Anyone here using Angie's list?
 

Need to find a new tax person and someone to cut down a few trees on my property.

I use Yelp but thought I would try Angie's list... only to see you have to pay for the service.

Anyone here using it? Is it worth it?

Thanks in advance.

I used a similar non-pay site called ServiceMagic to find a pool repair service to diagnose and repair a pool plumbing issue. Despite great reviews on the site, it was the worst contractor experience I have ever had. I have to believe the contractor himself posted the reviews. Good luck.

Scott, I have a tree guy that we use yearly at our place. He does all our clean ups as well and speaks perfect English. PM me and I can get you his number. As a contractor, I am really careful about who I use. This person is solid.

I have used Angie's List for about 5 years. We've always been happy with the contractors located through the service. Sometimes we didn't use them (bid too high, didn't do the needed kind of work, liked another guy better) but when we have used them, were happy. We only call guys rated A and close by with a lot of reviews. I think the pay aspect improves the quality of the reviews a lot. This is in Portland, don't know how it does in SoCal.

Service Magic is bogus, just like Trulia as far as "recommended agents" etc. Any rookie can pay to get listed as whatever they say they are on either place. Real Estate agents without any work are what you find advertising on Trulia and Service Magic.

scottmandue,
... I tried to use Angie's List. We signed up, looking for a roofing contractor and I was solely disappointed by the volume of roofing contractors listed for Huntsville, AL - there was zero, absolutely none to be found on their site for Huntsville. I contacted Angie's List that same day and cancelled my subscription (I explained why). Maybe you will have better luck that what I did - I expected more since Huntsville is not just a dot on the map.

It makes sense to talk to neighbors and friends for referrals, or make a shared list online.
Good for customers and good for the businesses.

BBB(private company with no authority) and pay-to-play websites don't qualify.

We're in the middle of a move.
Wife thought this was going to be the cat's azz. I looked for a few things last night and was disappointed. (Angie's list)
We'll see if she does any better.
My current opinion is that we wasted 30 bucks.

Its not worth much UNLESS you live in a pretty big city! If you live in a smaller one, they don't really have very many referrals. jmo

A guy at work paid another coworker to remove a couple trees. One fell on his power drop & fried a bunch of electonics in his home, giant pissing match ensued. Glad I only have fruit trees.

Just started using them. They guy I picked was extremely good (Refrigerator repair). I recently called him back and he was quite honest that he did not do that kind of work (Front Loader Washer).

AL was critical in finding a roofer who wasn't out to screw us over. The first 3 we tried (pre-AL sub) were so horrible we didn't even call them back after they came by to give us an estimate.

The two we talked with after some research on AL were very professional and up-front with us.

Funny you mention this. I have been having a run of patients that have come to me from my reviews on Angie's list. I tried to check what they were like but couldn't unless I joined and payed. Recently, an Angie list representative has contacted my office manager and sent me materials in order for me to join, pay, and make a "larger presence" on the site. Whats that about? I generally let my work speak for itself and let the reviews take care of themselves. My point is all the reviews that seem unbiased or random are not what they seem. I'm sure if I pay Angie's list my review will seem more enticing or favorable. Searching for anything of importance has become a pain in my opinion. Recently looking for a cement contractor and most of the first listings where 1 800 numbers of business's that subcontract the work out to companies you never heard of. Like they think that because they come up on your search first, they must be the best? Unfortunately, many feel that way. I continually ask friends, patients, and other contractors who they recommend. YRMV.

When Steve was gone for a year working in Afghanistan, the home repair, shop, and rental repairs all fell to me. Alot of minor stuff, I can do, but quite a bit is beyond me either in skill, tools, or time. So I joined Angie's list.

I liked using it. There were not alot of choices, but I was very happy with the contractors and would use Angie's list again.

angela

I've had good luck with Service Magic

There is some kind of locksmith around here that has several addresses and phone numbers all under different names. Same people and you can't take anything to them. They have to come out for a expensive service call charge. I looked at some of the addresses and they were apartments on major blvds. They get themselves in the Yellow pages somehow. Never a display ad.