Alex B.

When I first started using Thumbtack 2 years ago I did well having twenty 5 star reviews, tons of testimonial videos/pics, faster response time, longest in business etc.

The service more than paid for itself and I recommended them to every business owner I knew.
As the amount of pros has dramatically increased the lead base has not. Even though my stats out shined the competition in all depts. The lead response came to a complete halt over a year ago.
Thumbtack keeps saying lower the price even more which I did and still no response. If everyone has to drop prices to a ridiculous level to compete than it's better to go with Groupon at no up front cost.
The problem is the core structure of the company itself. It makes it's money only from the pros. There are 56 pros in my area doing what I do now and only a one lead average per day. Do the math.
Thumbtack benefits every time a pro sends a $3 quote. Of course they want more pros to sign up. Each potential client gets to benefit from a myriad of rock bottom prices but the pros who actually support the company have an even lower likelihood of getting a legit lead with every new pro who signs up.
I came to realize the problem is not prices but a lack of leads for the amount of ever increasing pros. In other words the more money Thumbtack makes the less money the paying pro makes. Their success guarantees your failure.

A once legit service has become a scam. Imagine paying for a dating site that has 50 men for every woman. The men don't know signing on that there is only one woman. What's worse is the men pay for the service while the woman pays nothing. In my book this qualifies as a scam.