Here we go again -- coaches-- does Thumbtack even want us on their platform?

Meridith_Alexander1

After almost 2 years of hiding my profile on the Thumbtack platform because their "name your own lead price" policy insisted that I pay a minimum of $165 per lead even when most "leads" never responded to my replies, I had returned to the platform with a glimmer of hope when Thumbtack arbitrarily reduced my lead price to approximately $120. Again, if you understand that it's a numbers game versus a "value" measurement, $120 per lead just barely meant that it made sense to be on Thumbtack (customer lifetime valued weighed against cost per conversion). It was by no means great or worth recommending as a viable leadgen option to new coaches but it did BARELY generate a profit— meaning that I wasn't paying Thumbtack to either work for free or at a loss. However, a couple of weeks ago, once again, I got "the email" from Thumbtack informing me that they were (non-negotiable) increasing my minimum lead prices back up to $165 per lead. My response? Hide my profile because it means that I would be operating at a loss. Why do I share this? Because in their ridiculous drive to increase their revenue by $45 per lead, they have lost a consistent $3000 per month investment from me into their revenue. (And I'll mention that when the lead prices were $65-99 per lead, I invested happily 5K+ per month onto this platform) It is exhausting to deal with a company that has zero respect for our own industry numbers. Coupled with the fact that when the general economic chatter revolves around a potential recession, our category of services often suffers, it is remarkable that Thumbtack can be so out of touch with its pros. I have to wonder if Thumbtack is trying to chase away those of us in this service industry who have been so loyal to its platform for almost a decade. I would also ask if they actually want to see us succeed and whether they realize (in spite of all of our communications trying to help them understand the numbers in our industry) that they are WAY out of touch with where the lead prices should be. To add insult to injury, I have had so many incidents where a third party request (unbeknownst to the potential client) was denied for a refund. Time and time again, when there was no legit interest in my services, I ended up paying for a lead that wasn't anything close to a viable lead. As someone who for years and years recommended Thumbtack and LOVED this platform, I continue to be devastated at the turn that this platform seems to take over and over again. Any other coaches find that the lead prices are exorbitant relevant to the number of "real leads" and conversions that you see?

DustiO

Thank for sharing this feedback. If you haven't already, I would recommend sending to support@thumbtack.com as well. I also shared this feedback with the team internally.