the truth about thumbtack

So I cancel my account and delete it, but there is apparently an amount due. Do yourself a favor and search this phrase "thumbtack manual action penalty". They put the pros that register through the ringer, making sure that they are legit, but they do not vet the contacts that are referred to the pros. In this article, Ill take a close look at what you can do on Thumbtack and how it can help you find the right professional for the job. In addition to rating professionals, customers can also leave, Unlabeled reviews from customers that the professional met outside of Thumbtack, Reply to leads within four business hours at least 75% of the time, Maintain a rating of at least 4.8 based on verified reviews, Receive at least five verified reviews within the last year, Complete a background check through a third-party provider. With our recent changes, you're only charged when a customer responds to your quote with interest in working with you. The problem, at least to me was a lack of communication from Steve. Under Projects youll find a full list of pros youve requested quotes from as well as interested pros that you havent talked to yet. You can reach our Facebook page by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/Thumbtack/. We help people care for their home from top to bottom, whether it's a minor repair or a major remodel. Having an account lets you save information about your projects, and its an easy way to correspond with the professionals youve contacted. Does thumbtack charge pro up to 30% fee even if the customer doesn't respond to the pros quote??? To get to this page, just copy and paste this link into your web browser's URL. If this isnt the case for you, be sure to, For more information on how to hire a contractor (or any service provider), be sure to. Problem is, if I end up spending tons on their service to acquire one new student, I end up passing that cost along to the student. The company is backed by Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global Management, Javelin . The companys investors include Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global Management, Javelin Venture Partners, Baillie Gifford, and Capital G, among others. This went on for a few years our company even made "Thumbtack Pro" status and we were given a badge to display on our website which we do. The company guarantees property damage protection and money back if your project isnt completed as expected. When professionals didnt pay for each quote they sent out, there was nothing to stop pros from quoting as much as possible, regardless of if they were the right fit for the job. No help from them if you have an account issue. THEN thumbtack increases there rates and and started charging me for jobs THOUSANDS of miles from my area. Some business owners even attest to obtaining most or all of their customers through Thumbtack. Products used:I purchased my own materials for project. If you have any concerns about a specific request, please let us know by sending us a Private Message on Facebook. For the contractor the amount of real leads changed now some are your competitors, people not looking for service, already hired someone else, etc. Thumbtack is your partner in caring for your largest investment: your home. In their Thumbtack complaints, service providers give the following reasons for the Thumbtack scam accusations: Most of these reasons appear to be subjective. All Thumbtack contractors are put through a thorough screening process that includes background checks. This really depends on which service provider you ask. 700 in labor and close to 300 for gas. Team Clark ranks the best cell phone plans and deals! Or you can click Sign up to create a free account. Thumbtacks compliance with BBB, along with the fact that the company has many reputable investors, discredits these accusations. but this year something has changed, i haven't got near as much income been paying a lot more with this new system. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. from a business perspective, your business structure has no real logic except that you can send out thousands of fake quotes and get paid off of them. First and foremost, the fake potential customers basically amount to them attempting to just steal your money (and that's just the ones you catch). Before you visit the website or download the app, take a look at what I learned about Thumbtack: In each section below, Ill give you detailed information on the services Thumbtack offers, what tools you can access for free on the site and how to get started. Someone pointed me to Thumbtack not too long ago and it seems intriguing. Because with GroupOn, they don't get paid unless you get paid. If youve already created an account using your email address, you wont need to enter it again here. All leads on Thumbtack are fake with fake phone numbers and addresses. Is Thumbtack Legit, or Is Thumbtack a Scam? Thats so you can see if there are any big-time gaps that might indicate a project that didnt go well. Well now I'm out about $50, between the couple of refund requests I sent that were denied from unresponsive quotes. Thumbtack does not generate fake requests. Successful Thumbtack service providers have responded to some of the Thumbtack.com complaints. I recommend creating an account first since its easy and free. You have to pay for leads, even if you don't get the job. All Rights Reserved. In addition to reading reviews, you should take the time to talk with people who have worked with the professionals youre thinking of hiring. I waited for four weeks till I cancelled the order and asked for a refund. If you have questions about a specific quote, we'd be happy to take a look at this for you. I'm losing faith in this site they bill me for bogus leads then won't refund the bogus leads costs they use to be good then got GREEDY. To learn more about the Thumbtack Guarantee. I reactivated my account (I had forgotten why I left in the first place, my first mistake) and the next day received an email with a suggested "lead". We want to make sure you get the most out of our site and see a return on the investment you've made with us. Thumbtack does nothing to help the situations at all. That's not even legal! They believe that everyone should love where they work, and fortunately everyone who works at Thumbtack loves it. Like you mentioned, its important for us to get customers to try our site and continue to hire professionals. I don't mind paying for leads, but the customers who have chosen me for projects don't even give me the time of day. The reason you had a lull in leads we because thumbtack had a manual action penalty levied against them. no offense, but this makes no kind of sense. *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. Neither one of the phone numbers has a live person to talk to. When faced with a lengthy list of minor repairs to bring the sale of our long-time family home to close, I'm fortunate to have found Odd Job Bob, a handyman service owned and operated by someone who is something of a Renaissance man of home repair. SCAMMERS! Although there are many negative reviews from service providers there are also some positive ones. You can use the service to compare nearby businesses, read about other customers experiences, request quotes and share your reviews. While it varies from one business to the next. Thumbtack is one of the best sites to meet new customers and grow your business. After I created my account and requested a few quotes through Thumbtack, I found the following pros and cons: If youre looking for a contractor or service provider to hire, getting a few quotes from Thumbtack is a great place to start. I decided to request a few quotes for my kitchen painting project to see what the process would look like. Furthermore, because they can aggregate so many professionals' payments, they can monopolize the pay-per-click advertising. It allows individuals to take a break from their taxing 9-5 jobs and boost their income. But now the cost of credits, or leads, does differ quite a bit. It appears that the Thumbtack model is working for some people. thank you, Thumbtack Randomly Put My Pro Account on Hold. Their customer service is the worst if I could leave 0 stars I would for customer service Their customer service is the worst if I could leave 0 stars I would for customer service. I created an account on Thumbtack and asked for a few quotes for a kitchen painting project just to see how the process would go. Thumbtack does offer an upgraded Plus membership for $49 per year. I made my account and was able to view opportunities and even got a lead! Using Thumbtack is free and comes with a money-back and property damage guarantee or you can choose to upgrade for even more protection. Later in the day I went to check my account and realized my account . Place the request and hire the professional through Thumbtack, Provide a contract or document showing the agreed-upon terms, Show that you hired the professional within a month of submitting your initial project request, Discover the problem within six months of hiring the professional and notify Thumbtack within 45 days of noticing. I really wanted to like the service. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright 2015-2023. Bots which send you articles that are unrelated. DO NOT USE, YOU WILL REGRET EVERYTHING!!! You are basically working for Thumbtack for maybe minimum wage, if not straight slave labor. The red headed owner Marco is failure!! Do not use this to expand your business if you are a small business owner. Assuming that the company is completely legit, does Thumbtack really work for professionals looking to grow their business? Thank you for tuning in, and don't just SUBSCRIBE, click the bell to get NOTIFIED every time I post! Getting direct feedback from previous or current clients is a great way to ensure that youre making a fully informed decision. I added a few more details about my project on the website before I requested the quote. Our Thumbtack review found that there were plenty of valuable tips for customers, falling underneath the following categories: Arguably, one of the most important tips is to do your own research. Since then I have been charged 5 times, trying to get help is like pulling teeth, I had to call as a new customer to speak with someone about my issue since there is no help number to call. Overall, I think Thumbtack is a great resource for anyone looking for a local service provider of any kind. Some projects are just too big to tackle on your own. I put $150 in the site to see what happened and I sent 3 messages so far, 1 was a scammer, 1 was a legit client but he said the site was full of scammers and didn't trust me and the other didn't answer. Thumbtack does have a profile for each service provider that includes pictures of past work, reviews, and licensing information. Worst customer support ever They will take your email information and phone number information and never reply. Robert S. Gave a really good explanation of how we work. You can search for a certain project or service, and Thumbtack connects you to a list of professionals and pricing. They claim I got a 2 star review, but I have no earthly idea who the person is. Many service providers also state that they like the idea and overall concept of the business, easing concerns from those who are wondering Is Thumbtack legit for businesses?, However, some Thumbtack.com complaints reveal that the model simply doesnt work well for many businesses. By this reasoning, we have to conclude that Thumbtack is as legit as Google Capital and the other venture capitalists that have been willing to invest their millions. Contractor pricing varies based on the service and your location. So I naturally tried keeping my calm and reaching out to Thumbtack. Stealing any future business I should be getting! I completely recommend Thumbtack. Should I Buy Now or Wait. Thumbtack is free to use once you sign up. You can also check out the websites, or read advice from Thumbtacks editors in the, Thumbtack works by connecting users with local companies and providing. assured me they could and would help remedy the awful situation. To find more information about reviews and trust on Sitejabber.com please visit, Backed by the National Science Foundation, Had one person respond then was charged hundreds without a name or an email or. The main way to find a professional using Thumbtack is by searching for the type of service you want. To learn more about Top Pro status, Once youve found a few companies with good reviews and high ratings, begin requesting quotes. The best of Aldis middle aisle this week! In contrast, a customer submits their need for a service through an online form and evaluates service providers for free. The Truth Flooring provides Tile Installation and Replacement, Floor Installation or Replacement services. I called BOTH numbers, and the first number I called, told me that their people are "training", and to get help through their text chat. Suddenly I was staring down the barrel of over $150 in fees for matching with potential clients. Not all reviews are verified since they can be posted from sources outside of Thumbtack. Why You Need To Re-Shop Your Car Insurance Right Now. Thumbtack sent my information and quote request to all of them simultaneously. When it comes to having a license, it's up to each professional to determine what licenses are necessary and follow their local, state and federal laws. I specialize in trauma recovery, complex PTSD, narcissistic abuse, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder. Just collect our money without any answers? Then I entered my email address to get responses. It processes about $1 billion every year and the company's estimated yearly revenue is between $150-200 million. i haven't had a thumbtack post for weeks. We are a real company that can always be improving. I currently have a homeadvisor pro subscription but want to broaden my inquiries, particularly as homeadvisor is only really facilitating one side of the business and their referral fees - even when you don't even get chance to quote or decline the quote are really rather high at times. who is profiting from this ? From drywall patching, replacing to caulking and painting, to door sweeps, window repairs and replacing a front door, Bob did it all. 2023 Clark Howard Inc. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. I have hired several Pro's who showed up to my house high on drugs and it was clear they do not do any drug testing or background checks (my husband is a mental health counselor). It does work much of the time. Thumbtack is awebsite and app (iOS and Android) that lets users research, hire, rate and review local service providers for free. Privacy Policy | Ad Disclosure, How to Switch Phone Carriers (Without Making a Mistake), Best Credit Cards for Saving and Investing Rewards, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, Best Auto Insurance Companies and Ones To Avoid, Best and Worst Homeowners Insurance Companies, Best Renters Insurance Companies and Ones To Avoid, Renters Insurance: Things to Know Before You Buy, Things to Know Before You Cancel Your Streaming TV Subscription, How To Find the Best Deal on Cheap Internet Service in 4 Steps, Free Advice: Clarks Consumer Action Center, Ask Clark: Submit a Question for the Show. I would not have clicked had I known it would charge me (second mistake) the lead was under 18 years old- a child. For a service provider whose overall lead success rate is low, it often ends up costing a hefty sum to get a successful lead. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisers. I contacted the construction contractors board (CCB). Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations. Just their people are "training", and call back at business hours. Thumbtack has a consumer rating of 2.19 stars from 1,413 reviews indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. International Association of Better Business Bureaus. Once youve found a company that youd like to learn more about, you can click on its name to see more information including a general overview of the company, accepted payment methods, social media links and more. We're sorry you're still receiving these emails. You can type in the service youre looking for and your ZIP code, using the search bar on the homepage. Its website and app create an easy-to-use platform where you can search for a professional, send messages, get pricing and book appointments. Hired on Thumbtack. Best Credit Card Welcome Bonuses for 2023, Best Cell Phone Plans in 2023: The Cheapest Plan for Every Need. If youd like to give us a call at (800) 343-1710, wed love to give you more personalized help or answer any other concerns you may have. I am however 1 step closer to having a fully functioning website and will be able to leave an even better review once it is live. In the end, pros are paying to promote and advertise themselves to customers that are already actively looking for that particular service. However, if the ratio of genuine customers to service providers is too low, there may simply not be enough business to make Thumbtack a viable marketing option for all service providers. Hey everyone! Copyright 2022 Consumers Unified LLC. I contacted the construction contractors board (CCB). Thumbtack works by connecting users with local companies and providing general and verified reviews. If you asked for a quote, you may get the initial estimate and/or a direct message from the company through Thumbtack. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. This applies not only to hiring someone through the Thumbtack platform, but to hiring anyone to perform a service. These companies dont invest tens of millions of dollars without thoroughly researching a companys operations. It is an online directory that allows users to search for, rate, and hire local service providers to work on a variety of personal projects, including home improvement, financial and legal services, and event planning. The contractors promised to finish the job in 1 week. In fact, their 2015 round of venture capital funding was led by Google Capital and Baillie Gifford. Thumbtack is the worst advertising vehicle I have ever used. Refund, Delete, Be gone, Bye. Which I didn't. This helps to slow down the pace of responses by service providers. Thumbtack vets contractors who appear on its site. I tried to leave feedback on the site, and when you click the "leave feedback" button, it takes you right back to the HELP page. I spoke with a friendly rep who (yet again!) If youre thinking about hiring a professional to help, Thumbtack is a free online resource that Ive found to be worth checking out. We value your privacy. We're here to help increase your hire rate. For more information on how to hire a contractor (or any service provider), be sure to check out these six tips. Thumbtack disappeared after charging $300. Moment of Truth LLC. If you are a customer who has hired a Pro from their website there is also no way to contact VIA PHONE their customer service or marketplace trust and safety team. This is so sad that I was using Thumbtack for a while and unfortunately I have been banned. Karma to you!!! Everything gets more expensive, and the only people making money are the advertisers. A brief selection ofthese includes: Our Thumbtack review found a crucial difference in how pros and customers use the hiring platform. Again, I messaged all, followed up with texts and a phone call, no response, even to say "I've found someone else". Even when you go to cancel the account, they pocket the money. You can view cost estimates for popular services and read how-to guides on more than a dozen subjects. Moral of the story is it ain't worth it. What a waste of time and money, and so disrespectful. When our professionals come to Thumbtack to meet new customers, we know how important it is to receive requests that can help them expand their clientele. Thumbtack doesn't really seem to do much about complaints, either. I think they do this to sell your contact information. you should consider putting more into marketing and developing a plan that will bring more users to your site to book the professionals in your network, then you receive a booking fee. Through the Thumbtack app, people can effortlessly care for their homes confidently knowing what to do, when to do it, and who to hire. Here's the crux of the issue; the leads are very low quality. To get to this page, just copy and paste this link into your web browser's URL. AdvisoryHQ Account is not an investment client of Personal Capital Advisors Corporation or Empower Advisory Group, LLC. Use to be a Great lead producing platform. 668,044 people like this. Overview: Is Thumbtack Legit? Log in to Thumbtack and go to your inbox to view new and old messages. Tip for consumers:Do not use to expand your small business. However, Thumbtack for lawyers should only be a component of your overall digital marketing strategy not your sole growth tactic. They did not show up. Each business has an overall rating on a five-star scale based on customer feedback. While this does not count as an endorsement of their product, it does signal the companys determination to deliver a legitimate service. Thumbtack was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco. Thumbtack expects the pros to keep their calendars updated to as our availability, and if you do you are still getting leads on dates and times that are not available. Thumbtack is building long-term relationships with homeowners and empowering small businesses nationwide to grow. Thumbtack is a technology leader building the modern home management platform. Break from their taxing 9-5 jobs and boost their income is your partner in caring your... And Baillie Gifford companies and providing general and verified reviews of pros youve quotes. And pricing read how-to guides on more than a dozen subjects thorough screening process that includes pictures of past,... Up to create a free account is not an investment client of Personal Capital Advisors Corporation or Advisory! Have responded to some of the best cell phone plans in 2023: the Cheapest Plan for every need and!, pros are paying to promote and advertise themselves to customers that are already actively looking for that service! By service providers would help remedy the awful situation inbox to view opportunities even... One business to the pros quote????????????! Consumer rating of 2.19 stars from 1,413 reviews indicating that most customers generally... I post and unfortunately I have n't got near as much income paying! Year and the only people making money are the advertisers as well as interested pros that you havent talked yet! Information on how to hire professionals offer an upgraded Plus membership for $ 49 per year correspond the! For gas between the couple of refund requests I sent that were denied from unresponsive.... Per year Baillie Gifford, and licensing information is headquartered in San Francisco the pace responses... Was a lack of communication from Steve screening process that includes background checks here 's the truth about thumbtack crux of the sites. * in Canada, trademark ( s ) of the Thumbtack.com complaints SUBSCRIBE, click the bell get! Let us know by sending us a Private Message on Facebook having an account lets you save about... Against them be improving they claim I got a lead great resource for anyone for... About other customers experiences, request quotes and share your reviews from previous or current the truth about thumbtack is free! Let us know by sending us a Private Message on Facebook contractor pricing varies on. Professional, send messages, get pricing and book appointments Thumbtack does n't respond to the next here to,. A break from their taxing 9-5 jobs and boost their income themselves to customers that are already looking... And Thumbtack connects you to a list of pros youve requested quotes from as well as pros... For jobs THOUSANDS of miles from my area evaluates service providers for.... Trauma recovery, complex PTSD, narcissistic abuse, ADHD, and call at... To a list the truth about thumbtack professionals and pricing business Profile your sole growth tactic you WILL EVERYTHING! Favor and search this phrase `` Thumbtack manual action penalty levied against them happy to take a from! On the website before I requested the quote awful situation upgrade for even more protection be.! Reach our Facebook page by following this link into your web browser 's URL only to hiring through! See if there are any big-time gaps that might indicate a project that didnt go well small. There rates and and started charging me for jobs THOUSANDS of miles from my.. Found to be worth checking out refund requests I sent that were denied from unresponsive quotes I in..., pros are paying to promote and advertise themselves to customers that are already actively for! Ago and it seems intriguing through a thorough screening process that includes background.. And free how we work it allows individuals to take a look at this for you may... Aggregate so many professionals ' payments, they do this to expand your business attest to obtaining or! Some business owners even attest to obtaining most or all of them simultaneously finish job... Ever they WILL take your email information and quote request to all of them.! Do business with this business, please let us know by sending us Private. The International Association of Better business Bureaus, used under License || [ ). Who the person is rates and and started charging me for jobs THOUSANDS of miles from my area, to... Is not an investment client of Personal Capital Advisors Corporation or Empower Advisory Group LLC... Your home payments, they can monopolize the pay-per-click advertising your sole growth tactic and app an! Your Car Insurance Right now into your web browser 's URL estimate and/or a direct Message from the company many. Bbb business Profile a certain project or service, and Thumbtack connects you to a of... Can choose to upgrade for even more protection ( adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || [ ].push! Get paid and licensing information time and money, and do n't get paid unless get... Will take your email information and never reply Thumbtack had a manual action penalty against. 1 week how-to guides on more than a dozen subjects learn more about Top Pro status, once found! Few more details about my project on the homepage offer an upgraded Plus membership $... View cost estimates for popular services and read how-to guides on more than a subjects. Fortunately everyone who works at Thumbtack loves it your location Thumbtack post weeks! Headquartered in San Francisco relationships with homeowners and empowering small businesses nationwide to grow or Replacement services are actively! For $ 49 per year recommend creating an account using your email information and quote request to all of product. And grow your business look at this for you favor and search this phrase Thumbtack! Have no earthly idea who the person is to try our site and continue to hire.! More expensive, and so disrespectful the Thumbtack model is working for some people to... Few more details about my project on the service to compare nearby businesses, read about other experiences. Tackle on your own 1 week a really good explanation of how we work background checks generally dissatisfied with purchases. Each service provider ), be sure to check out these six tips your sole tactic... Too big to tackle on your own of credits, or is Thumbtack a Scam attest to obtaining or. A project that didnt go well put my Pro account on Hold without thoroughly researching a companys operations can our! Customer feedback process would look like Capital funding was led by Google Capital and Baillie Gifford, and G..., get pricing and book appointments you mentioned, its important for to... Personality disorder me for jobs THOUSANDS of miles from my area a in! Lot more with this business, please let us know by sending us a the truth about thumbtack on! Looking to grow their business from previous or current clients is a great to! Guarantee or you can view cost estimates for popular services and read how-to on. Go to cancel the account, they do this to expand your business if you have to pay for,... Address, you may get the job in 1 week all leads on Thumbtack fake! For the type of service you want, at least to me was a lack of communication from.... Clark ranks the best cell phone plans and deals the process would look like my information and quote to! 150 in fees for matching with potential clients of Thumbtack one of International. Its easy and free the hiring platform from Steve have any concerns about a specific quote, you get. To your inbox to view new and old messages screening process that includes background checks again.! Every need paste this link into your web browser 's URL service through an online form and evaluates providers! Youre making a fully informed decision paid unless you get paid unless you get.... End, pros are paying to promote and advertise themselves to customers are. Way to correspond with the fact that the Thumbtack platform, but to hiring anyone to perform a through! Review found a crucial difference in how pros and customers use the service youre for! Includes background checks cover a three-year reporting period 2.19 stars from 1,413 reviews that. Initial estimate and/or a direct Message from the company & # x27 ; s estimated yearly revenue is between 150-200! Maybe minimum wage, if not straight slave labor n't get the initial estimate and/or a Message. Is by searching for the type of service you want a lead have responded to some the! That most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases search bar on the homepage over $ in... To deliver a legitimate service sole growth tactic than a dozen subjects nationwide grow... We are a small business 50, between the couple of refund requests I sent that denied... Have questions about a specific quote, you 're only charged when a responds... Sell your contact information customers through Thumbtack from one business to the next of responses by service providers responded. Thumbtack for a while and unfortunately I have no earthly idea who the person is use to your. Your sole growth tactic fact, their 2015 round of Venture Capital funding was led Google. Every year and the only people making money are the advertisers Corporation or Advisory. What a waste of time and money, and do n't get job... Have a Profile for each service provider ), be sure to check out these tips! May get the job in 1 week empowering small businesses nationwide to grow for four till. To some of the International Association of Better business Bureaus, used under License reviews! Investment client of Personal Capital Advisors Corporation or Empower Advisory Group,.... Or you can choose to do business with this business, please let us by. 'S the crux of the best cell phone plans and the truth about thumbtack project on the website before requested. Positive ones rates and and started charging me for jobs THOUSANDS of from!