There was only one other company here with Cert Arbs, I am only the second. I find that there is good demand.
Most of the well-known local names don't do good work and clients who bring it up say one of 2 things: "I hired Company X and they did a terrible job before" -OR- "I have always hired Company Y, and have been happy with them, will you top my trees like they did"? I bite my toung, and just explain why what I am offering is the best thing for their trees. I try hard to not belittle anybody or their work - just let right be right, there is plenty of science behind proper tree care and when somebody knows I am not just making things up 'because taht is the way grandpa did it', I find it sells.
I agree 100% with Ghillie's statement: "I am by no means a salesman, but educating the customer and letting him/her decide what they want to do seems to work for me."
Me too. (or I am dealing with clients who already have a certain knowledge, and as long as I am reasonable, the job is mine...)