RE: blowing petals

Bravo! Bravo! :)

I have a favorite arborist. I tell my clients, when I pass on his card,
that he is not the cheapest around, BUT: he's a certified arborist, he
knows what he's doing, and he pays his crew good wages with benefits.
Most of them appreciate knowing why he charges more, and most are
willing to pay more for his knowledge and experienced crew.

Cheryl

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu 
> [o*@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of Joe Seals
> Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 8:07 AM
> To: medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
> Subject: Re: blowing petals
> 
> 
> Why is it we don't shudder (too badly, anyway) when we
> write the check to plumbers, electricians, and so many
> other contractors for $80 per hour (and up) yet too
> many of us "expect" truly CHEAP labor when it comes to 
> maintaining and fixing a number of diverse elements of a landscape?
> 
> We shouldn't wonder why landscape maintenance folk
> have to hustle -- "numerous clients in a short amount
> of time" -- to make a few bucks each day.
> 
> This is, indeed, the reality of this business and
> we've created that reality.
> 
> We jokingly call it the "mow-blow-and-go" business and
> we are expected to accept the trade-off: noisy blowers
> instead of brooms.
> 
> But we do have the power to change it.
> 
> First, I taught a certificate program for Santa
> Barbara County's Water Agency.  It's called the "Green 
> Gardener" program.  It teaches landscapers to be more 
> enviromentally sensitive.  Moreover, it teaches these 
> business people how to sell their new "added value" -- their 
> knowledge rather than their speed.  Yes, they can make more 
> money "per hour" by being smarter and environmentally safer.  
> And no, we don't expect them to keep the clients that want 
> cheap and nothing else. 
> See if your County is sponsoring such a state-wide
> program.
> 
> Second, communities throughout the U.S. are initiating
> laws to halt the use of noisy blowers.  If that
> doesn't send a message to manufacturers, I don't know
> what does.  You can believe that manufacturers are
> working hard to put proper technology in place to
> muffle the offensive noise.  I'm sure they have it;
> they're just waiting for the "break point" to figure
> it's worth their costs.
> 
> Third, if you do hire a landscaper, quit complaing
> about the cost while on the other hand complaining
> about the poor service.  That's the real trade-off.
> 
> Fourth, hug your landscaper.
> 
> Joe
> 
> --- bridget lamp <bridgetlamp@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Having to wield one of these backpack blowers, I
> > can't
> > say it's an enjoyable task.  Yes, it's smelly and
> > loud, but, when you have acres to clear of debris
> > (at
> > a formal garden in the SF Bay area), it saves a lot
> > of
> > time.  Don't be upset with the gardeners.  They're
> > expected to be efficient and handle numerous clients
> > in a short amount of time.  They're also probably
> > following directions from your neighbors who hired
> > them!  Ask instead, "Why do my neighbors not like a pink-petaled 
> > drive?"
> > 
> > Bridget
> > 
> 
> 
> 	
> 		
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