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Should Pros Pay for Dead Leads?

Dstiefvater
Dstiefvater Posts: 3
edited September 2025 in Business Resilience

Pros are being charged whether or not a customer hires, responds, or even takes us seriously. We eat the cost while Thumbtack collects. Do you think it’s fair that pros are forced to pay for dead leads, or should charges only apply when a customer actually books a job?

Should Pros Pay for Dead Leads? 11 votes

No — paying for dead leads is unfair and unsustainable
36% 4 votes
Only if a customer responds and engages with the pro
9% 1 vote
Only if the customer actually hires through Thumbtack
36% 4 votes
Yes — paying for every lead is fair
18% 2 votes

Comments

  • Dstiefvater
    Dstiefvater Posts: 3

    let’s here the thoughts of some other pros.

  • Dstiefvater
    Dstiefvater Posts: 3

    I see a lot of clients that go reaching out to 2, sometimes 4 different pros. We’re all eating that cost while thumbtack profits. That doesn’t seem balanced, their service or not.

  • Fil777
    Fil777 Posts: 15

    It's very simple, my friend, no profit for pro = no profit for Thumbtack. That means the system should work like that: pro gets a client that books his services and then the pro pays to Thumbtack. And Thumbtack gives a full refund in case if the client cancels his booking for any reason

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • epoxyinaustin
    epoxyinaustin Posts: 1
    edited October 2025

    Pros deserve a fair system. When we win, Thumbtack wins. But when we lose money on ghost leads, everyone loses except Thumbtack. It’s time for platforms to value pros as much as they value users. like in my business of epoxy floors.

  • Newson2005
    Newson2005 Posts: 1

    I’m new here wanted to get some insight before going all in I wanted more information about paying for leads this helped me tremendously already feeling like I’m going to scammed if I get a lead that doesn’t pan out

  • varons666
    varons666 Posts: 1

    But when we lose money on ghost leads, everyone loses except Thumbtack.

    Pros deserve a fair system. When we win, Thumbtack wins just like or tambo airport car rentals

  • kristipritchett3
    kristipritchett3 Posts: 5

    I have been saying thumbtack is making the big money and they aren’t gonna make a change bc unfortunately some of us need them until we can start getting leads on our own. I’ve sent at least 5 ppl bids this week and not one has contacted me back but u can best believe they charged me for it

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited November 2025
    This content has been removed.
  • Social_Pakora01
    Social_Pakora01 Posts: 1 ✭

    Great discussion! The debate about paying for dead leads is very relevant for service pros. It’s important to ensure fair pricing models that truly benefit professionals and reflect real customer interest.

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