TaskRabbit

I scheduled a task with this company several times. The people who accepted the task did not come after accepting the task. I "DO NOT RECOMMEND!"

I decided to give TaskRabbit a chance despite having a reliable repair person - this was a big mistake! I needed to have two televisions mounted in my home. One of the televisions was set to be installed in my living room, while the other was going to be installed in my bedroom. The Tasker arrived about 30 minutes late (no big deal), completed mounting both televisions within 40 minutes and was extremely friendly. As soon as he left, I left a positive review based off his professionalism and how good the televisions looked mounted. I decided to adjust my television in my bedroom, and when I did so I was mortified. Behind my television, I noticed 4 holes, several scratches and 2 nails stuck inside of my wall. I was mortified. I quickly realized that if there is damage on my bedroom wall, there is surely damage on my living room wall. To my lack of surprise there was a hole staring back at me on my living room wall behind the television. Why did the Tasker not make me aware of this? He caused the damage and sneakily left as if he had done nothing wrong.

I immediately contacted my Tasker and notified him of the damage he left, and it displayed that he had read my message, but refused to respond. This was odd, as he was quickly responding when he was on his way to damage my walls – I mean mount the televisions. I then contacted TaskRabbit's customer service, they were initially helpful and said they would follow-up so that I could file a claim. Some time went by, and I did not see any follow-up, so I decided to reach out to them. That is when a whirlwind of disappointment ensued. They claimed that I was sent an email to follow up on my damages, but I didn't receive anything. I even spent time digging through my email and spam folder to make sure I did not miss it. Because, if I did and completely missed it, I had no problem taking full responsibility.
When I notified them of this, they dismissively notified me that because I did not respond in time, they could do nothing for me and offered me a $55 credit to use towards their service. I immediately sent a screenshot showing my search results within my email and made them aware that I no longer trusted using their company and just needed my walls fixed.

In all, I advise everyone to avoid this company. In the end, I ended up being the one left with several damages. The company and Tasker were left unscathed, while the consumer that used their hard-earned money on their service was left burned. I will not stop letting people know what I encountered, until I feel that I have been rightly treated for this. I am even considering involving a lawyer, as I truly have been wronged on so many levels. Accidents happen, but for this much damage to take place - a credit to reuse a service that caused a significant amount of harm, instead of trying to resolve the issue is a total slap in the face. TaskRabbit I am completely disgusted and disappointed.

I used Task Rabbit for the first and only time and I hope others can learn from my awful experience. Before you even consider using this predatory service I hope you read this review and google Task Rabbit horror stories, there are so many of them and many much scarier than mine. Here are the reason why you should not use this service.
1) No clear pricing transparency- you are given a "quote" when you request a service, the quotes seem reasonable but in reality this quote means nothing. The tasker sends an invoice to Task Rabbit, the customer never gets to see or approve this invoice. Whatever the tasker says is what you get charged, zero opportunity to dispute anything. Before you even get to see an invoice or are told what you are being charged for they pull the money directly from your back account or credit card. No authorization for the customer. I am sure somewhere in very small print it states this is the process but it is not clear to the customer at all. They make it appear that you just need to give you credit card info to save your appointment time but in reality, they will charge this card for any amount the tasker says even if thousands over the quote you originally received.
2) They take ZERO reasonability for anything a tasker does while in your home. Their claim department stated, "We Have a Happiness Pledge to promote a great experience on the platform. You are welcome to review it here. Just note that it is not insurance. Task rabbit doesn't insure or offer insurance for any losses you might experience during a task." So in layman's terms we hope you have a good experience we take ZERO action to ensure that and if a tasker destroys your home ……too bad.
3) The customer service department is nonexistent. Expect to be on the phone for 45 to 90 minutes just trying to speak with someone about your issue. I have now spend a total of 4 hours on the phone with them and the end result was the claims department will send you an email. Still no refund just pushed to yet another department to start the process over again. I truly believe the strategy is to tire people out and hope they give up.
While Ikea's customer service was outstanding, I still do not think they are innocent in this fraud. If a huge company like Ikea is going to back this service to build their furniture they should be doing there research and not encouraging customers to use a company with such predatory practices. If one has not been filed already I think Task Rabbit and potentially IKEA are headed towards a class action lawsuit.

Hired a Tasker to pack my house. I was pretty clear about what I needed to do and I reiterated it when he arrived. He expressed eagerness and a go-get-em attitude, so imagine my surprise when 2.25 hours - $182.62 - later, I'm left with this. 1.3 shelves of books are packed (the shelves on the far right are mostly empty) and my room looks like hell.

At the rate of speed + $, I would end up spending $950 to pack up 5 shelves of books. Also, he built the banker's boxes and just chucked them into a pile. Seriously?

I asked him if there some way we could work together and he could provide a bid, but the answer was an emphatic no, it was by the hour or not at all. Plus, he wanted to bring in at least 2 more people... at that rate, I'd be $10k into the packing on the low side, and I still wouldn't be guaranteed that the house would be packed. He wanted to do it all on spec.

That's a hard pass from me.

So, I found another Tasker. This individual was supposed to be here at noon, local time. At 11:58 I received a text saying he was on his way. At 12:35, I called and asked him where he was. He said he was 10-15 minutes out.

I'd agreed to hire him for 1 hour, no more. I had a hard stop at 1 PM so I told him not to bother. If he can't be here on time or at least have the courtesy to call and tell me he was running behind, I don't want to deal with him. That's just asking for trouble as the precedent has been set if I accepted this behavior. Tasker removed this clown from my account and history, so I can't leave any feedback. That tells me this is like Rotten Tomates; the vote is rigged to favor the company, against the customers.

I called Tasker Customer Service. I waited on hold twice for 18 and 21 minutes respectively. No one was home, well, they weren't picking up the phone at any rate. I would bet dollars to donuts that they NEVER answer the phone. EVER.

This is a $#*!show and the positive feedback has to be a scam. Both "Taskers" I chose had a 99% and 97% favorable rating respectively.

Here is a timeline and actual customer service dates and responses. It's practically begun to feel like a scam.
On 9/29 a cleaning Tasker accidentally turned the stove gas on, setting off a CO alarm through out a building after he exited and the FDNY broke down the door. We requested refund for the task and a cost of the locksmith door replacement.
An agreement was required to disburse the refund, executed in October claiming a CHECK would be mailed (obviously when taskRabbit gets paid it is instant).
First complaint through the application *disappeared
10/4 2nd filing of complaint
10/5 phone CALL third complaint
10/10 I follow up requesting status in email
10/18 I follow up email - "This is a 4th unanswered email. It appears the only time Ive received any customer service support was when I have called. What is the status of this?"
10/21 RESOLUTION AGREEMENT sent states "within 10 days, settlement check will be issued on 11/1/17.
10/29 executed
10/30 customer Svc "check should be sent in the next 5 business days. Once sent, it may take 14-16 business days to reach you in the mail. Please note that the check will be coming from Wells Fargo"
(1 month)
12/9 - I follow up, no check received
12/11 customer Svc "I will put in a request that the payments team issue another check to you as soon as possible"
12/14 I follow up
(Another month)
1/15 I follow up and escalation request
1/16 same reply verbatim from same customer rep
"put in a request that the payments team issue another check to you as soon as possible, but before doing so, we kindly ask that you confirm the address"
(Same address no changes)
1/16 I reply "you sent the same reply on 12/11. Please escalate
1/16 "envelope from Wells Fargo and let us know if you have any additional questions in the meantime. As a reminder, it may take up to 14-16 business days to reach you in the mail."

Total 109 days since incident
80 days since resolution agreement and still no refund

The goal was to have 5-7 curtain rods placed. I just paid well over $200 for 3 curtain rods to be placed and TWO out of the THREE were screwed up and need to be redone. And then, after I left my review the tasker became extremely confrontational and messaged me "why didn't you say that to my face". That is what school children say to each other when they want to fight someone. And he continued to barrage me with messages. I asked him to stop messaging me but he continued. THEN I told him he was harassing me and asked him to stop messaging me for a second time and he finally stopped. I need a FULL REFUND.

Here are the details of the multiple issues today….

I specifically purchased everything needed to hang 5-7 curtain rods including special masonry drill bits and screws ($40). A previous tasker did this with no issue. All materials were what the contractor that remodeled the house recommended. Victor started working and then literally took off to Home Depot without my knowing, without any discussion, to buy things to hang the curtains using DIFFERENT drill bits and screws and different method. He messaged me on the app AFTER he had already left. He should have came downstairs and asked me before he left and had a discussion that he wasn't going to do it my way and was going to do it his way because I would have sent him home right then and there*. He was gone for ONE HOUR which I by no means should have to pay for.

Room #1 he screwed up and had to spackle the holes (which I now need to paint) and hung the curtains HIGHER than what was previously marked (so now I need to get new curtains). Room #2 looks ok? Who knows. Room #3 he mounted crooked AND screwed up one of the holes again for which he used CAULK to secure it. The bracket is completely unstable and loose and his caulk solution did not work. This one needs to be removed, spackled, sanded, painted and completely redone

My walls are MUCH worse off than before he came and now I have to pay someone to FIX 2 out of the 3 rooms he did and then pay someone to redo those 2 rooms.
Sent from my iPhone

"Tony was deceitful not only with his work but with his fees. I booked Tony for a 1pm appointment to do touch up paint in my family room on white walls. I was clear on the fact I didn't have paint and I didn't want mismatch colors and if he wasn't able to match the color I could NOT unmatched walls. Well that's exactly what I was left with, bright white patches throughput the living room, dining area and door way, I didn't ask for any other sections in the house just one location that was where a floating shelf was, I sent pictures just like he asked for prior to the task at 3am in the morning. I booked Tony for 1pm and he arrived before 1230pm, which is fine if you don't have a 1 yr old and don't want them in the house while a stranger is painting. The topper was me calling my husband to see what the work looked like and my husband tells me he Venmo Tony 160$, I was in shock because I've used task rabbit multiple times before and I know they charge my card when the Tasker complex the job and my card had already been charged 81$ for the task. I asked my husband why did you venmo Tony, he said he didn't know and Tony advised him he hadn't been paid. So not only did he steal money from my husband he over charged my husband and allowed me to be charged 81$. I immediately notified Tony and asked him why he had my husband Venmo him knowing he was paid through task rabbit and he said because your husband asked me if I was paid? I told Tony he needed to Venmo me the 81 $ I was charged through task rabbit and give my husband some of the money back as well he refused, he decided to venmo back 65$. So we paid 176$ for a job that should been 81$. I tried explaining this to Tony even though he knew exactly what he was doing, he responded to me saying he's not responsible for taking fees the customer is charged, and I should've stayed at my house while he did the job. I've never encountered anyone like this. I wouldn't allow anyone like this in anyone's home. When Taskrabbit finally responded to my claim that provided screen shot of my husband's venmo payment and messages with the tasker they went over their policy and that was it.

Taskrabbit relies on two systems - one set called business metrics, which is how often you respond/accept/show up and complete tasks. Another set is "customer reviews" where customers can give you thumbs up or down and write a paragraph about their experience.

All it takes is one bad review, left by an unreasonable customer, to permanently damage the customer review of you. TaskRabbit thinks "a difference in opinion is not grounds for removing bad reviews", even when the client is rude and unreasonable.
Every contractor runs into these customer. You know that one unreasonable client who tasks you to assemble one piece of furniture, but when you get there they want to assemble 3 for the price of 1? I ran into one of these. The client left a bad review when I refused to be paid for 1 job when I'm doing 3. And taskrabbit wouldn't do anything to remove the tasks as it's "matters of opinion, our clients are entitled to their opinions." which leaves a huge dent on my ratings that drastically reduced my earning by more than 50%! All it takes is one delusional and self centred client and your business goes down the drain.

The other thing is, if you do this full time like I do, you have to constantly answer and respond to tasks. On a typical workday I'm out from 8 am to about 8 pm. 12 hours of my day where I'm occupied by work, drive a work vehicle, dressed in work clothing and can't do much with the downtime in between. The jobs on the platform are small and don't tend to let you use the client's microwave for your own food. Sometimes on a busy day I would drive to 4 different places to do 1-2 hours at each place. On average, for the 12 hours I spent out of my day to focus on working for TaskRabbit, only half of them, around 6 hours, is actually billable.

Taskrabbit does not want you to be late for jobs and want you to build time buffers in between. Which is fine. But realistic jobs are not math equations. Each house and each client is different so there's no way to time things accurately every time. But when you are late even for legitimate reasons, such as going to a 2 person job to have the other guy not show up, and you end up doing the 2 man job on your own, the bad review and metrics from the client are still permanent and would greatly harm your business.

So you when you factor in all the driving, wear and tear cost to replace tire/brakes/earlier oil changes on the car, depreciation from all the miles you rack up, fuel costs, and lunch cost, you are not making much more than minimum wage, and spend a lot more time doing it. At least minimum wage jobs only require 8 hours of your day. TaskRabbit requires at least 10 hours you take out of your day to schedule enough tasks to break even with your costs.

Taskrabbit charges 30% on top of your rate to clients, which is a contributing reason why client feel they should get more than what you are doing. This is simply too much to take from each and every job.

As a tasker you get hired and agree do jobs with out even seeing the work first. How many people providing any service schedule and agree to do work with not even a picture? That is a lot of the trouble. Taskers can not cancel often if they want jobs, they won't show up if they cancel. Since I can't cancel i have to keep my rates for the 11 different things I do similar. Just moving is 3 different task classes. Really if clients want taskers to help them move completely they need to hire taskers in all 3 task classes that involve moving. Plus what else do you need when move? Minor repairs, furniture assembly, tv/blinds mounted. Lots of people are moving where I live and they hire me for what ever task class seems cheapest according to task rabbits algorithmic pricing model. So I charge essentially the same rate for everything and just do what people ask. I'm only showing up ready to do anything because of experience. Clients nor taskers realize they are mismatched. Taskers need money and they get hired for the wrong task, so they try anyway, often with bad results. Clients want some one on the problem disrupting their life, taskrabbit has not made it clear that not every tasker does everything. If I wanted to I could cancel people who book me in the wrong class but doing that costs me too much work. Taskrabbit can work but it's up to the client and the tasker. The client and the tasker have got have a "meeting of minds" and the app does not do that automatically. Communication through the task rabbit app can function as contract task rabbit support will enforce but task rabbit does not tell people that it's best create a contract in chat. If there is no evidence in the app task rabbit does nothing for clients/taskers. I tell clients about the extra fees because they don't know and may give me a bad review. I give away my time if can't do a task, but get this it is a violation for a tasker to do that! So say I try for 2 hours and just can't do something, the rules say I have charge the client any way! So people who complain about being charged even though the work is unfinished? Yeah that's because they are following task rabbits rules. I was hired by a former tasker who used taskrabbit to get leads to get started but left the app long ago. Every good customer I have had on taskrabbit wants to cut taskrabbit out. That's why taskrabbit has high fees. Skilled, hard workers and great customers only need to meet once on the app. I set my rate and schedule which is great. People can hire me quick. The app makes sure I get paid. I am glad it exists. Task Rabbit does not magically avoid the pitfalls of running a business or hiring a contractor. It lets people rapidly schedule contactors on their smartphone. Task Rabbit can work Don't trust the app, use the app to find people you trust, after investigating for yourself!