I've done some business lately with a guy in Akron who does landscaping and snow removal.

He's one of the most honest guys I know. The other day, he did a mulch job for a condominium community. The company that the community had do it the three years prior charged them for 90 yards of mulch each year. Turns out, they weren't using even close to that, and he did the job with 47 yards. He could have made a killing by lying to them, but I spoke to him about his business model, and the guy said his philosophy can be summed up simply by keeping profit margins reasonable, being transparent about those margins with clients, and doing a good job. Says it makes it easy to keep clients.

He will even just meet with people and talk to them about it. He's cool with not doing contracts, as he says he's confident that people will like his work and his price.

I just wanted to plug the guy. His name's Rod Costa. The landscape company is called Virtuoso Landscaping, and the Plowing/Snow removal/Salting business is called The Snowmen.

If anyone in the Akron area (I'd say within an hour in any direction from Akron) either needs any of those, or if they even just want to know whether or not they can find room in their current landscape or snow removal budget, I recommend him as highly as I can.

He told me I can give out his contact info, so here's his number:

330-419-1527

/plug

and here all this time we thought you were a dude O-trap, but nice to meet you anyway Mrs. Costa.

O-Trap;1473909 wrote:I've done some business lately with a guy in Akron who does landscaping and snow removal.

He's one of the most honest guys I know. The other day, he did a mulch job for a condominium community. The company that the community had do it the three years prior charged them for 90 yards of mulch each year. Turns out, they weren't using even close to that, and he did the job with 47 yards. He could have made a killing by lying to them, but I spoke to him about his business model, and the guy said his philosophy can be summed up simply by keeping profit margins reasonable, being transparent about those margins with clients, and doing a good job. Says it makes it easy to keep clients.

He will even just meet with people and talk to them about it. He's cool with not doing contracts, as he says he's confident that people will like his work and his price.

I just wanted to plug the guy. His name's Rod Costa. The landscape company is called Virtuoso Landscaping, and the Plowing/Snow removal/Salting business is called The Snowmen.

If anyone in the Akron area (I'd say within an hour in any direction from Akron) either needs any of those, or if they even just want to know whether or not they can find room in their current landscape or snow removal budget, I recommend him as highly as I can.

He told me I can give out his contact info, so here's his number:

330-419-1527

/plug

So he basically did the job for like 38 yards, informed them that they were getting hosed by getting charged for 90 yards, and then charged them for 47. Thanks for the info though. I have a reliable snow guy though, Mr Plow. A new guy tried to get my business, The PLow King, but I was loyal to the guy I normally use.

Tiernan;1473913 wrote:and here all this time we thought you were a dude O-trap, but nice to meet you anyway Mrs. Costa.

Ask your wife. She's seen my peen.

I just had a good experience with the guy and, after talking to him, I like his attitude and business model. Figured he's the kind of guy I'd like to see do well, and hell, helping him would also help any businesses that get sent his way, so I figured I'd plug him here.

thavoice;1473922 wrote:So he basically did the job for like 38 yards, informed them that they were getting hosed by getting charged for 90 yards, and then charged them for 47. Thanks for the info though. I have a reliable snow guy though, Mr Plow. A new guy tried to get my business, The PLow King, but I was loyal to the guy I normally use.

LOL I saw the books for that account. He bought 47 yards, and there's none at the office/shop anytime I go in.

And no worries. If you have a good guy doing it, that's fine. In case someone doesn't, though, he'd be my recommendation.

It's like 93 degrees. Doubt it suddenly starts snowing.

said_aouita;1473940 wrote:It's like 93 degrees. Doubt it suddenly starts snowing.

Fair point.

This was not so much a shameless plug, as it was more an unsolicited recommendation.

Nice to hear good things about local businesses rather than 2 page rants.

Tiernan;1473913 wrote:and here all this time we thought you were a dude O-trap, but nice to meet you anyway Mrs. Costa.

I Lol'd at this. Fuck you Tiernan.

said_aouita;1473940 wrote:It's like 93 degrees. Doubt it suddenly starts snowing.

This is Ohio. Bizarre weather changes are par for the course.

Devils Advocate;1473989 wrote:This was not so much a shameless plug, as it was more an unsolicited recommendation.

Nice to hear good things about local businesses rather than 2 page rants.

I'm glad someone gets the sentiment. It seems like, as you've aptly pointed out, the only time we talk about a business we've interacted with is if we have a reason to complain. I was so impressed with the guy that I figured I'd do the opposite for a change.

I just figured that unsolicited recommendations are often considered "plugs," and I certainly have no shame, so I thought it was appropriate.

O-Trap;1474016 wrote:I'm glad someone gets the sentiment. It seems like, as you've aptly pointed out, the only time we talk about a business we've interacted with is if we have a reason to complain. I was so impressed with the guy that I figured I'd do the opposite for a change.

I just figured that unsolicited recommendations are often considered "plugs," and I certainly have no shame, so I thought it was appropriate.

DA is just more familiar with the 'other' sort of plugs....

thavoice;1474018 wrote:DA is just more familiar with the 'other' sort of plugs....

Repping you for the inspiration.

O-Trap;1474020 wrote:A Plug's Life

ernest_t_bass;1474014 wrote:I Lol'd at this. Fuck you Tiernan.

Basement!... Basement!... Basement!

thavoice;1474018 wrote:DA is just more familiar with the 'other' sort of plugs....

I do not get what you are talking about....


This isn't another one of those sexual references you keep pulling out of your as is it?

A few years ago I took my car to a local mechanic because the clutch was starting to slip. They took it for a spin and called me the next day and told me "It probably doesn't need one yet. You're safe to keep driving it for at least another year".

No charge and I was able to keep driving it for a year. It would have been an easy $800 for them to just change it, but they fessed up and said it was unnecessary.

It's a shame that society has unraveled to the point where we have to make plugs about honest companies. Companies are supposed to be honest.

Devils Advocate;1474054 wrote:I do not get what you are talking about....


This isn't another one of those sexual references you keep pulling out of your as is it?

I actually had just got finished fixing the bathroom drain as it was plugged up, so, no, I wasn't referring to some sexual reference, but it is nice to see where your mind is.

dlazz;1474068 wrote:A few years ago I took my car to a local mechanic because the clutch was starting to slip. They took it for a spin and called me the next day and told me "It probably doesn't need one yet. You're safe to keep driving it for at least another year".

No charge and I was able to keep driving it for a year. It would have been an easy $800 for them to just change it, but they fessed up and said it was unnecessary.

It's a shame that society has unraveled to the point where we have to make plugs about honest companies. Companies are supposed to be honest.

Had a similar situation. Local place said he would have to tear down the clutch to take a look at it, and said that would cost about a hundred bucks, and if I indeed needed one that would go toward the new clutch. Brought it to a different place and they had it for about an hour, I picked it up and they said drive it for a week and see how it goes. The total charge? $20 bucks. ALl it needed was brake fluid. About once a year for the next 4-5 years I just had to refill the brake fluid usually in January when it started to get real lose and it fixed it.

Heretic;1474015 wrote:This is Ohio. Bizarre weather changes are par for the course.

Great point.