The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-04-23, Page 37PAGE'6
Many turn to professionals f
Many Ontario residents who dislike spen-
ding the summer duelling with dandelions
are turning their annual lawn battles over to
professionals.
Whether they are simply tired of fiddling
with fertilizers, want better quality grass in
their yards or are concerned about handling
garden chemicals, increasing numbers of
people are hiring lawn care experts, the in-
dustry reports.
As lawn care services are new to many
buyers, consumer experts are advising peo-
ple to use caution before signing up for the
season. Even yonsumers who have past ex-
perience with these services might benefit
from a bit of comparison shopping this spr-
ing, says Roberta Allan of the Ontario
Ministry of Consumer and Commercial
Relations (MCCR).
"Pick a few companies and get lists of all
the services they provide and costs involv-
ed," says Allan. "Try to choose from com-
panies that have been, recommended by
friends or past customers."
The Consumer Protection .Act requires
that all lawn care firms operating in Ontario
be registered with the ministry. Before sign-
ing a contract, ask for the company's
registration number and verify it by calling
the nearest Consumer Advisory Bureau of
MCCR.
Most lawn care companies do everything
but .cut and water the grass. They analyse
customers' problems and develop individual
programs for rejuvenating run down lawns.
Typically, a maintenance plan for a
healthy lawn would include fertilizer,
fungicide, pesticide and herbicide applica-
tions, along with soil aeration when
ranacca rl:
Properly trained staff should also be able
to spot and deal with any unusual pest in-
festations or other lawn afflictions.
r summer lawn care
The Consumer Protection Act requires
that a written contract be set up, listing the
name and address of the buyer and seller. It
- must include a detailed description of the
se: vices to be provided, the costs, rnethods
of payment and warranty information. If no
warranties are offered, the contract should
make this clear.
Some lawn care companies use a sales
technique called a "negative option." At the
start of each season, these firms send out
letters to past customers advising them that
their lawn care programs will begin
automatically unless the company is in
formed the service is no longer wanted.
According to Allan, this system is accep-
table to some consumers, but disliked by
those who would prefer to request renewal
of services themselves.
"So make sure you find out how the com-
pany does business before signing up," she
advises.
In addition to knowing what to expect
from the company, consumers who want to
get the most from a lawn service contract
should be sure they understand their own
responsibilities. •
Good companies will provide customers
with suggested cutting and watering
schedules to compliment the chemical
treatments carried out by 'the specialists,
says FredDixon, a member of Landscape
Ontario, a `non-profit industry group with
about 600 members across the province.
"We've seen a lot of lawns totally ;wined
because the customers listened to other so-
called experts who obviously didn't know
anything about lawns," says Dixon.
"Customer education is an important part
of any lawn care program. When we get our
customers doing their part and we do ours,
it works out well."
Even if you follow watering and cutting in-
structions carefully, don't expect 'golf
course quality turf to spring up overnight.
Look for steady improvements when judg-
ing a particular company's results with
your lawn.
Bob Cheesman, Executive Director of
Landscape Ontario, also warns 'consumers
to be wary of companies selling one-time on-
ly lawn treatments.
"The trend in the industry is to offer a pro-
gram of lawn care -that will last the
season....," he says.
Consumers should be aware that they
have the right to cancel most lawn care con-
tract f ,m re than S50 that are signed in
their homes. Just send a registered letter to-
the
othe company within two working days of the
date the contract was signed.
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