Service magic has crossed the line this time. - Page 4 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

SonOfJewCarpntr · 12-22-2007, 06:38 AM

Wow! I wish I had read all these posts BEFORE signing on the bottom line. Oh well.

I am a home improvement contractor and been in business since 1988. I work in the D.C. area and recently moved to the eastern shore of MD. I never used a lead service before, just referrals (alot cheaper!). I was told about Service Magic and, frankly, never really researched them. The guy said he'd turned away more business than he got so I gave them a try.

Good grief!! Leads ALL sucked, some were bogus, some refunds, lowest bidder gets the job! All leads were 90+ miles away. But that's not SM's fault. I set my area too big.

I did get a couple of jobs, though. I consider myself to be a pretty good salesman. I am honest. I don't BS people and I respect their noses for the same. Most people don't trust us guys anyway so why confirm what they already think?? It doesn't pay the bills (and the diesel fuel ;-). The jobs pretty much paid for the leads. Then came the BS leads:

One guy I called back said SM asked him what "other" jobs he needed to have done (he originally called for a chimney cleaning co). He said he was thinking of replacing an exterior door. Hot Dang! "Ready to Hire" Lead generated!! I called the guy and he acted like I was crazy.

One lady I called back (HandyMan lead) said she told SM she needed a company with a crane truck to remove her 4' x 8' lighted commercial sign in front of her business in Lewes, DE. and store it. Hot Dang!! "Ready to Hire" handyman lead custom fit for David Black Construction! Ooops, I don't HAVE a crane truck.

One lady calls ($60 remodel lead) and she says, "can you call me back Friday? I'll have a revised set of plans for you." I said, "Uh, ok. Maybe you should call me when you get them?" "Nah," she says, "I am busy with CHristmas and my grandchildren. BTW, just so you know, I have a contractor showing up any minute now to pick up some plans." "What? I thought you didn't have any plans?" She said, "No, Mr. Black. You didn't understand me. I said I didn't have any plans for you." "Oh, also you need to know that I have most of the materials on site now. I have joists, windows, lighting fixtures, etc."

I said, "Ma'am, did you have another contractor working on this job?" "Yes," she said. "What happened?" "I fired him," she said. "Why?" "Because he was a liar," she said.

I hung up the phone. Woman was a nutcase. Thank you, Service Magic!! What a joke! Except for the bill!

I am not used to this nonsense. I am really good at what I do and most of my work has been word-of-mouth. But since I moved it has been hard to generate new business.

Anyhow, new to this site and love the posts!

Dave B.

PMI · 12-22-2007, 07:02 AM

Hey everyone,
This all caught my attention before the holiday weekend. Anyone ever think of how powerful a "good GeneralC or BuildingC" can be at being a lead source for subs? My company is extremely proficient at organizing service requests, marketing and advertising. We do this 100+% of the time and there are local subs by the hundreds that "try" to do this on a part-time basis. We come to realize that we needed to strengthen what we do to 110%, and even increase our relationships with the subs so they can focus more of their attention on the actual work. Wouldn't you know ... more work for us, the sub and better profits and cash flow for both. My firm is a local SM in the eyes of a good few hundred subs. I have another idea that we have been working on, and would enjoy floating it by a few others who may not be as big as us, but can relate to what I am saying. Please comment on the post and I will get back to you after the holidays or New Years (since I may not be online until then). Phil

wizendwizard · 12-22-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfJewCarpntr

Wow! I wish I had read all these posts BEFORE signing on the bottom line. Oh well.

I am a home improvement contractor and been in business since 1988. I work in the D.C. area and recently moved to the eastern shore of MD. I never used a lead service before, just referrals (alot cheaper!). I was told about Service Magic and, frankly, never really researched them. The guy said he'd turned away more business than he got so I gave them a try.

Good grief!! Leads ALL sucked, some were bogus, some refunds, lowest bidder gets the job! All leads were 90+ miles away. But that's not SM's fault. I set my area too big.

I did get a couple of jobs, though. I consider myself to be a pretty good salesman. I am honest. I don't BS people and I respect their noses for the same. Most people don't trust us guys anyway so why confirm what they already think?? It doesn't pay the bills (and the diesel fuel ;-). The jobs pretty much paid for the leads. Then came the BS leads:

One guy I called back said SM asked him what "other" jobs he needed to have done (he originally called for a chimney cleaning co). He said he was thinking of replacing an exterior door. Hot Dang! "Ready to Hire" Lead generated!! I called the guy and he acted like I was crazy.

One lady I called back (HandyMan lead) said she told SM she needed a company with a crane truck to remove her 4' x 8' lighted commercial sign in front of her business in Lewes, DE. and store it. Hot Dang!! "Ready to Hire" handyman lead custom fit for David Black Construction! Ooops, I don't HAVE a crane truck.

One lady calls ($60 remodel lead) and she says, "can you call me back Friday? I'll have a revised set of plans for you." I said, "Uh, ok. Maybe you should call me when you get them?" "Nah," she says, "I am busy with CHristmas and my grandchildren. BTW, just so you know, I have a contractor showing up any minute now to pick up some plans." "What? I thought you didn't have any plans?" She said, "No, Mr. Black. You didn't understand me. I said I didn't have any plans for you." "Oh, also you need to know that I have most of the materials on site now. I have joists, windows, lighting fixtures, etc."

I said, "Ma'am, did you have another contractor working on this job?" "Yes," she said. "What happened?" "I fired him," she said. "Why?" "Because he was a liar," she said.

I hung up the phone. Woman was a nutcase. Thank you, Service Magic!! What a joke! Except for the bill!

I am not used to this nonsense. I am really good at what I do and most of my work has been word-of-mouth. But since I moved it has been hard to generate new business.

Anyhow, new to this site and love the posts!

Dave B.

Are you the DAVEB thats was posting on SM yesterday, Welcome to the REAL world of contractor communication.

SelfContract · 12-22-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfJewCarpntr

Wow! I wish I had read all these posts BEFORE signing on the bottom line. Oh well.

One lady calls ($60 remodel lead) and she says, "can you call me back Friday? I'll have a revised set of plans for you." I said, "Uh, ok. Maybe you should call me when you get them?" "Nah," she says, "I am busy with CHristmas and my grandchildren. BTW, just so you know, I have a contractor showing up any minute now to pick up some plans." "What? I thought you didn't have any plans?" She said, "No, Mr. Black. You didn't understand me. I said I didn't have any plans for you." "Oh, also you need to know that I have most of the materials on site now. I have joists, windows, lighting fixtures, etc."

I said, "Ma'am, did you have another contractor working on this job?" "Yes," she said. "What happened?" "I fired him," she said. "Why?" "Because he was a liar," she said.

I hung up the phone. Woman was a nutcase. Thank you, Service Magic!! What a joke! Except for the bill!

I am not used to this nonsense. I am really good at what I do and most of my work has been word-of-mouth. But since I moved it has been hard to generate new business.

Anyhow, new to this site and love the posts!

Dave B.

Sorry, but that lady story making me laugh real hard man. She is one hell of a nut case alrighty!

SonOfJewCarpntr · 12-23-2007, 12:28 PM

Yeah, that was me. I have been inducted into the Fellowship of the Burned.

Yeah, SM is really something else. I'm not ready to dump them yet, but I told them already that I was going to publicize every single bad, nonsense lead they charge me for. It's the only way to hold their feet to the fire. At this point that is my only beef with them: crap leads.

Everything that goes on, good and bad, with their service will be made public. Maybe then their reps will stop creating bogus leads and charging us for them. I don't care about the refund thing. They shouldn't be sending those leads to me in the first place!

This is about integrity and ethics in business.

Dave B.

wizendwizard · 12-23-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfJewCarpntr

They shouldn't be sending those leads to me in the first place!

This is about integrity and ethics in business.

Dave B.

We have a winner.... Tell him what he's won Bob!
All of these lead services suck!!

I had another service call me yesterday(yet another one i've been stringing along). Had a lead in "MY AREA" that no one else was looking at and wanted me to call it just to prove that they are legit.
$20,000 sunroom. I bit. Hey it was free!!

I called the lady. Home is in Santee, S.C. this lady was a government official in Washington,D.C.
Wasn't the homeowner. First question she had for me. " What is your minimum charge for sunrooms?"

Huh? i haven't even seen the place.
I'm not talking to the HO!!
She's in D.C. not S.C.
I guess the only good thing i can say about it is, at least i didn't have to pay for anything except the phone time.

SonOfJewCarpntr · 12-27-2007, 09:11 AM

Yeah, that is my experience. My last lead (before I shut them off temporarily) was some company in PA looking for bids for a job in Rehobeth Beach, DE (in my service area). I got some girl on the phone. She asked me if I wanted to bid on the job. Uhhh, DUHHH, that's why I'm calling!!

What? Are they going down a long list to get 100 bids or something looking for the lowest bid? Or was that SM trying to pull a pre-holiday "fast one" to make some quick cash?

<old gangster voice> "Alright, Lefty, go ahead and make the call. We're gonna take this guy for a ride!"

Dave B.

wizendwizard · 12-27-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonOfJewCarpntr

Yeah, that is my experience. My last lead (before I shut them off temporarily) was some company in PA looking for bids for a job in Rehobeth Beach, DE (in my service area). I got some girl on the phone. She asked me if I wanted to bid on the job. Uhhh, DUHHH, that's why I'm calling!!

What? Are they going down a long list to get 100 bids or something looking for the lowest bid? Or was that SM trying to pull a pre-holiday "fast one" to make some quick cash?

<old gangster voice> "Alright, Lefty, go ahead and make the call. We're gonna take this guy for a ride!"

Dave B.

This seems to be a popular event.
I got rheamed out for talking about these lead service companies, by another contractor on SM.
I will say it again. I HAVE NEVER SIGNED UP FOR 1 OF THESE COMPANIES!

Reason i got rheamed out was this. "You've never joined SM or any lead service, so how can you know they suck?"

Let's see. Popular opinion! If 1 person tells me "there's a shark in the water". Then 1 person tells me "there's no sharks here",I might still go swimming. If 500 people tell me, I ain't getting even my foot wet.

I'm not one of these BIG TIME contractors that can just throw money away.
15 years in the remodeling industry, 3 years owning my own business. I'm going to run my business my way. Slow as a turtle and watchful as a hawk when it comes to spending. Tools, advertizing, an many other things we have to be careful of. GUY'S STOP THROWING MONEY AWAY ON THESE WORTHLESS SERVICES.

SelfContract · 12-27-2007, 09:57 AM

Yep, so many new companies now come out to compete with each other for leads services in this SLOW times. There will be more next years or so if economy still slow like this.

When housing/economy will be good/up later (> 2009), all these lead companies will be out of business because there is no need for ads/leads anymore. People WILL come/call/ask or looking for contractors by themselves, and not the other way around (contractors need to go looking/soliciting for works?)

Everything has its own cycle, ladies & gentlement!

RobertCDF · 12-27-2007, 10:42 AM

A huge problem I see with SM is this.

I do a local search on deck builders to see what my competition is up to. Up pops SM and I click to see who is on there. I see a couple of local guys but thier number is not local. So I look into it a little more and it appears that you would be calling SM direct NOT the company. Now this makes sense because they need to know to charge the company for the lead... But I am sorry I will NOT pay for "advertising" that does not match my other advertising. In other words it better have MY phone number (in case they know it already) it better have MY webpage and when they call I answer not some moron. This kind of "advertising" does nothing for your business because if you build a rep its based on SM not you. Plus around here the area code that they use for thier stuff would make people think the company is 60+ miles away.

masterk · 12-28-2007, 09:34 PM

Being a small plumbing contractor I only take leads from sm that I know the homeowner is going to get multiple estimates on. Water & sewer main replacements only. when I was listed for everything I had all the same compliants you all have plus more.

jonesdrywallinc · 01-04-2008, 11:07 AM

They SUCK!!!!!!!!!!! You all should go with THE BLUE BOOK, it is costly but very effective. Depending on the size of the ad 1200-3800 a year. Leads thru the rear end. All hot ones too.

skylightguy · 01-05-2008, 01:15 PM

I too am sick and tired of getting and paying for "leads" that simply are not qualified; I don't mind getting charged for a lead as long as I get the opportunity to bid, but at least half of the leads I get I don't even get the opportunity to submit a bid! No return phone calls, emails and voice mails never returned. Trying to dispute the charges is a waste of time. I also have noticed that now my Google rankings are being negatively effected. Thus I am paying SM and competing with SM on local searches. SM has several websites all of which I now have to compete with.

DENNYBUILT · 01-07-2008, 12:28 AM

This is my first post since i just read about this forum today. I have been stringing along SM for over a year. They are dedicated to harassing me into joining but it always seemed they had conflicting answers to my questions depending on who i was talking to. As i kept blowing them off they began to spill more beans so to speak. Finally i was actually considering joining and told the guy to call me back after the holidays, sometime in feb. so i can get through the taxes without taking this on at the same time. Now i cant wait to get this guy on the phone. I LOVE leaning on salesmen and making them squirm. I have a feeling i am going to have alot of fun with this one. For now i am going to stick with the best lead generator i have ever found, A THROUGHLY SATISFIED CLIENT. Thank you all for the great information.

5_Star · 01-07-2008, 09:51 PM

I have had the same problems with Service Magic.

Of the 30 leads I got, I got one job out of... a Realtor and they have not paid me as yet. I knew better, but I thought I'd try to make it work.

Leads are low end bottom feeders looking for the CHEAPEST possible bid. Many are not even homeowners, and want you to do the work for free.

Rick

kevjob · 01-07-2008, 10:55 PM

SM can serivice my b#lls!

CSB · 01-10-2008, 02:46 PM

Almost got in with them til I heard about the Adwords deal. I had the account all set up and they just took the CC number from one of our sales guys, so I called immediately after and requested to cancel the account. The first thing they said was "do you have the number for the insurance company?" I said "why the hell do I need an insurance company?" and then he asked "so you dont want the work?" NO....I want to cancel the account (I really liked that dirty approach though!) After going through the usual BS he said they wont be approving the account so hopefully that means they wont be calling me every three hours anymore.

RobertCDF · 01-10-2008, 04:21 PM

Maybe we should write an email and have all the members of this site send it from all their email accounts on the same day. 20,000 X 5 accounts each (some of you may have more or less, I know I have 7) = 100,000+ emails in one day. They might listen to 100,000 about their business practices.

rbsremodeling · 01-10-2008, 04:42 PM

I got 5 address that makes 12

kevjob · 01-10-2008, 05:20 PM

I have 4 accounts and I am in and so will my subs and their wives and friends