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Thumbtack Job Web Site

Just want to let you guys know about a cool website you may have seen advertised on different web forums, like Facebook, etc. It's called Thumbtack and I signed up about a year ago and it's been pretty good to me so far.

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Basically, the way the site works is you register as a service provider, fill out your profile, the services you provide, your travel range, and then you get leads for jobs from customers. You pay a small amount to submit a quote to the client.

Consumers submit service requests that are sent out to providers in their area. Only 5 professionals can send quotes (bids). There are a fair amount of "tire kickers" and window shoppers, but you'll get to know the red flags of those types of requests and not bid them. Thumbtack has also been pretty good about giving me free credits (used to pay for quotes) when I feel like I got a tire kicker (they can check to see if the job was actually hired out).

I'm running about 25% on quotes I submit that I get hired for. Of those clients, I have about 90% who say they'll hire me again or recommend me to their friends/colleagues. Of those, I'm running 60% repeat (multiple) or referred business.

I'm also getting hired at a higher rate than when I started because of all the great reviews I have and the fact that I'm getting better at weeding out the tire kickers.

Usually I hate when people do this, but I have a link you can use to sign up if you're interested. If you sign up and actually bid on a job, I will get 12 free credits for referring you. Please believe me when I say that is not why I'm posting this. I know there are others in this group who take pride in their work and get pleasure out of doing a job right and pleasing their clients who could benefit from this website.

It's not the website that is making the process successful for me. Like others in this group, it's the high quality of service I provide and the professional, respectful demeanor with which I provide it that is the reason for the success.

Here's the link for my referral if you want to check it out and give it try.

If you don't like me and don't want me to benefit from the referral, check out site anyway. If you end up getting work from it, I expect a high-five in here. :-)

Reply to
-MIKE-
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So no one has even replied to this... not even to b!t@h at me for something. :-) If it's the referral link that turns you off, then please ignore it and go to the regular website link.

I posted this because I know that at least a few of you could really benefit from this site.

Reply to
-MIKE-

-MIKE- wrote in news:n51n5b$di5$ snipped-for-privacy@dont-email.me:

I almost replied... but didn't have much to say other than "Interesting site."

Interesting site. They have a kinda tight focus at the moment, but the site does give the impression of a decent footing and the ability to grow.

Ok, here goes: Mike! You're such a self-serving moron! Your obsessive use of punctuation makes projects possible and posts easy to read!

Puckdropper

Reply to
Puckdropper

it is interesting but is it a new idea or is it just managed better than other sites doing similar would be surprised if it is the first site of that kind but it looks pretty good do they cover you for lawsuits or provide liability insurance or do you provied your own do they require you to be state licensed

just curious how that works

Reply to
Electric Comet

Yes and both. Service Magic was the big player in this arena. They are now called Home Adviser, because they needed to re-brand after so many years of having a horrible reputation (earned). Home Adviser charges you for every "lead" they send you. Not hired leads, not even leads you make contact with... just "leads." This means they can send you contact info for people who never answer the phone or call you back and you still pay for it. They also have control of any of your images or contact info you give them, so they can actually take advertising you've done on your own (yahoo, google, etc) and change the contact phone number to theirs. Very shady.

Thumbtack sends you leads in your area and you only pay if you choose to contact the person (via their site) and give a quote (bid) for the service.

No, and no. They are simply a conduit for people to find service providers. As the name implies, they are a virtual bulletin board for people to seek someone who provides a service they need.

They've been really good so far about addressing complains and trying to improve the process based on feedback from providers.

Reply to
-MIKE-

Just in the last year I've picked up at least a half dozen repeat clients. Once you have a client, there's no obligation to use Thumbtack for further jobs. I've spent less than $70 in credits to bid on jobs which yielded 6-7 repeat clients who've also referred me to more clients which has all resulted in several thousands of dollars in work. I haven't added it up yet, but tax time is coming so I'm sure I will. Not bad for 70 bucks.

Now THAT"S more like it!!! :-D

Reply to
-MIKE-

not good at all and i wonder if people actually fall for that that lets them make up fake leads and make money off you

sounds like they are trying to do things in ways that give them a continuous revenue even though neither craftsman or customer gets any money

it is a failing business model

seems like a reasonable model

no doubt some lawsuit happy consumer will ruin that casual style they will try to go after thumtack because they provided the contact it seems to always happen but i hope it does not

Reply to
Electric Comet

They've covered their a$$es very well in their terms of service agreement to which you must agree before you use the site. As we all know too well, however, that won't stop many a lawyer from at least trying to sue them. I'm sure they have a law firm of their own on retainer to deal with that likelihood.

Reply to
-MIKE-

So what is it you do to make that sort of quid? Wash windows, clean out gutters, basements, garages?

Reply to
cody

I don't do windows, as the saying goes. :-) I'm listed on the site as a general handyman. I've done a bit of everything. Off the top of my head from this past year...

Carpentry- building and/or installing cabinets; converting solid panel doors to glass panel; installing and/or repairing doors; storm doors; all kinds of trim/crown; pet doors; hanging pictures/mirrors, towel bars, grab bars, curtain rods; assembled RTA (Ikea) furniture; building workbenches; bookshelves/bookcases. Electrical- installing appliances; installing/swapping light fixtures, plugs, switches, running new circuits; hanging exterior lighting. Plumbing- repairs and installations like new toilets and sinks/faucets; faucet rebuilds; water line repairs; supply valve replacement.

As I'm thinking of these things and typing it out, I realize that I've done quite a variety of things for many different clients.

Reply to
-MIKE-

I took a look at thumbtack for IT work but most of the inquries amount to "can you put a new screen on my without my having to pay for the screen"?

Reply to
J. Clarke

Is that computer stuff? :-)

Reply to
-MIKE-

i need to take a closer look would not want to expose myself to fraud from crazy customers

there will be lawsuits no doubt some legit and some frivolous

as a provider of services my concern would be malicious and frivolous suits against me

lots of people like to solve their problems with lawyers and courts for example they decide the color they chose is not right they ask if you can come back and redo it you say not for free

they hang up and start the process of fixing the wrong they perceive some people thrive on this behavior

Reply to
Electric Comet

Every service provider assumes this risk with or without the help of a lead-generating website.

Again, you have the same chances of this happening with or without Thumbtack.

And there are plenty of unscrupulous contractors out there who go around making up change orders to increase the cost of a job and when the homeowner won't pay the fraudulent charge, the contractor puts a lien on their home and can cause serious legal hassles for them.

Life isn't fair and there are a-holes out there. Sometimes, you just have to dive in the pool and get wet, and trust that there are good people out there, too.

Reply to
-MIKE-

that is true and guess i have just not thought about liability insurance

and just in general quoting ridiculous prices to unaware homeowners

there are good ones

Reply to
Electric Comet

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