customer wants to pick the trees!!

[scapepro]

I had a meeting today with a customer. They said at their last house they looked and looked at many nurseries before they found a tree they liked. Then they bought it and planted it. They asked since I would be doing the planbting, how would they choose the tree? I told them they wouldn't. I would choose the tree. I have knowledge of the right nurseries, what looks good and what doesn't.

Was this what you would've said?

[Stonehenge]

Pretty much. :) ;)

[site]

It's usually extra work to let them choose, but what's the harm? I do it all the time. If they pick a rediculous tree I skip the warantee. Letting them choose helps them feel more invested in their landscapes.

[Lanelle]

I will let a client pick a specialty tree that has 'character', such as a Laceleaf Japanese Maple. Otherwise, no, I do not let them pick their trees if there are just a few. Some LA's demand a tagging trip but there are usually a large number of trees involved on the project. That's a different story.

[Bexter]

. We have the luxury of a couple of our own tree farms (although we only dig twice a year) and a quite large holding area at the shop.... I love it when they want to tag their own trees. I'm sure all of us at one time have installed a tree that the customer didn't like ... this eliminates that. Really doesn't happen that often but they are welcome to do it.
LA's are a different story ... I would insist on it. We have been working with one this year that is really a pain in the .... I insisted that she approve everything because of past experience with her. Had her meet me at the gravel pit to hand pick 8 large rocks and requested that she be on site when the crane was placing them.