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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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 donnas221
Virginia
3 reviews
33 helpful votes
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May 19th, 2020

Thumbtack used to be a decent investment of time and the occasional fees. Unfortunately, they've gone crazy with their fees, and the leads tend to be questionably legitimate. Thumbtack takes any astronomical fee they want to take for leads. The last straw for me was when they took a $20 fee from me for a very small job for which I only bid and was paid $30! They took 67% of my income for that job! Even 20 percent wouldn't bother me much, but 67%? Gouge me once, shame on you... gouge me twice, shame on me... There will be no second time! Nobody warned me, but now YOU'VE been warned!

Date of experience: May 19, 2020

Thumbnail of user bethm72
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 8th, 2016

Zoom Foto Both was great! They set up in a timely maner and the guest loved being able to create a photo. Because this was for a wedding reception and the Bride/Groom live in Co they actually printed out 2 copies of each photo so the guest and the Bride&Groom could each get a copy of the photo. The backgrounds were great and could change. Very professional made our event so much better!

Date of experience: June 8, 2016

Thumbnail of user patricka37
Washington
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 6th, 2016

I requested help with a plumbing project. You'd think you'd get a licensed plumber and you actually must be licensed to do plumbing work in my state. I verified that the respondee had been verified by Thumbtack, but did not in fact have a plumbing license.

Be very careful, do not trust the website to do anything other than verify they have a business license and are not wanted by the DOJ.

Date of experience: May 6, 2016

Thumbnail of user tameram27
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 6th, 2022

There is no one in customer service or even a real person to talk with at all. The so called corporate number in San Fransisco is simply a ecommerce address with a voicemail that suggests to text if you have a problem. This text messaging is just a standard reply nothing substantail. I had to do 5 free shoots a month to pay for their fake leads. So I was just working to pay these criminals and spinning my wheels. They simply do not care about small buisness at all. Its all about pure greed. It took me two years of continued investment to get my reviews up and in the end it was all for nothing. Thousands and thousands of dollars. Do NOT trust them or invest any money into them. They took complete advantage of small businesses trying to bounce back from COVID. I think everyone of us should get together and file a class action lawsuit. I personally am filing a report to the FBI.

Tip for consumers:
Do not use them at all. Do not trust them.

Products used:
Thumbtack

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Date of experience: May 6, 2022

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

Hi Tamera, we're sorry to hear this feedback. It's disappointing to us that you didn't have a good experience. It sounds like your account and the leads you received might not have been set by the right preferences, our team would like to look into this for you and help if you change your mind about utilizing the platform. Our phone support service is currently for our Top Pros. We're happy to assist you by texting 415-299-6398 Monday through Friday 6am to 6pm, MST. You can also email us at support@thumbtack.com, or send us a direct message via social media. We want to wish you well moving forward.

Thumbnail of user ricf1
Tennessee
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 28th, 2016

Newman's Plumbing did a marvelous job in installing plumbing throughout the entire house. Including some more challenging jobs like the tub and shower install. Johnathan explained every job on details and made repairs and installs in a timely manner. This experience has redemmed an otherwise dismal risk of who you choose as a plumbet. Johnathon is a true professional, polite, highly education in plumbing service and very fair in pricing. I highly recommend Newman's plumbing for your next plumbing job. You will be empressed just as I was.

Date of experience: May 28, 2016

Thumbnail of user jasonz456
Massachusetts
1 review
3 helpful votes
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November 13th, 2022

Warning! Beware when you buy lead from this big scam theft! I figured out Thumbtack is absolutely scam! Here is what I found out. There are small jobs that are legit, Thumbtack will send you these small jobs to fish and trap you into buying more expensive leads. Once you increase your lead price and budget, all the higher price leads like $60-150 are FAKE! How did I figure out? I call everyone of the higher price lead, non-of them is real job and real person. They are neither fake inquiries, disconnected phone numbers, or people with out of state phone number from my area who speak strong Philippine or Indian ascent asking for quotes, then never get back to you. I believe all these fake people are Thumbtack's overseas contractors, to fool US contractors like you and me! I spent $900/month for their leads. I'm only be able to get $600 worth of job. This is BS! Stop using Thumbtack! Customer too! If customer use thumbtack, you will be charged a heft fee by contractors for covering their commission! Stupid enough for contractors and customers use Thumbtack as intermediary! They are greedy, fraud criminal!

Tip for consumers:
Warning! Thumbtack is a big leads generating scam! Just like the dating site! All fake leads and people!!

Products used:
Business leads

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Date of experience: November 13, 2022

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

We're sorry to hear that Thumbtack wasn't a good fit for your business. When users come across a suspicious lead, or anything concerning on the platform, we ask that they please report that information here: https://help.thumbtack.com/report-a-concern so our team can review it and take appropriate action. It's important to us that we maintain and protect the integrity of the platform. We want to wish you luck as you move forward.

Thumbnail of user georgiab9
Missouri
1 review
1 helpful vote
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October 15th, 2015

I used Arch City Tree Care last week. They beat every other bid I had before them. They did a really good job at my house. It was a giant oak tree. They were a little bit cheaper, plus they did a fabulous job. A great clean up. They also give me a better price on grinding out the Stump. I had a giant oak tree that they removed. The tree was over my house, my UE line, my swimming pool, and Also my deck. They even left me some firewood, cut up and stacked for me. They really worked hard. They where polite, and curdious. They also got the pile of limbs that had fallen out of my tree over the years(that I had stacked in the back) for free. In the future I will only call Arch City Tree Care. I've used other companies in the past. But not ever again. I was really impressed with their work, politeness, and respect for their own work. I truly fought that you will be disappointed in hiring Arch City Tree Care.

Tip for consumers:
The owner Michael Pappas was the climber. He really impressed me. He was also the one who came and give me the estament. I would put a picture in this but the tree is gone, and the Stump is also gone.

Date of experience: October 12, 2015

Thumbnail of user sobrinol1
Illinois
5 reviews
12 helpful votes
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August 5th, 2018

This site really just sucks. 1st of all is so fake. There are way too many leads everyday but doubt they are even real since 90% of the time they just expire and never contact back. The very few leads they get that might be real are of very low quality. Half of the time they are just searching but are not even serious. When you get contacted from 1 client who can just be asking you a simple question tou get charge $13! You can basically be chatting a few times back and forth wanting to win on a client and by the time you possibly get the client you already spent the service amount on thumbtack. Totalyy a rip off and a piece of crap

Date of experience: August 5, 2018

Thumbnail of user raye45
Michigan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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August 11th, 2016

I wrote an adverse review about this contractor because it appeared that he scammed me.
Today he called and apologized for not calling to tell me why he was delayed.
He came today and is in the process of doing the job. He is doing a good job.
Ray Ellimger

Date of experience: August 11, 2016

Thumbnail of user stevem204
Texas
13 reviews
29 helpful votes
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September 21st, 2016

So I started a couple of businesses.

ZexShots.com and JustFreshCrepes.com

The company treated me professionally. It is difficult to secure customers from the site. But the customers do exist in my experience. They have a decidedly customer driven focus about how to make the company better and how to take care of both those who are looking for business and those who are submitting bids for business.

Date of experience: September 21, 2016

Thumbnail of user devonb28
Texas
1 review
9 helpful votes
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August 24th, 2016

As a personal trainer, I used Thumbtack to try and build clientele and after paying to give out quotes to people I haven't gotten a single person actually schedule an appointment. I'm sure it's probably a scam and they have a ton of Ghost consumers who aren't even real people just so you feel like you might be making some leadway and spend more money... NOT COOL

Date of experience: August 24, 2016

Thumbnail of user jenniferx9
Michigan
9 reviews
12 helpful votes
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August 1st, 2017

I used this website to try to find an available dog Groomer near me. Well Thumbtack couldn't find a Groomer for me, but they could sell my personal information to all kinds of unrelated and unscrupulous companies!
Within an hour of putting my info. On their site, I got a huge uptick in Spam emails, I know it was from Thumbtack, I purposely spelled my name a little bit differently. The emails are in the subject "Blah blah fake crap email to you First Name, Last Name".
Yep, it absolutely came from this garbage website! And the emails of course have nothing to do with dogs or grooming. Then I started to get phone calls too! All from this site selling personal info. Stay far away from this company! They may or may not suggest useful contractors, in my case they couldn't find a single Groomer. But they will sell your personal info. To scammers, spammers, and co.'s that will blow up your phone!

Date of experience: August 1, 2017

Thumbnail of user nane54
Texas
2 reviews
9 helpful votes
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April 29th, 2017

I wrote an honest, factual negative review of a vendor on Thumbtack. I had documents, pictutex, and receipts for everything. The vendor disputed it. Within 48 hours I had the provide proof of hiring the vendor. A hassle, but I did it. The review was removed for 2 weeks while Thumbtack "investigated." On the 13th day the review was disallowed by Thumbtack. Buyer beware. Don't trust reviews on Thumbtack.

Date of experience: April 29, 2017

Thumbnail of user danm466
Alabama
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
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July 24th, 2023

I've been advertising my company on Thumbtack for almost 6 years and I have nothing but great experiences working with them. They have great lead pricing, excellent customer service when you need it and I look forward to many more years of being one of their top pros! Overall and on every level= EXCELLENT and I recommend you give them a chance if your a business owner looking to grow!

Date of experience: July 24, 2023

Thumbnail of user lorettar4
Texas
1 review
6 helpful votes
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December 1st, 2015

A. A. Construction (Pedro Alvarez, New Braunfels, Texas) this business is a scam. Collects payment and doesn't return to complete the job. Doesn't return calls or text messages, this Contractor basically gives you the run around. Poor worksmanship, and messy got paint on my new appliances, and covers up paint on floor with the large appliances, floor is coming up in some areas. Highly DO NOT RECOMMEND, and do a background check before hiring any contractor.

Date of experience: December 1, 2015

Thumbnail of user yannip4
Illinois
1 review
4 helpful votes
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August 27th, 2019

On Saturday 08/24/2019, I contacted Thumbtack in regards to a review that was posted that was not legitimate, and also had come from a customer on their platform. That threatened my staff, harrassed my staff outside of the platform and on the platform. I ended up having to file 2 separate police reports.

Ater calling in on the 24th and being lied to that they were going to resolve the issues, and take action againt the customer. Which never happened I than was repeatedly lied to through email by 4 different people. To than be told that they apologize and are glad that I reached out to my local authorities but there was absolutely nothing they could.

So in other words as long as they can take your money for leads, your safety means absolutely nothing to them at all.

Date of experience: August 27, 2019

Thumbnail of user rickk124
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 7th, 2019

I own an IT company and tried Thumbtack for leads on pc repairs, network installation, web design. I used the promotion feature to pay for the lead and will get all the contact information, then when I tap to accept, my credit card on file was charged. I would then contact the customer via the thumbtack software only as this is the only way you can for the first reach out.

After 7 paid leads I NEVER HAD ANYONE RETURN MY CALL OR EMAILS I REPEAT NOT ONE PERSON RESPONDED. I contacted thumbtack and I was credited NOT REFUNDED for 3 of the leads and the other 4 NOTHING.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY AND FORMAT.

Date of experience: July 7, 2019

Thumbnail of user lizal66
Rhode Island
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 4th, 2023

Hello!

I'm a pro in thumbtack app.
I was charged multiple times for leads when customer didn't hire me or never even got back to me. I did the refund but thumback said it's agains their policy.

And I can't even imagine how many times I was charged for nothing. So I'm charged for the lead and another person is charged for THE SAME LEAD! Meanwhile only one of us got a client. Insane!
So you got you money 2 times or god knows how many poor people you charged just to see the message from potential client.

To avoid such situation your wonderful company could just change one simple thing in the policy. DONT SHOW PROS AND COSTUMERS THEIR NAMES, phone number or websites till the job is confirmed by the pro! Problem solved! You're welcome!

If you gonna charge people for nothing people will stop you use your website. You're already have a very bad reputation online. Time to fix your policy. Good luck.

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Date of experience: January 4, 2023

Thumbnail of user davidv64
Arkansas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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March 20th, 2016

I contacted Mr. Danny Bugeanu of DL Marble through Thumbtack and hired him to remove carpet and install wood floors in my three bedroom residence. His initial response to my ad was very prompt and his proposal was very reasonable. We had a phone conversation to discuss the work and his demeanor was very pleasant and professional. He did a beautiful job, followed the timeline we established for the work, and he was always in phone contact if there was a need for a delay of any sort. He is truly a professional and it was a pleasure to deal with him. His attention to detail and quality of work are excellent and I would highly recommend his services without equivocation whatsoever.

Date of experience: March 20, 2016

Thumbnail of user thyagoc
Massachusetts
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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July 20th, 2023

On thumbtack advertising show refund if costumer don't answer but that lie i paied like 1000$ and get like 3 jobs and the amount i did with that 3 job i paied 1000$ i spend with leads and the rest of the money leftover is not enough to pay my days work, is very bad this app

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Date of experience: July 20, 2023

Thumbnail of user roberth2220
Tennessee
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 10th, 2020

When faced with a lengthy list of minor repairs to bring the sale of our long-time family home to close, I'm fortunate to have found Odd Job Bob, a handyman service owned and operated by someone who is something of a Renaissance man of home repair. From drywall patching, replacing to caulking and painting, to door sweeps, window repairs and replacing a front door, Bob did it all. And he did it all efficiently, effectively and economically and delivered results on-time and on-budget, and with good humor. Thanks, Bob!

Date of experience: June 10, 2020

Thumbnail of user richm246
New York
1 review
4 helpful votes
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September 6th, 2017

I have been with Thumbtack for a few years, I have only gotten ONE job from the site and now they have changed the way you send quotes. Instead of buying "CREDITS" which was expensive in the first place, now you have to use money. I just received an email and to send ONE quote it would cost me $33.60. That's just to SEND the quote. There is no vetting process for people looking for services, most of them are just "FISHING" for a price range, then cancel their request and the business is out the cost of the quote. The only way to make this work better is to have the ones looking for a service to pay as well, that would end a lot of the "FISHING" requests. I am done with them.

Date of experience: September 6, 2017

Thumbnail of user joyr22
Florida
2 reviews
12 helpful votes
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April 29th, 2017

I was listed on Thumbtack as a Marriage Counselor. After spending lots of money on fake leads that never converted i decided to switch to Bloomchase.com where i got listed and never have to pay for leads. Public beware of Thumbtack

Date of experience: April 28, 2017

Thumbnail of user levih95
Arizona
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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May 7th, 2022
Verified purchase

Thumbtack should be shut down for stealing money from trusting customers. They sell fake/bot leads and charge insane amounts of money for jobs that aren't worth the time. This way of "doing business" has become a regular thing for companies like THUMBTACK, BARK, WEDDINGWIRE/WEDDING PRO etc. I have been shooting weddings for 10 years and these "services" are trash that offer little to no value. In 2021, I shot over 50 weddings, engagements, and other photo/video jobs. 2 out of 50 (4%) came from these guys. The amount of money spent for leads and "ads" vs money made for those two jobs didn't even zero out. I deleted Thumbtack a few months ago and this month, was charged $35 for a lead. My account isn't even active anymore. I have deleted everything, deleted my credit card and blocked them from my email and am still being charged. We have reported them to Visa. If you are a pro, this is not the place. If you are a beginner, trying to build your portfolio, this is also not the place. Huge waste of time and money.

Tip for consumers:
Don't waste your time and money

Products used:
online service

Date of experience: May 7, 2022

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

Hi Levi, we appreciate you taking the time to share detailed feedback about your experience on Thumbtack, and other sites, as a pro. We're sorry to hear that the platform didn't work for your business, and want to wish you well as you move forward. You shouldn't receive any charges for leads, after your account's been deactivated, if you haven't been assisted with this yet, please send us an email to support@thumbtack.com or a direct message via social media for quick response.

Thumbnail of user carahf
New York
5 reviews
12 helpful votes
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November 3rd, 2017

I have been with them for over a year, spend money and got 2 leads and only because they knew of me anyway.
Thumbtack FABRICATE most of the requests and there is no way to verify the veridicity and seriousness of the people pretending to contact you. It is a well organized FRAUD. They read your quote and charge you $3,50
A multimillion dollar scam. Another PONZI scheme.
Look at the hundreds of complaints thumbtack has all over and you may realize they have set up a pretty good scheme.

Date of experience: November 3, 2017

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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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