Thumbtack

JohnnyRocker · Feb 20, 2014

It's like paying to be on craigslist. When the buyer is going for the lowest bidder out of 34(mostly illegal operations) "companies"...maybe it's different in different areas of the country, but in a highly populated area...it is not worth my time. Sure, if you were one of 4 or 5 quotes...but 34...lol...what a joke. The guys getting jobs are unlicensed, and we(me) pay their taxes for them. I call it "craigslist plus"...not because it is better, but because you get to pay.

JonLawn · Feb 20, 2014

This thread inspired me to put in a Thumbtack request for a CPA to do my taxes. It's been 24 hours and NO bids. Where are the lowballers now?!

JohnnyRocker · Feb 20, 2014

lol, nice one. The guys getting most of the work, from that site, in my area wouldn't need that service, as they don't pay taxes.

jeeperscrow · Feb 25, 2014

I think Thumbtack has a limit on the number of businesses allowed to bid per request now. It's like three or maybe five something like that.

I got a lead today and it said 1,000-5,000 square feet yard and called it medium size. If it's really that size then it's a tiny yard. I think most people submitting for bids on there have no clue the size of their lawn. That makes it very difficult to make an accurate estimate with no idea what the customer's actual address is or actual size of lawn is.

I really want to use this service b/c I've been using it for my girlfriend's cleaning business over the winter and gotten a lot of leads, but it seems very difficult to be able to get and actual solid estimate and know where the property actually is!!

jeeperscrow · Feb 25, 2014

Just looked at Thumbtack, and here is how they word it for the potential customer...

How big is the lawn?
Small (less than 1,000 sq ft)
Medium (1,000-5,000 sq ft)
Large (5,000-10,000 sq ft)
Very large (10,000+ sq ft)

So they consider a quarter acre lawn "very large"? Seems a bit silly to me.

jeeperscrow · Feb 25, 2014

Plus, the way that's worded many customers will just think well my yard is about average for around here so it must be considered a medium sized yard...then they'll simply click that even if their yard is actually a half acre.

whiffyspark · Feb 25, 2014

All you guys have to do is ask for address. It's not hard.
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JohnnyRocker · Feb 25, 2014

You "must" pay before you receive the address. The question will be returned to you if you ask any specifics. I even had a question rejected by dumbtack just for asking the exact size of the yard.

whiffyspark · Feb 25, 2014

Right you pay and ask. If they don't answer you get the credit back
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JohnnyRocker · Feb 25, 2014

Yes, under the need more info button. But that's not the exact same thing as submitting a quote. They could give you an answer that was not inline with what they selected going in, then you may not want to bid...therefore losing your money.

JohnnyRocker · Feb 25, 2014

It is basically set up so that you have to pay to find anything out...underhandedly set up.

whiffyspark · Feb 25, 2014

I prefer thumbtack over any other lead service. I can deal with losing $3 on a customer. That's basically gas for someone giving you a bad description over the phone.

The service magic bull**** I'll pass on. 13-25 a customer with no guarantees? No thanks
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JohnnyRocker · Feb 25, 2014

Of course losing less money is the best. But, I was just telling how it runs. It's like how we all say trugreen is not a lawn care company, they are a marketing company...same with the lead companies. They market for themselves, not you. They realize that contractors in general are here today and gone tomorrow. They could care less if they lose a few contractors here and there....ten thousand start ups are born daily. I guess my inner griping stems from how little they work compared to you and I, and how much they make. In closing, yes, they are better than "service scam-magic".

jeeperscrow · Feb 25, 2014

JohnnyRocker said:
It is basically set up so that you have to pay to find anything out...underhandedly set up.

yep

and NO you can't get your money back! You only get your money back if the customer doesn't read your initial quote you send them within 48 hours.

jeeperscrow · Feb 25, 2014

and to say it's better than service magic isn't exactly saying much. Had some service magic sale guy calling me about every other day it seemed last summer...was so ridiculous.

JohnnyRocker · Feb 25, 2014

My norton call-blocking feature has been well worth the price.

jeeperscrow · Feb 25, 2014

JohnnyRocker said:
My norton call-blocking feature has been well worth the price.

I need to figure out something...get way too many sales calls...especially when I'm advertising on Craigslist. These guys just go down CL and call all the companies listed on there. It's a free phone list for them.

jequigle · Jun 9, 2014

I have been using Thumbtack for over 2 years now I though I do not get a lot of leads, the ones I have gotten have lead to some big jobs. I find it worth it and will continue using them. I find that the customers usually go with the very first company that responds to there request. I get a text message when I have a new lead and respond withing 5 mins.

jeeperscrow · Jun 10, 2014

jequigle said:
I have been using Thumbtack for over 2 years now I though I do not get a lot of leads, the ones I have gotten have lead to some big jobs. I find it worth it and will continue using them. I find that the customers usually go with the very first company that responds to there request. I get a text message when I have a new lead and respond withing 5 mins.

This has turned out to be the case for me. Haven't gotten anything worth bidding on in the past month.

whiffyspark · Jun 10, 2014

jeeperscrow said:
This has turned out to be the case for me. Haven't gotten anything worth bidding on in the past month.

Yep. Been ****ty
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