Thumbtack generates numerous accounts to send false leads (potential customers) to the "pros." With each generated account, they send one "lead" to five pros. Each pro is charged $30 or more for each "lead," which I have experienced and observed, multiple times, every day I was a member of the platform. Shameful, deceptive and unethical practices. Customer service is poor, nearly non-existent. And, don't expect any refunds...you won't get any.
Date of experience: July 14, 2023
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Thumbtack has a rating of 1.6 stars from 1,566 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Thumbtack most frequently mention customer service, credit card, and phone number problems. Thumbtack ranks 99th among Local Reviews sites.
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Cut the grass, pulled weeds, finished with mulch all in 30 min! Did a fantastic job! Thank you Roberto Lopez from Lopez Landscaping and tree Services. *******226
Don't bother working with them! They are useless and using bots and not qualified leads that request a job and want to pay 50 bucks while some projects are minimum $500-750. No customer service total bs and you will lose loads of money on "leads" as they call them but it's just fake accounts that show some sort of activity.
Thumbtack is greedy. Their system is chaotic and senseless. It's set up to ONLY benefit Thumbtack and that's it. Save the money you would consider giving them and use it towards advertising literally anywhere else. Then tell everyone you meet yo avoid TT too.
Date of experience: October 25, 2019
Sherry Carr has been giving musical classes to my daughter for several years now. She will graduate next year and become a music major. She taught her method, organization and, reinforce the love for music she already have. Thank you for your positive attitude.
Date of experience: April 6, 2020
Thumbtack pro used to be good a few years ago. But it's a total money grab. They tell you that they keep the competition low. However, I notice I'll get a lead. And 5 people have already been contacted or have responded. Often times when I reach out to the customer the number is not valid or they are not looking for the services that I offer or they don't responded at all. This leads me to believe that these leads are not legit. Thumbtack collects $30 to $50 on leads for the service that I offer. So imagine they're collecting this from 5 or more pros and none of us are getting the business. Total scam.
Products used:
Just creating a decent Google business profile has been helpful..
Date of experience: July 13, 2023
We hired him from Thumbtack for tiling a bathroom shower. He was right on time with his completion date, clean and organized at all times. He even helped us with the overall design of the bathroom and his ideas were fantastic! He is a true artist when it comes to tile installation. Thanks again Mike Parker for our wonderful shower and bathroom!
Date of experience: March 25, 2016
People should not rely on any of the Property managers on Thumbtack. I have tried 6 of them and all of them have been scammers who are out to take you for every cent you have and then they just resign if you query any of there false expenses, or even ask where is your money they have collected from your tenants. Even before they start they end up taking your whole year's rents as repairs and this and that.
Date of experience: November 13, 2018
Molly Silva is an excellent, multi-talented, individual. From her impressive versatility, as an accomplished wedding singer, to her conducting solemn funeral proceedings -- Ms Silva is a person to count on for your truly special occasions. I, personally, witnessed her conducting a large funeral in Claremont. In addition to her sensitive consoling of the grieving family and friends, she sang several songs that clearly had a soothing effect and was appreciated by everyone in attendance. I asked her how long she had known the deceased? To my amazement, she had never met the woman -- she and the family did a great job to prepare her for this responsibility. Always punctual and prepared.
Date of experience: January 5, 2016
When I started with Thumbtack,
They were charging less than $5 a lead and I was willing to pay that in hopes of converting that lead but now they've gotten greedy and their prices have gone out the roof and what they're going to find is that they need successful businesses like mine.
1st they raised their prices out the roof and then they started charging me for a Leeds that I haven't even seen yet.
The business I'm in is very unique and there's just a handful of techs. Eventually they will run out of businesses to overcharge when our business no longer needs their leads.
Date of experience: July 30, 2019
The "potential clients" being sent are nowhere to be heard from, nor on Facebook as real people when I cross reference the names. Hundreds I've cross referenced.
I haven't found one yet to be a legitimate person that actually exists.
Date of experience: March 27, 2017
This company is stealing from hard working professionals and business owners. Their price structure is not communicated, changes as they see fit and they refuse to refund money they charges you when you did not authorize the charge in the first place. I am shocked that this company has an A rating. I recommend that you run from this company, their business practices are unethical and you will regret your dealings with them. I saw reviews like this and decided to try it anyway. Shame on me.
Date of experience: July 29, 2018
I requested someone to mow and edge my small front yard. Called and they said they would be there the next morning. Sorry, but all of the guys were sick that day. So, I hired another one who's website looked good. I got a quote from him and he came out to look at the yard. We agreed on a price and he came out late in the afternoon the next day. He made a huge mess and said he would be back the next day to finish. He didn't show up, so I called and told him to bring my check back and I'd pay him cash for what he did. He cashed my check and refunded me $40. He charged me $110 to mow a very small garden home yard and put some clay type dirt in a few spots. He ripped me off and will do the same to anyone. I contacted Thumbtack and they have not responded. Don't hire Rudy Zepeda!
Date of experience: March 3, 2016
In the tech world what Thumbtack is doing is called a dark pattern.
1. Take money from Pros for a Pro Package for lead generation.
2. Utilize the money to drive leads via Google Ads, which compete against the Pros own ads.
3. Sell those same leads back to the Pros for additional money.
Pros are paying for the same leads TWICE.
The dishonesty and dark patterns which the company has built into it's system.
This is a dishonest practice and when confronted about it the company will not provide refunds. We have utilized 0 leads from Thumbtacks because they are all out of our area or poor matches and have spent $150! That's easily 15-30 leads on Google!
Date of experience: December 23, 2021
Thumbtack has proven to me after initially paying 39.00 for a handful of quote credits only to get one booking.
I started to see a pattern with the profiles well/ I think something fishy is going on and Im going to monitor it.
Recently since I had not taken up to quoting on all of the incessant amount of requests for quotes that I began to realize I saw repeat names. And since I had not paid money for more credits all of a sudden this past week I got like 9 or ten "Free quotes" for services.
Something is very fishy with this so Im going to monitor its patterns some more!
Im on to you thumbtack!
Date of experience: October 13, 2016
Pros beware, the customer doesn't pay anything to request a quote, YOU DO! They don't even have to be serious to fill out a generic form and Thumbtack get's on average $7.50 of your money just to respond. They openly admit a 3% conversion rate. So how serious are you about building a business if you are willing to throw away money on potential customers who don't even go through a vetting process. They only have to fill out a series of questions.
The kickers is Thumbtack requires you to pay a package of credits up front.
Date of experience: March 23, 2016
I decided to use Thumbtack to hire a painting contractor specifically because of their guarantee. However, after the painter lead me to believe that he was going to use high-quality Benjamin Moore paint to complete the project, he actually used cheap Valspar paint and ended up causing $3,400 in damages to my kitchen cabinets. I reached out to Thumbtack and, basically, if the contractor is willing to provide ANY solution, even an unsatisfactory one, Thumbtack washes their hands of the issue and says you don't qualify for the Thumbtack Guarantee reimbursement. In my case, the contractor is only willing to refund me $600 towards the $3,400 in damages, leaving me with $2,800 to pay out of pocket and Thumbtack won't do a thing about it.
Consumers beware. If you think that Thumbtack will help protect you from being taken advantage of by their contractors, they absolutely will not.
Date of experience: March 30, 2022
We're sorry to hear your project didn't go as planned. We appreciate you bringing these concerns to our attention, we were able to locate your case with our Trust and Safety Team. We can see that you're still communicating with your assigned specialist, and working through an alternative resolution. We expect pros to provide resolutions in these situations, as we don't directly employ them, however our Guarantee is in place for instances where a pro is unresponsive or unwilling to resolve. We'd encourage you to continue working with our team so that we can help you both reach a mutually appropriate resolution.
I have been using thumbtack for 9 years. It was amazing in the beginning. However, the company currently over charges for leads. In addition, they will do anything to get a contractor to spend money on leads. It's bait and switch. If you give them your credit card they will figure out a way to steal money from you.
Date of experience: March 25, 2019
After 28 perfect reviews 5 stars, I got a request, client picked you. $35 later, the client clicks the girded button and does a 1 star review. Customer Service said they have a right upon contact. What the? Some crazy can click hire and right negative things?
Date of experience: October 31, 2019
Never heard of Thumbtack until 5 bogus charges by them appeared on my. Debit & credit cards. I reported the fraud to my bank & cancelled the cards. I've sent Thumbtack 6 text messages inquiring about these fraudulent charges and have vet to receive a response. Crooks.
Tip for consumers:
Don't deal with these crooks.
Products used:
NONE
Date of experience: June 17, 2022
Hi Joseph, we'd like to get more information about this so that we can help and take appropriate action. Please text us at 415-299-6398 Monday through Friday 6am to 6pm, MST. You can also email support@thumbtack.com, or for a quick response, send us a direct message via social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter).
Thumbtack has changed its platform and it is a total rip off to the Pro environment. They charge $40-$70 for leads that customers dont follow up on reply. Why should I pay $43 for a customer who is shopping around to ask me what is the next step for me to reply and never hear back from the customer, when that customer never had plans on or intent on hiring someone from the beginning? Maybe you should start charging the customer a percentage instead of price gauging us!
Date of experience: June 18, 2018
Larry calls quickly to set up appointments, shows up at scheduled time, spends as much time as needed to get the job done and charges fair, honest prices for his work. He has a great personality, and explains all his work so the consumer understands it. I would recommend him as a knowledgeable electrician and you will be happy you hired him.
You can reach him at *******319
Judith Quinn
Date of experience: April 15, 2019
I've used thumbtack for years, never had an issue that they didn't resolve in a timely manner. Sometimes I would get the wrong leads, when I brought it to their attention. They rectified the situation. Better than yelp that charges 30.00 a lead on a 100.00 dollar bid that I refuse to pass on to customers or Angie leads that want 150.00 membership fee in addition to lead cost. If you don't know how to use the app, customer service is there to help. Success team is there everyday in your app. They're open to changes in your lead to fee ratio if you communicate. I completely recommend Thumbtack. Roods Locksmith LLC.
Products used:
Pro lead service
Date of experience: September 1, 2022
Thanks for this 5 star review, Dennis! We're so happy to hear you've found success on Thumbtack. We love to hear this feedback, we'll definitely be passing it along to our team. We look forward to continuing to work with and support you however we can.
I hired Long Bay Lawn Service to cut in new beds and buy and plant two trees for me. He was always on time and very professional. He did a beautiful job with the front and back of my house (which had no landscaping at all). Actually, while he was working in my front yard, two people stopped to get his card. Wonderful to work, with and I would highly recommend his service.
Date of experience: March 14, 2017
First time we used them but I can tell you this it won't be the last. Steve the owner was so professional over the phone so I didn't expect anything less from him when they came to do the job. They were here when they said they were going to be here - which was a feat in itself considering they are coming all the way from the Modesto/Stockton area to SF. Assessed what they needed to do and promptly began working. How I wish all vendors are like Delta Power Wash and Steve. Makes my work as Facilities Manager so easy. Thank you Steve and will see you in four months!
Date of experience: April 26, 2016
They stopped showing me the prices of how much it would cost to send a quote in my categories. When you get a customer thats interested they dont show you how much you have to pay to accept the lead until after. That is a scam i paid 22 dollars for my most recent matched quote. I had a customer message me on thumbtack that i did a job for 2 weeks before and they were trying to charge me for a new lead. Thank god i recognized the name and messaged the person outside of thumbtack.
Date of experience: January 2, 2019
Over the last 18 months, I have had three small home improvement projects which were presented to Thumbtack for bids and completion. On two of those three projects, Thumbtack claimed they could not provide a professional to complete the work. That is a failure rate of 67%. As such, I will not waste my future time waiting on Thumbtack to deliver...
Date of experience: July 16, 2015
Thumbtack pro brought me a lot of customers but I waste a lot of money on "fake " leads. Customers are not aware that if they
Contacted pro, that pro will pay for the
Lead. And tell me how it's possible that
Someone contacting you for service, and
I am responding in 1 minute and nobody
Ever responds. Did they change their
Mind? Could be. But they never even
Reply. Message usually marked as Read
Which is to mean that you have to pay
For this leads
There is a phone number of these
Customers, but they never respond on
Message either.
So I have to pay for this fake leads or for
Customers who don't know what they
Want (because they are contacting 5
Pros at the same time) $15-30. Which is
Not fair at all.
Thumbtack never return money for this
Suspicious leads
Products used:
Service
Date of experience: March 19, 2022
We appreciate you taking the time to share feedback. We're always working to make the platform a place where all pros can achieve success. We will pass along your feedback about pricing to the right team. If you have any outstanding concerns that we can help with, please reach out to us directly.
Thumbtack is a technology leader building the modern home management platform. Through the Thumbtack app, people can effortlessly care for their homes — confidently knowing what to do, when to do it, and who to hire. Bringing the $500 billion home services industry online, Thumbtack empowers millions of people to fix, maintain, and improve their most valuable asset. The company’s investors include Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global Management, Javelin Venture Partners, Baillie Gifford, and Capital G, among others.
Hi Forrest, we responded to your review on another platform. We're sorry to hear you didn't find success on the platform, thank you for taking the time to share feedback. While it isn't true that leads are resold, we'd like to hear from you about your experience and address any questions or concerns you might have. Pros have better opportunities to win jobs when they're showing up in search results, which is caused by several different factors, one of them being consistent activity on the platform. We want to wish you the best of luck as you move forward, you're welcome to reach out to us on social media, through a DM, and we'd be happy to take another look at the refund requests you mentioned, as they should be refunded if they're duplicate leads.