Review of Thumbtack: Thumbtack Generates FAKE Accounts to Send FALSE Leads; Will Not Refund
Thumbnail of user km435
New Jersey
4 reviews
24 helpful votes
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July 14th, 2023

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.

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Date of experience: July 14, 2023

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    Thumbtack

Thumbtack

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Overview

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.

  • Service
    293
  • Value
    285
  • Shipping
    118
  • Returns
    163
  • Quality
    255

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 2.4%
Positive
1
Neutral
1
Negative
39
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How would you rate Thumbtack?
Top Positive Review

“Totally cleaned up my Yard~.”

Cynthia H.
3/13/24

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

Date of experience: 3/13/24
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Top Critical Review

“100% scam”

Barry G.
12/1/24

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.

Date of experience: 12/1/24
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Reviews (1,566)

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customer service (157) phone number (58) credit card (53) business model (30) home advisor (23)
Thumbnail of user stephaniep7
New York
4 reviews
2 helpful votes
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March 13th, 2024

The last 3 times I have tried Thumbtack, I get pros who initially answer and then either ghost me or make an appointment only to cancel at the last minute. While I sit around waiting, I get a text saying something else came up. We even had one pro come, do half of the job, and then we never heard from him again! Terrible way to treat folks who are actually willing to hire! Will not use again, and I deleted the app.

Date of experience: March 13, 2024

Thumbnail of user schutzie1976
Tennessee
1 review
6 helpful votes
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March 2nd, 2024

Charge for leads that are unresponsive or don't even look at messages. No way to validate leads are legitimate, even received some with identical information from different cities and states. Customer service cares very little about the pros on their platform. Is a falsely promoting those who pay more versus those who actually perform, allows for false or fake reviews, and does not inform customers that every pro they inquire with will be charged but instead promote it as a free web site. Company is a scam that prays on entrepreneurs and small businesses.

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Date of experience: March 2, 2024

Thumbnail of user jaih
Florida
4 reviews
12 helpful votes
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March 21st, 2024

Absolutely horrendous company. The biggest problem I have at this company I was logged in ever since they launched I had ordered an event coordinator for my wedding a handyman for my house and multiple other jobs. For some reason I got to login the other day and my account has been deactivated so I emailed Thumbtack and they told me that my account has been deactivated for breaking the terms of service. I have never broken any terms of service I've left reviews on the companies and the people that I've worked with and for some reason that's unacceptable to them and for that I would not recommend Thumbtack go with another company like Angie's or something

Products used:
Event manager

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Value
Quality

Date of experience: March 21, 2024

Thumbnail of user thephoenixplumber
North Carolina
1 review
2 helpful votes
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February 25th, 2024

No customer service to speak to other than AI and a bot that simply copies and pastes the help section menu stuff we have all read many times. Bullied into signing up for the auto book which charges 3 x the amount of a normal lead just to land a lead. Then if the customer cancels the auto booking, then you're out that money because they're not going to refund you. Thumbtack is no longer about supporting the Prose and helping customers find good pros now it's about a money grab with horrible customer service. If you could even say they have customer service. I don't know if it even qualifies I used to really enjoy them Tak it was a great platform to build and grow, your customer base however, they have grown so much they have abandoned their pros and were now a dollar sign to them. Really sad.

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Date of experience: February 25, 2024

Thumbnail of user miguelv246
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 26th, 2024

Nothing but bad things to said about this company.
When a customer sends a request you'll be charge for responding to the customer but the company will share the same customer with multiple companies at the same time,this absurd competition will make your quote worth the effort.
Stay away from loosing money with Thumbtack

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Date of experience: February 26, 2024

Thumbnail of user robertw921
Missouri
4 reviews
16 helpful votes
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February 1st, 2024

And honestly if you are a customer just find a local contractor and hire direct. These companies rip off contractors so bad they have no choice but to charge a whole lot more money for the same work because this company charges a very large sum of money just to even get a bid and most never pan out.

If you are a contractor just run local ads or find a local company to help you advertise. These companies rip off contractors badly. Each bid that comes out makes them hundreds of dollars and they don't even have to guarantee a customer replies. They got me for enough before I realized how useless they really are. If all good contractors dumped them and all they had left were the conmen (like the people running Thumbtack) then their days will be numbered.

I'm done with their scam.

Tip for consumers:
This company is garbage.

Products used:
Lead generation

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Quality

Date of experience: February 1, 2024

Thumbnail of user jacksonf82
North Carolina
1 review
3 helpful votes
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February 1st, 2024

Is a gotcha!
I had been working with Thumtask for three years and as of September 2023 it has become a blatant scam. I recommend not using it because it is worse than casinos, drugs and alcohol, they take away everything you have.
I'll give you an example: For repairing a switch for a client, Thumtask charges you $69 dollars directly to your pockets, and before that was $6. In a single week in October they took 685 dollars from my credit card and I didn't even earn 200 that week

Tip for consumers:
Scam

Products used:
Services

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Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: February 1, 2024

Thumbnail of user jw1219
Illinois
1 review
1 helpful vote
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March 5th, 2024

Used deceptive sales tactics to steal from us. We regret ever giving them a try. They are worse than any platform our business ever used. We do not recommend them.

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Date of experience: March 5, 2024

Thumbnail of user windyk2
Washington
3 reviews
6 helpful votes
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February 12th, 2024

Thumb tack constantly charge me and three other people for one lead. The first contractor may accept job, the other two contractors are charged for doing the job as well. I added card to account so i could receive payment i thought they would subtract for the amount customer would pay me to do job. Instead thumbtack subtracts the money from three people upfront it don't matter who get the job. Added a card to receive payment they started hitting my card rapidly for leads. I stayed on for one week before it began to seem more like i was being scammed. Noon was answering than they would send you to look at job that you don't get paid for although you clearly added to your account that there will be a charge for estimate. You will end up $200 short before you can blink your eyes

Date of experience: February 12, 2024

Thumbnail of user brandon.bialas
Michigan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 23rd, 2024

I wanted to speak with a customer service representative at Thumbtack. I called the phone number that is given and it kicks you over to a text automated assistant. It is impossible from what I have found to reach an actual person when you need help

Date of experience: January 23, 2024

Thumbnail of user fit4blast
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 12th, 2024

I'm writing to share my experience with www.thumbtack.com as a business owner. While they originally delivered qualified leads with good conversion rates, things have changed significantly in the past two years.

Currently, I receive one qualified lead per month versus four "doubtful" leads who don't engage (read messages, answer calls, etc.). Despite these low-quality leads, I'm charged between $28 and $98 each.

Thumbtack's policy towards professionals has become unfair. The "zero refund" policy for these unproductive leads makes it a gamble, and achieving high visibility requires allowing them to charge you hefty per-lead fees. If you refuse, you're buried with no leads.

As a small business, I spend $800 monthly on Thumbtack, but my conversion rate has plummeted from 80% to a mere 20% in two years. While I still receive a few good leads, it's a significant financial burden.

Given my membership-based service model, I can absorb this cost. However, I urge businesses without similarly resilient models to stay clear of Thumbtack. Their current practices could leave you financially strapped before you even turn a profit.

In short, unless your business allows you to weather these questionable leads and high costs, avoid Thumbtack.

Service
Value

Date of experience: February 12, 2024

Thumbnail of user matts1703
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 20th, 2024

As a consumer, horrible experience, also hearing the same feedback from the biz owner.

I provided the 'top pro' with a pic of the work, '1' single pole light switch replacement - I provided the material, new switch and plate = all labor job. His advertised rate was $50/hr. He accepted the work, no estimate or contract, scheduled and completed the job and as expected, finished in ~30 minutes. He then messaged me and said ok, the bill is $120?! He proceeded to tell me that I'm stealing because I would not pay 2.4x higher than his advertised rate. False and deceptive advertising is illegal on a state and federal level. He admitted the work was only labor, but cried about Thumbtack fees and how long it took to get to the job - how is this my problem?

After waiting nearly 3 weeks to talk to a human to address this disparity, Thumbtack support totally passed the buck and said hey, not our problem; yet they facilitate the advertisement of rates that are entirely misleading.

I paid the 'pro' his hourly rate and the Thumbtack fee they hit him with, $70 in total. In turn, the 'pro' responded to me and accused me of stealing because I refused to pay $120...? Avoid frustration and avoid this platform, total joke.

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Date of experience: February 20, 2024

Thumbnail of user michellea837
Colorado
2 reviews
7 helpful votes
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January 4th, 2024

The photos are a few examples. Notice the amount I charge for my job and how much they autocharged me. I do not get to pick my jobs. They may not be suitable for me and I'd NEVER approve of doing a job for 10% of my cost. I am the one with the insurance, liability, overhead and they offer only a platform with no sales support and no customer service over the phone. So what are they charging for? Total scam. I've reported these charges as fraudulent on my credit card.

Service
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Date of experience: January 4, 2024

Thumbnail of user johnj4121
California
1 review
1 helpful vote
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February 20th, 2024

My experience with Thumbtack was as a business owner.
A couple years ago, when we started working with them, they would send acceptable leads with good conversion rates.
Over the past 8 to 12 months, things have been changing, negatively.
We now receive what they call "qualified leads" who whin't read messages, answer calls or even have a mailbox set to leave a message)
Despite these qualify leads, I'm still being charged. Thumbtack's policy towards professionals makes sense whatsoever.
They used to have an acceptable customer service operation where you were able to talk to a real person who would at least try to get a solution or explain to you why they couldn't accept a refund request.
Now, it is impossible to talk to a person on the phone and can make you wait for hours on hold, and nobody would answer or get back to you.
The way they assign prices to the leads lack of any reasonable logic, as there is no possible way to know how much each one would cost or the chances of someone acquiring a service or how much they have to pay for it.

Date of experience: February 20, 2024

Thumbnail of user franko139
Florida
2 reviews
15 helpful votes
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September 12th, 2023
Verified purchase

Unfair & deceptive advertising and billing practices from Thumbtack constantly. If you read all the recurring comments by Pros- you will see very negative reviews on Thumbtack all over the internet. They auto bill you for bogus leads, and often dont even match the preferences- so you pay more for leads than the business you get. Then they decline all requests for refund even if you send them proof. TOTAL RIP OFF! Their lack of professionalism, and ethics will no doubt lead to more unhappy clients leaving the platform & will be the basis for a successful class action lawsuit. Any lawyers out there to represent us Pros trying to make an honest living?

Tip for consumers:
Thumbtack is a scam

Products used:
Limousine/Party Bus/Motor Coach leads

Service
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Returns
Quality

Date of experience: September 12, 2023

Thumbnail of user ipkinssss
Illinois
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 8th, 2024

So I got 3 different customers sending me a msg regarding appliances repair. Each of them send msg to few different pros as well. Neither of them ever responded me but I was charged for each of them. I paid total 35.44$ for nothing. I don't count it as a lead cause I never got the answer for my question. I don't even know if this is a real person. But here is the fun thing. Thumbtack charged all 5 pros for the lead. That's quite awesome way of making money, just charging people who's actually work hard with their hands. Doesn't matter if that person never even hire anyone, you got you 100$ for him asking questions on your platform. And when you wanna ask support some question, appears, that they don't have anyone on the phone! WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING IN THAT CASE?!?! Bunch of scmbgs

Products used:
service for pros

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Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 8, 2024

Thumbnail of user jamesd3132
Massachusetts
1 review
5 helpful votes
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November 23rd, 2021

Terrible service. Gets your card number, charges you for garbage and then hides behind small print of the Terms & Conditions. No response to calls, emails, etc.
Don't do business with them.
You have been warned.

Tip for consumers:
Don't use the service

Products used:
bought business leads - garbage.
They agreed and still took my money - no refunds

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: November 23, 2021

Thumbnail of user thumbtackt
Thumbtack-Support -. – Thumbtack Rep

Hi James, we're sorry to learn about your experience. We appreciate this feedback and would really like to make things right. So that we may provide more direct assistance, please send us a direct message on any social media platform and we'll look into refunds and addressing all of your concerns.

Thumbnail of user amyw399
Maryland
1 review
3 helpful votes
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June 23rd, 2019

Not only did they up their charge for leads. $40-60 per lead is insane for a hope against 20 other people. I feel they are making false requests somehow and stealing the professionals money.
They need to fix there greedy ways.

Date of experience: June 23, 2019

Thumbnail of user robert.rwood
Georgia
1 review
4 helpful votes
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October 26th, 2023

I hired movers through Thumbtack. The movers overcharged my credit card by $500.00, broke an antique chest, and still Thumbtack did nothing. The mover told me it was $135.00 per hour, no matter how many hours. In actuality, they charge $202.50 after 8 hours, and when I asked, he specifically stated it was $135.00 per hour, no matter how many hours. Their guarantee is complete CRAP, and the customer service "specialists" are as coherent as a turd! Stay away!

Date of experience: October 26, 2023

Thumbnail of user georgec1728
Texas
1 review
9 helpful votes
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January 10th, 2023

Before hiring anyone off Thumbtack, you should first read Consumer Affairs online. Evidently there are many dissatisfied customers. I was recently ripped off and charged over $200.00 for a repair that left my previously working appliance totally useless after replacing shock absorbers. Not only was repairman unqualified, he was also dishonest. I learned an expensive lesson and will never use Thumbtack again!

Service

Date of experience: January 10, 2023

Thumbnail of user brunon17
New York
2 reviews
17 helpful votes
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February 15th, 2022

If you don't accept the overpriced automatic leads you won't have a chance of getting a job as one of their pros. Horrendous customer service and plenty of ghost gigs meant to fuel themselves on your dime. If you'll take a look at the screenshot provided those are just 5 quotes out of 11 sent since new years. Only 1 was able to see my quote and respond. The information above in red is indicating that I did not want to automatically pay for all the leads they want to send my way. Which hides my services from everyone but I'm still able to reach them on my own as they put it (screenshot provided). It's a scam and you should stay away.

Date of experience: February 15, 2022

Thumbnail of user thumbtackt
Thumbtack-Support -. – Thumbtack Rep

Thank you for your feedback Bruno, we're sorry to hear you didn't find success through the platform. We understand that not receiving responses can be frustrating, we'd be happy to provide direct support to review your profile and preferences to ensure you're set up for success. We work hard to maintain the integrity of the platform and make sure leads are legitimate for pros, if you ever come across a concerning lead, please report it to us here: https://help.thumbtack.com/report-a-concern. You also mentioned not showing up to customers, this is because targeting preferences are turned off. We hear your concerns about paying for automatic leads, but we did want to mention that you can utilize the budget tool so you control exactly how much you're paying for these leads: https://help.thumbtack.com/article/budget. Please feel free to send us a DM on any social media platform so that we can further help.

Thumbnail of user eo35
California
1 review
11 helpful votes
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May 7th, 2021

Pros: They used to refund your bank account if you raised enough hell over bad or false/bogus leads, now it's only a credit with their site which is infuriating and ought to be illegal. They're never held accountable and it is very hard if not impossible to get your financial institution to return the money as well. As I'm learning with the latest dispute, you must prove TT initiated a refund to your bank account. Which they've stopped doing. So, they've somehow found loopholes to avoid accountability. And they absolutely generate fake leads, don't even get me started. RUN from ThumbTack.

Tip for consumers:
If Thumbtack learns of a dispute against them, they will freeze your account until you drop the dispute. Last I checked, that was called extortion.

Date of experience: May 7, 2021

Thumbnail of user km435
New Jersey
4 reviews
24 helpful votes
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July 14th, 2023

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.

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: July 14, 2023

Thumbnail of user benl678
Illinois
1 review
6 helpful votes
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August 10th, 2022

Thumbtack got it's name from standing apart from Home Advisor and Angie's List by treating Pros like actual people. Unfortunately, that has changed. Bad leads are very common now and getting a refund for a bad lead is non existent. Getting a lead with a fake job is also now common. The best part is you no longer get a refund because Thumbtack changed their refund policy to "you only pay for customers who contact you to learn more about working with you." Thumbtack used to be great at correcting bad leads. I have had 3 bad leads in the past week and have not received a single refund, even after calling. Previous policy would give you refunds if a customer never responded to your message, not the case anymore. The leads are cheaper on Thumbtack, but at least Angie's List actually gives you refunds when it's a bad lead.

Thank you for turning a great company into a utterly worthless site that takes advantage of Pros.

Tip for consumers:
Stay away!

Date of experience: August 10, 2022

Thumbnail of user thumbtackt
Thumbtack-Support -. – Thumbtack Rep

Hi Ben, we're sorry to hear that this has been your experience. We're always working on improving the pro experience, so it's disappointing to receive this feedback, however all feedback is appreciated so that we can turn around experiences for you, and pros that feel similar. You mentioned fake leads, we work hard to ensure the leads on Thumbtack are all legitimate. If you come across a lead that's concerning, or that doesn't seem legitimate, please report it to us here: https://help.thumbtack.com/report-a-concern. We hear the feedback you've shared about our Refund Policy, and will pass it along to our team. If a customer does state they're no longer interested in the project, we will issue a refund, if they haven't responded yet we urge you to reach out again and discuss the project details. We hope through implemented feedback and consistency, we'll be able to change your experience.

Thumbnail of user vaughnj21
Virginia
1 review
6 helpful votes
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August 4th, 2022
Verified purchase

I used to site to contact an officiant for my wedding ceremony. The guy stated that on his profile that he accepted all methods of payment but when it was time to pay he only wanted to use Venmo. Should have been a red flag but this is my first wedding and I was excited. Live and learn. Never again. I've contacted the fraud department and even with proof they have done NOTHING. All of my proof were disregarded or justified. Save your time and money, go else where!

Date of experience: August 4, 2022

Thumbnail of user thumbtackt
Thumbtack-Support -. – Thumbtack Rep

We're sorry to hear you haven't received the support you were looking for, that's disappointing. While Venmo is a form of payment a lot of pros use, there should be other options and it sounds like you have other concerns about the experience. Please send us a direct message on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) so that we can look further into this for you and help you receive a resolution.

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From the business

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.

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Thumbnail of user thumbtackt
Thumbtack-Support -.
Typically does not respond to reviews

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