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The 20% fee seems ridiculously high. I suppose this has to get passed on the customers, but the review system alone will probably keep people going there. On p

by jqm 12y ago

The 20% fee seems ridiculously high. I suppose this has to get passed on the customers, but the review system alone will probably keep people going there. On product reviews, I know some are juiced but I still look at Amazon reviews when examining something (and try to figure out which ones appear authentic). I imagine most people take these reviews at face value and reviews are worth a lot when having a service performed. I've never been on Angie's list but it seems a bit scammy from the little exposure I have had. Amazon likely appears more trustworthy, so I grudgingly predict success for this program.

larrys 12y ago
"The 20% fee seems ridiculously high." In one sense it is high but in another it's not. If you consider the amount of time it would take a typical contractor, say an electrician, to land a job if this comes in as more pre qualified business then the extra cost will save having to bid out and spend time on jobs that never pan out. People typically get prices from multiple sources. They don't always follow through on work that was quoted. If this type of work is "shovel ready" that's a great cost savings to the person doing the work. Not having to spend time on sales and marketing at least not as much as if they got calls from an advertisement. (Rating system means people have less doubt about using them).
- zanny 12y ago
  I do local IT tech on the side. Usually two or three calls a week. If I can get 50% more appointments though the Amazon service without having to do word of mouth advertising locally, that is a win in my book, even if I write off 20% for Amazons insane fee. Though I think they are trying to use their size to their advantage here. If they wanted to be really competitive 10% would be much more reasonable. 20% strongly motivates me to get new customers to work with me off the Amazon service to avoid that overhead.

by jqm 12y ago

larrys 12y ago

"The 20% fee seems ridiculously high." In one sense it is high but in another it's not. If you consider the amount of time it would take a typical contractor, say an electrician, to land a job if this comes in as more pre qualified business then the extra cost will save having to bid out and spend time on jobs that never pan out. People typically get prices from multiple sources. They don't always follow through on work that was quoted. If this type of work is "shovel ready" that's a great cost savings to the person doing the work. Not having to spend time on sales and marketing at least not as much as if they got calls from an advertisement. (Rating system means people have less doubt about using them).

zanny 12y ago
I do local IT tech on the side. Usually two or three calls a week. If I can get 50% more appointments though the Amazon service without having to do word of mouth advertising locally, that is a win in my book, even if I write off 20% for Amazons insane fee. Though I think they are trying to use their size to their advantage here. If they wanted to be really competitive 10% would be much more reasonable. 20% strongly motivates me to get new customers to work with me off the Amazon service to avoid that overhead.