New start ups to be higher or lower this year?

[Willco]

Haven't seen any good used equipment in my area either. Weird. Most of your startups are using cheapo equipment and not something someone would want to buy. I counted 7 new startups in todays paper, which for the small town I live in, is a lot. Two were advertising all lawns for $20. One of my customers gave me a flyer from one of them that offered to beat anybodys prices if you could show an invoice, so I wrote her an invoice for $15 and marked it paid and gave it to her. Told her to give it a shot and she could always call me back if needed. My rate on her lawn is $45.

[Dvm]

They won't be around long.

Funny, this afternoon I saw a van sitting in a parking lot, with a small trailer and a riding mower sitting on it.
Someones weekend lawn rig. The mower had a BIG for sale sign on it.

Must have gotten called back to work.

[Bagit]

New starters are just that. Newbies trying to start a bis, or earn some cash away from their full time jobs. This is where the line gets blurred for me.

The way I see it is my blades have to be turning for me to be earning. I bought equipment as I needed it, paying for it through earnings on the job. Guys that can go out and buy what they need through their full time job, and not worry with payments through blade revolutions, have the luxury to bid jobs cheaper.

[Dvm]

Another larger LCO has decided not to do mowing this year, fert and squirt only.

[Dvm]

I haven't seen near as many wannabes so far this season. It has started too early for the teachers to be cutting so they've been somewhat removed from the mix.
the rest simply can't make it happen this year, but I'm sure they will still be out with their jeeps and their home depot trailers with the murray riders.

[Mowforcash]

I think this is the least amount of trunk slammers I've seen around in about 4 years. Maybe the unemployment checks are running out...

[Rodfather]

Originally Posted by Dvm

I haven't seen near as many wannabes so far this season. It has started too early for the teachers to be cutting so they've been somewhat removed from the mix.
the rest simply can't make it happen this year, but I'm sure they will still be out with their jeeps and their home depot trailers with the murray riders.

well dave, maybe the real green industry people have a fighting chance then this year.

[AmEdge]

I'm seeing more lettered trucks in my area...which is funny cuz I just lettered my trucks this year, after 9yrs with nothing.

I know one guy is a start up. He's got a $40k truck, and his biz is a new franchise. Saw him a couple months ago. I got 2 small props I need to drop and offered them to a buddy of mine and he refers me to this guy. So I call him up, turns out he's just started and is starving for work, so I'm gonna throw him a bone.

Said he did maintenance up in NY for 20yrs and just sold his biz and moved here. Should be interesting.

[Lux Lawn]

I have seen a few new guys this year so far, some of their equipment is just a frickin joke. There is no way I would use some of the stuff these guys use, same goes for plowing this past season.

[Rodfather]

Originally Posted by Lux Lawn

I have seen a few new guys this year so far, some of their equipment is just a frickin joke. There is no way I would use some of the stuff these guys use, same goes for plowing this past season.

nice to see you here again larry.

and i hope too you are doing well.