How would you handle this?

[labworm]

You've got a good son there my friend, most 17 year old's are sitting on their rear ends in front of a computer, almost impossible to get them to move.

As everyone has, he will learn as he goes along, I wouldn't worry about a thing.

 

[Bassamatic]

Originally posted by wbraswell:
I've never met a 17 year old man before. I met a lot of them that thought they were. They're minors, unless they commit a crime. At that age, they still need guidance from a father, although most of them don't understand that.

I don't know what to say to that except maybe you are hanging out with the wrong kids. I've met lots of 17 year old men before, darn good ones. When my daughter was in High School they were always sniffing around here and she never went out with a one unless I had met at talked with him. Many had more than one job or worked full time on the farm while still in school. Most were good kids with both feet planted solid on the ground.

There are lots of 17 year old men out there, believe me. And who's fault is it for the ones that are not?

 

[ingmansinc]

I agree with cajun, what will one pay and what will one accept. That is the way it works.

 

[BrianE]

If its some extra cash and its teaching him good work ethic and responsibility, then maybe the "extra" 10 bucks isnt really a big deal.

If it were me... theres no way I would have done it for 50 dollars. I would have given them my 2 weeks notice

.

 

[84CJ]

If you feel strongly that your son is being taken advantage of stop letting him use your equipment. Go to these people and tell them that you dont mind your son mowing their lawn but you prefer they buy their own lawn care products. I went trrough similar situations with my two boys. I let them use my stuff unless I thought they were being taken advantage of then I just say no I dont want my stuff worn out. Makes me look like the bad guy. You could tell them they need to trough in 10 bucks for your equipment wear and tear. If you choose to let your son keep that then so be it. Maby he would save face with the sweetheart anyway. My dad let me plow gardens for the neighbors and never charged me for anything as I grew older I realized how much he had done for me and the cost to him. The tractor tires wear quickly on the highway. Busted a tire or two bush hogging etc...He never told me what I should charge for my services. Just one of the good memories of my special father.

 

[G-Mac]

I appreciate all the responses from everyone.

To the people who wanted to know why my son doesn't drive the truck/trailer/tractor down the road...he has a learner's permit, but did not take his road test yet. He's taking that in about two weeks. He just turned 17. I've been stalling him on taking his road test and getting his driver's license because I know how I drove when I was 17....besides, his girlfriend is 18 and she has a license AND her own car.

Besides, if he took my truck...what would I drive?

And let me say this about 17-year-old boys being "men" or not...I know all of my son's friends...physically...yes, I guess they are men. But having the life experience to make good judgements is another story.

How many of you wish you were 17 again...but knew what you know now?

I am definitely considering the various viewpoints that have been posted.

 

[84CJ]

G-MAC I know what you mean. I didnt let my boys get their lic. until they had a reason to have one. Like a job.

My oldest son finished basic training when he was seventeen I kinda thought of him as an adult from that day on. Still drives too fast sometimes. But then again so do I. My youngest son graduated last year and has had the same job for 3 years.Not bad for young folks today. Never ask for money. He drives too fast too.

 

[G-Mac]

84CJ,

I liked your idea about making me the "bad guy" by just saying it was too much wear and tear on my tractor.

Sounds like you're proud of your sons and rightfully so.

Also, thank you labworm for the kind words. Yes, he's a good kid and I'm proud of him. I just don't want to do anything that would cause problems for him with his girlfriend...it's more about that than the $10.00 bill.

Here's my boy #22 with the ball...Varsity Lacrosse Attackman...highest scoring player on his team and 5th highest scorer in his division. But he's a good team player also, he gets a lot of assists too.

 

[skyflyer]

3 hrs mowing
1 hr drive (15 min x4)
1 gallon gas truck 2.50
2 gallon gas rider 5.00
1 gallon gas push/weed eater 2.50
trimmer and 2 cycly oil 1.00
blade sharpen x 3 3.00
oil, filter change 1.00

40-15 = 25-4 hours = 6hr
McDonalds pays better

 

[Jeb Stonewall]

Being a contractor I give out alot of estimates for work.
Sometimes a customer will tell me another contractors bid if it is lower than mine.
--I HAVE NEVER LOWERED MY BID!!!--
Sometimes I don't get the job, but sometimes I do!
I always look at anyone that tells me another contractors bid as a classless thing to do.
And if I would lower my bid it would look like I was just ripping the customer off in the first place.
I'd tell my son to tell the guy to let the other guy cut it for $35 "because he can do cheaper than I can"
There's a good chance the guy can't get it cut for $35 by anyone!
Besides your son was cutting it for $50 which what was agreed on in the first place.
Then this guy decides it's too much and just cuts your sons's pay!!!!!
What would the guy do if your son decided that $50 wasn't enough for how much he had to cut, so he just decided on his own to only cut 3/4 of the lawn?
There's more to this than the money,
I'd rather lose $40 than let a guy rip me off for $10.
Sorta like cutting my nose off to spite my face.( Which I've been known to do! )

 

[Pitdog02]

Way I see it your son and the guy had a deal. The guy with the lawn broke the deal. Obviously he does not value or respect your son. I have a 18yr old and know just what your in. I would go down and inspect his job and see if possibly your son could be doing a better job before I acted. If all checks out I would skip his lawn for one week and just see how much he appreciates your son then. As far as his girl or this guy are concerned, the boy should learn nothin is worth being treated badly over.

 

[G-Mac]

Originally posted by Pitdog02:
Way I see it your son and the guy had a deal. The guy with the lawn broke the deal. Obviously he does not value or respect your son. I have a 18yr old and know just what your in. I would go down and inspect his job and see if possibly your son could be doing a better job before I acted. If all checks out I would skip his lawn for one week and just see how much he appreciates your son then. As far as his girl or this guy are concerned, the boy should learn nothin is worth being treated badly over.

Hi Pitdog02,

Both times that my son did the lawn so far this year I helped him out so I know the job was good.

The first time, the lawn needed cutting, my son couldn't do it (had lacrosse practice) so I drove the tractor down the road (no trailer) and did it myself. I was running out of daylight, so I had to go fast. It took me just over an hour with a 54" cut tractor and I was hauling ass! I didn't wait around to get paid...they never came outside...I just finished up and left. They gave my son a check for $40.00.

I figured...well, okay...I didn't do any trimming around the edges and left it at that.

The second time, Saturday, we hooked the trailer, brought the walk-behind mower and weed-whacker. I helped my son out...I did all the tractor mowing...he used the push mower and weed whacker for trimming...they have rows of large pine trees on two property lines that need to be mowed around...also lots of other random trees, several gardens, a hammock, sheds, etc....that need to be trimmed around.

It took me and my son an hour and a half. I only helped him because he had to be at his other job (Subway) at 3:00.

My son was given the same $40.00 for this complete job with both of us doing it.

That's when I told my boy that he needed to speak up.

Either his mother or I helped him out at various times last year too...like I said...it's a big job.

 

[Super38]

I wouldn't want to see my kids taken advantage of like that. I'd talk to him with the girlfriend present so she could hear my take on it. Your boy agreed to cut the lawn for 50 bucks and did so last year. This year, they want the same work for less money because someone else charges $35.00 to do lawn work somewhere else?

I wouldn't take that and I wouldn't want my boy too either. If the girlfriend understands this, then she's a keeper. If she doesn't......

If it means you being the "heavy", then so be it.

 

[normanvin]

it back and wait for the call to come cut the grass. Then tell them $60.00.

 

[sammi357]

The previous employment agreement was changed by the homeowner, with no attempt at renegotiation.

Son is free to say, "pack sand," or..perhaps..."Our previous employment agreement has been terminated by the lowered payment. This was not negotiated with me, nor is it acceptable to me."

If he cares to try to renegotiate, then he should do what skyflyer did: list the expenses, including depreciation applied to the equipment and exact costs, (this can include paying YOU if you have to help for whatever reason) and then make sure there is an appropriate profit margin.

"bidness" and heartstrings are two separate issues.

 

[G-Mac]

"Dave" is expecting that his lawn will be mowed again this Saturday.

I told my son last night that he needed to contact Dave today and tell him that he can't do his lawn for the $40.00.

I told him that he could blame it on me..."My Dad says that your lawn is too big and it's too much wear and tear on his equipment for $40.00".

I also said that there should be no hard feelings...since Dave can get it done for $35.00.

We'll see what happens.

 

[Pitdog02]

Well? I'm ready for the next update.

 

[84CJ]

G-mac funny how something that seems so simple can way so heavy on your mind. Especially when it involves your family. Good luk and I hope this works out for the good. We can only do what we think is right so whatever happens you did what you felt was right and your family would surly understand that. Especially if they knew you didnt make a hasty selfish decision. I applaude you for that

 

[G-Mac]

Thanks guys. Well, here's the update...

As I mentioned, I told my son several days ago that he needed to tell Dave that he couldn't do the lawn for $40.00 any more.

Well, he never got around to it. Admittedly, he's been busy...lacrosse games, practicing for a school play, etc. But, no excuses.

Anyway, "Dave" left my son a message today that he'd like to have his lawn done either today or tomorrow. Seems they're having people over for a cook-out tomorrow and he wanted it done before that.

My son called me to tell me about the message and that he never called Dave this week like I asked him to. He asked me if he could do it one more time for the forty bucks. I said no, because Dave broke the deal and he should have called him.

Well, he wasn't comfortable calling him the day before to tell him he couldn't do it tomorrow for that amount.

So, I called Dave.

I told him that he had a huge lawn, with a lot of obstacles to mow and trim around...and that it was just too much wear and tear on my equipment to let my son do it for that price.

His response was that he had "two different commercial mowing guys that were anxious to do it for THIRTY DOLLARS!"

I said, "Well, I suggest you call one of them".

He said OK and we said good-bye. I don't believe him but I don't care.

I never did like this guy...always impressed me as a shyster and I really don't want my kid working for people like him.

 

[Pitdog02]

I never did like this guy...always impressed me as a shyster and I really don't want my kid working for people like him.

Bingo! there it is. You've known that since day one,You handled it just right. Now the kid sees how to handle a situation like this first hand from you. Next jerk he runs into he can see the warning signs better and deal himself. It's all in the making of a man. Good stuff.