ill-mannered customers. It’s time for change. 

These rude people don't realise how good they have got it. Having a top bloke like you doing their lawns. Keep your chin up Rob , I in particular love your work ethic and the fact you pass on your knowledge to the wider gardening population.

Some good points Rob well done .Let me put it bluntly and some will not like what I have to say...Customers are just that customers , they are not your friend you dont and they dont owe you any favours .Its a business as long as you act in a professional way to the customer,It is a means to make your business successful and more importantly profitable .Commercial customers are the reality of running a business, they need the job done and thats it ,no please kiss me bum or whatever its job done.They are easy to deal with as you rarely have much contact as long as you are reliable and do a good job..Over the years I have had many domestic customers that try to put me down or stuff me around and its a simple process of letting them go..there is always another one around the corner.I dont care if they say thanks or not as I dont get too ,close to my clients, if they wish to give me a xmas gift well and good and if not no dramas .I know sometimes there are exceptions where you have a client that becomes a friend and thats different although it does break my rule of never service friends, neighbours or family ...always ends in tears because the expectation of the what is to done and paid become a problem.

Keep the customer base fresh Robbie lad And remember when the Green gold is growing…………keep moving

Hi Rob, morning, you are absolutely correct, ‘ a thick skin ‘ , within gardening is something that I believe all gardeners acquire over time. Often it’s those customers that you least expect, surprise you . I will always be friendly to all of my customers , as I believe this costs nothing, I insist that my staff and I are always polite and respectful. But I also expect the same level of respect and courtesy from my customers towards me and my team. I have also left customers in the past who haven’t shown what I believe to be a level of respect. Some customers have laughed and said ‘ you can’t afford to do that ‘ when I have explained my reasoning for not working for them any longer. I always smile and inform them that ‘ I can ! ‘ . I believe that my clients think more from me because of my high standards of honesty, care for their gardens, and integrity . Keep up your great work Rob, keep smiling, don’t let the buggers get you down. Mark.

You are absolutely right mate. I was brought up to treat people as you want to be treated yourself. There are customers which are selfish and look down on you because you are ‘just a gardener’, but they forget that the good ones, like yourself, are knowledgeable and do a job to a high standard. Life is too short to work for toxic people and like you say, move on and find nice people. Doing a cracking job on the videos Rob. Keep them coming please, as I love to hear your thoughts on gardening etc and relates to me and every other gardener out there.

Being thanked for your hard work is very nice. Don't stress about customers they won't be stressing about you!

We are in difficult time's but that shouldn't change how people treat you . I dropped a customer during covid lockdown because they thought they could moan and be disrespectful. One door closes and another one opens. All the best Rob 👍

Wow! You have put into words exactly what I have been thinking lately about some of my clients, and yes it definitely makes it easier to either put them up or get rid of them altogether when they have put you down or been mean to you in some way! Thanks mate for confirming what I was already thinking!👍

Great video. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for all the hard work, making videos Rob 🙂 keep it up!

Hi Rob it's Gary window cleaner I have customers who get me cards and gifts at Xmas and those who wouldn't give me the time of day. I'm new to your channel mate.

Sadly i agree ive been self employed for years and rarely theses days do people say thank you. Sadly i think it's the sign of the times!!!. Horrible times but right now a reality.

Great craic again fella! Sometimes I think us gardeners are communicating telepathically, when your vids reflect whats been going through my mind all week! Defo time to let the worst go and better clients will come!

Hello Rob. Love the videos. I'm 22 years self employed now. Keep the good ones. Bye Bye to the bad. I have two customers now. Caretaker for 200 unit estate. One Government customer. Works perfectly for.me.

Spot on Rob, i've got a few on the out list for next year.

I agree and can relate 100%. We can pick and choose customers and we should. Respect works both ways for sure

Spot on mate i have 85 lawns here in NZ and its pretty much all year round as I'm in a sub-tropical area, i reckon 10-15% show appreciation for the hard work even a thanks now again goes a long way, especially when weather is crap, we still turn up to do their chores, my invoicing will always say have a great festive period etc with very few replies, oh well the green gold grows here very well so i keep mowing 💪

Great video Rob, couldn't agree more 👍

Hi rob have followed your channel for a while I have to say its very informative and professional and a breath of fresh air to hear a gardener talking sense not the usual bulls#hit on youtube enjoy the Xmas and your new customers next year ,

Good video pal. When I was first thinking about giving up gardening, I mentioned my plans to a customer that I wanted to do professional photography. He was very cheeky to say “but you’re just a gardener”. Needless to say that customer became the first I dropped.

I try not to get too personal with customers. That’s why I like apartment blocks, commercial and holiday lets. No need for dialog. Your message is right, value your worth and move on if you’re not a good fit with your client 🙂

Great video Rob. Ignorant customers are "just one of those things" aren't they. The ones that appreciate us make our efforts worthwhile. Been following your channel for a while but think this is my first time commenting. Hope you had a good Christmas. Happy New Year to you from Philip at PK Garden Service in Ireland 😄 As you say the green gold will be growing again soon!

Wouldn’t let it get to you too much rob, as long as you do the work and get paid I’m happy

Hello Rob just my story this year, I broke my wrist in June and was off for 3 months, and do you know only one of my regulars supported me through this time! The rest couldn’t give a fook and have had work done by others due to not waiting, it has cleared my mind that the people who helped me come first now I take no BS from anyone else !!!

A year a go I would have disagreed with everything you said here Rob, but after some of the nasty people I have dealt with this year, culminating in one of the worse experiences of my life this week, I am 100% on board with what you have said. I think I am going to do a video on my first full year and mistakes I've made, thanks for your content, Cheers,Ciaran

Respect has to be reciprocal. If its not. Then your right to walk away. "just a gardener" your providing a service. Just like any other tradesman or profession. So why place your profession lower than any of theirs? I attended a funeral today of a customer of mine. I was more than her gardener. I was her friend, confidant and probably the only person she spoke to in person in a fortnight. Where much more than "just" gardeners.

You hit the nail on the head. Walk away from those type of customers. Value yourself.

Hi Rob, Your right in my opinion Rob I have had to let go the disrespectful or rude customers and with time built better clients for myself.. I think you know what you are doing with your business anything else ignore... Have a good Xmas and New year and I will look forward to seeing your new customers next year... Kind regards...Lee....😃

Respect is do important Rob well said.

Well Said.. Its about Principles.. Get rid of bad rubbish

Also,. I am always polite and grateful for anyone proving a service, from a cashier to the postman. I don't get how people don't show gratitude just because you're getting paid for it. Cheer mate. 👍

100% agree. And customers seem to be getting worse. I've been in horticulture now for 35 years plus but I've now had a gut full and am not enjoying it anymore. Now starting a change of career and studying a NEBOSH health & safety qualification. Will then go and work for a company again on paye. Something I never thought I would ever do but enough is enough.

Very well put pal. Manners cost nothing. 👍👍🇬🇧

yes i would say we all get them great customers i had one i worked for 3 or 4 years a thank you at Christmas but as we started this year they said there work was slowing up by April then i said do you want me to cut down visits from weekly to fortnightly they wanted me to carry on but were finding fault with work once i highlighted this by asking if work had stopped for them but all there costs and they couldn't afford me but they have to show people they have it all etc. i ended up saying as i have a queue od people wanting the slots with me some people book me up 12 months in advance so i said bye to them they have called to ask me back but i said the slot has gone they just wouldnt say their cash flow was low just dont work for them kind you will find many replacements for them forward is the only gear in business all the best rob Shane

the only time my windows get cleaned properly is December 💷...great vid👍

Hi Rob, don't take things personally. Some people are respectful a lot aren't. Have a good Christmas👍😊

I commented on another "trades" post that there are reviews for trades and one bad customer that you let down gives you a terrible review, and this affects your rating. Yet, there are no reviews on people. It would be so good to be able to look someone up on a site somewhere and see what other people have said about them. You're so right about letting people go. I generally have a three strike policy but two this year have absolutely pissed me off with excuses why they never left the back gate open, why dog poo hasn't been picked up why their late on payment, why I don't need to go around there as the grass hasn't grown. Bye bye. Some other poor sod can have you. I'm fortunate as I'm in my 25yr doing gardening and I have all, nearly, nice and really great customers. Did you say you're ex force? Maybe some stories from those days. Thanks Rob for your time and effort in making vids. That's all it takes isn't it! And everyone's happy.

Hello Rob Rude customers can do one as far as I'm concerned. I have just cut ties with a used car dealer for being an arse hole. Always wants to jump the queue, and then screws his face up when it comes to cost. Life's too short to be dealing with people who don't value you. 👊

I was just thinking today what would Rob maxwell do 🤣🤣 I have already got rid of one customer and another is on the way out. I've spent this year trying to keep all my customers happy to just be messed around by a select few. Respect to the guys who just put up with poor customers but I'm not going to be one of them.

Hi rob, love the channel. I'm a dog walker with a couple of customers who do nothing but mess me about. What do you say to your troublesome clients when it's time to say goodbye. Because we don't want word to get about that we are fussy...

Thanks Rob. I always look forward to your videos. I am hoping to start cutting lawns as a side line in April. I am going to buy used equipment. Just wanted to ask you if you're planning to make a video covering maintenance and servicing the mower, if you do it yourself or where do you take them. Thanks mate. 👍

I wish I could rest up Rob to many fookin hedges still to do well in to the new year. Said to the son today can't wait till March get the mowers out again. Shoulders are killing me 😭😭

My husbands customer of 40 years told me he was like a son to her, she said she was moving to a flat and said to my husband upon opening her shed where there was an old shovel and a spade, if you would like one of the tools help yourself ! How's that for a gift after 40 years of hard graft !

Nice and honest advice as always, matey. Question for you.do you get shaky hands after using a petrol blower or Strummer.i have today from using a petrol blower at my job .just wondered if your ment to be using it as long as I have and ment to have a break .cheers matey.

Exactly. I've just dropped all our maintenance customers and doing away with it as a service. Messaged them all asking if they want to go ahead next year and I will pass their details over to my dad. All but 4 have gotten back to me saying yes. The thing I've seen lately is there's no loyalty with customers they will happily cancel on you for a cheaper price or because they got it done quicker etc.

Morning rabbbbb. We get home to the stove at 5 wehayyyyy. Imagine we get home at 5. Mum always told us manners maketh the man. Manners cost nothing but means the earth. Rob we get home at 5 wehayyyyy 🤑

Fog on the Tyne 😊

You should treat your customers like the wife. You only ever hear the good bits the rest is just noise😁. I'm all done till next year I think mind said that end October and the jobs kept popping up . little bit of compensation for the heat wave .. 👍 I'll restore a mower or 2 over winter

I love ya integrity

See I almost feel guilty for them. That was my first year doing the gardens and I've built a lot clients. I always spend the time to make the gardens as nice as I can but still I feel like I'm ripping them off. I know I couldn't afford to be paying 20-40 a fortnight to get my grass cut. My point is I think come the end of the season the customers are just glad to not be paying for a while.

Pressure is on, manners go out the window They all want it for nothing !!

I've got about 50 regulars now , about 5 thanked me and 1 gave a tip , frustrating 😑

Customers... most are fine but some are a law onto themselves.. I've had long term customers drop me like a hot potatoe ..

You're business You're decisions to make Rob

At the end of the day some people are more decent than others but all their money is the same ,if we don't like them then maybe one of our guys who may be suited to them will do their property but if they pay we keep them, there is one we do now pays no problem but they are selfish and strange, they won't even come out of the house to say Merry Christmas but there's an answer to it ,their price has increased immediately this NewYear ,decent clients aren't increasing so they are the losers financially through their greed,signs of Scrooge but revenge can be sweet served cold

To be honest I think the less communication the better, after all familiarity breeds contempt. I just want to turn up get the job done move on to the next one.

Looks foggy in that van Rob 😆

HI Rob, when dealing with Joe public it can be a pain. I personally won't work for anyone I don't like as I always insist on meeting them first when quoting. Anyone with an attitude gets the bullet. With regards to respect, another issue that annoys me is dog shit. Some customers seem to think it's acceptable to have a mine field of dog shit when they know your gonna be working in that area with your equipment. No respect for you or your health and another reason to be binned off.

I never get anything from my customers 🙄

With ppl not replying maybe some ppl think it's just sent out via computer or something as so easy and cheap to send stuff like that out and also some people may not even see it I have msgs and I've not seen them from days back lol a phone is a phone no importance to me txt or calls from ppl I have no time for small tall

If you look at it , that the ones that got back to you is a bonus then might be a better way of looking at it.

Absolutely right,ive got one customer who talks to me like dirt,hes going,yet his next door but 2 neighbour is such a nice bloke,hes staying :)

Can’t bare bad customers no respect or late payers

Its there loss mate

Rob you cannot base not getting a message at the end of the year on whether you want to keep them as a customer or not some people have an extremely busy life with work other commitments children. if you turn round and said to me I’m not doing the garden next year you never sent me a card you never sent me a text message and there was one dog poo on the lawn on one occasion wtf get a grip

Hi Mate

Rob surely by now in this game you must realizes that not all customers are going down on one knee and blow smoke up your Ar?? ! which is clearly what you're looking for, many of my customers that I have worked for over 15 years at the end of grass cutting season are the same, but whenever I have had to put my prices up, they are very understanding have never complained and have plaided me on time for my services for as I said 15 years that good enough for me and my family and my little gardening business, if you carry on with this stupid view that you can just fire customers off because you feel they are being off a little of with you is crazy !! Customers don't want a grumpy gardener enjoy what you do and be more appreciative of the customers you have and drop them a bottle !!.