Angie’s List for Remodelers — A Love or Hate Relationship ?

Let’s face it, it’s a fact of life that given time stuff will happen to your home. Since your home is likely your most valuable possession, when stuff does happen, the question becomes, “Who can fix it? What contractor will give me the best quality and value for my money?”

If you’re a TV watcher, it’s likely you’ve seen commercials with Angie Hicks promoting her website, Angie’s List. If you’re not familiar with Angie’s List, here’s a quick overview.

When a customer needs a service provider, whether it be a service or health professional business, they go to Angie’s website and search the listings of registered businesses. These businesses have been reviewed by previous customers, and the reviews are posted on the Angie’s List website. After using one of the services listed on her site, the customer is supposed to report back on their experience.

When you sign up for Angie’s List, for a monthly or yearly fee, you designate your hometown and are taken to the list of providers for your area. Your fee allows you to have access to more than 500 service categories or service providers.

This sounds like a quick and easy way to find out if a contractor, or other service provider, will do quality work, and is reputable. Maybe….

I have read more than one review like the one below.

“I am in the landscaping business and a guy called me to take a look at his yard to clean-up some downed tree limbs from a storm. I took a look at the job and gave him a price. Mind you, I am a fully licensed, insured landscaper AND I carry workers comp for my day labor. Well, apparently this guy found someone else to do the work for half the price. He left a D review on Angie’s List for my business even though I did no work at all for him. Angie’s List allows angry, vindictive people to take out their own personal frustrations on businesses who do not deserve it. I have an A+ BBB rating with no complaints ever. BBB will arbitrate all matters if needed, something Angie’s List could learn from. Might clean-up their act a bit.”

Although they advertise that companies can’t pay to be on Angie’s List, I also read reviews such as the following.

“We also were proud to be nominated to Angie’s, but the salesmen who call to get more money make it clear (between the lines), that you won’t be found without paying for advertising (the price has doubled in one year). Plus, if you advertise, you have to give a coupon of 10% or more, PLUS if you offer a Big Deal, they take another 10%. What is the contractor left with after paying Angie’s, PLUS if the member isn’t happy—with the price, no work done, they will write a bad review!”

Not to sound biased, I also read a few reviews like the following.

“I love Angie's List! Here's my chance to review the reviewer. I joined 3 years ago after hiring a moving company based on Yelp and other free reviews. I totally got scammed. I asked a friend who had an AL membership to look up the rating of that moving company. I wasn't surprised that they had an F! That convinced me on the spot to join. Since then every professional I've hired in two locations (yes, I gladly paid the extra $15 for the second location) has had an A rating off of AL and I've not had another problem. No more being ripped off! It's worth the money and peace of mind to have a resource that vets businesses. Plus it feels good to be able to legitimately review my experience with businesses both good and bad.”

But then there’s reviews like this one.

“I am an electrical contractor with over 400 very satisfied customers and 1 customer who could not be made happy no matter what. Angie's list uses high pressure sales tactics to lock you into a year long contract. If their service was any good, why would they need to lock you in? Wouldn't you eagerly send the check monthly? Then, when you complain that their service sucks, they want your customer list so they can "get reviews for you". What they really want is to market Angie's List to your customers. Evil. Signing their contract was easily the worst business decision I have ever made. It was a complete waste of money. Contractors beware.”

Who do you believe? I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle, but for now we’ll stick with the tried and true direct customer referrals and good ol’ marketing…

To check out these, and many, many other reviews of Angie’s List, just Google Angie’s List.

__________________________________________________

If you found this article helpful, be sure and stop by our website at www.uniquitybuilders.com or simply scan the QR code below and you'll be automatically directed to our website.