Here are the reader poll results from the question posted throughout March on the Grounds Maintenance Web site, www.grounds-mag.com.

Once you've decided to purchase new equipment, what most influences the brand you select?	Dealer location	20%
	Past experience with brand	39%
	Referral/recommendation from friend	6%
	Warranty/service agreement	7%
	Financing programs	4%
	Equipment options	11%
	Test driving the equipment	13%

Look for this new reader poll question at www.grounds-mag.com.

How specific are your mowing contracts?

A. I bid each job individually and propose a flat fee for each time I mow.

B. I bid each job by proposing a standard hourly fee.

C. I bid each job by proposing a menu-type contract consisting of a flat fee for mowing, a flat fee for trimming and a flat fee for maintaining beds and let the client choose which options he or she wants.

D. I bid jobs by proposing a monthly or weekly fee for overall care, without specifying a set number of times to mow, etc.