RE: Mr.Electric Thoughts again

Status
Not open for further replies.
I use to do that, I was licensed and insured, truck stacked full of tools. I never made good money Residential is not my thing. The area I live in now is crap. Lots of windshield time. Plus I have to compete against guys that still soldier connections, use black tape instead of wirenuts. "What is this code you speak of" is the common term here. I just repaired my uncles underground feeder cable that broke because it was only 3 inches in the ground and showing in some spots. How can you compete when one guy says Yeah I will do it for $100 and I need $300 just to break even. I rewired my uncles old house for Free. honestly it cost me money traveling. LOL there was an article on the front page paper showing a guys trailer flipped over on a new car. This guy used an old camper for his roofing business. The shingles shifted or something and it tipped the camper over on a new vehicle. Charges are pending. Plus it snows 6 months out of the year. People are moving out. No industry. My buddy works for a contractor making $13/hr He is a journeyman. I don't roll out of bed anything less than $30/hr :)
 
Interesting. Some time ago I went to the service magic web site to get a few quotes on some heating work. No contractor even bothered to call me, even though it listed several affiliates in the area. I ended up buying a new furnace and a/c from a contractor someone reccomended to me.

I also put in a request for some insulation work quote. One guy called me. Said he would come take a look. Never heard from him again.

From a customer POV, it sucks, and I won't be going there again.
 
Servicemagic...

Servicemagic...

I currently belong to ServiceMagic...

As soon as I can possibly stand on my own 2 feet, I am getting rid of their service.

I fight with 3 other contractors over small stuff. The customer wins, servicemagic wins, the contractors lose.

In fact, as I have been reading on these posts, I am really low in price compared to others, and I get beat out regularly.

Here's how it works. Customer says I want xxx.
Servicemagice calls up 4 contractors. They charge each contractor for the lead. You call, don't call... You still pay! For a ceiling fan change out, it's about $10, for a basement, it's $50.

ServiceMagice just made $200 off of a basement. And, 4 guys are fighting to get the job because each one of them just paid $50 for the lead!

And when Mr. Homeowner decides that it all is just too much money, and does it himself, it's the contractors that lose out...
Servicemagic just made $200 and didn't do a thing. The guys that perform the work just lost their a....... well, never mind...

I had a lead 2 weeks ago. Wanted 2 ceiling fans removed and replaced with 2 new ones. My total was about $190. Including disposal of old fans. I was the only contractor he called back. None of the others even got a call back from him. They just lost $21 each. (Oh, he put it under the wrong category... so it cost us more... each one of us). When I talked to him, he seemed offended at my pricing. He told me it was 3 times the price he paid for the fans. So, he went and got a handyman to do it for $50.
Servicemagice made out, and everyone of us lost $$$!
I even travelled 20 miles to the job and put a bid out.

Oh, and if they send you a lead that is not in your area, you have to get it "approved" before you get credit... not a refund... that takes 7 days to 2 weeks to be approved...

So, even then, they get their money, and don't give it back.

Makes me think... maybe I should start a lead business... hmmm... undercut servicemagic...
 
I have also dealt with service magic. Picture this. I get a text message with the guys brief description of the work needed done. I right away contact him. well long story short the guy purchased 10/2 for a 300' run to power his pool. I told him There is other things involved than just powering his pool. then he goes on to tell me about the picnic area that needs lights and what not for that same circuit. I just left. It was a mess, the electric panel needed up graded I told him to call this bigger outfit. Yes I could have done this work but this guy is a do it yourself guy. It would have been a mess all together. He had 2 100' 14gauge extension cords to run his pump for his pool. He wanted to know why the break was tripping all the time. The motor was extremely hot. LOL the pool was a green color when I got there. I kinda felt bad for him.

As far as being under cut with simple things and changing out a fan I would give a fast quote over the phone. I think using flat rate pricing would be better on a few items. I remember it took me 3 hours to drive out inspect what the home owner wanted then give them a price. they told me they could not afford that now I think it was like $150. great, cost of fuel and now no work. I just guestimate a price over the phone when ever possible, I tell them I would know more if I went out to see it, but it's $60 for me to come out. Some people say I'll get back with you (Price shoppers) others say ok when can you been here (deals)

I went to a house about 10 minutes from me and the old guy had a breaker that wasn't seated in to the socket that he put it. I just pushed it in checked voltage and left no charge. He later sent me $60 check and a thank you letter. Here this was for his wifes fish pond outside. Maybe he was feeling some pressure from her to get it done.

Once a week you guys need to evaluate what is making you money and what is costing you money.
 
Has any one tried Best Contractors.com also based out of Denver?
I used it for a year and liked the service and it is far better than service magic. they charge a flat monthly fee for the areas you want to work in rather than per lead fees.

They also let the home owner pick out there own electrician as each EC has several pictures of there work posted as well as a breif description of the compnay profile.

I was very happy with the service.
I am no longer with Best contractors due to I know have 2 full time small general contractors that only use me on all there work
I would highly recomend Best contrctors.com. One of my small contractors is a member of Best contrctors and he really likes it he has got so much work form Best contractors.com

Service Magic stinks. I had it when I first started in Business 5 years ago and I hated it. I still get calls from Service magic wanting me to come back to them and I tell tell them no way would I ever come back.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top