How do I fire the lawn guy nicely?

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

So, I am one of those people who avoids conflict to a point that I often end up getting shafted.

Case in point.

Last year, my lawn guy charged me $120/month and came every week. This year, he hurt himself so recommended a buddy (who worked for this guy last year and so had done my lawn before). The buddy says that I will be happy because he will only charge me $90/month. I am quite certain that the contract said that he would come every 10 days (I don't have a copy) and in the last 2 months today will be his 5th visit. His last visit was 3 weeks ago and the visit before that was also 3 weeks before.

I can deal with every 10 days, but every 21 is not cool. Money is getting tight and while I could manage to justify the expense if he were actually coming every 10 days. I run a daycare, so my lawn needs to be somewhat presentable. Fortunately, the kids I look after are really too little for the state of the lawn to be much of an issue, but it won't be long as one is walking and the other is close.

Anyway, I need to give this guy the heave-ho, but I need to do it in a way that I can actually follow through with.

I figure if I just tell him that my budget can't stretch that far, it should be fine, but part of me thinks it is important for him to know that I am not satisfied - but that makes me uncomfortable.

UGH!'

Advice please.

Cheryl

 

[Sillystunt]

Do it with a smile! Tell him that things are just not working out between the 2 of you and you have decided to move on.

GEESHHH haven't you ever broke up with someone?

 

[morelcabin]

Tell him you have a nehpew that has been asking you for the job...

 

[debilorrah]

My mom wound up with a guy like that and she just came out one day after she hired a new guy and said "Oh I thought you quit!!!!"

 

[chickenbottom]

just say your having money problems and you cant afford it anymore

 

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

Quote:
Yeah, but that has generally involved moving whilst they are at work and leaving no forwarding address.

Cheryl

 

[Cetawin]

I am direct to the point sort of gal so I would tell him that coming every three weeks is not acceptable and I am no longer in need of his services.

 

[Wifezilla]

You don't. You say "I am not happy with your services. Please do not come back" and then go find a new one.

I know stuff like that might make your hair stand on end, but if you are a daycare provider...you have to practice being tough. What are you going to do when some mom doesn't pay you? Drops off a kid with chicken pox? Comes 2 hours late for pickup?

 

[Chickenmaven]

You don't have a contract with the new guy, do you? And you don't speak to him? I think it would be less trouble in the long run for you to simply ask for what you want. Easier than firing & rehiring, eh? It is going to be just as weird, awkward, whatever, to fire him as it would be to simply say: "Hey Bob, Ed used to do us weekly and I have realized that I really prefer that. I'd like to keep you on board, but I will need you to come every 10 days, minimum." He has to agree or quit, basically.

It is pretty clear that he is trying to do the bare minimum. But, YOU are (in a sense) a boss doing minimal supervision of someone you hired.

 

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

Quote:
Strangely, I find it much easier to advocate for others than myself. I have made a parent come back to pick up the projectile vomiting child within half an hour of being dropped off - only because I had another child coming. If it were just me, I would have kept the little munchkin.

Cheryl