Service Magic House Call

THEHANDYMAN

I have been with Service Magic since early spring. Guess I am one of the lucky ones as it has worked good for me. I have been treated fairly and sure can't complain about the friendly courteous service that I have received when ever I called about some thing.

Do I have complaints YES just like eveyone else I get the leads that never answer no mater how hard I try to contact them. I work my leads hard, SM gives them to me what I do with them is completely up to me. If I just sit and wait to hear from consumer, I have nobody to blame other than myself. If I pursue the lead go out of my way to let consumer know that I am interested I will get results, some good, some not so good. Just a little earlier this evening, I went on an estimate at 6:00PM I'd rather have been home. But we closed the deal on a $1500 job that starts soon as next week. Sure no biggie for many of you but for a one man operation, after a few like this above, winter isn't looking near as bad as it was a couple months ago. We have enough in kitty to make March now, with some other small jobs along the way we will survive till spring and better times.

I had a couple issues that I tried to explain in a trouble ticket to SM, but that was hard and I didn't feel I was getting the point across. So since they are in DENVER and I live North of DENVER I got the office address and made a house call today.

What a pleasant surprise was in store for us. They have roughly 900 employees here in town, what an operation. Well we got off the elevator and had no idea where to head, who to talk to. Standing there with a bewildered look on my face must have helped, as a very friendly guy came over asked if he could help. I explained I wanted to talk to a manager, he says I will be right back, true to his word, was but short time he returned with a manager. We all introduced ourselfs and he asked how he could help us. That got us into an office with table and chairs. I poured out my heart he listened to me asked a couple of questions, said I'll be right back, off he went. He got ahold of the powers that be and took care of the problem, no let me see what I can do, or we will look into it for ya. It was a done deal.

I now have JEFF"s business card and e-mail addy. From now on I can go right to the top with any complaints. They were genuinely interested in what I had to say and listened to me.

All in all a very pleasant experience today. Was nice to put some faces with all them voices that you hear on the phone. At least now when I get a call from them I have an idea about the place they are calling from. I know they are live ppl and are not sitting in downtown BOMBAY INDIA.

I know and understand that many don't like them or have not had good luck with them. Thats ok not all things will work for all of us. But many things and I think SM is one will only return what you invest in them. You reap what you sow.

orson

You do reap what you sow. You landed a nice $1500 job. You'll probably land a few more. Year in and year out you'll bust your butt doing them.

And every year you'll wonder why you come up a few dollars short. You'll get tired of wondering every Christmas if you're going to be able to afford to get the kids the presents they want.

You don't need a shiny truck like those other fools, sure...you're truck is a little beat up, but it gets the job done.

It would be nice to have some of those fancy tools, like a multimaster, or a festool rail saw, but real crafstman don't need fancy toys.

Then, one day maybe, you'll get a little fed up. You'll actually sit down and start recording ALL your expenses. You'll make sure all the reciepts get saved.

You'll actually calculate how much money that rattle trap truck costs you in lost work hours and repairs. You may even discover that a nice looking used truck will save you some money.

You start to wonder, maybe those tools actually add productivity, even though they cost a lot.

And one day you have enough information at your fingertips to figure out how much money you're actually making.

And you realize....you're taking on all the responsibility, all the stress, all the evenings, weekends and time wasted on tire kickers....to make a few dollars more than an employee.

And you'll realize that companies like Service Magic cater to people who just want a cheap price. Neither they, nor their customers really give two ****s about your standard of living....

Or maybe not....what do I know?

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rbsremodeling

Cool nice story. Where is there DC office at??

I want to pay them a house call myself

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will575

I'm just skeptical about paying like $50 for a lead that may turn into nothing! I mean if I get 8 leads per month that's $400, If I made $4,000+ off these 8 leads I guess that's OK, I just doubt I would. I've always been afraid I'd be paying cash money to let tire kickers waste my time, instead of just letting tire kickers waste my time for free. Am I wrong? And now to know they have 900 employees in Denver? No wonder their leads are so pricey! I can't afford that kind of overhead!!!!! I've never tried it out. Tell me am I wrong?

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maceycon

You are not wrong total waste of money. Leads are awful, customer service is even worse. I had 1 lead I paid $55 for the homeowner wanted the front of his shed sided. I had 1 the homeowner wanted solar panels I paid $50 for that because homeowner put the lead in as a sunroom. I have paid $42 for deck leads where the homeowner just wanted their deck painted. I have tried to get credits on these leads with no luck! I was also told when I signed up the leads would go to 2 homeowners. That is BS. I tried it myself as a homeowner, my name went out to 2 contractors then 48 hours later I got an email from SM asking if I wanted 4 more contractors.

The guy who started this thread must have relatives with SM. I spent roughly $2000 with them, still trying to land my first job. I work my leads Hard. If you get lucky enough to give an estimate you will be 1 of 4 - 6. These people are not interested in quality just price. They guy who started this thread will do fine if he can get by on $1500 jobs, but us who pay 10000 per year in insurance and licensing. So take 1/2 of your lead service budget and donate it you will get the same results and feel better about yourself. The bonus is you save some money, aggravation and your blood pressure will probably even be lower.

THEHANDYMAN

The guy that started this topic is just like all the rest of you struggling to make ends meet. I have been in floor covering many years but the last few years, things as we all know have really been getting tight. One contractor that we worked for 12 years, last year never sold a house in over 8-9 months. He had to stop building till market opens backup, has 6 houses just sitting and not selling. He was most of our bread and butter for that 12 years, we could always pickup extra work to fill in the lean times.

If it had not been for coming across and taking a chance with SM I have no doubts that I would have been living with relatives right now, wondering where my next buck would be coming from. I'm not some unexperiened kid that hasn't been around the block. I have all my tools I own my own truck, it is a 2000 F250 super duty diesel that I bought new and paid cash for. It has just over 130,000 miles on it. I own every thing I have, I have been able to pay cash for every thing I own for many years, I have always made pretty decent money.

I agree $1500 isn't that big a deal for most, but for me right now it is, it will take me 2-3 days at most to do the job. I will have no supplies in it, other than the nails that it takes to nail the wood down. A small amount of thinset for 16 square ft of floor tile. Best of all is real close to home. That will get me down the road another couple of weeks toward spring, I don't live high off the hog just try to get by at least for now. With some of these leads I have gotten some good contacts that I never would have had other wise. In fact this weekend I got a house ready for a renter to move into yesterday. The Property manager was a lead from SM a few months ago. We have done several jobs for him since and have another to do soon as renter is out of house in next few days. All from a $12 lead that worked out. Sure have many others that didn't but the good are more than carrying the expense of the rest. Odds have been in my favor. Just sent a bill to another Property manager for a job that we did for her renter. Says has several more properties and will be calling.

I knew when I started in HANDYMAN it was going to be tough to get established and has been. When you are on the bottom there is only one way to go. But by far the greatest percentage of my business comes from SM leads. I have no doubt that with time that the percentage will drop as we get more contacts and our name is out there. We get referals back from ppl that we have worked for and the ppl that have on going jobs that use us.

SM has only been a source of leads that other wise I would not of had or known about. The hard work has been done by me, the estimates the putting up with BS, selling myself to get the job has all been my doing. But it is paying off, I paid my rent this month had money left over toward next months. That is more than I had last spring. This is DECEMBER we all know what JAN and FEB have in store for us, it scares me. But at same time I am thinking and hopeing that SM comes thru with some leads that will help ease the pain.

Yes I get the no call backs, I try call at least twice if not 3 times if is a good job I'd like to have.I get the TIRE KICKERS and ones looking for low ball bids. Thats ok that is why we "BID" the job all part of the game. It is my job to convince them even though I maybe higher the extra will be worth it, I am reliable I have good references that can be contacted, I show up on time or at least call, I try present a positive package that makes the extra worth while. Also send e-mails to let them know I am really interested. I try make an appointment soon as I can, I like being at the head of the list and early into the game. I try look the best I can clean clothes, truck clean. I have had times I stoped and bought a new pair of pants on way to an estimate from another job, just so I would give a better "FIRST IMPRESSION" Most of all I talk like I know what I am talking about, no matter if I do or not. If I come across some thing that I've not done before, I hit YOU TUBE and 99% of time will find all the info that I need to get by. I do some jobs that amount to nothing more than just breaking even, but there is always a chance it will lead to some thing else. Making a little money beats sitting at home bragging about all the big money I would be making IF I was working.

As I stated in the earlier post SM may not work for everyone but for me it has been a life saver. I was impressed with the ppl that I meet yesterday they were friendly helpful and just plain nice. It was neat to see just how big an operation it really is, I think he said something like 55,000 contrators signed up. We all know that actual numbers would be far less all of them wouldn't be active. But even if they have half that amount it is still pretty impressive numbers. They are not without heir faults and like any thing ran by humans have their problems. You just have to acept that and try to keep them to a minimum.

If I get a lead that don't fit my profile I ask for a refund and so far have gotten all of them back with a credit to my acct. had GOOF BALL yesterday wanted his carpet fixed. Didn't have piece to fix it with, couldn't understand why I would charge to go find something that would work and make the repair. I suggested he find a piece and then call and I would make the repair. He huffed at me and informed me he didn't have time for that and hung up on me. Sure I pay for that lead even though was deadend, but I am going to look at another one that came in later today and bid on it.

Just got a call from a gal at SM, asking about my visit yesterday, just following up on it. Gave me her personal phone number in case anymore questions. Says she works from home alot.

I have customers that have told me that SM has called them after the work was completed and asked about us, were they happy with us did we do good and such things. So yes they do follow thru with at least some of the customers, I can vouch for that personaly.

Once again I am not connnected to SM in anyway other than being a customer of theirs. The experience yesterday just made me want to show a human side to a large corporation. knowing what I know now I am glad I came across them, that may change in future but for now they get my vote. Would I suggest everyone use them, probley not as I say they may work better for some and not others. But nothing ventured nothing gained.

T. D. G.

just in case any real contractors out there think or are desperate enough to give there credit card number to any smooth talking lead service outfit. STOP!
and anything you read anywhere that praises these same lead sales companies are more than likely generated by the companies themselves.

Ask them how they get there leads. some give prizes out for the folks that talk to to most hard up contractors. I herd a 12year old won a trip to the islands just by answering his phone more than anyone else.

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silvertree

Man, sticking up for SM. Glad it helps your business, but companies like SM reduce us to bidders. There is overhead and profit. SM and others like it think we can discount %50 or more and stay in business. The truth is that for every company that goes out of business another takes its place just to add to the confusion about pricing and estimates. SM has lied to me and thousands of other business owners, glad they were so honest with you, or were they?

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AtlanticWBConst

Well, 80% of all his posts, thus far, are about how happy he is with SM.

Everybody has a right to their opinion.

Even if 80% of their posts are promoting a particular lead generation service.

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silvertree

Fair enough. I wont go out of my way to slam them, but it not often I get good news about them. They pull some pretty slick stuff on people.

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THEHANDYMAN

All I know is that I have jobs that I wouldn't have other wise. I can sit at home and brag about not buying leads and how much money I can make, "IF" I have a job or I can buy leads and put food on my table.

Look me up under JERRYS FLOORS in SM. Anyone think I am a setup you can e-mail me at COB@MYDO.COM I love to ride ATVs and own a ATV talk forum it is ATVQUADSQUAD.com I am COB on there. I am JERRY SPARKS I live in JOHNSTOWN COLORADO.

The other 20% of my post were about CLICKSMART they are a real rip off. I don't try convince anyone else they should join SM, just relate my experience with them. With the size of their operation there must be more than me that they are catering to that are happy. If anyone has a way that is better that I can find work thru, I'll be glad to try it, I had thought about door hangers but many seem to think they really don't pay off. I can add my "HANDYMAN" ad to the other dozen or so local guys that advertise in the local paper, but some how that really don't scream RESULTS at me. No way I can invest in the yellow pages, and being at top of list on GOOGLE didn't get any results. That was reason I joined this site, I was trying to get some ideas on how to market myself and bring in the jobs. But so far this is the best I have came across it is working for me for now till some thing better comes along.

Thats why I tried CLICKSMART, it was an option. Turns out it wasn't an option, it was a waste for sure.

You guys have some smart ass remarks to make . But I have yet to see any of you give me an alternative to get work that is better than what I have right now. If you were working and making the big bucks you wouldn't have time to be in here telling me how dumb I am and how much you are making WHEN you have a job.

So you have to go bid a job well whoopie ding , I have never seen it done any other way. We all bid that is a way of life, you make it sound as if SM came up with the idea all on their own.

handyhands

Just as much as I personally feel some of these lead companies have done nothing besides an injustice to the hard-working, family supporting contractors I would like to think the vast majority of us in here are, handyman has a valid arguement.

It's humorous how many in here have seemingly much more time to spend in here as they do in the field. I honestly swear some should hang up the hammer and ponder a career in comedy.

I'm here in the Northeast, and things are slow..Not dead, but slow.
We've utilized most all of the internet lead generating sources (service magic, my free estimates, reliable remodeler, removations experts, etc.)

Sure, would I pay massive amounts of cash to ressurect Andre the Giant from his grave to put a beat down on several of the reps I feel screwed me by selling me nothing but crap leads? Of course I would. But I'd be flat out lying to say that a very few, if not a couple of these lead generating companies actually pull a decent lead out of their a$$ from time to time. My company has spent thousands in obtaining leads from these companies, and truth be told--out of the 7-8 companies we deal with, after all the numbers are done, we actually have a decent roi. Even from service magic leads, believe it or not. In fact just sold a $14,000 window job from a reliable remodeler lead I paid $50.00 for. Sure, did I buy some garbage leads prior to landing this one? Of course. Thing is, to look at the overall big picture.

We obviously do our best to do a large amount of our own marketing, such as direct mail, job-radius mailers, home shows, etc....So fortunately I'm not relying on internet leads soley.

All in all, just my 2 cents, but glad to see the service working for someone.

--And to all of you who are making money hand over fist, while being able to be in here bashing/ posting 24/7, please share your secrets. It'd be nice to come in here and actually learn something , as opposed to sneaking in during my off-time for a measley laugh or 2.

THEHANDYMAN

Thanks for the good laugh I appreciated that. That was more like the responce I had hoped to generate by posting this topic. Things aren't just tight here they are TOUGH! You have to do what you can just to survive, If I make the next few months till spring then I can't help but feel that it will get even better. Right now I will be tucking my tail between my legs and doing things that in better times I would turn down

Funny on way home from DENVER yesterday got a call from a guy that wanted some tile work done. Wanted me to stop by after he got home from work for an estimate. No problem as already had another like that scheduled in DENVER and his would be on way home.

Talking to the guy he mentioned SM, took me by surprise. He said how much he liked them, had used several contrators from them and was very happy with results that he had from each of them. He had some insulation installed by SM contractor. Was happy with work and the price. He said had HOME DEPOT come out they were real high so called SM got a guy that was resoneable lived close by and did a great job on time.

I was thinking about this topic, the guys that complain about the low bidders and low ballers and how they must bid a job against them. How many of us myself included shop at HOME DEPOT/ LOWES, WALLY WORLD after stoping by the local ACE HARDWARE. Knowing we can buy same thing cheaper at HD or LOWES or WALLY WORLD. Aren't we in fact making ACE bid for our money, then heading to the local low bidder (HD/LOWES) to buy the supplies to use on the job for the customer we are complaining about that was shoping for a low price. I don't buy at local lumber yard as I know where the best prices are for me. I'm taking my part of the blame also as I am as guilty as the next guy. I try make my dollar strech as far as it will go and try to add to the bottom end by buying my supplies as cheap as I can. Am I any better or worse than the HOME OWNER that is shopping for the best deal?

orson

No, as a matter of fact I don't stop by ACE and then go buy the stuff at HD or LOWES.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I never stop by the box stores when I need something, but for any major tool purchase I drive a pretty good distance out of my way to buy at a particular True Value and pay as much as 10% more.

Why? Because the True Value records all the serial numbers for all the tools I buy there, and will go to bat for me against the manufacturer if there is a disagreement over warranty. This has easily saved me twice the extra purchase cost and probably more.

You are displaying the same mentality as all the cheapo customers you serve (from SM leads). You focus on price first and foremost, and then will bitch piss moan and complain later when you have a problem and can't get satisfying service.

I tell my customers upfront that I will likely not ever be the low bidder, but they will get exactly what they are paying for, including excellent customer service.

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THEHANDYMAN

It is funny you don't know me and no way you could know who my customers are. Just the fact that you feel that you must attack me and others, none of us that you know, with personal attacks says alot about you. Makes one wonder what someone is trying to hide when they have to launch into personal attacks on others to make themselfs feel good. You speak of the mentality of myself and ppl that I work for, then display yours for all to see. I get the feeling it pains you to spend your valuble time with us lowly P-ons that don't deserve to be given the time of day from the all HIGH and MIGHTY. So how can you spout your mouth off about them or me. I have had several that never asked what the charge was just come do the job. Price is a real important thing to me right now, money is tight and I don't have extra to waste foolishly, so yes I shop for bargins. I don't scrafice quality for price though. Then I am to put down a customer that shops for a good price for what they want done. I think not!

You make me want to PUKE with that HOLLIER THAN THOU attitude that you have, like you are GAWDS GIFT to the consumer. I work hard for my customers I try to give them what they pay for, I do a quality job without cutting corners and don't leave the job till they are satisfied. Word of mouth is hard to beat, when I leave my customer I want them happy both with price and qualiy of my work. It makes no difference to me where they found out about me no matter if it was thru SM or another lead service or from an add on CRAIGS LIST, by word of mouth my website or seeing the signs on my truck what ever, they are all just as important to me. As long as I can snag the work and perform a service for a fair price I don't care where or how they contacted me.

I buy my tools at HD or LOWES as they have a no squabble guarantee on the tools. Not to mention the low price guarantee that they have also. I have never had to worry about a serial number on any tool. Usually with any of them they have a card that asks you to register them with manufactor when you buy them.

Celtic

Business rent or personal rent?

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THEHANDYMAN

BOTH

My point was that no matter how I got the jobs I had work and had money that other wise I wouldn't of had.

To say that just because someone used SM or any other lead service they are cheap and just tire kickers is just plain childish banter. I had joined this site for some info on what was best way to advertise my business and how to get jobs, so far it has been missing. All I have seen so far is bragging about how "I" won't work for less and thats all you make! why I wouldn't touch a job for that amount. I am the best and I won't work for such paltry wages I make over a $1000 a day myself, or I don't take the job.

YEAH YEAH I belive that and if you do also then I have a bridge over the SAN FRANCISCO BAY I'll make you a deal on today only.

I really was surprised I came in looking for some really smart on the ball contractors that knew their stuff that were willing to share their secrets. They are here I am sure, but for what ever reason few of them seem to post much. It has been many childish answers that seem to appear, ppl that for what ever reason seem to just brag about how great they are and how much they charge and make a day. The WEB is taylor made for ppl like that they can hide behind a phony name and be all they can be without anyone that really knows them being the wiser.

They will condem others for what they are doing, then go out and do exactly the same thing on the sly without anyone being the wiser. Just like this topic several of the answers have been personal pot shots at me or ppl that look to the web to find a contractor. Instead of showing just how really intelligent that they maybe by showing how it is done, they resort to childish pot shots. The one guy was on the right side of the US with me being way out here in the west, who knows how much different things are here than there? You don't know me or have a clue as to who it was that I did work for so how can you say anything about them or me?

Oh it is easy to condem someone but far harder to show a better way to achive the same results. Can this just be JEALOUSY at work , the person that feels they can condem me and others that use the lead services and are working VS the ppl that condem us and aren't working. No one that I know of relies wholely on lead services but will use them in addition to other forms of advertiseing. Can that be bad if it is working and producing results? If it don't work then it is time to go to plan "B" what ever that might be. But don't look for an answer here as you won't find it.

I have signs on my truck with limited results from that. I have tried local cable channel with one call in two months. I have tried CRAIGS list got a couple jobs from that. I have tried newspaper adds to no avail. Put up ads and cards on the local poster board at the local grocery store. cards were gone but no results that I know of from that. I have used word of mouth that and SM have had the most results for us so far. With winter hitting I am going to try another lead service or two see If I can get any results from them. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

We are spread all over the USA what works in one area may not work in another, what works for one TRADE may not have same results as another. Maybe you do a better job of working your leads than I do and have better results than I or maybe I have better luck than you. But what it all boils down to is that you are talking to ppl that are looking for someone to do some thing they need done. Sure you have dead ends some that never answer phone calls or e-mails. They might have found someone already or have any number of excuses why they don't answer. They may only be looking for an estimate, but there are also the serious ones that truely do need you and they will make up for the rest. You never know that is all part of the game that we are all playing, you just have to work the averages and hope that odds are in your favor.

Go into any store listen to the conversations around you. How many say "oh we are just looking". Just because they walked in the door don't mean that they are ready or are even going to buy. Are they just looking for a low price or just tire kicking? could very well be. Are they wasting that salesmans time? Sure might be but that is how it works WIN some LOSE some. Who knows if he plays his cards right he may end up selling them some thing.

Celtic

Dude...you don't own very much.
An 8yr old truck does not equal "decent money".


Some people do more than what little is needed to simply "get by".
1% of the time you get it right....right now, youtube isn't helping you.

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THEHANDYMAN

For you or me? It is my choice to drive the truck that I do, I don't care to drop another $35-$40,000 on another vechile. I have no need to impress you or anyone else, just get myself from home to work or where ever I choose. A diesel should be good for at least 300,000 miles. with only 130,000 on this one it will do what I want for many more miles yet.

There are things far more important in this old world than just material things. With a great wife 4 grown kids and several grand kids and 7 great grand kids I am truely a very rich man.

orson

Since you're going to accuse me of a holier than thou attitude I'll take one:

There is a relationship between price, speed, and quality/customer service. As the price goes down, something else will suffer. If you are competing on price you are sacrificing customer service, and if you don't understand that then you don't even know what good customer service is.

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