Why People Are Searching for an Alternative
The Same Pattern Keeps Showing Up in Memphis Reviews
If you're reading this page, there's a good chance one of three things happened: the tech who quoted you isn't the tech who's showing up, the price went up when the promo expired, or the yard isn't looking the way it was supposed to.
None of that is unique to TruGreen — it's the operating reality of any large national lawn service running big franchise routes on introductory pricing. The answer isn't that one company is evil and the other is virtuous. The answer is that a small, local, Bartlett-based crew that's been on the same route for fifty-four years runs differently than a national rollup.
This page compares Safari and TruGreen honestly — where we win, where we don't, and what to expect if you switch.
Side by Side
Safari vs TruGreen in Memphis
Full Honesty
Where TruGreen Might Fit Better
- You want a brand name for a rental or flip. TruGreen's national recognition is useful when handing off the lawn to someone who won't know local vendors — Safari is a local name, not a national one.
- You travel and need account access across multiple states. TruGreen can service a Memphis house and a Nashville rental under one national account. Safari only services the Greater Memphis area.
- You've already pre-paid for a TruGreen annual plan. Finish the year, then switch at renewal — don't fight a refund if you don't have to.
If none of those apply to you, there's no structural reason to stay with a national brand when the local Bartlett option is available.
Why Customers Make the Switch
What Memphis Homeowners Tell Us When They Call
- ✓"My price doubled after the first year." Introductory pricing resets are one of the most common reasons people call us to quote a switch.
- ✓"I never see the same technician twice." Consistency is hard on a large national route. Safari's Bartlett crew is the same people, trip over trip.
- ✓"The yard still has weeds." Pre-emergent timing has to be matched to soil temperature in Memphis — not calendar dates. A local crew that's been doing this for five decades knows when the trigger hits in your neighborhood.
- ✓"Nobody local will call me back." Call Safari's Bartlett office and a human answers during business hours. That alone is often the deciding factor.
- ✓"I keep getting upsold." We quote what your lawn needs, not what commission pays us.
How to Switch
Moving From TruGreen to Safari
Call TruGreen and cancel
Ask for written confirmation of the cancellation effective date. If you're on a pre-paid annual plan, ask whether any refund is owed for untreated visits.
Get a Safari quote
Call (901) 387-0990 or use the online quote form. Most Memphis-area properties can be quoted from aerial imagery the same day.
Pick a start date
We schedule your first treatment to pick up where TruGreen's last one left off — usually within 7 business days, often sooner. No overlap, no gap.
Common Questions
TruGreen vs Safari — FAQs
Is Safari Lawn Care cheaper than TruGreen in Memphis?
Per-treatment pricing is usually in the same range. The real cost difference shows up over 12 months — TruGreen's introductory pricing typically resets at renewal, and the upsells (aeration, tree and shrub, grub control, mosquito) are billed separately. Safari's program is transparent upfront, no renewal resets, and you only get upsold if your lawn actually needs it.
Why do Memphis TruGreen reviews mention inconsistent technicians?
TruGreen's Memphis branch runs a large route with significant technician rotation — it's common for customers to see a different face most visits. Safari runs a smaller Bartlett-based crew where your assigned technician stays consistent visit over visit. That consistency is the reason our retention is what it is.
How long has Safari Lawn Care served the Memphis area?
Since 1972 — fifty-four years. Safari is a locally owned Bartlett-based company, BBB-accredited charter #1558, and the family has operated the business across three generations of Memphis-area homeowners.
Can Safari match the TruGreen services I currently pay for?
Yes. Safari provides weed prevention, fertilization, mosquito control, flea and tick yard treatment, and tree and shrub maintenance — the four main service categories TruGreen sells. We'll review your current TruGreen program and match the treatments your lawn actually needs, without the service categories that were added for upsell rather than plant health.
Is there a cancellation fee to leave TruGreen?
TruGreen doesn't charge an explicit cancellation fee, but pre-paid annual plans aren't always fully refunded, and they sometimes send a final invoice for the prorated balance of treatments already applied. Call them directly and ask for written confirmation before switching. Safari doesn't require a contract — you can stop any time.
Can I get a quote from Safari today?
Yes — most Memphis-area properties can be quoted from aerial imagery the same day you call. If your lot is over an acre or has unusual landscape features, a technician will do a quick on-site assessment at no cost. Call (901) 387-0990 or use the online quote form.