ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area On Line Referals ???

Has anyone used one of those On Line Referal services ? They supposedly check all of your qualifications, Insurance etc. make you a Web Page, and when a prospective Customer in your area goes through their service, they provide them a Link to the Web Page they have created for your Company. All for a fee of course...just wondering if it was worht it or not...

...I've heard of it, Megawatt,never used it tho'....if you do go with it,please let us know how it worked out...
Russ

I'm still listed at Contractor.com.

Only hit I ever got was for a service upgrade about 45 miles from my house... client asking for it to "not cost too much" and prices in advance.

Given the fact that I was new, (and it's 90 mins away in Chicago traffic), I passed on it.

Haven't gotten any more leads from them. Don't know if they're still doing it, or if there's a limit to what potential clients are willing to do online.

After all, having an EC stop by the house to give an estimate is a lot easier and more accurate for both parties than trying to get a price online.

Thanks for the replys.....the fees were 99.00 for the pre-screening & Web Page setup.
And the referals are priced acording to what the prospective customer is wanting. Example: a service upgrade is around $45.00 & a simple repair around $6.00. You tell them how many you want a month, & they quit after you reach the limit.
I asked the Rep "How many did you have within 20 miles of my address last month?" and was told that there were 6...I'm still researchinh it. I'll keep you posted.

The best thing you could do, IMHO, is pose as a customer for another trade or area and ask the contractor they refer you to if it's worth it. Don't waste their time for bogus estimates, just information.

Thanks Electric Eagle, that's a great idea...then I can talk to someone that's coming from OUR side of the business !