Buying Internet Leads - Page 3 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

beautiful · 05-05-2009, 09:44 PM

[quote=Paul Joseph;599333]I have been very happy with ************************. You own zip codes so the lead is only given out to one contractor.

My e-mail is beautifulrenovation@yahoo.com. I would appreciate it.
I need a good service lead provider that could bring me some work. Since I'm new in the business and I do not advertise in any media so I have to rely and depend on lead service.

knoxwindowdude · 05-07-2009, 08:34 PM

knock on doors a half hour a day,then a little longer each day will bring you much more qualified leads and costs almost zero.

Empire · 05-07-2009, 09:17 PM

[quote=beautiful;672708]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Joseph

I have been very happy with ************************. You own zip codes so the lead is only given out to one contractor.

My e-mail is beautifulrenovation@yahoo.com. I would appreciate it.
I need a good service lead provider that could bring me some work. Since I'm new in the business and I do not advertise in any media so I have to rely and depend on lead service.

There are many companies out there that are are questionable at best... research the company BEFORE you sign up for anything.

Many posts are on this site and people here have funded the "trial" do some searches and you'll find plently of info.

You can also see my experience with the only company I know that has a "exclusive zip code" model search for the company on this site and you'll find the link.

Kowboy · 05-07-2009, 09:24 PM

I do countertop fabrication, installation and repairs. Servicemagic has been the best value for the money, by far. Maybe it's just my niche, but I highly recommend them.

Kowboy

1Master · 05-13-2009, 10:23 PM

Bid Clerk is another good one...

HPE · 05-19-2009, 12:29 PM

I'm definitely interested in reading all of your thoughts on these lead generating sites. I started one, which is a good way to get business in Columbus, but I also provide leads to others across the country where I don't do the work. I only focus on painting, basement remodels, and decks/patios, but my site ranks in the top 3 on Google for almost all of them (I'm a web developer and SEO pro as well). I try to offer other contractors a flat fee per year, and I have the whole thing automated. I don't have time to vet every single lead, but at least I don't charge per lead either. It's also set up to go to no more than 3 contractors (for Columbus, it just goes to one contractor - me

So if you get someone that doesn't call you back, you aren't trying to get a refund from me or spending money on a bad lead. It seems to be working well for me so far, and it brings in good business for me personally too. I just started a directory section where people can find you directly and fill out a form that requests an estimate from just you. I think that will be a good idea, but I don't know if anyone else will like it or not. I like seeing what the others here have to say, it gives me good ideas for my own site.

tjohnson34 · 06-07-2009, 07:05 PM

^^^^ hey HPE I HAD A FEW QUESTIONS CAN YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE?

WestCoastVinyl · 06-08-2009, 11:08 AM

Yes, you can buy leads from any source. But the main way for online lead generating is to generate it yourself for your business. The cost is time and money. Think of lead generation as advertising/marketing everywhere possible on the internet.

beautiful · 06-08-2009, 11:30 PM

I'm still new in using this service so I do not know how to go around and do some reserch on this website yet.

[quote=Empire;674067]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beautiful

There are many companies out there that are are questionable at best... research the company BEFORE you sign up for anything.

Many posts are on this site and people here have funded the "trial" do some searches and you'll find plently of info.

You can also see my experience with the only company I know that has a "exclusive zip code" model search for the company on this site and you'll find the link.

MZ-HANDYMAN · 06-09-2009, 06:08 PM

Hey ladies n Gentlemen,

I used to do tree service, and I would stop at a house that needed tree work or had branches rubbing on the roof and make a bid right there, I would say at the end. I'll do it for this price right now but if you call me back it's 20% more. I got a lot of work that way and I (DID) get a lot of call backs at 20% more! Even at 20% I was less than half of any other bids they got.

Of course as a remodeller, you can only pull that on exterior repars but hey you could still go door to door and use this line...

Hi. My name is MANUEL Z and I'm doing home repairs in the area, I'm offering a 10% discount on any repairs I do while in the area. What are some concerns you have with your home now?

At this point.... SHUT UP and listen, If they say nothing, just wait because He or She who speaks first loses! Fidget with your folder or act like you're writing up a proposal or pull out a piece of paper and write down (THEIR) address.

Here's a neat sales trick: I only give Biz cards and Flyers to people I have done work for. A "potential" customer will ask for a card but I act like I don't have any and ask for their info, This way I know they will be in contact with me when I call them!

Any repair they mention is a potential contract!

TIP: I would listen to how they open the door, if it sticks you could offer to do a quicky repair right there.

Never ever criticise any previous work in the house, even if they say it was some jerk they hired before. Just describe what you can do and do it like you promised.

I had a worker point out crappy work in a lady's house and it turned out that her recently deceased husband of 60 years did the work. (She was very proud of his abilities till my co-worker opened his mouth) I pointed out that his work was very good for a non professional and she seemed pleased with that.

What I'm saying is... GENERATE YOUR OWN LEADS!

**MZ-HANDYMAN**

4uheinapsp · 06-15-2009, 08:43 PM

This is for real a SCAM!!! DO NOT GET SUCKED INTO THIS MESS!!!

I paid $340 for the first month to try them out. After the 1st month I did not get anything out of the leads that I accepted. I got my bank statement, they automatically charge my account $340 on the next month. When I called "Chad Benson", why he charged my account, he said that I did not call to cancel the contract. We did not have a signed contract, and I did not need to call and cancel anything. I was only trying this out for one month to see if it works for me. He refused to refund my money back for the unauthorized charge.

I accepted every lead that was sent to me, and got some credited back to me, because it was either the "phone just rang and rang no answer" or the customer already found another contractor or the job is about an 1 or 2 hours away. How can these people get away with stealing people's money. We are all trying to survive here, but if this is how these people choose to operate, SHOULDN'T THEY BE BROUGHT JUSTICE? THIS IS WRONG.
I NEED HELP IN PUTTING THESE PEOPLE OUT OF BUSINESS

THESE ARE P A R A S I T E S

Thundercow · 06-16-2009, 03:48 PM

You know, I hear so many bad stories about lead companies, and I get so many calls from these same companies trying to sell leads.

Do what I do: I ask for 5 leads for free to start. Don't want to give me some test leads? Ok, then good day, sir!

WolfAtRest · 06-18-2009, 07:05 PM

I tried Service Magic, it was the single biggest waste of money I have ever spent. I wasted more in a couple of months with them than I've spent on advertising in the last 5 years. Most of the people just want to get an idea of what it might cost, some had no intention of doing anything for months at least. Word of mouth remains your best bet, try getting into a retirement community, they love to talk to one another.

Kjurczyk · 07-02-2009, 10:07 AM

I've had good experience with a small lead company. Good qualified leads, exclusive, and not linked to sm, rr, qs, or any other lead sites.

No cc# on file, just sign up and they email me a lead invoice when one comes through. I pay it if I want it, if not i pay nothing. If I can't reach a lead they send me, they will 3-way me in to help set the appt.

I get about 2 leads a month from them, but I close 50% of them. Well worth it. They do mostly windows, sunrooms, roofs, and basement leads.

rockynissr · 07-07-2009, 09:15 PM

I have a good experience with a local leads service in NJ. No credit card info on file, and extremely resonable. $25.00 a month paid quarterly or $250.00 for a year. It paid for it's self on the first sale. The web site is clcofnj.com and email: clcofnj@comcast.net. I just got and email that they are starting a new distribute your business card program.

Good Luck

Rocky

rbrunelle · 07-08-2009, 02:40 AM

We have used all of the big name "Leads" web sites, with a little success. But, none provide anything near what they offer. And with work so slow, I started my own web site for Construction Resources that Contractors and others can list themselves on. I read somewhere in here that another guy has done the same. Advertisement is advertisement. Best deal for your dollar is still the good old "Yellow Pages" if you want customers to contact you. But, take advantage of other media when it's available and add your information anywhere you can. Paying Lead Services costs more than it produces, both in time and money most the time.

Rich Brunelle
datajam's Construction Resource Directory

15element · 08-21-2009, 03:12 AM

Candlewood · 08-21-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbrunelle

We have used all of the big name "Leads" web sites, with a little success. But, none provide anything near what they offer. And with work so slow, I started my own web site for Construction Resources that Contractors and others can list themselves on. I read somewhere in here that another guy has done the same. Advertisement is advertisement. Best deal for your dollar is still the good old "Yellow Pages" if you want customers to contact you. But, take advantage of other media when it's available and add your information anywhere you can. Paying Lead Services costs more than it produces, both in time and money most the time.

Rich Brunelle
datajam's Construction Resource Directory

I guess it works different ways in different areas, but I had a FULL PAGE ad in the yellow book and got 7 phone calls in a year. We have been most successful with Bidclerk.com. Reasonable rates/ with promising leads.