overcome most of the sales and price objections in
03:47
sales and price objections in this lead letter. So we’ve
03:48
this lead letter. So we’ve shortened that sales so we’ve
03:50
shortened that sales so we’ve raised the higher perceived
03:51
raised the higher perceived values now in the consumer goes
03:52
values now in the consumer goes and clicks view my proposal now
03:54
and clicks view my proposal now here is the physical estimate
03:56
here is the physical estimate now, it doesn’t have to look
03:57
now, it doesn’t have to look like this. for saying this test
03:59
like this. for saying this test account, but there’s some key
04:00
account, but there’s some key elements here that I’m gonna
04:02
elements here that I’m gonna recommend after doing this for
04:03
recommend after doing this for 25 years that really should be
04:05
25 years that really should be in there. now you may have a
04:06
in there. now you may have a different. On it, but these are
04:08
different. On it, but these are the things we need to do
04:10
the things we need to do upfront in my opinion So first
04:11
upfront in my opinion So first of all we’ve got the option for
04:13
of all we’ve got the option for them to select their service
04:15
them to select their service and acceptance sign the screens
04:16
and acceptance sign the screens so we can go in and click lawn
04:18
so we can go in and click lawn mowing now. I’m not gonna
04:19
mowing now. I’m not gonna recommend this is best
04:20
recommend this is best practice, but it’s a point of.
04:23
practice, but it’s a point of. proof of concept I would take
04:23
proof of concept I would take the service details and service
04:25
the service details and service terms and put them in the
04:27
terms and put them in the bottom of the Dock and I’ll
04:29
bottom of the Dock and I’ll show you where that is, but.
04:31
show you where that is, but. service details for a lawn
04:32
service details for a lawn mowing. If you’re doing a home
04:33
mowing. If you’re doing a home cleaning, it’ll be very
04:34
cleaning, it’ll be very similar. it is $53 and
04:36
similar. it is $53 and nine cents a cut it’. Include
04:38
nine cents a cut it’. Include the weekly trimming the
04:40
the weekly trimming the landscape bed to the sidewalks
04:41
landscape bed to the sidewalks of building a paved services
04:42
of building a paved services the blowing of the services and
04:46
the blowing of the services and the blowing off the hard
04:46
the blowing off the hard surface such as driveway
04:48
surface such as driveway sidewalks when the lawn is
04:49
sidewalks when the lawn is being mowed, we are directing
04:51
being mowed, we are directing the clippings away from the
04:52
the clippings away from the building, a trees and landscape
04:53
building, a trees and landscape beds. This is gonna be for
04:54
beds. This is gonna be for performed once a week. service
04:58
performed once a week. service terms now we’re starting to get
05:00
terms now we’re starting to get in to the contractual
05:02
in to the contractual obligation of getting paid.
05:04
obligation of getting paid. lawn mowing contract auto renew
05:06
lawn mowing contract auto renew each year service can be
05:08
each year service can be cancelled anytime within a two
05:09
cancelled anytime within a two week notice. you’ll see. A far
05:12
week notice. you’ll see. A far part the two week notice can be
05:14
part the two week notice can be done by either the consumer or
05:16
done by either the consumer or the company. So this is where
05:17
the company. So this is where it’s gonna allow us to raise
05:18
it’s gonna allow us to raise our prices mid season if we’re
05:20
our prices mid season if we’re not making our dollar per hour
05:22
not making our dollar per hour goal without being outside of
05:23
goal without being outside of the term of the contract
05:25
the term of the contract customers responsible for all
05:28
customers responsible for all items furniture toys hoses pets
05:30
items furniture toys hoses pets et cetera and all personal
05:33
et cetera and all personal items should be removed from
05:33
items should be removed from the turf and landscape areas
05:35
the turf and landscape areas prior to the regularly
05:37
prior to the regularly scheduled day of service
05:39
scheduled day of service another financial thing before
05:40
another financial thing before we get to the payment that I
05:41
we get to the payment that I highly recommend in there the
05:43
highly recommend in there the contractor is not responsible
05:45
contractor is not responsible for either deciding. Or
05:49
for either deciding. Or anything directly adjacent to
05:50
anything directly adjacent to the grass area that needs to be
05:51
the grass area that needs to be weed whack or trimmed a lot of
05:53
weed whack or trimmed a lot of times customers will have
05:55
times customers will have siding that goes right into the
05:57
siding that goes right into the dirt and the grass and they’ll
05:58
dirt and the grass and they’ll expect us to weed whack up
06:00
expect us to weed whack up against vital siding. Now,
06:01
against vital siding. Now, obviously we’re hopeful we’re
06:03
obviously we’re hopeful we’re not to do that. but if the
06:06
not to do that. but if the consumer is forcing the issue
06:07
consumer is forcing the issue and they want us to weed whack
06:08
and they want us to weed whack up against it and that causes
06:09
up against it and that causes damage we are being clear and
06:12
damage we are being clear and upfront and transparent. What’s
06:13
upfront and transparent. What’s not included what’s included
06:15
not included what’s included and what we’re responsible and
06:16
and what we’re responsible and what we’re not and this is
06:17
what we’re not and this is gonna continue down into the
06:20
gonna continue down into the payment portion. Big issues,
06:23
payment portion. Big issues, especially in parts of
06:24
especially in parts of Northeast right now, is a
06:27
Northeast right now, is a massive drought. The customer
06:28
massive drought. The customer is responsible to call 24 hours
06:30
is responsible to call 24 hours to the prior prior scheduling
06:31
to the prior prior scheduling of the cutting day if they do
06:34
of the cutting day if they do not want their lawn mowed if no
06:36
not want their lawn mowed if no call is made the lawn will be
06:38
call is made the lawn will be cut and the consumer will be
06:39
cut and the consumer will be charged full price of the
06:41
charged full price of the cutting We’re once again
06:43
cutting We’re once again setting expectations of what
06:44
setting expectations of what this bill looks like so we go
06:46
this bill looks like so we go to collect the payment. they
06:47
to collect the payment. they know what’s going on. there
06:48
know what’s going on. there will be a 50 percent charge for
06:50
will be a 50 percent charge for any mowing skip to cover the
06:52
any mowing skip to cover the contractor. fixed cost of
06:55
contractor. fixed cost of insurance and other costs
06:58
insurance and other costs Associated with maintaining the
06:59
Associated with maintaining the lawn on a weekly contract. In
07:01
lawn on a weekly contract. In addition, there is a video here
07:04
addition, there is a video here that actually plays live inside
07:07
that actually plays live inside the estimate, highlighting all
07:08
the estimate, highlighting all of these things. so if they’re
07:09
of these things. so if they’re not reading it, they can
07:10
not reading it, they can visually listen to it and talk
07:13
visually listen to it and talk and basically have a virtual
07:14
and basically have a virtual conversation with the business
07:16
conversation with the business owner, highlighting what’s
07:17
owner, highlighting what’s included what’s not included
07:18
included what’s not included your satisfaction guarantee?
07:20
your satisfaction guarantee? What’s gonna be in there now.
07:23
What’s gonna be in there now. Invoicing detail once again,
07:24
Invoicing detail once again, we’re gonna be very clear of
07:26
we’re gonna be very clear of what we’re expecting all lawn
07:28
what we’re expecting all lawn mowing fertilizing is built on
07:30
mowing fertilizing is built on a weekly service with a credit
07:32
a weekly service with a credit card on file so once again
07:35
card on file so once again we’re requiring a credit card
07:38
we’re requiring a credit card on file now, what we did in the
07:40
on file now, what we did in the early days, this has been since
07:42
early days, this has been since updated is it’s no choice. You
07:44
updated is it’s no choice. You have to have a credit card on
07:46
have to have a credit card on file but before we went into
07:47
file but before we went into a hundred percent if the
07:48
a hundred percent if the consumer opts to not have a
07:50
consumer opts to not have a credit card on file the work
07:51
credit card on file the work will. And paid the month before
07:55
will. And paid the month before service so as we implemented a
07:57
service so as we implemented a credit card only process and
07:59
credit card only process and evolved into it, we allow them
08:00
evolved into it, we allow them to pay a month in advance. I’m
08:01
to pay a month in advance. I’m recommending at this point. do
08:02
recommending at this point. do not do that because it caused
08:06
not do that because it caused inconsistencies of workflow in
08:08
inconsistencies of workflow in the office but it will work.
08:10
the office but it will work. I’m recommending you don’t go
08:12
I’m recommending you don’t go go a hundred percent and if
08:13
go a hundred percent and if you’re gonna do it any work
08:14
you’re gonna do it any work that’s requested to be skipped.
08:17
that’s requested to be skipped. we’ll either be used as a
08:18
we’ll either be used as a credit for the next month or
08:20
credit for the next month or refunded for the customer’s
08:20
refunded for the customer’s request. So once again we’re
08:22
request. So once again we’re defining if they’re paying a
08:23
defining if they’re paying a month. That we still are
08:26
month. That we still are charging 50 percent off for the
08:28
charging 50 percent off for the skip up above spring cleanups
08:31
skip up above spring cleanups will require a hundred and $20
08:32
will require a hundred and $20 deposit before scheduling and
08:33
deposit before scheduling and fall clean ups will also
08:35
fall clean ups will also require a hundred and 50 –
08:38
require a hundred and 50 – dollar deposit before
08:40
dollar deposit before scheduling and maintenance
08:41
scheduling and maintenance jobs, including but not limited
08:43
jobs, including but not limited to shrub. pruning mulching bed
08:44
to shrub. pruning mulching bed maintenance will require a 50
08:46
maintenance will require a 50 percent deposit before service
08:48
percent deposit before service perform. That’s gonna be on the
08:49
perform. That’s gonna be on the credit card that’s required so
08:51
credit card that’s required so we can build the other 50
08:52
we can build the other 50 percent as soon as the job’s
08:52
percent as soon as the job’s done at the end of the
08:53
done at the end of the day of the. And then aeration
08:55
day of the. And then aeration overseeding and lawn rolling
08:57
overseeding and lawn rolling full payment before the
08:59
full payment before the services rendered, which would
09:00
services rendered, which would be the credit card reason being
09:02
be the credit card reason being is we’ve got burned on one time
09:03
is we’ve got burned on one time service such as aeration
09:06
service such as aeration overseeing if we only require
09:07
overseeing if we only require to have 50 percent deposit
09:09
to have 50 percent deposit chasing that money wasn’t worth
09:10
chasing that money wasn’t worth it. so if you’re gonna commit
09:11
it. so if you’re gonna commit wanna get on that fixed tight
09:13
wanna get on that fixed tight schedule for those fall or
09:15
schedule for those fall or spring season services, you’re
09:15
spring season services, you’re gonna pay us a hundred percent
09:17
gonna pay us a hundred percent upfront and you’re gonna have
09:19
upfront and you’re gonna have this written contract
09:20
this written contract electronically to protect you
09:21
electronically to protect you as the consumer now the
09:23
as the consumer now the general. We’ve labeled out
09:25
general. We’ve labeled out here. are also going the
09:27
here. are also going the customer include agrees to pay
09:29
customer include agrees to pay each monthly amounts specified
09:30
each monthly amounts specified on the monthly invoice honored
09:32
on the monthly invoice honored by the day indicated so that’s
09:33
by the day indicated so that’s gonna be for the prepayment if
09:35
gonna be for the prepayment if the customer understands value
09:39
the customer understands value to do so might result in
09:40
to do so might result in immediate termination of the
09:41
immediate termination of the contract without written
09:43
contract without written notice. So once again we’ve
09:45
notice. So once again we’ve protected ourselves as if they
09:46
protected ourselves as if they do not pay us and their credit
09:49
do not pay us and their credit cards on a weekly billing gets
09:51
cards on a weekly billing gets denied. We have the ability in
09:52
denied. We have the ability in the contract to immediately.
09:55
the contract to immediately. Their service, so hopefully
09:56
Their service, so hopefully they will never get past more
09:57
they will never get past more than one service because we’re
10:00
than one service because we’re running a credit card every
10:01
running a credit card every Tuesday from the previous week,
10:04
Tuesday from the previous week, any account that is not paid in
10:05
any account that is not paid in full right here within 10 days,
10:06
full right here within 10 days, maybe may not be service until
10:08
maybe may not be service until payment is made and once the
10:10
payment is made and once the payment is made if it is more
10:12
payment is made if it is more than seven days past the
10:13
than seven days past the regular scheduled mowing, there
10:15
regular scheduled mowing, there will be an additional charge in
10:16
will be an additional charge in the next cutting in order to
10:17
the next cutting in order to return the land to the proper
10:19
return the land to the proper condition that is manageable so
10:20
condition that is manageable so once again through transparent,
10:22
once again through transparent, we set the expectation that
10:23
we set the expectation that this. We’re collecting this is
10:25
this. We’re collecting this is when we’re collecting if the
10:26
when we’re collecting if the payment is not made, we will
10:28
payment is not made, we will terminate your service and if
10:29
terminate your service and if we haven’t terminated the
10:31
we haven’t terminated the service for a special exception
10:32
service for a special exception and it’s past seven days,
10:33
and it’s past seven days, there’s going to be an
10:35
there’s going to be an additional charge to get the
10:36
additional charge to get the lawn back into a regularly
10:38
lawn back into a regularly maintaining situation in
10:40
maintaining situation in addition, if we were doing
10:43
addition, if we were doing checked communicate or check
10:44
checked communicate or check payment for the pre-payment,
10:46
payment for the pre-payment, which I don’t recommend you do
10:48
which I don’t recommend you do anymore. I recommend a hundred
10:49
anymore. I recommend a hundred percent credit card only I’ll
10:51
percent credit card only I’ll checks that are returned to do
10:52
checks that are returned to do non efficient funds. The $35
10:55
non efficient funds. The $35 per occurrence fees, so we’ve
10:57
per occurrence fees, so we’ve upfront what they’re gonna pay
10:58
upfront what they’re gonna pay that that check balances and
11:00
that that check balances and customers also subject to
11:03
customers also subject to reasonable and collection
11:04
reasonable and collection attorney fees very huge care
11:06
attorney fees very huge care most States if this is included
11:08
most States if this is included when we send them to
11:10
when we send them to collections, it’s covering the
11:11
collections, it’s covering the court fees and a collection
11:12
court fees and a collection fees. so we’re gonna get our
11:13
fees. so we’re gonna get our money and the additional money
11:15
money and the additional money that it costs us to get our
11:17
that it costs us to get our money. They’re also be a one
11:19
money. They’re also be a one point five percent fee and 18
11:20
point five percent fee and 18 percent late fee year. Double
11:23
percent late fee year. Double check with your state laws
11:25
check with your state laws based on those late fees, but
11:27
based on those late fees, but I’d recommend get them up to
11:28
I’d recommend get them up to the maximum because that’s
11:29
the maximum because that’s money you need in your business
11:31
money you need in your business to operate make your payroll so
11:35
to operate make your payroll so question is is when you have
11:35
question is is when you have this conversation regarding
11:37
this conversation regarding payment It is immediate. it’s
11:39
payment It is immediate. it’s transparent and we’re telling
11:41
transparent and we’re telling them that require a credit card
11:42
them that require a credit card on file if we’re making some
11:43
on file if we’re making some exceptions. This is what it
11:45
exceptions. This is what it looks like if you’re past due,
11:47
looks like if you’re past due, here’s the implications before
11:49
here’s the implications before we get you back on the schedule
11:51
we get you back on the schedule and by non payment it is
11:53
and by non payment it is reasonable and. That you will
11:55
reasonable and. That you will be possibly terminated with no
11:58
be possibly terminated with no notice and based on the
12:01
notice and based on the services we set certain
12:02
services we set certain expectations of either 50
12:04
expectations of either 50 percent deposit or full payment
12:06
percent deposit or full payment to avoid historical issues.
12:07
to avoid historical issues. We’ve had now the consumers are
12:09
We’ve had now the consumers are gonna scroll down. We’ve got
12:10
gonna scroll down. We’ve got additional videos that are
12:11
additional videos that are gonna upsell and educate them
12:13
gonna upsell and educate them on our core services play they
12:14
on our core services play they play live in the video if your
12:17
play live in the video if your state requires a different
12:19
state requires a different contract renewal verbiage pre
12:22
contract renewal verbiage pre notification or MSD labels.
12:23
notification or MSD labels. We’ve connected those in the
12:25
We’ve connected those in the actual assets. so once again
12:26
actual assets. so once again we’re being upfront and
12:27
we’re being upfront and transparent and aligning with
12:28
transparent and aligning with the different law. In that
12:31
the different law. In that state, but the final part is
12:31
state, but the final part is they’re gonna go in and click
12:33
they’re gonna go in and click this. save it. print their name
12:36
this. save it. print their name out and hit accept now an
12:39
out and hit accept now an automated Email would go out to
12:40
automated Email would go out to them to let them know that
12:41
them to let them know that we’ve acknowledged their
12:43
we’ve acknowledged their acceptance of it and to do a
12:44
acceptance of it and to do a task pops up in my office to
12:47
task pops up in my office to within 12 hours, basically or
12:49
within 12 hours, basically or 20 – four hours one business
12:51
20 – four hours one business day for someone in the office
12:52
day for someone in the office to schedule that now, here’s
12:53
to schedule that now, here’s the key part. I’m gonna hop out
12:55
the key part. I’m gonna hop out of this here and the product
12:56
of this here and the product that we’re using to Service
12:58
that we’re using to Service Autopilot The browser here
13:01
Autopilot The browser here you’re gonna have a estimate
13:03
you’re gonna have a estimate now. that is one it’s triggered
13:04
now. that is one it’s triggered all those things, but here’s
13:06
all those things, but here’s the kicker a lot of times in
13:09
the kicker a lot of times in most States, especially in New
13:10
most States, especially in New York. I believe it’s up to
13:11
York. I believe it’s up to about $2000 a verbal contract
13:14
about $2000 a verbal contract is enforceable, but here’s the
13:18
is enforceable, but here’s the thing most collection agencies
13:20
thing most collection agencies and most consumers that I’m
13:23
and most consumers that I’m gonna call our Deadbeats are
13:24
gonna call our Deadbeats are not going to pay you because
13:25
not going to pay you because they say they never agreed to
13:27
they say they never agreed to it even if you had a GPS
13:27
it even if you had a GPS records that you were there
13:29
records that you were there every week what you wanna do
13:30
every week what you wanna do is. Signature information time
13:32
is. Signature information time date stamped with IP address
13:35
date stamped with IP address and then on the audit Trail,
13:36
and then on the audit Trail, I’m sorry the attachment I’ve
13:39
I’m sorry the attachment I’ve got a printable PDF of just the
13:41
got a printable PDF of just the services I selected with all
13:43
services I selected with all the verbiage and the electronic
13:46
the verbiage and the electronic signature that I just stuck on
13:48
signature that I just stuck on there That is folks. I will
13:50
there That is folks. I will tell you a slam dunk for any
13:52
tell you a slam dunk for any collection agency. We’re going
13:53
collection agency. We’re going to court any person we took the
13:54
to court any person we took the court for collections in my
13:56
court for collections in my business. We won a hundred
13:57
business. We won a hundred percent of the cases because we
14:00
percent of the cases because we have electronic signature time
14:01
have electronic signature time and date stamped. Address some
14:04
and date stamped. Address some people may think that the
14:05
people may think that the verbiage in for the skipping of
14:06
verbiage in for the skipping of the mowing are especially the
14:08
the mowing are especially the damage clause is kind of
14:10
damage clause is kind of ludicrous. It’s not we all know
14:12
ludicrous. It’s not we all know consumers ask us things up and
14:14
consumers ask us things up and above what we probably would
14:15
above what we probably would wanna do in our service
14:17
wanna do in our service offering and if that’s a deal
14:18
offering and if that’s a deal breaker and they’re okay with
14:19
breaker and they’re okay with us weed wacking very carefully
14:21
us weed wacking very carefully up against vinyl siding We have
14:24
up against vinyl siding We have told them that we are not
14:26
told them that we are not responsible for it So when two
14:27
responsible for it So when two years later, we’re three years
14:29
years later, we’re three years later, someone comes back and
14:29
later, someone comes back and sue you for damaged Sid. You
14:33
sue you for damaged Sid. You have this on file in your
14:34
have this on file in your system, you can pull it up and
14:35
system, you can pull it up and send it to them. it’s happened
14:37
send it to them. it’s happened once or twice in this literally
14:41
once or twice in this literally within hours stops the
14:43
within hours stops the litigation dead in its tracks
14:44
litigation dead in its tracks because they have signed a hold
14:46
because they have signed a hold harmless agreement for either
14:48
harmless agreement for either this or in snow removal and the
14:49
this or in snow removal and the same thing that we’re held
14:50
same thing that we’re held harmless for any landscape beds
14:53
harmless for any landscape beds right next to the pavement area
14:54
right next to the pavement area or any turf damage. you can
14:56
or any turf damage. you can elect to have us do it as part
14:57
elect to have us do it as part of the contract just repair.
14:59
of the contract just repair. but if you want for a base
15:00
but if you want for a base contract that didn’t cover turf
15:02
contract that didn’t cover turf or fixing, we had a whole harm.
15:05
or fixing, we had a whole harm. For damage to those areas
15:06
For damage to those areas adjacent to the pavement and we
15:08
adjacent to the pavement and we also have a hold harmless in
15:10
also have a hold harmless in there for slip and fall
15:11
there for slip and fall litigation folks, people aren’t
15:12
litigation folks, people aren’t gonna stop suing people aren’t
15:14
gonna stop suing people aren’t going to stop coming after you
15:15
going to stop coming after you for things the potentially are
15:19
for things the potentially are gray area. I recommend far as
15:21
gray area. I recommend far as your payment and hold harmless.
15:22
your payment and hold harmless. they’re clear and stated in
15:24
they’re clear and stated in your estimate and we have an
15:26
your estimate and we have an electronic signature on file
15:27
electronic signature on file and we’ve got the time and date
15:29
and we’ve got the time and date stamped IP address as well,
15:30
stamped IP address as well, those two of the combinations
15:32
those two of the combinations are a deadly factor in small
15:33
are a deadly factor in small claims court. Your insurance
15:35
claims court. Your insurance company will go to bat for you
15:36
company will go to bat for you each and every time that you
15:37
each and every time that you can provide that So comments
15:39
can provide that So comments and questions drop em below
15:40
and questions drop em below Callahan’s corner. You ask the
15:41
Callahan’s corner. You ask the questions we answered live
15:42
questions we answered live right here on Facebook. We
15:44
right here on Facebook. We wanna give a big shout out to
15:45
wanna give a big shout out to Matthew Snyder there in the
15:47
Matthew Snyder there in the upstate New York area or mid
15:49
upstate New York area or mid state area as well and if you
15:51
state area as well and if you need a hand with that, let me
15:52
need a hand with that, let me know, but hopefully this was
15:54
know, but hopefully this was helpful regarding payment and
15:55
helpful regarding payment and some of the other things I
15:56
some of the other things I recommend putting in your
15:58
recommend putting in your estimate and contractual
15:59
estimate and contractual documents, especially before
16:00
documents, especially before going into the fall and snow
16:01
going into the fall and snow removal season as Matthew’s
16:02
removal season as Matthew’s probably doing here. Near
16:04
probably doing here. Near future, so we’ll talk to you
16:05
future, so we’ll talk to you guys later, we’ll see you
16:06
guys later, we’ll see you again. Callahan’s USA Questions