Trust a Trader, an opportunity or run away???

estwig · #1 3rd June 2009, 18:51

I don't like trust a trader or any other kinda directory, YP, Thompson any of 'em, not for me, but......

I have had 3 enquiries in the last couple of weeks, for garage and loft conversions from people who contacted trust a trader, looking for the aforementioned conversion work to be done. Only to be sent plumbers, decorators and a couple of muppets who couldn't dress them selves in the mornings. They were a bit annoyed about it.

So is trust a trader just useless at sending the right people out??

Has trust a trader got an ulterior motive in giving leads out to the wrong people, along the lines of, 'we have given you x number of leads, Mr Tradesman, not our fault you can't convert them'??

Or is there an opportunity to fill gaps in the trades on their books???

My money is on one of the first two questions, (I'm a cynical old b*st*rd) interested to hear if anyone else has any views or experience of trust a trader or similar directories??

sas carpentry · #2 4th June 2009, 10:57

I am a member of a few to mention but trust a trader is nothing but a money scam for the owners they charge tradesmen around £300 for a year member ship.
There are plenty of free ones out there I get loads of leads from findagoodone.com and doesn't cost me a penny.

maxine · #3 4th June 2009, 11:05

I guess any ulterior motive is along the lines of a) revenue from the tradespeople and b) having loads of trade suppliers on their sites to respond to enquiries.

I regularly get "special offers" of free leads coming through and can only assume they haven't got enough of a trade supplier quota already or wouldn't have to resort to giving them away for free.

The other thing I am vary wary of is giving consumers a platform via the directory site to whinge and complain about things that are outside of the contract they enter into as perception and reputation is key and a lot of damage can be done with a few remarks out of context (remember that plumbing thread on streetslocal?)

streetslocal · #4 4th June 2009, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxine

I guess any ulterior motive is along the lines of a) revenue from the tradespeople and b) having loads of trade suppliers on their sites to respond to enquiries.

I regularly get "special offers" of free leads coming through and can only assume they haven't got enough of a trade supplier quota already or wouldn't have to resort to giving them away for free.

The other thing I am vary wary of is giving consumers a platform via the directory site to whinge and complain about things that are outside of the contract they enter into as perception and reputation is key and a lot of damage can be done with a few remarks out of context (remember that plumbing thread on streetslocal?)

Hi Maxine,
The plumbing thread was a customer which had left a negative review.
Reviews are a great way for honest business owners to actually generate new custom.
Out of the whole streets local life time this one trader was the only one we have ever had an issue with.
Reviews can benefit your business too many people do not realise this.

maxine · #5 4th June 2009, 12:37

Streets,

Can't go back over all this again as I don't have the energy but key aspects from my point of view for any directory

* Reviews can be great, yes, and there could be hundreds of them but the value wiped out in an instant by one allegedly "poor" review.
* The "poor reviews" runs the risk of being an emotional view rather than a reflection of what has been agreed or breached contractually and having worked with consumers for years it's a path I personally would avoid. It can also potentially do harm if ever there was a case for mediation (proper/legal/construction/specialist type mediation before court action) where comments might be made by both parties inappropriately.
* I do realise the power of reviews, testimonials, photos of work but just not on directories where there is the risk of an unfair slating for the trade company.

It's just my personal view and one with a credit management and sales slant I'm afraid

streetslocal · #6 4th June 2009, 14:04

So from your view point would you like the option to be able to choose if your listing shows reviews?
For example the ability to turn them off?

Our review system is currently under review as we speak so this is something we could look at offering.

We are in the process of offering a sort results by ratings option for the user so this would encourage people to gain reviews but if they wanted to turn off reviews then obviously they would lose that benefit.

maxine · #7 4th June 2009, 18:55

Well at the danger of hijacking Eswig's thread

... I would not want to use the option of turning them off either if there are two options on the directory as otherwise it looks like you have something to hide.

I think a rating system such as neutral or good could be an option and the neutral is where a statement such as "issue pending" is given rather than a whole load of allegations. If the complaint is upheld after a proper process then maybe a red light with an objective outline of the complaint. What makes me nervous is that people cast judgement very quickly, look at the debates on this forum alone for example around trades issues. Perhaps if the site was operated under Trustmark or other governing body as part of consumer/OFT/trading standards it might be different. Maybe you can get some ideas from here http://www.justice.gov.uk/civil/proc...s/prot_ced.htm

It might also be a bit more balanced to have a customer review system too

(only kidding but the idea is fun!)

Yourlocaltrades · #8 11th June 2009, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by estwig

I don't like trust a trader or any other kinda directory, YP, Thompson any of 'em, not for me, but......

I need to keep my comments to myself then!

All i will say is this, its trial and error!

david williams · #9 19th June 2009, 12:49

all of these so called job sites for tradesmen are only intrested in makeing money out of people looking for work .i have in the past subscribed to several of them all a waste of time and money.they all say they only have a few tradesmen in each area,but on phoning several leads supplied by them people complain of too many tradesmen phoning them.also most of the people who use them are only looking for a cheap job as they know there will be many tradesmen chasing to few jobs. so my advice would be to ask for a list of satisfied tradesmen that you can contact to see how well they preformed for them

sas carpentry · #10 17th July 2009, 18:30

I've been a member for two years now very good and give you a 6 months free,I've gained a lot of business from them,much better than trust a trader!

The good thing about www.findagoodone.com is the customer gets to choose who they want to go with,they don't charge you for requesting customer details,and the customer calls you!
Then the customer leaves feedback on work done!

Great site the only reason I'm banging on about them is because I've earned a few pound out of them.