thumbtack???

I have lots of thoughts about Thumbtack, most of which are not good from my viewpoint as a vendor on there...

I first found Thumbtack when planning my wedding. I did actually find a fantastic vendor on there - my DOC. She was phenomenal! After I started pursuing photography more actively, I signed up as a Pro (vendor) on Thumbtack. Like Celia said, Thumbtack requires that vendors pay to send a customer a message/quote. These quotes have gotten extremely expensive. For example, a wedding quote can cost $20 - JUST TO SEND A MESSAGE! Sending a message obviously does not guarantee being hired. And also like Celia said, Thumbtack only allows the first 5 Pros to respond/message a customer. I completely disagree with that and have communicated that to Thumbtack customer service on numerous occasions. I think customers should receive as many quotes as Pros are willing to send - customers should see all their options of who can provide them with work (and if Pros are willing to pay, why not). I do think that customers can find adequate and skilled Pros to do work they're looking for, but every customer should do plenty of research into who they are considering, and ask to see more work (in the case of photographers, ask to see full galleries (not just highlighted photos) and ask for references you can speak with, if you're interested in doing so. I think most people on WW lean towards being against Thumbtack and think only "unprofessional" vendors are what will be found there. I am of the opinion that everyone needs to start somewhere, and Thumbtack is a good way to do that. Again though - RESEARCH the vendor you're considering and look at a lot of work!

From a vendor standpoint, I will no longer be using Thumbtack due to the price increases (which obviously doesn't effect you guys as customers) AND due to the lack of communication from customers. Communication is something I pride myself on with my clients and potential customers. I have been extremely disheartened by the lack of communication customers on Thumbtack have with vendors. I think this is probably attributed to the fact that customers don't always realize the people who send them quotes have paid simply to speak with them, and customers don't realize there is in fact a human being behind the message. PSA: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, if you use Thumbtack and if a vendor contacts you, please respond to them. Even if it's just to say "thank you, but we decided on someone else", or "thank you, we're considering our options at this time and we'll get back to you" (but then be sure to get back to them!). Also a pain with Thumbtack is (as one person indicated), customers often put the wrong info. I don't know what Thumbtack asks customers for "location" but to me, I think the location is where an event will be. Customers often put their home location (this can obviously be different than the event location). Customers also often put a random date that isn't correct. Pros pay to send a quote based on the details you provide, so please put accurate information.

I realize I provided a lot more info here than was asked for. Bottom line of my opinion of Thumbtack... Brides and grooms - you can find great vendors on Thumbtack, but do your research on those you are considering! Some people are in fact too good to be true, but other people are worth taking the risk for. And if a vendor sends you a quote, please be respectful of their time and money spent to do so and respond to them and let them know your decision.

ETA: AlmostMRSB - was that a screenshot of what the photographer said? That you'll own the copyright? That is a very odd thing to say. The photographer should technically still own the copyright. What is given to customers is a "personal rights use" or something along those lines. It allows the customers to print and post photos, but the photographer should still "own" the images.

Thanks everyone! I feel so much better about pursuing things! @jersey you should write a review on there about her! they're worth their weight in gold!!!

I found my dj on thumbtack!

1. A few hundred dollars is not enough for a videographer.

2. OP; why do so many of their shots have no heads?

3. I know the officiants who use thumb tack. I'll just leave that one there.

4. You will never own the copyright. That is an amateur move.

I found my florist, videographer, DJ, and photographer from thumbtack. My wedding is saturday so I will follow up after that. But they have been great communication wise, very helpful and I am excited to see their skills. I looked at reviews heavy and checked yelp and other reviews. I did save a ton of money so Ill see if its worth it.

I used Thumbtack for several vendors and I did get some real "winners" (sarcasm) through it where I had to say "thanks but no thanks". The vendors I did hire through Thumbtack I thoroughly researched and cross-referenced on WW, Google, and any other source I could find. So far, I haven't been disappointed. The photographer I hired was great for our e-pics session and I can't wait to get those back.

We ended up with TT after we realized we needed to replace our old video and we kept striking out with people we kept finding for our location and date. The guy comes with good reviews and we love his work. He was also very prepared for our initial meetings which sealed the deal. I can see how vendors from there can be a hit or a miss. Like most sites, just do research on the vendor outside the site as well (in this case TT) and use your gut feeling.

It's a hit or miss with Thumbtack. You will find some really good vendors on there, and you will also find amateur, unprofessional vendors on there. I've had experience with both. I ended up letting go of the unprofessional ones.

@rachel thank you! i did read some reviews about the TT site in general & did find a lot of negative reviews from vendors in regards to the price they have to pay to speak with potential clients. after his initial response I emailed him directly through an email on their website..hopefully saving him some money.

& yes, that was a response I got from them when I asked about a copyright release to print. in all honesty I think there's a little bit of a language barrier there.

@celia I'm not sure what u mean about heads being cut off?? are you talking about photos on the website?

I thought I struck gold here :/ maybe not. I'll keep searching, it gives me such anxiety to think I'm not going to like my wedding photos!

Going with Thumbtack vendors and other cheap ones who are supposedly "amazing" cause things like this. It's a crapshoot, but a race to the bottom for the most part.

-The wedding is a month away and I can't get a hold of the photographer

-The photographer was dressed like a ragamuffin

-The photographer was late

-I hate my engagement photos, should I forfeit the retainer and hire a different one?

-Half my photos were improperly exposed or out of focus

-It's been two months since the wedding and I still don't have my photos.

You get the idea. Costs less isn't always cheaper, and this is one investment you are stuck with and all you have left after the day is over. Not a place to gamble. If you have anxiety about not liking your wedding photos, hire a qualified pro, problem solved. You've gotten plenty of information in your threads where you know the deal. Yet you are tempting fate with Thumbtack. Choose wisely my friend. It's a one time deal.

I've used them for work around the house, such as painting and drywall repair. It turned out fine, but I wouldn't use them for my wedding.

I did a request for my boudoir but the offer that was reasonable didn't have any albums for me to look at and that made me nervous since I'll be half naked and alone with the person.

If you use then, check out the persons actual web page and reviews first. It was too risky for me. While I couldn't pass up a deal of $400 to paint my townhouse, I knew that if it was horrible it was fixable. I have one shot at my wedding.

We found our pastor on thumbtack, he was great and highly recommend him!

I plan to book a videographer through TT. We have a phenomenal photographer so video would just be icing. If it sucks then we really didn't lose out. If it turns out great, then major win. Of course I plan to research whoever we choose the same way I would with a vendor on WW or any other site.

Thumbtack helped me! I found a florist who beat everyone's prices by $200 at least. Haven't found anyone for my hair, but I'm working on that.

Most of the photos on the website have their heads cut off. I don't know if that's what they consider 'style' but it's disconcerting.

Available at short notice usually doesn't equate to high professional skill. In my profession it's the opposite.

Maybe i came across the wrong way, but the last thing I want to do is take a gamble on my vendors, or find the "cheapest photographer" hence my question. I didn't realize TT was for upcoming vendors or cheaper ones. I figured it was just another outlet to promote business. seems like a hit or miss I suppose.

@jacks I didn't say it did. actually quite a few of the people I was interested in are unfortunately already booked for my date. I just thought it was nice to have a back up plan god forbid it's needed is all

My florist! & I couldn't be happier. She's like my flower design soulmate. Same tastes exactly and so reasonable!!

Plus she's reasonable with Bom orchids & huge Adriatic lilies!

Found my photographer there and couldn't be happier ... But ditto on what everyone else said about checking for reviews on here or other sites.