That time a customer’s dead tree changed my mind about payment plans

Last month a guy in Akron haggled me down to a payment plan for a 60 foot oak removal and then ghosted me after the first 200 bucks, and now I insist on full cash up front no matter how sad their story is.

2 comments

2 Comments

simonl112mo ago

Payment plans always sound reasonable until someone stiffs you on a big job like that. Next time, ask for half down minimum before you even touch the tree, then the rest on completion day. It covers your time and keeps you from chasing folks.

logan2052mo ago

Nah, half down is definitely the move, but you gotta be careful with that too. @simonl11, I've seen guys get burned on the final payment even with a deposit, so maybe do a 50/25/25 split if it's a multi day job.