Thumbtack Review – Scam or Legit? Truth Exposed!

Are you looking for a Thumbtack review? But you may wonder if it is a scam.

If you’re a contractor looking for contacts in your area, you should visit Thumbtack.com. This site matches contractors with job seekers in their field and facilitates mutually beneficial connections between those seeking a job and those looking to provide a service.

However, some independent contractors have complained that the service isn’t worth the money or that the site is a scam. 

Should you use Thumbtack, or is Angi a better option? We’ll enlighten you and provide you with all the information you need to use Thumbtack effectively as a contractor.

​​As a disclaimer, I’m not affiliated with Thumbtack. It means I’m not paid to write this review. So you can rest assured that you will get an honest and unbiased review from me.

At the end of this review, I’ll also tell you the best alternative to Thumbtack that has enabled me to make a full-time passive income online.

What Is Thumbtack?

In order for businesses to market their services on Thumbtack, they must download the Thumbtack Pro app. When you sign up as a professional, you get a free profile page where you can describe your services, get leads, set up meetings with potential clients, and find work in your sector.

Creating a profile on Thumbtack is free, but there are upgrades you’ll likely need to invest in if you want to get a large number of high-quality leads. If you want to know how much each category of service costs on Thumbtack, check out the details of the pricing structure.

You need to join Thumbtack as a professional to get access to the job listings. After you get work, you’ll receive reviews from clients. More and more clients will contact you as your online reputation grows thanks to your positive Thumbtack reviews. Install the Thumbtack Pro app on your device before you sign up.

The main categories of information you can share about yourself on Thumbtack for Professionals are as follows:

• Your name/company name
• Your contact information
• An “about” profile
• The services you offer
• Any reviews completed from your clients
• Photos/videos of work you’ve done
• FAQs about the type of work you do
• How long you’ve been in business
• How many people have hired you on Thumbtack
• How many employees you have/work with you
• Any specialties you have
• The price for specific services you offer

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How Does Thumbtack Work?

Creating a profile on Thumbtack and continuing to use it is free. You will only be charged when a customer contacts you. 

You can also set the type of clients you contact by setting preferences for the days and times you are available, as well as the types of work and locations you are interested in.

When a potential client who is a perfect fit for your business contacts you, you will be charged for a lead at a discounted rate of 20%. 

If a potential customer contacts you but only comes close to matching your criteria, you can either pass on the lead or accept it at full price. 

You can contact not only customers who have already spoken to competitors, but also customers who have already spoken to other professionals. In this case, you will be charged only if the customer responds to your message.

How much money is needed to generate leads depends on several factors, such as the scope of the project and the number of experts you can reach. 

If a customer contacts multiple service providers, you can expect a price reduction due to increased competition. 

Also, if you respond to a lead immediately (within four business hours) but the customer does not open your message for 48 hours, you get your money back.

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Who Can Sign Up For Thumbtack?

Thumbtack has an age restriction of 18 for service providers. By signing up, you confirm that you meet all legal requirements and have the necessary accreditations, registrations, bonds and insurance. 

Thumbtack facilitates the search for clients by allowing you to offer virtually any type of professional service. The platform offers the following types of services:

• Home improvement
• Wellness
• Pets
• Business
• Events
• Lessons
• Crafts
• Design and web
• Legal
• Personal
• Photography
• Repair and technical support
• Writing, translation, and transcription

Thumbtack is ideal for service providers who are passionate about sales. 

As long as the service you provide is of high quality and meets the needs of your clients, it will be successful, regardless of your experience level or ability to charge a high price.

How Much Does Thumbtack Cost And How Do Credits Work?

If you’re a freelancer, it won’t cost you a dime to post an ad for your services on Thumbtack. Credits are the currency you can use to acquire new leads on the platform. 

Credits are used when a customer views your profile and starts a conversation with you. Individual credits cost $1.50, but you can save money if you buy a certain amount.

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How Much Do Leads Cost On Thumbtack?

Lead pricing on Thumbtack follows a few other guidelines:

• Prices vary depending on region, industry, project type, job size, number of available professionals and seriousness of the client.
• Thumbtack sets the prices, which can be updated at any time.
• “Bigger leads” cost more than “smaller leads” depending on how much money Thumbtack estimates you will make if hired for the project.
• When a customer messages you, calls you, or schedules an appointment with you, the cost is triggered.
• Thumbtack lets you set a budget to limit your expenses.
• You only pay for the first conversation with the client; you are not charged for further messages or future work.

How To Get Free Credits On Thumbtack?

You can’t buy “free” credits at Thumbtack, but there are ways to avoid them. You’ll receive a free notice if no other contractor can meet the client’s requirements and you can. 

As an added bonus, you can reduce the cost of your credits by 20% by activating Thumbtack Promote.

What Is Thumbtack Promote?

Thumbtack Promote is an optional feature that, once activated, permanently promotes your profile to the Thumbtack community. 

You spend more money because you use up your credit faster than if you had Promote turned off. However, Thumbtack allows you to set a spending limit so you do not go overboard.

With Thumbtack Promote, your profile will appear higher up in search results if a user answers just a few questions about their project. 

If you have Promote enabled, your chances of generating new leads on the site increase significantly, as multiple contractors can be listed in the first results.

What happens to your profile when you enable the Promote button looks like this:

• Get displayed for free further up in the search results.
• More leads will contact you.
• Get 20% off lead generation credit.
• Even if you don’t respond to the customer, the lead will be paid automatically.

Just go to your Services page after signing up with Thumbtack to enable Thumbtack Promote. 

The option to market should be selected. Select the tasks you can do and the amounts you are willing to pay. Just click the “Finish” button.

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Common Thumbtack Scams

Independent contractors have reported several cases of fraud related to the use of Thumbtack. 

As a professional using Thumbtack, you need to be aware of these risks so you can avoid them. 

Here’s a summary of the most common scams that can occur on Thumbtack.

1. Thumbtack fake leads

The most common criticism from service providers is that Thumbtack sends them suspicious-looking leads that are not from real customers. 

As a result, contractors would spend more on credits in the hope of generating leads, even though they would get no real benefit from the transactions.

2. Users misrepresenting their jobs

One of Thumbtack’s best features is that it prompts users to answer several questions before starting a contractor search. 

Users who’re in the “early stages” of their project may not take your questions seriously, or they may change their minds if you’ve already started working on the project.

Users see the “estimate” for the work they want, but don’t understand that it depends on the questions they answer, which has caused confusion for some contractors. 

Many customers won’t hire you as a contractor if you ask them a question and give them the wrong answer and then you tell them that the right answer is more expensive.

3. Risk of personal safety & privacy

You undoubtedly already know that classified ad services like Craigslist, where users advertise themselves and their contact information, pose serious privacy and security risks to users.

With Thumbtack, because contractors are footing the bill for the service, they have less incentive to provide false information. 

Users are more likely to intentionally misrepresent themselves in order to steal their data or put them in an unprotected position where they can be robbed.

4. Refusal to pay with appropriate method

Even though your Thumbtack profile states that you only accept cash payments, some customers still try to pay with a credit card or cashier’s check. 

Some customers haven’t read the terms and conditions thoroughly enough, and others try to pay fraudulently so that they don’t have to spend the money.

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How To Maximize Your Earnings With Thumbtack?

The best way to optimize your revenue on Thumbtack is to make sure your leads lead to orders. 

Below are some suggestions from Thumbtack:

Add a good photo and description to your profile

Have a professional photo taken of yourself, and do not forget to smile! Point out special qualifications in your profile, such as awards, certifications, or training.

Tailor your offers to your customers

The client’s name and the specifics of the request should always be used as a reference. In addition to describing the job, you can provide advice and include relevant images.

Communicate in a timely manner and keep up to date

Get the Thumbtack app on your phone to be notified immediately when a new request comes in. Once a customer has shown interest in your offering, contact them as soon as possible to discuss how you can best meet their needs. 

If the customer has not hired a professional by the agreed-upon time, you should contact them again.

Learn from feedback

Thumbtack contacts you once a week to show you how your prices compare to the market average. 

Look at your main competitors’ profiles to see if there’s anything you can learn from them to improve your own. Another option is to solicit comments directly from customers.

Provide excellent service. Make sure the quality of your work and the service you provide to your customers is high.

Solicit reviews

Tell your satisfied customers that you need feedback once the service is completed. Thumbtack may send a reminder, but a direct request from you may be more effective. 

More positive feedback means a higher profile in Thumbtack search results, which means more potential customers will find your business.

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How To Get Good Thumbtack Reviews?

1. Provide an excellent customer experience

Customers on Thumbtack should feel comfortable and safe hiring you, from the moment they receive your quote to the moment you say goodbye. To achieve this goal, you should be friendly, quick to respond, and knowledgeable in the areas where they have questions or concerns. It is possible that this will result in better feedback overall.

2. Exceed expectations

No matter how big or small the task, you should always give it your all. Make sure you always meet the client’s expectations and look for ways to exceed them. Going above and beyond may help you avoid unflattering comments.

3. Request an evaluation

Inquire about customer satisfaction after a project is completed. Inquire about an evaluation and take advantage of this opportunity. If the client still hasn’t provided a review of your service after a few weeks, consider sending them a handwritten note asking for feedback. For example, if you organised the wedding DJ, you could write a few congratulations to the happy couple. Be sure to include specific information in your letter about how to give a review.

How To Stay Safe On Thumbtack?

For the safety of your business and yourself, you must take the following precautions:

Put it in writing 

Persuade the client to sign a contract describing the terms of the agreement and the total price of the project.

Report suspicious or discriminatory requests 

Ignore any requests that make you feel uncomfortable or look like spam. Instead, please contact Thumbtack and report the request to.

Inform someone before you start a project

Keep your phone nearby for emergencies and inform someone of your work schedule and whereabouts.

Leave if you feel unsafe

If you decided to leave a job because you felt threatened, please tell Thumbtack. Call 911 if you or someone you know is in acute danger.

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Thumbtack Customer Service

Contact Thumbtack support team as soon as possible if you encounter any of the above scams or concerns. The most common procedures are as follows:

Contact Thumbtack by Phone: 1-866-501-5809

Contact Thumbtack by Email: [email protected]

Contact Thumbtack with the Live Chat:

https://help.thumbtack.com/contact-thumbtack/chat 

Contact Thumbtack with Facebook Messenger:

https://www.messenger.com/t/user:159298128452/

Use the Thumbtack Help Desk:

https://help.thumbtack.com/

Tips For Getting New Business And Thumbtack Jobs

Are you having trouble closing the deals on the Thumbtack leads you paid for? The difference between winning a project and losing it to other contractors can be as small as implementing these five simple steps.

1. Don’t abandon the service within a week

Don’t give up on the website just because you haven’t found any good leads yet. Remember that some contractors require a significant investment to get an order from their leads, and spending money on Thumbtack credits increases the likelihood of your profile being viewed fourfold.

2. If you’re concerned about what you’re spending, set a budget

Set a limit on your spending using Thumbtack’s budgeting tools so you do not spend more than you can afford. Based on the amount of money you have available, the budget tool will give you an estimate of how many people are likely to contact you after discovering your profile. A budget can be adjusted at any time and can be as low as the user wants it to be.

3. Respond immediately – getting the job is a race

If you want someone to pick you up, call you, or make an appointment, you should respond immediately. After you have taken the time and effort to select a service provider, customers are in a much better position to make a decision. 

You are much more likely to get a job if you interact with Thumbtack users and respond to their requests within 5 minutes, rather than waiting 24 hours.

4. Treat each lead in a personal way and take an interest in the unique aspects of their suggested job

It’s important to stand out from the competition; use Thumbtack’s free messaging system to your advantage. 

By reading what the client has written about their project, you can better address their specific needs. Professionals who respond to leads with standard text are less likely to be hired than those who provide details about similar work they’ve already done.

5. Use resources outside of the website

Stay in touch with your customers after you have won them over. Make sure they are happy with your work and show them you care by asking for feedback on how you can improve in the future. 

Show them you appreciate their business by letting them know they can recommend you to their friends and family and that you are open to future opportunities. In the long run, this minimal investment will bring free leads to Thumbtack.

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Pros of Thumbtack

• You only pay for leads when a consumer contacts you directly (direct lead) or when a customer responds to your interest in opportunities when you contact them. This helps avoid a large number of bad leads.
• If you’re just starting out or need to fill gaps in your schedule, you can quickly secure work through the website.
• Before you start your business, look at what your competitors are charging and do some market research.
• It’s easy to stand out from the competition if you put effort into your profile or respond to inquiries.
• You can check the cost of leads before you decide whether or not to accept them, and you can fine-tune the leads you receive.

Cons of Thumbtack

• You have no control over them, so you are at their mercy. When lead prices go up, your profits go down. If they decide to change the way the whole system works, you will be forced to adopt the new system. It’s not unlike a job.
• It may force you to lower your prices to stay competitive, especially if demand is low and lead prices are high. That means you have to pay more for leads while losing money, which puts pressure on you on both sides.
• Calling back and forth with clients or being forced to interrupt your work to respond immediately can be time-consuming.
• Even if a client has selected you from search results, Thumbtack encourages them to call multiple professionals. I understand why they do this (they get paid for more leads), but I do not think it benefits the customers while costing the pros more per lead.

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Thumbtack FAQs

Does Thumbtack really work?

In fact, Thumbtack produces over 30,000 leads daily. Many professionals have found work with the help of Thumbtack, even if not all leads convert. To stay competitive, you may need to update your profile or increase your fees.

How much does it cost to use Thumbtack?

There are no hidden costs or fees, and both signing up and using the service are completely free. You’ll only be charged when a consumer makes contact. Lead prices can vary widely depending on project size and location.

Does Thumbtack send fake leads?

False requests are not created by Thumbtack. If you suspect a request is fraudulent, please do not respond and contact Thumbtack instead.

How do pros get paid on Thumbtack?

Instead of going through the Thumbtack website, the professional and the customer settle the payment terms directly. Which payment methods you accept from your customers is entirely up to you.

How do you become a top Thumbtack pro?

On Thumbtack, the best service providers are awarded a badge highlighting their expertise. If you want to make it to the top of your field, you need to:

• Respond to new customers within four local business hours. 75 percent of the time
• Maintain a 4.8 rating from verified reviews.
• Receive at least five verified reviews in the last year
• Conduct a background investigation

Thumbtack Review: Final Verdict

We think that it is a good idea to use Thumbtack Pro to find a contractor. The main criticism of Thumbtack is that users pay $25, $50, etc. for leads but end up with no jobs. 

Many successful contractors on Thumbtack pay more than $100 upfront for a lead, but end up earning much more on the completed jobs. You are paying for a service, so keep that in mind. Thumbtack is like having a friend refer millions of potential customers to you, and they should be compensated for their efforts.

Remember, your only cost is to make the initial contact with a user who has expressed interest in learning more. You will get free referrals and follow-ups from them. 

Thumbtack is an easy and inexpensive way to connect with local service providers you would not have found on your own.

However, it is important to keep in mind the dangers associated with using the site. 

As a work contractor, you run the risk of exposing yourself to dangers, having your private information compromised, and dealing with clients who are not paying you for your services.

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Best Alternative of Thumbtack to Make Passive Income

If you want to make a stable and secure stream of passive income, I would suggest you start an affiliate marketing business online.

Affiliate Marketing is perfect for anyone who is new to online business. 

In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.  

In affiliate marketing, you can actually run your business almost with zero cost and achieve a steady and sustainable passive income to pay for your bills. You don’t need any initial capital and can even do it as a side hustle.

And if you really want to learn affiliate marketing and build a business from scratch, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform for affiliate marketing: Wealthy Affiliate.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.

But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?

A 21-year old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods.

Wealthy Affiliate has existed for 15 years and there are many success stories in the past decade.

To give you more examples, here are some of the other inspiring success stories of Wealthy Affiliate members.

Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has free and premium membership.

If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the free starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.

And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, access to the keyword tool.

You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny. 

So I strongly recommend you to register a free account and see it yourself.

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