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Original Message Added : 19 Apr 2012

Hello, I have been trading for over a year now as a sole trader. Since becoming approved things are gradually improving, but i'm finding for every good week I have I have a bad week and things could certainly be better. There's only so much day time tv you can watch without going insane!

I have looked on forums for people's views on yell.com and a considerable amount seem to have had bad experiences with it. However with mybuilder and rated people there seem to be mixed reviews and certainly better than yell.com, plus ratedpeople seems to have the backing of some high profile people who know the propert industry well such as Phil Spencer off LocationLocationLocation.

I'm just curious if either of these are worth at least trying and if so which is better ratedpeople or mybuilder. Any views or experiences with these sites is more than welcome.

Tom

	Thomas Ochalek from Connect Electrical
Location :	Loughborough
Joined :	30 January 2012
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	13 ( 3)

Reply : 20 Apr 2012

Hi Tom, The best way to analyze where it is worht it or not is trying to take a typical journey that your buyers would take to find you. It's slightly tricky because it needs you to make a few assumptions and also role play a bit. When I am looking for an electrician this is generally my path as a tech savvy person to finding someone - 1. Speak to people I know 2. Look online on Google by typing in words such as "Electricians Ealing" When a potential buyer types that in on Google you want to see who shows up. If you are being charged by Yell you want to find out how high Yell rank for the word Electrician Ealing. If they are no where to be seen then you know that the only customers who will find you on Yell are the ones who go directly to Yell and not ones who search on Google. The biggest question is how visible are YELL in this day and age of Google ? I know I may not have answered your question directly but hope this helps. If you need any further advice do not hesitate to contact me on 020 8965 3738. Good luck. Tejas Mistry www.websposure.com

	Mr Tejas Mistry from Websposure Ltd
Location :	London
Joined :	20 January 2009
About :	Business Analyst who helps develop and use technology from a cost cutting and revenue making angle.
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	2 ( 0)

Reply : 20 Apr 2012

The other thing that would certainly help you would be a website. Does not have to be big and flash but one should exist for your business. Avoid free websites because they are generally pants. Buy your own domain name and have your website hosted on it.

	Jacqueline Drury from Painter Jack
Location :	Nuneaton
Joined :	25 April 2011
About :	Painter & Decorator, Artist & Designer, Web Design & SEO
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	626 ( 259)

Reply : 20 Apr 2012

I used Rated People and was not impressed. There were plenty of jobs in my area, but I had to pay for them and when I went into the detail of the work it was totally ridiculous. The customer is asked to quote how much they wish to pay for works required and there estimates were way out, e.g. I would like all my 3 bedroomed house decorating, spend amount £200 so after you have paid to see this information and contacted the customer, they are not interested when you have given them a proper quote. I also got carried away with how much I was spending on veiwing quotes as they can be as little as £4.00 but you can get drawn into paying for every one that comes up. I personally would not use them again and as for Yell.com when googling painters & decorators in my area I am one search below them through Freeindex so I am quite happy I am not paying hundreds of pounds to advertise through Yell.com. Just need to get them off my phone quicker when they keep ringing me. David

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	David Warren from Warrens DIY
Location :	Stoke-on-trent
Joined :	05 July 2009
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	4 ( 4)

Reply : 20 Apr 2012

Hi Tom - have to agree that probably the most cost effective way to advertise any business is via your own website, having a web presence directly linked to your business is now something of a must have. Like Jacqueline said there are many free website builders but most (if not all) lack the freedom to create something unique and specific to your industry. A well designed and optimised business website is live 24/7, 365 days a year and the majority of consumers hit google search before ever picking up a paper directory or reading a leaflet through the door. As stated in another post purchasing leads can soon make a huge dent in your pocket and you are not guaranteed to gain any work from them. We have created websites for many small to medium businesses that had tried all the usual, Yell, Thompson, Leaflet drops etc and without exception their new website has generated new business and paid for itself in no time at all. Good luck with the business (and turn off the TV! ) Best regards, Darren - Webrem web Design

	Darren Rawsterne from Webrem Web Design & Hosting
Location :	Wigan
Joined :	05 May 2010
About :	Web design & development at affordable prices
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	50 ( 19)

Reply : 21 Apr 2012

Hi there.I been buying leads to both of them.I just through thousand of pounds.The customers asking u to do the job for nothing.Hope no one els spend money for nothing as I did

	Ben Kola from Greenlife Contractors
Location :	London
Joined :	05 April 2012
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	1 ( 0)

Reply : 24 Apr 2012

Wow thanks for the response, it's always good to get as many views as possible. I have to agree I have heard of people posting work on sites like rated people and expecting to pay a ridiculously cheap price, like a full rewire for £1,000 for example, when most contractors would do a typical size rewire like a 3 bed semi for £1,500 minimum. However for £10 for a 3 month trial I will give it a go, but if it does not work out there is not a chance in hell I will be renewing my membership and I won't be pressured into it either! It seems like a website is a must but I am taking my time on this one, my cousin works for a company who make websites amongst other services (her first proper job since leaving uni a few years ago) so i'll see. Thanks again everyone :)

	Thomas Ochalek from Connect Electrical
Location :	Loughborough
Joined :	30 January 2012
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	13 ( 3)

Reply : 24 Apr 2012

Hi Tom, Glad we could help. We do website as you may know from our profile so if you need any advice on them please do not hesitate to contact me. I appreciate your friend does websites but we are happy to advise before the whole process starts. Good luck !!

	Mr Tejas Mistry from Websposure Ltd
Location :	London
Joined :	20 January 2009
About :	Business Analyst who helps develop and use technology from a cost cutting and revenue making angle.
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	2 ( 0)

Reply : 5 Jul 2012

i am at the moment with ratedpeople.com, they are not too bad if you are prepare to work sometimes for nothing ha ha!ha yes in deed. Friends, it is only because of desperation a proper qualified tradesman like me would do that. i came here to say exactly how i fill so that someone out there will enlighten me on my builder or any other job selling sites which could be better compare to rated people. thanks Appolin

	Appolin Kamdem Kamguia from Kamdem Hometech
Location :	Wigan
Joined :	02 June 2012
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	1 ( 0)

Reply : 7 Aug 2012

Dont waste your money I found that adverts in local rags dont work 5000 double sided A6 flyers from Printsmarter works but dont expect instant replies as i get call 2-3 months after posting take the free listing on Yell.com work on your Freeindex site as all of my customers from Freeindex work on reviews only and the great thing is free. Sites like Rated people , Service Magic ,My Hammer in my view their business model is out of date fine 5 years ago but people are more savvy so my opinion for whats it worth is one of them will go under at the end of the year and yes Rated are agresivly advertising but this tells me they need to get their figures up or else as someone said to me if a business is doing more advertising its because it needs more income

	Andrew White from AEW Electrical
Location :	Edinburgh
Joined :	23 June 2010
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	98 ( 19)

Reply : 7 Aug 2012

Hi can i add my twopence worth, i used ratedpeople.com for the £10 trial and it was hit and miss, but i got some fantastic jobs from it and a lot of headaches at the same time. I have not purchased any jobs for a while now, i have just paid the £48 renewal price as well The biggest problem for me is 'i was only after a quote' well sorry love but i have just paid £14.00 because you 'wanted a quote' that is so frustrating, they should tell the customer that tradesmen have to pay for the jobs As regards advertising, even if i had a million pounds worth of work i would still agressively advertise, i am constantly thinking of ways to promote my business. One last thing do not sit at home watching tv, promote your business CONSTANTLY - i am based in Liverpool and have clients in London, Leeds, Manchester etc dont watch tv email mcdonalds, dominos, m & s, the local school, the local church, donate to charity promote yourself flyers, signs dont give up, no work GO FIND WORK Good luck!!

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	Gary Price from Orrell Electrics
Location :	Liverpool
Joined :	04 May 2012
About :	Approved Electrician
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	1 ( 4)

Reply : 7 Aug 2012

totally agree this system only goes to the lowest common denominator where people will get their quote money some other way plus the customer thinks they are getting a good deal so the old saying goes you only get what you paid for

	Andrew White from AEW Electrical
Location :	Edinburgh
Joined :	23 June 2010
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	98 ( 19)

Reply : 20 Aug 2012 - (Edited : 20 Aug 2012)

Mybuilder, Rated people and Yell all have one thing in common. They all advertise on google. So why not do the same? Bypass those companies and advertise directly on google. You can buy leads from google and it will only cost you a fraction of what companies like Mybuilder charge you for a lead. It's also very important to get a website that is designed to capture these leads when they come to your site. Most websites are not optimised in that way. So a website needs to be designed for that purpose. You also need page one google maps position. If you can get your website high on google maps then you can get free leads as well. So the best strategy now for any small business is to get multiple page one positions on google. Several positions on page one will provide you with lots of paid leads. And one position will provide you with free leads. Any small business should try this because I've seen it work many times.

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	Tony Robbins from Page1Leads
Location :	London
Joined :	20 August 2012
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	1 ( 1)

Reply : 13 Oct 2012

Hi Tom, I have used all 3 in the past. Rated Tradesmen started out ok then the prices for getting a potential clients contact info went into the arena of silly money. My Builder started out by asking for a quarterly fee. This was ok at first, then they started to go down the Rated Tradesmen route. Yell.Com - really i found not much point in paying for them, as the public tend to just hit GOOGLE with their search requests ie, Joiner in Manchester. Best thing I can advise is get to know your local "crew". By this I mean get your name with other tradesmen. Builders, plasterers, plumbers, Joiners etc. etc. I've done this and had my own website (currently getting re-vamped), built. Saves money going out that you don't want to and builds your contacts up. Also get to know some local small architect firms / self emlpoyed bods. Get a portfolio put together and on sites like this, get as many photos of your work and testimonials of customers as you can. Vistaprint also offer a free website and free email campaign for a 1 month trial period. Try it and see if this brings you any luck. The worst that can happen is they can say no thanks. Get your business cards into estate agents also. The more your name is out there the better. When I have forced down time, I do this and I also go to private property auctions and approach the buyers after the auction (off the premises as they organisers frown on doing it inside). Recomendation goes along way these days. The more happy customers you can show, the better potential clients feel about hiring you. Cheers mate and good luck. Mike

	Michael Wills from Manchester Joinery & Building
Location :	Oldham
Joined :	30 September 2012
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	1 ( 0)

Reply : 26 Oct 2012

Hi, think about it, if any website asks a consumers personal details and the job they are thinking of having done. These sites are doing one thing. They're selling the personal details to multiple trades without the consumer even knowing. You decide if that's ethical or not and if you want to be part of it or not. For sure these types of web sites are recession companies, what decent trade is going to buy a £20 - £30 lead when they have 2 months work booked in front of them. Have a look at your local councils, see if they have an approved scheme, at least you know you'll be amongst properly vetted trades. Not sure how you can get on it but I know Which? has a list of trades, its called Which local. Hope this helps Kevin

	Kevin byrne from Checkatrade.com
Location :	Chichester
Joined :	26 October 2012
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	2 ( 1)

Reply : 26 Oct 2012

These companies exist to feed off the tradesman and the public or in other words a glorified middle man that does hee haw for anybody yes its down to choice to use them but why bother when Freeindex does the same or in my view a better job for free. I have spoke to some guys on an electricians board and they admit they were conned and when they tried to get out of it they find they are still being charged. I think they pray on the weak and venerable plus there is no place for them due to the sales mentality that they have plus if there is anything we have learned after the crash is that with intense sales there are no winners examples being Banks , Pension(equitable life) , timeshare , PPI , Endowments , stock market crashes, Don't get me wrong sales has its place but when it becomes dominant in a business its no longer about the business its about selling and who cares if somebody loses as long as I get my commission attitude

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	Andrew White from AEW Electrical
Location :	Edinburgh
Joined :	23 June 2010
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	98 ( 19)

Reply : 28 Dec 2012

Hi, We are registered with rated people and find it usefull for filling in gaps when work is a bit slow. You have to choose the leads you buy carefully, as there are a lot of 'quote hunters' out there. We have had a few good jobs off it and are currently building an extension from a lead purchased on it. Rated people should vet the leads they have to get rid of the quote hunters. E.g. If an extension wants building they should be asked about plans and planning permission, if these are not in place then it's more than likely a quote hunter. If the customer won't let you quote rated people will refund the lead price. So if you do come across a quote hunter and they are reasonable people the ask them to tell rated people that they wouldn't let you quote. I think it's worth the £40 a year membership, as one job off it has covered the fee. Although I still think the best way of advertising in this day and age is a web site, although even then if you can't get on page 1 or 2 of google then this is a waste of time. A small investment and a bit of work on SEO and the website can work great. Also we use Adwords now and again and this gets us top of page 1. This works well as you can set a budget. I find that £100 last about 6 weeks at £5/day. But keep your keywords to a minimum. Hope this helps. iam

	Ian Cooper from I&P Construction
Location :	Wrexham
Joined :	07 January 2012
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	5 ( 0)

Reply : 31 May 2013

I have tried rated people as a tradesman as it was a free trial (anything for free is ok with me) usually.

Initially as others have stated it is very hit and miss with people wanting all sorts doing for prices I wouldnt get out of bed for. You have rated people charging tradesmen different prices which doesnt help as your quote needs to be higher because other tradesmen are getting preferential rates.

Anyway, I tried it didnt like it so Id set a reminder in my phone to remind me to cancel which I did. They then transferred me to "cancellations dept" I was persuaded to extend my free trial for another couple of months and was told someone would contact me to see if I wanted to continue prior to any monies being taken.

A couple of days ago I received an invoice for £80 not the £40 that others have mentioned which has upset me even more lol.. Stating that monies would be taken on a due date. I replied stating

Hi
I don't think I will be wanting to pay a yearly membership. Why have you added it to my invoice when I havent agreed to pay?
Last conversation I had it was agreed that my trial would be extended and we would discuss again prior to any membership payment.
I have given it more time and feel that the quality of leads isn't good enough for me to warrant this sort of outlay.
Please cancel with immediate effect.
Regards
I continued receiving job alerts but didnt think anything of it until I logged into the account and found I'd been charged £80 WTF...Ive been on the phone to them and they are telling me Im mistaken, they didnt say they would call me and as they hadnt received my email, they would not be refunding my monies, as I wasnt told they would contact me and that I said I would contact if I wanted to cancel.. This is not true.. They said they had listened to a recording and that I was basically lying... Can I have a copy I asked.. Yes you need to send an email? Why can't you just send me a copy if you have just listened to it? Procedure!.. OMFG They just told me they hadn't received my previous email!!!!
I even said if you record conversations shouldn't I be told? Yes we always state calls are recorded! OK you have just called me did you tell me this call is being recorded? No I apologise!! You just spoke to my wife earlier did you tell her?No I apologise for that as well? AAAGHHHH..
Not happy so asked to speak to a manager and told I would be contacted. Later Lee the manager calls, wouldnt give a surname??? So I asked do I just call and ask for Lee?? Getting really frustrated now..
Starts nice as pie so I explain what has happened, he seems to want to talk but not listen, I hate that... Next thing he is shouting down the phone and my wife is staring wondering what on earth is going on!! Im asking him to lower his voice and hes shouting saying he is talking normally, I ask for a recording to compare the start of the conversation to his tone now.. Didnt really help, earlier when he refused to give his surname and said he could be contacted by asking for Lee the customer services manager so I then asked what sort of Manager shouts down the phone at customers..
In the end they were basically saying we have your money so tough... I asked ok even if one of us has made a mistake which isn't me obviously :), you now know I do not want anything to do with your company so give me back my money? No you won't be getting a refund.. Would you like to cancel so it doesnt roll over next year..
Is he trying to annoy me even more???
Thats my two penneth if it helps anyone it will help soften the blow of giving this unscrupulous company my hard earned cash.. I have emailed and Im awaiting a copy of the recording?? Not holding my breathe.

	Chi Lam from Patuk
Location :	Wirral
Joined :	07 July 2011
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	1 ( 0)

Reply : 31 May 2013

Well a lesson learned here as I have said before its pure sales hence why I said no right away as I specilise on electrical repairs I just did not want tainted by the same brush and yes sadly your story is not the first or last that I will hear about the free trial. Me I stick to Freeindex as it does what it says on the tin because people are getting more savvy and educated on companies like this and they know its a race to the bottom when it comes to getting jobs done with them. The only problem in my trade is that there are people taking quick 5 week courses to be an electrician where it took me 6 years to atain approved electrician status so these guys are easy prey for these type of companies as they will cut their prices just to get the experience of the job only problem is I dont think the customer would be too happy to find out they are still learning on their property. One other point is my understanding is these types of companies do not check on qualifications so that aint a good thing if you want a gas fitter or an electrician

	Andrew White from AEW Electrical
Location :	Edinburgh
Joined :	23 June 2010
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	98 ( 19)

Reply : 2 days ago

Rule of thumb, "Don't ever pay for leads."

The ONLY exception is if you are employing someone personally to generate leads for you to follow up.

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	Jacqueline Drury from Painter Jack
Location :	Nuneaton
Joined :	25 April 2011
About :	Painter & Decorator, Artist & Designer, Web Design & SEO
Contact :	Send Private Message
Posts :	626 ( 259)

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