Service magic has crossed the line this time. - Page 5 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

wizendwizard · 01-10-2008, 09:09 PM

Geez if we use yahoogames email accounts....I have 52 not to mention the 100 emails i could activate from my website. And all of my wifes 35. Could probably give em a headache. I've never been with SM. They just seemed to shifty to me.

silvertree · 01-10-2008, 09:19 PM

I would join in on that one, do you think we could pull it off?

orson · 01-10-2008, 09:22 PM

Just flushed SM and Leads down the crapper. What I really love is how their salespeople sound so shocked when you tell them that their service sucks and everyone you talk to on your contractor bulletin board hates them.

www.rubycon.us
Ruby Construction LLC
Lancaster Kitchen Remodeling
Lancaster Bathroom Remodeling

SelfContract · 01-10-2008, 09:28 PM

I agree, there is a little email spaming program, where you can tell it who/where/which to spam, then it will generate tons of faked emails (with automatic headers and contents) and spam that SM site for you 24/7, without you have to do a thing!

TileguyRy · 01-10-2008, 09:37 PM

hi all, another victim here by servicemagic

TileguyRy · 01-10-2008, 09:38 PM

hi all , another victim here from servicemagic

wizendwizard · 01-10-2008, 09:41 PM

slam em with 100,000 service request in Tularosa, N.M and request only non licensed, illegal "contractors" better yet, Nogales,AZ.

RobertCDF · 01-10-2008, 09:52 PM

Well I think I can have 1,000 per domain and I own 22 domains... That would take some time setting all those up. I think 5 per person (if we could get all 20,000) would be sufficiant. Then no one person is overloading their own server (many hosting places will kill your account if your spamming)

tersh · 01-15-2008, 12:38 PM

When I started with them, and was very nervous about getting work ( come to think of it, I am now, too), I paid $2000 in leads and got about $22,000 worth of jobs; I built up a review and ratings of 5 stars- I thought it was good investment of time and effort- but i think something changed; last year i got so many leads that didn't seem like they were right; I know that any body can make a request through service magic for free, like the girl at a harvard dorm who didn't know that she can't just call in a contractor to put up a partition in her room

but some, I would call, and there was no such number; one, I went to the address, and there was no such street address. I suspect it's a problem caused by "growth" of the company.
I think it's very hard to get the word out to people that I do conscientious work. Customer referrals seem to take years!

VersMedia · 11-09-2008, 01:06 AM

I used to own a couple of business and when i first started i tried the lead gen. sites such as Servicemagic... Of course i figured the scam our pretty quick.. Anyway, I sence sold both of my business and have decided to start a company doing something modeled with the other sites, such as SM, Bidclerk, And Yodle..
If any of you have any advise as how it would be better for the contractor please let me know.. We are doing things no one else does. Such as Reps in each City so you guys have someone to talk to face to face. and also we do not charge per lead or per click... We verify all leads before they are sent to the contractor..
Any input would be great..
Thanks

ottagosoon · 11-14-2008, 08:34 AM

Lets drive Service Magic out of business

. Go to Google and search for "Basement Remodeling" and click all those Service Magic adds that pop up. Don't request work just click the ads. They pay top dollar to show on those sponsored links and with thousand of contractors clicking those ads we could click them into a slow death and make some room for our ads. Our ad's don't show to the 12th page. We could move up the ladder a bit

.

Just a small note:
I saw a contractor lead company that said it would send out 5 Contractor's to price their projects. Can't remember the company though.

mrhodus · 11-15-2008, 10:06 PM

If you get a high quality website that is optimized for the search engines you will generate your own leads.

You must understand that for many of your potential customers, your website will be what they see first and will be their first impression of your company.

Also, if you have a generic looking website you are probably getting low quality leads. Potential customers that are looking for the cheapest bid contact companies with generic looking websites since they assume the generic website represents cheapness.

If you have a high quality graphic website, you will attract the customers that are looking for quality and not just the cheapest price.

Click the link in my signature for more information.

Demetrios3 · 12-06-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah's Ark

I have heard of this. Does anyone know of anyone that ever had a good experience with SM?

I use SM pretty regularly and I do sign a lot of jobs from the leads they send me. My close ratio is the same for them as for any other lead source.

You have to remember with ServiceMagic that as soon as the customer enters their contact information it is automatically sent out to the Contractors. The Customer then receives phone call within minutes.
The trick is you have to call the customer AS SOON AS YOU GET THE LEAD. Because once they have set up a couple appointments they usually wont take any more.

Another trick it to set a high monthly spend target. The downside to that is you'll get a lot of BS leads but if you are smart you can use the high Spend target to your advantage. When you try to get credit for a bad lead you can always threaten to discontinue service if you dont receive the credit. Trust me, SM will definetly want to keep you happy if your spend target is high.

In short ServiceMagic works great but only if you know how to manage them.

MALCO.New.York · 12-06-2008, 02:06 PM

Have not read the thread......But........."This Time"???????

Thread is a year and a few old.

Paul Joseph · 12-06-2008, 02:44 PM

I have tried them all. I have had success with one only and I am on my 3rd year with them. It is home improvement expo(leave out the spaces). Instead of charging for leads, you buy and own complete zip codes,no competing against other contractors.
Paul
www.precisionplushomeimprovements.com

Paul Joseph · 12-06-2008, 02:55 PM

I forgot to ad that I was with service magic for a year. I was going on 2 or 3 appts a week. Over the year I got two jobs. A window replacement for $3000, and believe it or not a high end kitchen remodel for 60,000. I would never use them, they tried to tell me what a good return I got on my investment, as far as I was returned I got very lucky and what about all my wasted time. If anyone needs a great sub specializing in high end kitchens and baths on Long Island, we could surely use the work, it is very slow around here now, most of my jobs after 23 years in the business are coming from the above mentioned site, but certainly not as much as I am used to and need. Before this recession the phone rang constantly from referrals only and we picked and chose.

Paul Joseph
www.precisionplushomeimprovements.com

MALCO.New.York · 12-06-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Joseph

I have tried them all. I have had success with one only and I am on my 3rd year with them. It is home improvement expo(leave out the spaces). Instead of charging for leads, you buy and own complete zip codes,no competing against other contractors.
Paul
www.precisionplushomeimprovements.com

HOLY SHIIIIIT! THAT IS how Business is done in NY!!!

Kinda like the Refuse Business.................................

Everyone need listen here!

Paul Joseph · 12-06-2008, 03:59 PM

Malco, if you want to use a lead generator, this ends up costing the least and doesnt have you competing against the unlicensed contractors with the day laborers because they are cheaper than you. I am only saying this is the best system I have found/ Jobs are tough to come by now, this system works and I dont work for them as you can see. I ran for 21 years without even an advertisement, I was out of work for one week during that time. This period in our economy is different and in my opinion takes a different aproach,JMHO.
Paul

www.precisionplushomeimprovements.com

MALCO.New.York · 12-06-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Joseph

Malco, if you want to use a lead generator, this ends up costing the least and doesnt have you competing against the unlicensed contractors with the day laborers because they are cheaper than you. I am only saying this is the best system I have found/ Jobs are tough to come by now, this system works and I dont work for them as you can see. I ran for 21 years without even an advertisement, I was out of work for one week during that time. This period in our economy is different and in my opinion takes a different aproach,JMHO.
Paul

www.precisionplushomeimprovements.com

silvertree · 12-06-2008, 05:04 PM

While your on it, 2 years ago I signed with these guys, http://www.homerenovationguide.com , nice enough people.
$1000 a year for a listing.
Never got a call, never asked for more money. Still listed?