Topic 'Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?' in forum 'General Questions' - dslreports.com

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:31:02 EDT

DSL987 posted : +1 for Angieslist

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:08:56 EDT

Kilroy posted : For home stuff in the past I used Home Advisor when they were Service Magic
--
�Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.� � Robert A. Heinlein

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:39:44 EDT

hortnut posted : Last time I used it, all the reviews were from the actual customers. Companies cannot pay to be listed on it. But from what I read, once reviewed, they can purchase an "enhanced" listing?

BTW, once you join, make sure to go into the e-mail settings or else you will be bombarded by requests and prompts.

Older article from PC World, but basically lays out it and other alternatives.
»www.pcworld.com/article/237331/a···fee.html

I resigned up, as I need some tree work done that needs someone with the training and background to work with a particular species that can be tricky. Also some gutter work. Its been many years since I have engaged anyone in this area. And who know what else may pop up.

There are some bad reviews of Angieslist, will let you Google for those.

In the past I found my workers, through word of mouth. That is how I found my well man, pump man, concrete finisher guys, dozer man, electrician, heavy tractor repair, and so on. And these were long term guys who did a lot of different jobs for me at my Business. I went by 'gut' feeling after talking with them or looking at their work and was never disappointed.

Hope this helps!

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:38:25 EDT

fartness posted : So then do the contractors, doctors, etc. pay to post on Angieslist? How does the weed out the bad ones? Is there then a rating system or something?

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 04:17:16 EDT

hortnut posted : My final cost for Angie's List was $16.80/year until Nov 22, 2013. Just for the Repairers and such. Did not need Drs. and others.

One needs to first create an account and then Angie repeatedly sent me offers and discounts. Last one was 40% off. I then paid by PayPal and received another discount.

I think every area has its own yearly fee, but not sure.
hth

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:57:02 EDT

fartness posted :

said by JustBurnt :

You think a legit company is going to advertise on Craigslist?

I guess you don't understand how large contracting companies operate, THEY charge $100/hr(or whatever) and pay the employees much less.

Hiring persons off Craigslist to do any real work on your house is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

You missed my point.

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:56:35 EDT

fartness posted : What does it cost? I don't see a price after clicking around to a few pages.

Are the people who post on it cheaper?

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:05:31 EDT

Jeffrey posted : I will just echo the comments for Angie's List, and say that I have found 3 service companies that I have been extremely happy with that I would not have found otherwise. Well worth the yearly fee.

I generally avoid Craiglist at all costs, except for the hookers. Relax, I'm joking. Seriously, Craigslist isn't for me - for buying or for selling. Something gives me the creeps about it.

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 03:25:20 EDT

anon posted : You think a legit company is going to advertise on Craigslist?

I guess you don't understand how large contracting companies operate, THEY charge $100/hr(or whatever) and pay the employees much less.

Hiring persons off Craigslist to do any real work on your house is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 01:34:12 EDT

fartness posted : Some is pricing around, some is asking what others payed, and some is common sense. I'm not going to hire some guy from Craigslist who's going to charge $100/hour when he's going to pay two others $10/hour to do the job. Especially when it's not a legit company, and it's someone just doing it on the side. They don't have all the extra overhead costs, so I'm not going to pay them as if they did.

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 04:03:51 EDT

anon posted :

said by fartness:

Are people decently priced or do they act like they're unioned employees demading 3x what a job is worth like everyone else around here?

How do you know what the job is "worth"?

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:38:19 EDT

MagMan posted : .n/m

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 07:30:27 EDT

fartness posted : Are people decently priced or do they act like they're unioned employees demading 3x what a job is worth like everyone else around here?

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 19:13:08 EDT

Msradell posted :

said by PoloDude:

http://www.angieslist.com/

This is a good option but Craig'slist is a crapshoot at the best.

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:32:08 EDT

Doctor Olds posted :

said by PoloDude:

http://www.angieslist.com/

This! +100

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 08:08:12 EDT

mocycler posted : Many legitimate businesses advertise on craigslist. So do a lot of bums.

It's not any more good or bad than looking for services everywhere else. Know who you are dealing with. It's not that deep.

The only real danger is that since craigslist is free, bums tend to gather there. So yeah, be more discriminating than you might otherwise.

Do not run an ad yourself soliciting for someone to install a new sink or whatever...every schmuck in the world will be clogging your inbox claiming to be a "professional" plumber who will give you a super-awesome deal.

One way to find competent help is to ask around. Ask your neighbors who works on their cars, remodels their basements, etc. Ask people at businesses you frequent: Your dentist, barber, the clerk at the store.

In my area there are many excellent tradespeople who need some extra cash and will do side jobs for a lot less than union scale.

Re: Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 05:00:16 EDT

PoloDude posted : »www.angieslist.com/

Contractors/Mechanics from Craigslist?

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 00:14:24 EDT

fartness posted : Good or bad idea?

Basic stuff:
Example: Change spark plugs
Example: Paint house

Not so basic:
Example: Swap an engine
Example: Re-model kitchen

I don't necessarily need these things done in my examples, but I do need stuff done in general, and have no clue where to find someone who will give a decent price.