Overview
Bark has a rating of 3.6 stars from 1,642 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Bark most frequently mention great job, quick response and next day. Bark ranks 1st among Service Marketplace sites.
I joined BARK as a service provider. All of the leads I responded to, except 1 (out of approximately 75) were wrong numbers, dead ends or people not actually interested in services. I began to wonder how many of them were real people. I spent a significant amount of time and money (building a profile, contacting leads, etc) with no return. Would not recommend this site for service providers. Use a basic Google profile.
I'm a freelancer and feel totally screwed over. When I signed up, I was told that I would be able to connect with 10-15 leads by spending $60 on credits. Once in, I found out that the most of the leads costed 20-25 credits each to contact, so I was only able to connect with 2 leads - both of which never responded to my emails or calls and then eventually the leads "closed" on the website. They were nice enough to refund my credits back as a first time user, so I connected with 2 more EXPENSIVE leads and same story - no one answered the phone and no one responded to my emails. 4 "leads" turned into nothing and all ended up "closed" on the site. Does that mean they found someone to do the work for them? Does it mean they left because they don't want bark services anymore? No one knows because Bark doesn't tell you what happened.
I feel ripped off. Maybe I charged more than what people wanted to pay? Who knows.
Stay away from Bark as a freelancer.
Hi Aaron,
We are sorry to hear about your negative experience with Bark.
I completely understand your frustration with the starter pack of credits being only enough to reach out to a few leads, instead of the advertised 'about 10 responses'. This is an issue that the team is working on fixing and we should have an update soon that will correct this. The number of credits that you purchased should have been much bigger allowing you to reach out to the 10 responses. I've sent you over a private message, potentially we can encourage you to give us another shot.
With regards to the requests closing, this can happen for a number of reasons and doesn't always indicate they have found someone. I can understand why this could be confusing and unclear, so I will pass this on to the team, who can hopefully make improvements in the near further.
We really do appreciate you taking the time to share this with us.
If you have any questions please contact the team by phone or email: team@bark.com.
Bark is 100% a fraud, take a look at the attached images. None of their leads are real, almost none ever respond and endlessly string you along when they do without ever committing to paying.
Do not under any circumstances give them money. They likely pay for 5-star reviews, and they have aggressively taken down my reviews and complaints on other sites.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
Hi there,
We're sorry to hear that you feel this way, but we refute the claims that you have made against our business.
We tried to reach out to you directly however we received no response.
If you would like to understand more about our platform and receive support, please email us directly at team@bark.com.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
Hey everyone! I'm a tax professional and decided to expand my clientele so I can process more returns remotely. I was introduced to Bark thru SMS indicating that someone is looking for a Tax professional. I've spend nearly $900 to purchase leads. It was a complete waste of my hard earned money and time that I took to communicate and respond to prospective client messages. Don't look for easy way to acquire new clients. It simply doesn't exist.
Hi Steven,
We're sorry to hear that you feel this way, but we refute the claims that you have made against our business.
We tried to reach out to you directly however we received no response.
If you would like to understand more about our platform and receive support, please email us directly at team@bark.com.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
Bark linked me up with James Carroll, JNC Property Solutions. A terrible experience. I notice that they have subsequently removed him from their site which was a positive action. They take no responsibility for the incompetence of the workmen on their site so be more careful than I was. They could not supply me with his trading address.
Hi there Philip,
We're sorry to hear of this experience. We do not have any direct affiliation with professionals on our website as we are simply a marketing tool - similar to the Yellow Pages.
According to our data, we have now resolved the issue with you as much as we can, and would appreciate it if you could update your review.
If you would like to understand more about our platform and receive support, please email us directly at team@bark.com.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
I have had hardly had a potential customer answer the phone which in itself begs the question.
After spending hundreds of pounds I have come to my senses and won't use Bark.com again.
I would urge any other hard working lads and lasses to steer clear of this company to save you losing hard earned money chasing ghosts.
Hi Eddie,
We're sorry to hear that you have not had more success using our platform.
We appreciate that is frustrating when customers don't reply, and whilst we do our best to prompt customers about responses from professionals, there is only so much was can do as a pay as you go introduction service. We did launch a Customer App a few months ago to help make the connectivity between Customers and Professionals better. We also have a credit return policy for any individual issues with leads.
Due to us being an open public platform there is a certain amount of personal filtering that can help with these leads. By going to Settings, My Services and Filter Questions you can remove leads that include "other" and "I don't know" - essentially anything that makes the lead more vague or not customised for you. This should then mean you receive leads where the customer has been specific about their needs which suggests they are fully aware of the service they desire. We always advise our professionals not to respond to vague leads, as this then prompts us to get in touch and prompt them to add more details.
As a general note we also advise that you respond to leads within the first hour of them being released. This is due to each request getting up to 5 responses, but also because despite our regular prompts to the customers to close their requests once they have found a professional, they do not always do this.
If you would like any help with the making the most of the platform, please email us at team@bark.com.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
I wish I had looked for reviews before I did this. Poorly executed site. I have spent $950 for a $250/mo client. Certainly not a good return on investment. You don't even get a chance to pitch your service. You pay, then you immediately get a message that potential client is no longer excepting bids. Or you send your pitch and the clients don't respond. I'd be better off just throwing that money on the ground and setting fire to it. AWFUL!
Hi there,
We're sorry to hear that you have not had success using us.
In your particular case it sounds like you may have been responding to leads a bit late. It is always up to the customer to close a lead once they have found someone but despite our prompts they do not always remember - this is why we advise responding when leads have just gone live and are fresh.
We have some other hints and tips that can help too - please email us at team@bark.com and we will be happy to help where we can.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
I signed up with bark.com and spent $396 to buy credits. I contacted at least 20 clients provided by them on their database but could not get any business. I asked for my money back as per money back guarantee on their website and no answer. Very Disappointed. Will report them to Department of Fair trading in Australia as false advertising 30 days money back guarantee..
Hi Nick,
We did reach out to you to try and help, however you did not respond to us.
We offer a Get Hired Guarantee which is the offer of all credits returned if you are not hired, not the offer of a monetary refund. This is clearly stipulated on our website:
The Get Hired Guarantee (GHG) is a great way of securing new business and designed for your peace of mind.
We’re so confident you’ll get hired at least once, that if you don’t we’ll give you all your credits back.
We only ask that all the credits are used and that you wait 7 days from when your last response is sent. The reason for this is to ensure you give the customer enough time to get back to you.
Once this time has passed, you can contact Bark’s customer success team and we will reinstate the credits to your Bark account for re-use at no extra cost.
This offer may only be claimed once.
https://help.bark.com/topic/credits-billing/?faq_id=80
Please email us at team@bark.com and we would be happy to help you make the most of our platform.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
I found the young gentleman, a professional electrician very concerned about the new breaker box I had just received a week before. He was also very thorough on checking the baseboard heater that stopped working and found wires completely burnt. He was excellent. I am now safer and I will call them again. Thank you for showing up after I phoned on short notice. Donna P.
Hi there Donna,
Thank you for your review,
It's great to hear that we could connect you with a great electrician.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
I signed up as a professional in spite of the high cost. I did this because Bark peonies a full refund if you don't get clients from their service.
I spent nearly $80 for their "starter pack" and got no jobs at all. But when I contacted Bark the was no reply.
Bark is great at taking your money and not living up to their promises.
Hi Elizabeth.
We're sorry to hear that you were unaware how our Get Hired Guarantee works.
We do stipulate on purchase (and in the Help section of your account) that the offer is for the return of all credits one more time if no leads are converted. This is because we want to help professionals achieve conversion with us.
We would like to help you make the most of our platform so please do email us at team@bark.com.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
The leads go nowhere at all - no one responds or if they do, they act like they don't know why you are calling. Also, Bark randomly changes its price per lead after you buy in. Don't waste your time or money.
Hi there Penelope,
We're sorry to hear that you feel this way.
We tried to reach out to you directly however we received no response.
We do appreciate that it can be frustrating when customers don't respond. We usually find this is because they have hired, or are considering hiring, another professional. We generally find that responding to the customers as and when they place their requests gives you the best chance of speaking to them when they are available and before they have hired anyone.
If you would like to understand more about our platform and receive support, please email us directly at team@bark.com.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
I am a tradesman and I can tell you this website is definitely not a place to look for any services. No vetting at all. And to all other tradesmen considering getting into this scam please don't. They promise a risk-free trial where you get 120 credits for 120 pounds. And if you do not win any jobs they will give your CREDIT back and not your money. From 10 leads I bought I think there was only one real person. I manage to speak to him on the phone 2 times. However, he was after information and price and actual tradesmen to do the job as he was quoting a job. All other ones I never manage to speak, they never reply to my message and emails. I think they all may be fake leads.
My advice to all people is to search for local tradesmen in google maps. Read their reviews and give them a call.
To tradesmen, I would say do not bother. In my opinion, you are more likely to lose money and time instead of winning a job.
Hi there Kostadin,
We're sorry to hear that you have not had success using our platform.
All leads are screened by an automated system, and we have a credit return policy which covers any contact details which are not working. We feel this is the fairest system we can have as we are not a commission based system that guarantees work, and only provide contact details for enquiries placed with us. Please email us at team@bark.com to report any you have had issues with in the last 2 weeks.
We do not offer a "risk-free trial". We offer a Get Hired Guarantee on starter packs of credits, and it is stipulated on purchase that this is the offer of a credit return for the whole pack if no work has been converted.
We do believe that we can help you achieve better conversion with us, so please do get in touch.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.
Once they get their hooks into you, i. E. they get your email address, they'll never stop emailing you!
And if you're a seller the majority of the 'leads' are false or at best, simply people fishing for quotes to get an idea about how much a service will cost with no plans on actually hiring.
They also sell each lead to tons of people. I once call a 'lead' and they told me: A] they have no idea where I got their details from and B] that I was the 4th call in 5 minutes!
Young, bored, kids also seem to use Bark to prank each other.
Avoid Bark like the plague. You'll thank me later.
Hi Mike,
We're sorry to hear that you had a negative experience with us, however we do not provide false leads.
All leads are screened by an automated system, and we have a credit return policy which covers any contact details which are not working. We feel this is the fairest system we can have as we are not a commission based system that guarantees work, and only provide contact details for enquiries placed with us.
We also cap all responses on leads to 5 people.
Please email us at team@bark.com and we'd be happy to help you make the most of our platform.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
I thought they were very professional and prompt initially. The contractors contacted me and met on site. And that is where it stopped. Other than empty promises to provide the quotes, nothing has happened and I am looking to get alternative contractors. These guys did not live up to their initial promise in the least and I am tired of being messed around.
Hi Elba,
We're very sorry to hear about a poor experience you have had with professionals you found on Bark.
Our role is simply to put you in touch with a professional in much the same way the Yellow Pages, Google or an advert in the paper would do. We provide public profiles on every professional and an open review system to allow all prospective customers to carry out their own due diligence before hiring any professionals.
We wish you all the best with pursuing your project.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
Hi, bark.com is a total scam I was a trades person and was with these guys for 7 months, one day I had my account deleted out of no were and rang up to sort it out and they said nothing they can do! I lost all my credits I had with them. Terrible customer service very unhelpful also leads are sometimes fake and false details. Do not waste time or money with these guys!
Hi there Joe,
We reserve the right to delete professionals who breach our terms and/or provide sub-standard work.
We would have emailed you when this decision was made with the reasons why.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
Firstly I must say that if you don't know how to speak to potential clients, this will never work for you. We have only been on the site for a short time but it looks promising. We have had 3 legit, paying clients already from the site.
My one constructive criticism is that the tokens to apply for jobs are expensive, so you really need to sift through the projects to find only the highest quality prospects.
Hi Vincent,
Thank you for the review.
We're thrilled that using Bark is working out for your business.
Pricing each request correctly is a key part of our business and we work hard to ensure the price of our leads reflects the value of the jobs you are pitching for – with smaller jobs costing less to respond to than larger ones. There are many ways to use Bark but we completely agree being choosey about which leads you to respond to can certainly result in great results and being able to do this is one of the great things about Bark.
Keep up the good work and stick with us. There has never been a better time to be part of Bark.com, since the launch of our new website we've got a lot of exciting new features in development that will hopefully help you secure even more business and make life easier.
Kind regards
The Bark Team
I engaged the above-mentioned tradesman through Bark, as he submitted a very good quote. I asked him to install and fit an outside light with sensor. He was friendly and professional throughout. He cleaned up very throughly when he had finished.
I happily recommend Gareth for electrical Jon's.
Hi Gareth,
Thank you for your review.
We’re very glad to hear that we could help connect you with a professional through the platform.
If you would also like to leave this company a review, just login to your Bark.com account and click on their profile page.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
I am a person who believes that if something doesn't make sense and seems to good to be true then it must be! Well this site fits that bill. I feel like their leads are not real people. I mean I would call and email leads and never get a call back. Supposedly people view your profile and make a request to contact you but when I call them I get no response and no return call. How serious are their leads really?! I got one client out of this and honestly I don't recall even responding to her via credits. This site has to be a joke! Now I will say this. They have since improved their customer service. A couple of times I complained and they gave me some credits and they always respond. But that is not going to help my business. I hope they read these reviews and either fold the company or change something. This is sad!
Hi Sheri,
We're sorry to hear that you have not had a positive experience with our platform. We did reach out to you but received no response.
All leads are screened by an automated system, and we have a credit return policy which covers any contact details which are not working. We feel this is the fairest system we can have as we are not a commission based system that guarantees work, and only provide contact details for enquiries placed with us.
We do achieve a 1 in 5 conversion rate across the board, so please please do email us at team@bark.com and we will be happy to help you make the most of our platform.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
Most leads seem to be fraudulent. Of the 5 leads I paid for, 2 said they never heard of Bark, 2 had different names on the answering machine, and 1 was real but not interested. There is NO refund; only credit for other leads. Don't waste the money!
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your review. We are sorry to hear you had this experience with us.
It can certainly be frustrating when you've been unsuccessful in reaching customers and normally this is linked with the competition. However, It sounds like some of the customers you responded to might have provided us with the wrong contact information which is something we cover and will return credits for. The team here certainly want to help, so I would certainly advise contacting them by phone or email: Team@bark.com.
It's also worth mentioning that if you purchased our starter pack of credits, it does come with our 'Get Hired Guarantee'. This means in an event like this where you've been unsuccessful in securing any business through us, we will issue all the credits back to your Bark.com account, giving you a second chance to secure business through us. We really do want you to succeed.
Additionally, we've just undergone a big update, which will tackle some of these issues and with plenty more updates in the pipeline to help professionals secure business through us.
So please do have a conversation with the team here by phone or email: Team@bark.com.
Kind regards
The Bark Team
Bark will sell leads to anyone who will take them, doesn't matter how garbage the company is. And when asked about the company's they recommend they simply say do your own research. Thought the point of the site was to find quality companies. Anyone can search Google. Unreal.
Hi there,
We're sorry to hear that you feel this way, but we refute the claims that you have made against our business.
We tried to reach out to you directly however we received no response.
If you would like to understand more about our platform and receive support, please email us directly at team@bark.com.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team
We take the hassle out of finding the right professional for any job. Whether you’re looking for a cleaner in Nottingham, a web design in Boston or a personal trainer in Auckland - with over 2000 professional services in 8 countries, you’re bound to find the perfect professional for your project on Bark. Simply tell us what you need and will send you a list of professionals - for free!
Need new customers? We’ve helped thousands of businesses of all sizes keep find new clients. We’re passionate about helping businesses of all sizes find customers for life.
Life’s better with Bark.
Business History
January 2015 - Website launches to the public
February 2015 - Acquisition of Skillpages
May 2016 - 100,000th Bark
February 2017 - 100,000 professionals now registered
April 2017 - Launched in the US
December 2017 - Millionth Bark placed
September 2018 - Move into our state of the art HQ in Paddington, London after outgrowing 6 previous offices
January 2019 - Customer Success team moves to 7 day a week
February 2019 - Launch in Canada, Ireland and South Africa
March 2019 - Reach 500,000 professionals registered
July 2019 - New branding and fully upgraded website launched
Company Representative
- Sitejabber’s sole mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
- Sitejabber has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
- Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
- Sitejabber’s sole mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
- Sitejabber has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
- Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
Hi there Traci,
We are sorry to hear that you did not have a positive experience using our service.
We screen every single lead using our automated system and have a credit return policy which allows us to return credits for any leads which are found to have incorrect details. Please email us at team@bark.com if you would like a copy of this and if you would like to report any leads.
We are an open public platform and allow customers to place as much information as they wish to in the Additional Details section. We always advise our professionals not to respond to vague leads, as this then prompts us to get in touch and prompt them to add more details. You can utilise the Filter Questions section of your account in order to remove any vague answers from your leads and customise them fully. This often then results in a professional responding to best requests that are placed on the the platform.
Do get in touch if you need any help with this or can offer further help.
Kind regards,
The Bark Team