National lawn-mowing and household service franchise Green Acres has failed in its attempt to stop the operation of an independent lawn-mowing business in South Auckland until a dispute between the two businesses is settled.

The High Court in Auckland has allowed Garth and Gwyneth Ruebe to continue operating their business, Garth's Mowing, until the outcome of a dispute between the Ruebes and Green Acres is resolved through arbitration.

The court said if it ordered the Ruebes to cease operations they would lose the core of their business. Even if they were successful at the arbitration there was a risk the Ruebes would not be able to regain customers.

The Ruebes operated as Green Acres franchisees in South Auckland from January 2004 until January 2014, according to the High Court decision.

However, when their contract came up for renewal this year the Ruebes decided to go out on their own.

The Ruebes gave their clients the option to continue receiving their services through the new independent lawn-mowing company.

Since the end of January the Ruebes have carried out lawn mowing and gardening maintenance for people who were on their customer list when their agreement with Green Acres expired.

The court said the Ruebes believed they did not have any further obligation to Green Acres and they were free to carry on with business.

However, Green Acres believed by servicing people on the client list that they serviced when they were franchisees for Green Acres the Ruebes were in breach of the franchisee agreement.

Green Acres also claimed the Ruebes breached the restraint of trade provision within the agreement by setting up a competing business in the same area within two years of the end of their agreement with Green Acres.

Read more:
Green Acres fails to stop rival operating

National lawn-mowing and household service franchise Green Acres has failed in its attempt to stop the operation of an independent lawn-mowing business in South Auckland until a dispute between the two businesses is settled.

The High Court in Auckland has allowed Garth and Gwyneth Ruebe to continue operating their business, Garth's Mowing, until the outcome of a dispute between the Ruebes and Green Acres is resolved through arbitration.

The court said if it ordered the Ruebes to cease operations they would lose the core of their business. Even if they were successful at the arbitration there was a risk the Ruebes would not be able to regain customers.

The Ruebes operated as Green Acres franchisees in South Auckland from January 2004 until January 2014, according to the High Court decision.

However, when their contract came up for renewal this year the Ruebes decided to go out on their own.

The Ruebes gave their clients the option to continue receiving their services through the new independent lawn-mowing company.

Since the end of January the Ruebes have carried out lawn mowing and gardening maintenance for people who were on their customer list when their agreement with Green Acres expired.

The court said the Ruebes believed they did not have any further obligation to Green Acres and they were free to carry on with business.

However, Green Acres believed by servicing people on the client list that they serviced when they were franchisees for Green Acres the Ruebes were in breach of the franchisee agreement.

Green Acres also claimed the Ruebes breached the restraint of trade provision within the agreement by setting up a competing business in the same area within two years of the end of their agreement with Green Acres.

Originally posted here:
Green Acres fails to stop Garth's Mowing operating in Auckland

By Special to the Sentinel Monday, March 31, 2014

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Midland Michigan in a community similar to Grand Junction. I met my wife Juli while attending Michigan State University in the mid 80s. We married in August of 1990 and moved to Western Colorado in January of 1991 to start our future together.

How did you get started in the industry? Like many kids, I had my first mowing job at the neighbors house when I was just 13 years old. She saw me mowing my parents lawn and asked if I would be interested in taking care of hers. I agreed and by the time high school started, I was maintaining 25 lawns, mostly for neighbors and friends of my parents. I took a few years off when I went away to college. In 1985, I needed a summer job and accepted one with a national lawn care company. I was hired on as a salesman, but it was obvious that this was not my strong suit. I was reliable and liked the lawn care business so they kicked me out of the sales office and put me in the field, teaching me how to fertilize lawns and care for trees. I spent the season with them learning as much as I could and have been involved in the industry ever since. Before moving to Colorado I worked in various locations around Michigan, each with their own unique needs. In addition to actual lawn services I also worked for a company that produced fertilizer and specialty lawn care products.

How has the industry changed since you got started? The advancements in technology have lead to the biggest change in our industry. The nutrient requirements of lawns and landscape plantings have not changed much over the years, but how we deliver the service is much more advanced. When I first started out, we determined the daily schedule based on folders in a file cabinet. Then we would plot each address on a folding map to determine the order of the day. Now with computer routing systems and GPS technology all of that is completed in the office in advance. Our technicians have hand held tablets containing their daily work and mobile printers in their trucks to leave the client timely, job specific information about their property. This information is gathered in real time and is stored in our database for future reference.

Tell us about your family? I am blessed to be married for the past 24 years to my wonderful wife Juli. Her support and understanding have allowed me to pursue my dream of owning my own business. We have two great kids, a daughter Aleah and a son Marshall. Aleah is a senior at Grand Junction High school and will be leaving this fall to start her higher education and play volleyball for The Milwaukee School of Engineering. Marshall is in his final year of grade school and will be attending Orchard Mesa Middle school this fall. He is active in baseball, rock climbing and helping me around the office and house.

What do you enjoy when youre not working? I think my biggest pleasure is watching the sports activities of my children. There are many weekends spent travelling to volleyball tournaments or baseball games. I also enjoy golfing, fishing, taking my family on vacation, and generally spending time outdoors with family and friends.

What should a consumer look for when hiring a lawn care company? The most import thing to consider when hiring a lawn care company is if you are comfortable doing business with them. I believe that our job is not to just make your lawn green and weed free but to give you the information you need to better manage your property. We will call you in advance of any service visit. We have a full time staff to assist you with any other landscape needs you may have. My service technicians are trained, state certified, and have passed a background check prior to ever stepping foot on your property.

What do you enjoy about living in western Colorado? I like Western Colorado because it is nice sized community with many of the benefits that the bigger cities have without the congestion. Additionally, where else can you live that offers all of the great outdoor opportunities so close to home? The weather is great and the people are kind and pleasant to do business with.

What do you see as the up and coming trends in the lawn care industry? In the future, there will be a greater emphasis on regulation and improved professional image for the lawn care and landscape industry. As a landscape professional, we are responsible to care for your properties in a safe and effective manner. Mesa Turf Masters will remain committed to its customers and to meeting their needs in the future.

Looking for help improving your home? Call the HBA of Northwestern Colorado at (970) 245-0253 or visit http://www.hbanwco.com

Visit link:
John Quast Mesa Turf Masters

Best Lawn Mowing Service Akron Ohio 330-595-9050
Best Lawn Mowing Service Akron Ohio 330-595-9050 Call Today @ 330-595-9050 Ask For SEO Experts Marc Whitting or Mike Wyne. We are here to serve and bring you...

By: Mike Wyne

See more here:
Best Lawn Mowing Service Akron Ohio 330-595-9050 - Video

Published on March 28, 2014

Shane Lomond stands near a mini-home that has been occupied since November. In the background, one of the homes for the subdivision he has planned can be seen. Lomond has visions of a mini-home park and a subdivision in Doyles, in the area known to locals as The Pit. Lomond is renaming the area Little River Estates. Photos by Chantelle MacIsaac/The Gulf News

Published on March 28, 2014

A mini-home with a view of the Long Range Mountains, one of the attractions to living in the area.

All it takes is a little imagination and a bit of determination when it comes to making a plan come together. Those are two of the characteristics Shane Lomond has, and with experience and the right tools, hes making big moves in the home building industry on the southwest coast.

At the tender age of 12, Lomond started mowing lawns, and by 14 he was submitting business proposals to the town of Port aux Basques, offering lawn mowing services. His strong business sense hasnt left him.

The idea of starting a construction company was born in 1992, and during many years living out West, Lomond built everything from sheds to malls to bowling alleys, with his wife taking care of the books and day-to-day office management.

Jeanette is the behind-the-scenes person, said Lomond. She plays a crucial role in both the business and family affairs.

They brought that experience back home to Newfoundland with them in 2009, raising their young family, with Lomond steadily gaining a reputation as a developer and builder on the southwest coast.

Their company, Jest Construction, employs four seasonal workers and focuses on developing land, hauling gravel and building homes.

Read the original here:
Small houses = big potential

Lawn Mowing Services - (518)882-8746 - Latham, Colonie, Niskayuna, New York
Bryk City Landscaping provides a regular lawn and landscape maintenance service to our Upstate New York customers. We can visit your property on a 7 / 10 / 1...

By: Michael Bryk

More here:
Lawn Mowing Services - (518)882-8746 - Latham, Colonie, Niskayuna, New York - Video

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Hurricane lawn-mowing business is suing the Putnam County Parks and Recreation Commission and its executive director for allegedly breaking a contract that prompted the company to buy a lot of equipment.

John Shannon and his company, J&J Services, are asking a judge to make the commission honor that contract. But the commission denies that the contract exists.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Hurricane lawn-mowing business is suing the Putnam County Parks and Recreation Commission and its executive director for allegedly breaking a contract that prompted the company to buy a lot of equipment.

John Shannon and his company, J&J Services, are asking a judge to make the commission honor that contract. But the commission denies that the contract exists.

Shannon alleges that in late February 2013, Scott Williamson, head of the parks commission, told Shannon that he'd won a bid to mow the county's parks for an hourly rate for the next two and a half years.

Shannon said he financed $52,820 worth of equipment over three years and hired employees, and when he expressed concern about the equipment, "Williamson assured John Shannon that he would be taken care of for purchasing new equipment for the job," according to the complaint.

The commission had paid Shannon's company about $67,000 for the 2012 mowing season.

But the suit says Williamson directed employees to cut grass at the parks, reducing the number of hours for J&J Services, and in September 7 2013 he sent a letter to Shannon saying the contract would expire within a month.

The parks commission decided to do all mowing in house at a board meeting about three months after Williamson sent the letter. Shannon argues his company's contract with the parks commission is still valid and that not allowing J&J Services to do the work would mean the company has no income to pay employees or make payments on the equipment.

He filed the suit in Putnam Circuit Court January, saying then that mowing is supposed to begin this month and likely last through October. The suit states "time is of the essence in determining the validity of this contract" to allow the company to prepare. A status hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. April 4, and pretrial and trial hearings may be set at that time.

Read more:
Putnam parks commission accused of breaking mowing contract

Spring was never more welcome here in Kansas than it is this year. As temperatures warm and thoughts turn toward outdoor chores, some of us are enthused at the prospect of tending to gardens, flowerbeds and lawns.

For those who cannot perform yard work, those who do not have the time or those who want a more professional look in their landscaping, this is the season for choosing a lawn care company. Every year your Better Business Bureau receives complaints about lawn service companies. Here are some things to consider if you are among those looking for the right company to keep your yard trimmed up and well landscaped.

Who does your neighbors yards?

One of the most reliable methods for choosing a lawn maintenance company is to simply check with a neighbor. If you see good work being done for them, ask who they use. Inquire about reliability, pricing and satisfaction.

Compare the work done for your neighbor with what your needs are. If you are home when their work is being done, you have an opportunity to observe the crew, their work habits and efficiency.

Be prepared before approaching a company

Before you talk to a potential contractor to do your lawn work, take a moment to analyze exactly what your needs are. Be able to approach a company with a specific list of what jobs need to be done. Do you just want a simple mowing? Do you want edging, trimming, tree care, fertilization and/or pest control? Are you in need of more involved landscaping?

Know your budget before talking to a lawn contractor. Be sure of the price you can afford and stick to that number. Extra services may balloon the costs beyond what you had planned.

Be wary of anyone who quotes prices without seeing your yard. You should be able to get a free inspection of your lawn and estimate of the charges for doing the work required.

Many BBB complaints about lawn service companies are related to whats called a negative option in a contract. This is an automatic continuation of service until you cancel it. Some customers have been surprised that work on their lawn has continued on past the period of time they originally intended. Discuss what the length of time is for the company to do your job. Is it a matter of months or is it longer? Can you cancel the service if you are unhappy with the work? What is the schedule of payment? Some companies may offer a discount if you pay upfront for a years service.

Read the original post:
Better Business Bureau: Check out lawn care companies before committing

Let us do the work! GLS provides weekly lawn mowing services.
GLS Landscaping and Maintenance has the full range of landscape and lawn care maintenance services you need for your residential property. http://www.glsmaintenance...

By: GLS Landscaping and Maintenance

Go here to read the rest:
Let us do the work! GLS provides weekly lawn mowing services. - Video

Cannington Lawn Mowing For Total Lawn Care
Cannington Lawn Mowing For Total Lawn Care http://www.canningtonlawnmowing.com Don #39;t know how to mow? Can #39;t find a reliable mower? Cannington Lawn Mowing is ...

By: Cannington Lawnmowing

Read more from the original source:
Cannington Lawn Mowing For Total Lawn Care - Video