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 lizs561
Nevada
1 review
14 helpful votes
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January 11th, 2023
Verified purchase

I really wanted to love using this site. I've hired people on Thumbtack and it's gone well, but from the pro standpoint it really sucks. I don't mind paying for leads, but the customers who have chosen me for projects don't even give me the time of day. I tell them yes, I can do the project and set up a time to meet with them. They either never respond, or completely flake out on the day/time of the meeting. What a waste of time and money, and so disrespectful. Thumbtack does nothing to help the situations at all. Practically no customer service.

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Value
Quality

Date of experience: January 11, 2023

Thumbnail of user heatherl1106
Tennessee
1 review
8 helpful votes
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May 2nd, 2023

I think they are scammers and just taking money from hard working contractors! I haven't received a quality actual job since February but they just keep hitting my card and actual clients will not respond!I've requested refunds well within bounds and according to their guidelines! I called to talk with a representative, sat and waited for 30 plus minutes! Terrible company!

Products used:
Contractor services for photography

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Date of experience: May 2, 2023

Thumbnail of user cleviner
North Carolina
1 review
11 helpful votes
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June 5th, 2023

Leads are very poor quality, we're an hvac service provider, consumers on thumbtack are looking for companies that are selling their services below market value, why else would you use thumbtack not just google a business? Every lead was a price gouger, or had work no one else would take. I've declined leads on thumbtack, no refund. Currently of 16 leads 2 produced revenue, all in all in the negative with thumbtack.

Date of experience: June 5, 2023

Thumbnail of user brandonp694
California
1 review
5 helpful votes
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July 11th, 2023

I have spent $150 so far and have gotten zero qualified leads. Of all the requests, I have gotten about 2 real ones - which still didn't lead to anything because they were also sent to 6-7 other professionals. These cost anywhere from $30-50 a lead, and they are making hundreds of dollars off of each lead to the professionals. I have caught them using fake images of people to say "This is how my last projects went", but a reverse google search would show the real source.

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Date of experience: July 11, 2023

Thumbnail of user chrisb4185
District of Columbia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 28th, 2024

I am the owner of a contracting company that has been with Thumbtack for ten years, and just recently noticed that license is being shown as not verified. Thumbtack has my license, I have shown them we appear immediately on DPOR as a licensed contractor, and I have uploaded my license twice for them. I was also told that the name on our Thumbtack account doesn't match the name on the license. This is pure laziness on Thumbtack's part. Had they bothered to actually look at the license they would have seen that my business's principal is shown on line one, which is immediately followed by my business's dba. The dba matches the name of our Thumbtack account. Furthermore, the email that was sent me stating this is from a donotreply email, so I have no way of emailing them back. When calling in it's Thumbtack policy that I cannot speak with the verification team.
I have to speak with a low level agent, who is "apparently" is also not allowed to speak with the verification team. They can only pass along messages. How can they possibly fine this efficient? At any rate, the license is still showing as not verified. I was told that the team that handles license verification should need no more than 1-2 business to verify the documentation I provided. It's now been five days! All the while potential clients are seeing my business as not a verified contractor, and I might be losing out on jobs. However, Thumbtack has no issue with me billing for leads. Thumbtack is a very poorly ran company!

Products used:
Lead Services

Service
Value
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: February 28, 2024

Thumbnail of user ronaldk576
Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 27th, 2022
Verified purchase

Shady business practice tactics to take your money. Fake lead service. Some leads are real but when its slow for this company, I believe they provide fake leads. Thumbtack provides businesses leads, I (the pro) then must pay for a $ retainer (or credit card on file) for leads based on my parameters through a registered credit card on their site, either Thumbtack provides that lead or the lead contacts the pro through Thumbtack. The pro then contacts the lead using ALL methods (i.e. Email, phone call, text, and Thumbtack messaging) only to get zero responses. One time is fine but when it happens often, that is a shady practice. I deleted my account after paying Thumbtack tons of money. No different than Bark.com and Bark are blatant criminals. I thought Thumbtack was different. However, they need to make money to pay their employees somehow. Consumers beware.

Tip for consumers:
Do no use Thumnbtack.com

Products used:
I deleted my account with Thumbtack. Looking for other lead services.

Date of experience: December 27, 2022

Thumbnail of user bethanyk68
Florida
1 review
5 helpful votes
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March 17th, 2022

Hired a professional off of their website to clean our new home purchase. Vacant property Required cleaning details description. Absolutely none of it was done that I asked for. When I brought it to the resolution Center at thumbtack that is supposed to be backed by a money back guarantee. I was told I would have to take it up with the"pro". They are choosing to stand by this and result as a cleaned property.

Tip for consumers:
Don't do it. Money back guarantee is a lie

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Quality

Date of experience: March 17, 2022

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

We're sorry to hear your cleaning project wasn't satisfactory, Bethany. We were able to locate your case with our Trust and Safety Team. Before customers are eligible for reimbursement through our Guarantee, we work together to hold the pro accountable for concerns and a resolution. If you have any questions, or additional information to share, please respond directly to our email from March 18th.

Thumbnail of user krish314
Georgia
1 review
2 helpful votes
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July 12th, 2023
Verified purchase

Reached out for handyman help to install a window air conditioner. As an elderly woman, it's difficult to lift alone. Installation is simple, basic and on the ground floor. These handyman get $50-$75 per hour. The job would take no longer than 10-15 minutes. The quote given was $250. This is more than the cost of the air conditioner. Thumbtack takes no responsibility for idiots.
I asked a Neighbor for help, and it cost me one bottle of water.

Products used:
This company provides a service that is useless

Service
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Quality

Date of experience: July 12, 2023

Thumbnail of user douglasr100
Massachusetts
1 review
11 helpful votes
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January 7th, 2019

Thumbtack charges $22.00 for a lead.

My service call is $120.00. Thumbtack wants a 15 to 17 percent cut of the job.

It was fair at 2.00 or 3 at the most. Greedy people within Thumbtack make it impossible to use them as a referral provider. VERY DISAPPOINTED and shocked that they took the "lets screw the vendors" approach.

Date of experience: January 7, 2019

Thumbnail of user helena893
California
1 review
3 helpful votes
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December 18th, 2022

I never get qualified leads for my dance studio or me marketing company. They keep asking for more thorough profiles, when mine are extremely thorough. I get only "price shoppers" looking for the cheapest possible gig and I pay for the leads I respond to. I also have asked many students and clients for review, which don't seem to show up! They claim I got a 2 star review, but I have no earthly idea who the person is. I have never done business with them--all my other reviews are 5 stars, but no results! Stay away, unless you are a handyman or clean houses.

Tip for consumers:
Don't advertise here!

Products used:
Handyman services

Value
Quality

Date of experience: December 18, 2022

Thumbnail of user kenh1156
Georgia
1 review
6 helpful votes
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July 22nd, 2023

Bait and switch at its best they lure you in and before you know your hard earned money is being taken by the thousands. No real customer service to talk to. They leads are fake and sometimes customers have booked but they still try and get you to book a service in order to take money from you …. Waiting on the class action lawsuit! Only reason I gave 1 star is I could not give 0

Date of experience: July 22, 2023

Thumbnail of user crc4430
Texas
1 review
3 helpful votes
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November 16th, 2023

I booked movers via Thumbtack, and during the move, they caused damage to my refrigerator and flooring. Contrary to what they claimed over the phone, it turned out they didn't have insurance.

When I reached out to Thumbtack to claim their Guarantee, as I'm a member, they denied my request. They cited the lack of an itemized scope of work, which seems unreasonable because property damage should never be part of a legitimate moving company's service.

I feel the guarantee offered by Thumbtack is misleading and heavily biased in their favor, leading to a high likelihood of them not honoring it.

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Date of experience: November 16, 2023

Thumbnail of user stephanied1800
Arkansas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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December 21st, 2022
Verified purchase

Working with Thumbtack Pro was a thoroughly disappointing experience. After signing up with Thumbtack Pro, I can honestly say I have had a terrible experience and do not recommend them for other service providers. Not only are their services extremely expensive, the customer service is below par and the leads provided were of extremely poor quality. Hold times for a customer service representative are well over forty five minutes. Customer service is outsourced and escalating to management does nothing additional but get you a prefabricated email. In addition to the fake leads that come through, I was particularly shocked by their refusal to refund any of the funds paid for their services even after repeated requests. In my opinion, this company does not deserve anyone's time or money and I cannot recommend them in good faith. For these reasons, as well as many others, I do not recommend Thumbtack Pro.

Tip for consumers:
Do not wast your money!

Products used:
Leads

Service
Value
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: December 21, 2022

Thumbnail of user lisam1868
Wisconsin
1 review
22 helpful votes
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May 14th, 2020

I do cleaning I clean homes! Leads are anywhere from $50 to sometimes up to $90 which means I only made $20! I only got one job off them and then the poor guy ended up dying.in the end I played Thumbtack almost $300, and they refuse to give you your money back for leads that don't follow through, My husband uses the same app for doing gutters and somehow my cleaning jobs will show up on his account, one cleaning job showed he only had to pay $9.00 on my account through Thumbtack that same said cleaning job was $29.00! I would not use this app, rip off artist!

Date of experience: May 14, 2020

Thumbnail of user todl22
Florida
1 review
3 helpful votes
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December 10th, 2023

The only people making money on Thumbtack is Thumbtack. Charging ridiculous amount of money for small jobs that never pan-out to customers who probably don't exist. Advertising on the side of your vehicle is cheaper and brings in more money. After 3yrs as a Handyman on Thumbtack,there's No doubt they should be investigated for fraud! Tod.L Eastside Property Maintenance llc

Service
Value

Date of experience: December 10, 2023

Thumbnail of user michaelc9172
Pennsylvania
1 review
4 helpful votes
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October 17th, 2023

Corporate greed for maximum profits and control have both ruined thumbtack services for pros. I called it a few years ago, knew it was only a matter of time. Oh well on to the next. I've along with many have outgrown them. They will sell their company or go under within next couple years.

Service
Value
Returns

Date of experience: October 17, 2023

Thumbnail of user nathaliec66
Oregon
1 review
4 helpful votes
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September 21st, 2021

You cannot talk to anyone in customer service, it's all thru text now, sorry but I want to a real person. I want to know someone cares about my concerns. They get all there $ from the pros and treat them like crap. They sent me a message that my leads were bouncing back to them, so I never received them and yet they just kept charging me and then when I requested a credit they said I'd have to email x y and z and explain my situation and then I can't have cash back, since I'm closing my account only a credit with them. What a rip! They charged me 100's for nothing

Date of experience: September 21, 2021

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

Hi Nathalie, we're disappointed to learn of your experience. Thanks for reaching out to us, we'd like to get in touch with you. From the screenshot you shared, it looks like we need to confirm your email address so that you can receive communication from us. Please give us a call: 1 (866) 501-5809 or reach out to us through any social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) so that we can assist further.

Thumbnail of user stellas143
Florida
1 review
10 helpful votes
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February 28th, 2022
Verified purchase

As a Pro client, you have to jump thru hoops to speak to an actual person. After weeks of emails, text messages and voice calls, I got a call. I purchased a $400 package and got charged for leads that never materialized. We closed the business and they are refusing to refund the remaining balance, over $300. I asked to speak to a supervisor and they said. I'd have to wait 1-2 business days for one to contact me. Unacceptable, unprofessional customer service!

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Quality

Date of experience: February 28, 2022

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

Hi Stella, thank you for sharing this feedback about your experience. We're sorry to hear you're no longer in business, we understand how this would be a frustrating situation. Our typical supervisor response time is within 1-2 business days, to ensure we're assisting all of our users. If your concerns haven't been resolved yet, please send us a DM on social media so that we can look into this for you.

Thumbnail of user erikf44
Arizona
1 review
4 helpful votes
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August 29th, 2018

Not fond of Thumbtack's new policy of charging blind charges on quotes sent without having the chance of evaluating the clients' budget first. They have the option of charging fees that are not commensurate to the projected budget, but a fluctuating price based on their own preference. I thought you would only be charged if the client contacts you... not! I have been charge of merely sending a non-responsive quote as well. A client called me a month ago and was charged for the contact at the time. The client answered to my response a month later and was charged again at triple the original price.

Date of experience: August 29, 2018

Thumbnail of user jayk66
New Jersey
3 reviews
7 helpful votes
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October 11th, 2018

As a thumbtack pro for many years I can't even begin to describe my frustration and disappointment with my experience in dealing with them. As a "Top Pro" their highest honor and feel like I'm getting raped. Their pricing is based on some well guarded algorithm's that us pro's have absolutely no understanding of how they work or what we will be charged. I certainly could not run my business in this manner. Terrible!

Date of experience: October 11, 2018

Thumbnail of user jerryj54
Tennessee
1 review
5 helpful votes
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July 24th, 2017

I like others think Thumbtack is also a scam however by the time we figure it out they've made tons of money off of us hard working people, somebody needs to open up an investigation because I also think there are some fake leads and that's fraud 10 years in prison. Don't use Thumbtack you will be sorry

Date of experience: July 24, 2017

Thumbnail of user lizo93
Florida
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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March 24th, 2022

Avoid them like the plague. If you change services, they make it so difficult to see old info. Next thing get charged for a service you don't provide any more. They will do anything to con people into paying. Poor quality leads, non related, in other States! Bunch of crooks!

Tip for consumers:
Avoid them!!!

Service
Value
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Quality

Date of experience: March 24, 2022

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

We're sorry to hear you haven't had a positive experience. You're always welcome to update your services and preferences, this Help Center article should prove helpful if you have questions about this process: https://help.thumbtack.com/pros/topic-targeting-preferences-lh-pro.

Thumbnail of user walterl26
Washington
1 review
2 helpful votes
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February 13th, 2018

After using saw electrical service via thumbtack and checking up comparable services, i believe i have been overcharged by at least $100 for an ordinary $150 repair.

The laudatory reviews given on thumbtack is obviously fraudulent.
Don't be a sucker born every minute. Check out thumbtack true reputation first.

Date of experience: February 13, 2018

Thumbnail of user lisas932
Michigan
1 review
2 helpful votes
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September 20th, 2018

Hired Kurt Ramsey from Rebuilding Michigan for kitchen and bath remodel. Remember Ramsey because company name changes. Was assured job would be completed by June 28. I have experience with contractors so assumed some leeway. Job was not complete until mid August. I came to realize that he doesn't have workers. He goes out to street to find contractors. Result is it takes twice as long to get anything done. Also quality of work is poor. Paint all over driveway. Debris all over house. Counters not balanced so installers came back 3 times! Constant delays. They never cleaned up. Constantly hounded for money. Paid them to get rid of them. Terrible experience.

Date of experience: September 20, 2018

Thumbnail of user donw45
Texas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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June 18th, 2016

Luna's Tree Service is the way to go! You will not be disappointed. He has fair rates, is timely, and cleans up and hauls your branches away. My wife was impressed when she saw one of his guys even racking after cleanup. He was even here early... no waiting. I would hire him again.

Don W.

Date of experience: June 18, 2016

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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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