I've had it with SM! (again) - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Danno6102 · 04-14-2009, 09:52 AM

I am embarrassed to admit I use SM, but I'm still new to the game & it's has helped me nail a couple small jobs to get going, but I've finally had it!

So this is the last straw! I get a lead for a deck. I go & meet with the HO. He wants a concrete slab, not a deck (he chose the wrong task category, his fault, not mine!) I also talked with another contractor that showed up & he is equally dissatisfied with SM. So I apply for a lead credit. DENIED!

ARE YOU F'ING KIDDING ME!!!

Not to mention all the Exact Match leads I've received when none of them return my calls or emails & they were contacted almost immediately! The beauty of Blackberry! Tried to apply for a credit for those, big surprise, DENIED TOO!

So I decided to put some numbers next to the leads I've received from SM. Rediculous!

Customer Match
Total received = 12
Could not make contact = 5 = 42%
HO chose wrong task = 1 = 8%
Provided estimate only = 3 = 25%
Sold = 3 = 25%
50% JUNK!!!

Exact Match (These people chose me from a list! Should be the easiest to contact!)
Total = 5
Could not make contact = 3 = 60%!!!!
Price shopper = 1 = 20%
Provided estimate = 1 = 20%
80% JUNK!!!!!!

**Cole** · 04-14-2009, 09:57 AM

That says it all to everyone, who is thinking about using a lead service.

Warren · 04-14-2009, 10:09 AM

Hence the problem with "being new to the game"

One of the reasons why most of us here paid our dues in our trades before striking out on our own. Networking is something that can only truly take place over time by getting to meet people and working on many jobs. Too often many want to take the strike it rich quick approach and I think these lead services were tailor made for such people.

MALCO.New.York · 04-14-2009, 10:18 AM

My only retort is this.........

"Again"........ Learn or recommit! Apparently you did not learn!

Shame on you!.

(This is said in fun and good spirit!!!)

silvertree · 04-14-2009, 10:25 AM

You know, if I pet my neighbors dog and he bites me, I'm done petting that dog.
Same !

macatawacab · 04-14-2009, 10:53 AM

OK, I have posted my SM comments before. I have not used them and based on my experience would not.

Curious, You sold Three ? How much did those 3 cost you when you add all the $$ paid to SM? What was the gross $$ of work you did for the 3 sold?

BKFranks · 04-14-2009, 11:31 AM

I don't even use SM and I can't stand them. They call me every day and leave a message. They're always asking some stupid question to get me to call back so they can try to sell me once they've got me on the phone. I already told them, give me three free leads and I will evaluate whether their service is reputable or not. Still haven't received my 3 leads...

protechplumbing · 04-14-2009, 11:39 AM

I had the same luck with them. Try working with the licensing dept. They tried to tell me that as a certified plumbing contractor, I'm not licensed to install residential water mains (Florida law)

I after waisting a bunch of my time and money I came to the conclusion that they are a joke and cancelled. They have been hounding me ever since to come back

Lighting Retro · 04-14-2009, 05:46 PM

interesting stuff

I've used lead services in telecom with mixed results, so I'm not too surprised to hear similar results in construction.

karunnt · 04-14-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danno6102

Customer Match
Total received = 12
Sold = 3 = 25%

Exact Match
Total = 5
Price shopper = 1 = 20%

What were the total sales and total lead costs?

Danno6102 · 04-15-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karunnt

What were the total sales and total lead costs?

Total lead costs = $663
Total gross sales = $4,900
13.5% of gross sales
42.7% of gross profit!

These 3 sales consisted of two small simple treated decks & one repair job for a 10' long standard treated shadowbox screen panel at the end of a deck. So even the jobs themselves weren't of any real quality.

I know AGAIN. Things were slow so I figured I'd try some new tactics to see if they land some more sales & contacts. They helped, but the general results were still junk.