New ThumbTacker Seeking Advice

[Delyjeff]

I'm a relatively new user whose been around for a while and has only accepted one job so far, mainly because the client and I clicked with one another.

My biggest issue is with the lead costs. I don't have targeting set because I don't know ahead of time what they'll cost me. I'd rather see who hasn't had a reply yet and offer a bid.

Problem with that is, I still don't know what that potentially will cost me if the client replies with anything but a, "No thanks."

With the new implementation of the graduated lead system, can we at least get a heads up regarding what they'll cost us to follow up on expiring and unanswered leads?

Cheers,
Jeff

[amberlyn]

I completely agree! I have actually stopped using Thumbtack until they fix the issue of paying for leads when the client passes.

For example: this morning I got a lead from a client that requested me on a day that I had my calendar blocked off for. They wanted me to pay $11 to even RESPOND to say I was unavailable. As a business owner who takes great pride in customer service, I never just want to ghost a lead. I always want to respond, even if I am unavailable, because that is good customer service. But I refuse to pay $11 for just saying “id love to work with you, but unfortunately I’m unavailable.”

I have had NUMEROUS people reach out to check availability and I pay to respond to each (I don’t get refunded the lead fee if they decide to go with another photographer.)

I’m basically paying Thumbtack to have a conversation. And I will no longer use the service until we only pay for the lead AFTER the client has booked.

[Johnklippel]

I think what would be nice is if when we decline a lead and TT asks us why and we responde with Availibility issues that the client would see that response so they know it wasn't a matter not wanting to do their job

[360PaintingPolk]

Hi Amberlyn, I just joined TT community as well as signed up for their leads. Just curious who are you using now for our leads if not TT? And have you been successful with another lead source?

[talr]

I had a similar situation, and the platform told me that it's not that I need to pay the (whatever it was) to tell the client I'm unavailable - it told me I WAS ALREADY CHARGED THAT so I might as well reply.
I complained and asked for a refund. I asked how come am I getting a lead to a date I'm unavailable. I was told it's because the client checked the box saying "other dates that the pro suggests" (or whichever way it's worded), and once the client checks that, the system essentially ignores when are you marked as unavailable (which I really don't like).
In TT's defense, they did refund me.

[KrisKat]

DelyJeff, You should be able to see somewhere in your platform a range cost for your leads, for example it might say leads will cost between $9 & $12 depending on the competition discount. The more competition, the lower your lead cost (although it's not much lower, I would prefer the higher lead cost and no competition). So if you have people requesting your category and there is not much or no competition responding to them, then you should jump on it. As long as you are making at least 5 times the cost of the lead it will be worth it. What is your business?