Angie's List Message Boards : Angies List Forums

In My experience in the last month i've had a angies list memeber, after being completely satisfied with all work, and customer service,craftmanship, etc pay the amount that was agreed upon approx. 9 months before hand. So happy, they were, They call me back to give another estimate for something else, within that same  week, and i could not meet his budget of under a hundred dollars for a job that cost 300+. (he must be use to unlicensed contractor prices)

 This person got completely Upset, stated the job that he was happy, and content with, and payed for was an unfair price now, and he would take measures.

Lets see, so what they are really saying they are extorting us contractors to give them ultra low prices and or not paying their bills, and we should love it when they leave a good rating.

 Customers of angies list, us contractors are very smart on the idea of customers trying using angies list as a extortion weapon. Alot of us are talking now, if your happy, and satisfied,with the work,company etc, don't extort us after aggreeing to a set price, because you think you can being an angies list member.Don't affend are intellegince by thinking we don't know what your up to. Leaving false ratings, and slandering a company is no joke, and i agree totaly that your info should be sent to us. Because, as we are responsible for our actions, so are customers, and we will start comparing notes on false reports, and memebers that try to, extort their way out of paying us contractors. And you always here about the contractor, is this and that. There are just as many customers that are crooks, and cons out there.

Good.  I hope you people go away.  I don't want to read a report from someone who has not tried to resolve a problem with a contractor.  If you have tried to resolve an issue with no luck, then the contractor is not going to be surprised when he reads about it in Angie's List.  So what's the problem?  And how can you think you would be able to get away with writing a report anyway, that a contractor would not be able to connect with a specific job?  Most of these contractors who are in Angie's List, read the list irrespective of whether Angie's List forwards the reports to them.  It is common sense that they will be able to to figure out which customer wrote which report.  Secondly, if your report is accurate, and not embelished, I don't understand the angst at being told the contractor is given your name and a copy of your report.

If I was a contractor, and I thought I had done a satisfactory job--the customer paid me and did not say anything negative to me about my work, but then I get a negative report on Angie's List, I wouldn't like it.  Why would you not have the common decency to speak up to a contractor about a problem issue?  I don't get it.  Any reputable contractor will try to work with you to insure you are happy.  No happy customer, no money coming in.  It's pretty simple.  On the other hand, if they are not a reputable contractor, and refuse to make good on the problem, then this is where Angie's List is so valuable.  I think Angie's List policy of not allowing these reports to be anonymous, is the only way to go.

I'm just hearing this allegation that there are some Angie's List members who are trying to extort contractors into lowering their price in exchange for a favorable report.  If that's true, they are going to get burned.  That, my friends (as John McCain loves to say), is a crime.  If we're talking about a big enough job--say an addition to a house or something like that, the contractor should report it to the FBI.  They will investigate it if it involves enough money.  If that is going on, I hope those people get caught.

trickpony:

I think Angie’s List does a great job! It is the ones who won’t post negative reports that are messing up the works! I tell a service provider up front that if they screw up the job I will not hesitate to post a negative report, pictures included. At that point, they can decide if THEY want to continue to do business with ME.

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No, I had not had to post a negative report...but I did post about one of the roofers who used the side of my house as a bathroom. I told the roofing company rep I would have to report it even though he bent over backwards to made the situation better for me (including a discount on the entire job!). Being the honest businessman that he was, he understood why I was posting what had happen and had no problem with it.

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Isn’t that what Angie’s List is all about, finding the honest ones? If a company uses fear and intimation to control customer dissatisfaction, I would like to know who they are so I can avoid them. If you won’t stand up for yourself why should anyone else?

 

Trickpony -

I understand where you are coming from in telling service providers that you will report negatively on them if they do not perform to your standards.  However, your statements can be construed as extortion, which is a crime. 

Definition of Extortion: the crime of obtaining something such as money or information from somebody by using force, threats, or other unacceptable methods

Obviously, he “bent over backwards” and you are very happy about it.  You even got a material benefit.  I’m not saying he shouldn’t have done that anyway, but you presented clear threat and received a clear material benefit.

It is becoming common for shady, unethical clients who are cons to use this site as a means to obtain discounts on the services hardworking small businesses are providing.  Just as not all service providers are honest, not all clients are either.

I would like to know when a site is going to be created where service providers can complain about clients and post OUR reviews of their behaviors to warn other providers to avoid doing business with them at all costs.

Let me start out by saying that, I could have used a different user name but, I choose to use my company name. Because, I have nothing to hide and I wanted everybody that reads this to know, when I say I am a business owner it's true.

I have read through all these post and I have to say, a few people have made very good points. First one, I remember when xbay buyers would demand that a seller give them a "great" deal, or they would leave a bad feedback comment. Even if the transaction went okay.
So, to the person that stated they inform a contractor up front that, if they don't get "something" they will list on AL a bad review. All I can say to you is, stop looking to get something for nothing! As well as breaking the law, as mentioned above.

Now on to the topic post. As a business owner I love the fact that, AL not only gives me the person’s name, but also allows me the chance to respond to the complaint. Because, say someone came on here and claimed they made a purchase from my company, but in fact they hadn't purchased anything from me. AL could then remove their complaint because it was merely a lie against my company out of spite.

In closing let me state, the comment made about Wal*Mart being black listed, and yet still their parking lot stays full.....right on. There is an old saying, "You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please some of the people all of the time".

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You are right, " You can't please some people anytime."

PandD:

Could not agree more. Just read an article available online about a woman in the DC area who got sued RECENTLY for $6 million by a contractor she had problems with and then reported negatively on in Angie's List.  Even is she wins or the lawsuit is tossed out of court, this kind of thing could have a chilling effect on people posting - the headaches of having to respond to a bogus contractor lawsuit just because you posted an opinion about, or details of what happened to you online, having to hire a lawyer or take time from work to deal with, answer the contractor's lawyers nosy questions, dealing with opposing counsels attempts to drain you of energy and resources while the also scare you to death about what they want the court to do to you.  Not to mention the potential for other kinds of retaliation.  Of course there is the usual: harassing phone calls, vandalism, even physical confrontations.  Then there is stuff I just thought of: what is to keep the contractor's from doing their own list of complaining customers (even ones that are right to complain) and refusing service?  

Just had a conversation with my family and we decided not to participate in any reports and to try to get our reports pulled for our own protection -- sorry, but its family first, then I worry about helping my neighbors find a contractor.  I have not found anything on the site yet that covers protecting posters about all this yet, except for a moderator post on one of these boards with a phone number to call where they will help with contractors who harass negative reviewers.  I wonder if that means they would cover the legal bills for someone with no or little money who is being intimidated into silence by a bad contractor's bogus lawsuit?  

It seems there needs to be some sort of explicit legal clarity from the courts or legislature protecting posters.  Even flaming opinions that are overly critical, and could be over-reacting should be a matter of free speech in my opinion.  I also think folks should be able to post details about what happened to them AS THEY PERCEIVED IT, and not have their words twisted around and dissected for "proof" in court.  So much of what happens with contractors is done without any record in writing -- it really is he/she said vs. he/she said, and everyone is entitled to say what they think happened without worrying whether it will cost them their house and life savings.  I can sit in my house, chat in a chat room, or talk to my neighbor over the fence and never get scared about "lawyer problems" -- people just plain have the right to talk - free speech - and the definitions of libel and slander need to be considered so people aren't hurt by it, but there is entirely too much fake claiming of libel and slander.

The courts need to make it clear that you get to claim libel and slander for serious things.  If a customer did not like you...for whatever reason...that is a fact of life in the business world, and only evil, creepy villains try to shut up their opponents with sneaky tricks.  I have the common sense to see through a negative review that is an overreaction, as well as to discern when a contractor's reply might have some merit.  The consumers need to be given some credit for having brains and using the service for what it is intended for -- a marketplace of opinions and ideas - good, bad, right, wrong, important, not important, and all in between.  Right now we cannot do that if we are scared to death of what might happen to us if we take part in that marketplace.

This is an ever increasing trend. Blogs are also getting sued as well. It doesn't much matter if you win you still loose a lot in the process.

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After reading this entire thread I have to say that while I can understand consumers wanting to be able to hire legitimate professionals by viewing reviews about them on Angie's List, as a contractor myself, I am appalled that people would use extortion to manipulate a contractor.  I am so glad I came here to read.  If a former client did that to me, You can be sure they would end up in court.  If they had a legitimate complaint to begin with I would hope I would be the FIRST one to know of it!  Any true professional strives to offer excellent customer service. I know I do!  I have policies, always get a written service agreement, and make it very clear what I expect as a provider and make sure I know what they want as well.  That is the point of the signed service agreement.  Yes my clients pay more for my services than shady supposed companies who charge bottom dollar.  But in the end you get what you pay for.  If you want excellent work/service then you have to be prepared to pay a little more.  Have a contract and if there are problems voice them to the contractor.  If you are "afraid" to....than that is your bad.  If they are that scary why on earth did you hire them in the first place? Did you have a contract that is enforceable in small claims court?  Why would you want to post anonymously about them if these things were in place to begin with?  I've run across too many demanding chronic complainers who want high end service but only want to pay bottom dollar. .  I refuse to do business with people like that.  I think whoever suggested a site where contractors can review less than desireable customers is a good idea.

Seriously folks:

1 have a signed contract

2. be fair to your contractor

3. if they fail to meet their end of the contract, voice your concerns to THEM. If you still feel wronged then by all means take them to court. 

4. if you post negatively about them on AL be prepared for them to be able to reply.  

 

As for AL's policies, they contradict themselves.  This isn't a social service site, they are here to make money too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

update..... i belong to a professional service organization of independant contractors.  A colleague of mine was threatened with a negative Angies List post before my colleague had even dont any work for this person!!! This extortion has GOT to STOP!

 

And PAND... free speech only goes so far my friend.   Your "free speech" vs "my livelyhood"???!!! I dont think so...... see ya in court. 

I feel that Angie's List might need to let customers know they should be letting the contactor know that you are a Angie's list customer and will be posting your findings out if they take the job. I think this is only fair. Hopefully customers aren't using it to get better pricing.

wtf???

 

I pay AL for telemarketing calls and to give out my private contact info.

 

Worst TOS I've ever read, unfortunately not until after I paid for a year.

Hi,

 

Could you please let me know what telemarketing calls you are receiving and to whom we have provided your contact info?  I’d really be interested in learning that information, since we don’t sell your contact information to any third parties. You can email me directly by contacting me through the forum or just reply to this post.

 

Angie’s List will contact members from time to time to take reports, follow up on service issues, or other business-related matters.

 

We do alert service providers to reports, however the service provider must log in to our system to view the report information. Angie’s List does not allow anonymous reviews because we want people to take responsibility for their words, and we want to allow the service companies being reported on to have an opportunity to respond and correct any situation that left a member feeling unhappy about their experience. Often the service company can tell which job it was by simply reading the report itself, without even knowing the name, especially if the work was performed recently.

 

The fact that we share member information with the service companies they report on is clearly defined in the Membership Agreement, as well as during the report submission process, where twice it states that the member’s report information will be shared with the service provider.

 

Please let me know if this doesn’t address your stated concerns.

 

Thanks,

 

Paul from Angie’s List

I saw the title "Post reports at your own risk" when I signed up but, didn't read it. Now I wish I had! It's a good thing I gave only the facts of my experience, with out stretching the truth, although with the way things are so backward now, I may still have to pay again.

As a roofing and remodeling contractor in Texas I must say that tools like AL, like many things in life, has its good and its bad. In states like Texas where there is next to no licensing and anyone with a hammer can call himself a contractor AL comes in handy to protect the homeowner, but it can and is abused. Scheidler Roofing and Renovation has had a number of clients try to "squeeze" us because they over spent on a project and think we should be grateful that they hired us. With all due respect to them I let them know they are barking up the work tree. I do not like confrontations but by george if there is going to be one lets get it on the table out in the open, preferrably in a courtroom or before an arbitrator. The internet allows a certain anonymity which we do not care for. I use my name in my business because I believe it lends to credibilty.

Scheidler Roofing and Renovation is proud of the work we do and do not feel it right to be able to slam a contractor on the net without due process. The internet has contributed to a growing population of people that can hide behind the net and run off at the mouth with no fear of penalty. 120 years ago people would get into a gun fight at high noon for that kind of behavior. There is a common ground that can be found for all to benefit from these types of sites, and Scheidler Roofing and Renovation will support all of them. Angies list is doing better in my opinion then the BBB, with them if you get a complaint you just kick them a little bit more money for you membership and your rating goes back up.

Did anybody stop to think about the original post? ( i know some of you did, and there were some GREAT response's in there ).   And where is paxi?  Nothing new from it.

 Is paxi a sy-ops tool used by AL to see which way the should go? or just a average joe with to much time?

 There should be no reason for a negative report for a real contractor. Communicate your wants, desires, expectations in a clear manner and you will receive what you paid for.

Looking for something for nothing. You get what you pay for.