I don't know if any of you employ a gardener, however I'd like to whinge about customer expectations. Recently I was asked to rectify a garden where someone, an alleged 'gardener' has created holy hell and hadn't a clue what they were doing. I started and after a long day and working extremely hard to just half clear the previous mess the client came home. Now I was pleased with the progress. It at least had the appearance of a garden, however, the client instantly stated to whinge saying not enough appeared to have been done. I patiently explained what I'd done, showed them that amount of rubbish that had been cleared and explained why, how and what should have happened in the first place. To my horror I was told it wasn't what he'd expected and was told he'd get someone else in. Now I tried in vain to get him to explain exactly what he expected and was eventually told ' Well its not like 'Love your garden, is it'. My heart sank. I then told him what 'Love your Garden' entails, the budget, the manpowerand the probable cost of such projects, but he was totally dismissive and told me I obviously wasn't a professional!
I felt like adding him to the pile of crap I'd cleared.
I didn't argue, he paid me for the day and I went home. But it's bugged me ever since.
If Alan Titchmarsh reads anything on this forum or even diegns to visit it, please read this and next time you film 'Love your Garden' tell everybody one bloody gardener can't do a make over in a day, like you do in a week condensed into a 45 minute programme.
It really hurt. I've seen things and witnessed things which would make most people faint, as a police officer, but I've rarely been so upset and angry by anyone as that client. This may not be a worry or concern or trouble, but some TV programmes and their presenters can make life very difficult for some. It was me this time, but for the other pro's it may come to you.
Very confusing! I used to garden for a living, years ago, and well remember feeling dismayed when a client angrily told me I hadn't pruned her hedge the way she envisioned it. (Bit like Dove's comment about getting a haircut). There are still memories left over from those days and I've decided that it all comes down to choice. You either let it get you down or you shrug it off. People are just too thick to understand the realities of what's involved in a hard days yakker. Be proud of hat you've done! I'm sure you did a really good job.
Edd, I garden professionally, I don't do it just for money, I LOVE DOING IT, and I love the gardens I work in, some more than my own. I don't earn a fortune, the money I get sees me by, there are no holidays, as I see my work as a holiday from life. I have never been this happy in work, but this guy upset me. Big time. It's years since I've hand the inclination to punch someone, but this guy came as close as it gets. On reflection I think he'd had a bad day and I was just on the end of it. I needed a vent so came to my friends on here. Thank you to all for listening and your supportive comments. One thing the police taught me was there are many ****holes in life. Gardening has taught me how many nice people are in life. I'm grateful for the latter.
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Keeping all digits firmly crossed for you Edd - bit pluys havic wit h t he tipin g
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I don't know if any of you employ a gardener, however I'd like to whinge about customer expectations. Recently I was asked to rectify a garden where someone, an alleged 'gardener' has created holy hell and hadn't a clue what they were doing. I started and after a long day and working extremely hard to just half clear the previous mess the client came home. Now I was pleased with the progress. It at least had the appearance of a garden, however, the client instantly stated to whinge saying not enough appeared to have been done. I patiently explained what I'd done, showed them that amount of rubbish that had been cleared and explained why, how and what should have happened in the first place. To my horror I was told it wasn't what he'd expected and was told he'd get someone else in. Now I tried in vain to get him to explain exactly what he expected and was eventually told ' Well its not like 'Love your garden, is it'. My heart sank. I then told him what 'Love your Garden' entails, the budget, the manpowerand the probable cost of such projects, but he was totally dismissive and told me I obviously wasn't a professional!
I felt like adding him to the pile of crap I'd cleared.
I didn't argue, he paid me for the day and I went home. But it's bugged me ever since.
If Alan Titchmarsh reads anything on this forum or even diegns to visit it, please read this and next time you film 'Love your Garden' tell everybody one bloody gardener can't do a make over in a day, like you do in a week condensed into a 45 minute programme.
It really hurt. I've seen things and witnessed things which would make most people faint, as a police officer, but I've rarely been so upset and angry by anyone as that client. This may not be a worry or concern or trouble, but some TV programmes and their presenters can make life very difficult for some. It was me this time, but for the other pro's it may come to you.
Dave - I really feel for you - some of these programmes to create totally unrealistic expectations.
Not sure that we can say or suggest anything that will help much - but hopefully commiserations and understanding will help a little bit ((hugs))
Just a thought - What do you think he expects of his barber when he sits down in front of the mirror?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Very confusing! I used to garden for a living, years ago, and well remember feeling dismayed when a client angrily told me I hadn't pruned her hedge the way she envisioned it. (Bit like Dove's comment about getting a haircut). There are still memories left over from those days and I've decided that it all comes down to choice. You either let it get you down or you shrug it off. People are just too thick to understand the realities of what's involved in a hard days yakker. Be proud of hat you've done! I'm sure you did a really good job.
Edd, I garden professionally, I don't do it just for money, I LOVE DOING IT, and I love the gardens I work in, some more than my own. I don't earn a fortune, the money I get sees me by, there are no holidays, as I see my work as a holiday from life. I have never been this happy in work, but this guy upset me. Big time. It's years since I've hand the inclination to punch someone, but this guy came as close as it gets. On reflection I think he'd had a bad day and I was just on the end of it. I needed a vent so came to my friends on here. Thank you to all for listening and your supportive comments. One thing the police taught me was there are many ****holes in life. Gardening has taught me how many nice people are in life. I'm grateful for the latter.