Is it worth signing up to checkatrade as a tree surgeon?

[GarethM]

10 minutes ago, Steven P said:

...any layby generally (reports on the news yesterday of 2 arctic loads fly tipped - builders waste... any layby will do).

I saw that and wondered surely they have tachometer fitted/bypassed or whatever.

 

But are they linked to trackers ?.

[Steven P]

I'm not an expert on tachometers, not GPS? So you'd only get time of day they were moving but not where even if they were working?

 

It is another thing how you sneak an arctic down a country lane... twice... with no one noticing

[GarethM]

13 minutes ago, Steven P said:

I'm not an expert on tachometers, not GPS? So you'd only get time of day they were moving but not where even if they were working?

 

It is another thing how you sneak an arctic down a country lane... twice... with no one noticing

I could fart round my neck of the woods and get a post on Facebook asking wtf I was doing.

[Steve Bullman]

Everyone elses price shot up? Had a call from one of my clients this morning (not a tree surgeon), saying checkatrade just put his price up around 30%

[jose]

definitely a no now.

Used to be good, got loads of work at a sensible price.

Now expensive and hardly any calls/ emails.

they got greedy big time.

 

[treevolution]

Checkatrade was originally set up as a local leaflet in the seaside town of Selsey after a storm to help the local community found trust worthy trades people to undertake the repairs needed.

 

It grew from there and when I joined it was still run by the same gentleman from offices in Selsey and was brilliant and provided me with 80% of my work.

 

Since then it has been sold twice and I think it now belongs to a company in Canada who will just milk you for all your worth.

 

There has been a few very negative news story's on the company and the trade people that they promote. 

 

For example as to how bad checkatrade is, you use to have to send a copy of your insurance certificate that they would then check, now you just have to tick a box saying you have insurance without providing evidence. 

 

The only thing I lost when I quit was over 600 reviews but at least I'm not running around quoting jobs for people that have already asked 10 other companies and are just looking for who ever can do it the cheapest.