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Original poster

Trusted tradespeople who don't advertise?

9 replies

Misty9 · 03/09/2020 19:22

I'm having lots of carpets done and have contacted a few places but their lead times are 6 weeks or more. I contacted a carpet fitter I've used a few years back and they're available in 3 weeks. But they're not on the Internet anywhere... Would you trust a tradesperson with no Internet presence these days?!

OP posts:
Elouera · 03/09/2020 19:24

I'd use word of mouth anyday over a flashy website! Tradespeople are professionals in their trade, not ALSO computer website experts. At least a basic site is handy to know what they do, but as long as I have a contact for them, a website isnt that useful. They'd still need to quote, measure up etc etc.

OpEd · 03/09/2020 19:30

No but I would question why they have a space in their calendar when no one else does.

raspberrylimoncello · 03/09/2020 19:33

I've used one company who seemingly had a tonne of fake reviews on the trade review websites because their work was terrible. When we left a bad review their star ratings temporarily dropped before being completely drowned out by hundreds of positive reviews (which was miraculous given they were a small local business how they did hundreds of jobs in a week). Knowing more people in the trade now it's common for these reviews to be written by the companies and never checked

On the flip side my DH is tradesman and is brilliant. Lots of his work comes from word of mouth and he's never so much as printed a business card! Trust word of mouth or local Facebook groups above the review sites.

Asdf12345 · 03/09/2020 19:35

If they have to advertise there are issues would be my take on it.

JoJoSM2 · 03/09/2020 19:39

I’ve barely ever gone online to look for a tradesperson. I’ve always preferred the word of mouth.

FizzyPink · 03/09/2020 19:42

I agree word of mouth is best. When we were having our front garden done 3 neighbours came and asked for their details and the guy doing it said that’s why they don’t need to advertise. I asked him whether they had a Facebook or Instagram page where I could write a review of how amazing they were but he said he doesn’t have time for anything like that as he’s constantly back to back booked up.

Surely if you’ve used them before you trust them?!

Original poster
Misty9 · 03/09/2020 20:22

@Turnedouttoes

I agree word of mouth is best. When we were having our front garden done 3 neighbours came and asked for their details and the guy doing it said that’s why they don’t need to advertise. I asked him whether they had a Facebook or Instagram page where I could write a review of how amazing they were but he said he doesn’t have time for anything like that as he’s constantly back to back booked up.

Surely if you’ve used them before you trust them?!

I know, you'd think so wouldn't you?! But it was a few years and my memory is atrocious Blush also, another fitter (who was lovely but can't fit me in) said to check Google reviews as that's what all tradespeople rely on these days for advertising.
OP posts:
LoafEater · 03/09/2020 22:40

DH is a skilled tradesman. He has had his own business for 25 years now. Never once advertised, no website and a Facebook page with 1 post 2 years ago!

Every single job is a recommendation and he is booked up now until November and booking in jobs for December.

Those ratings websites are trash. Ask everyone you know for recommendations before using them.

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 04/09/2020 07:42

I don't think those trade reviews are much use. I must prefer word of mouth from a trusted friend than a trusted trader.

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