HouseValues is just awful. It's embarrassing to be here because in hindsight, once you look back at it you can see what a scam it is and how stupid you feel to have been taken in by them.
My experience should be a caution for other realtors. It is my understanding through the stock analyst community that HouseValues has an approx. 75% subscriber churn rate which of course means there are thousands of realtors out there being hounded by their collection agency.
It all starts with an email. If you make the mistake of replying, a smooth-talking sales rep calls almost instantaneously. If you don't buy immediately he hits you with a story that the last available spot in your territory is about to go and that you need to get it, etc.
When I asked about lead quality I was told there was a big disclaimer on the web site that the data would be handed off to a RE agent and that "by clicking this box I authorize myself to be contacted by a real estate professional". I was also told if I did not like a lead I could send it back within 30 days with no questions asked.
Here comes the really fast one. If you agree to "try it for 30 days with the right to cancel" the salesman keeps you on the phone while he sends you a confirmation email. While on the phone the salesman has you page through the agreement to confirm the lead details portion of the agreement where he discusses what appears to be the important stuff like zip code territories are, etc.in hindsight, very slick.
Once you're in, you're hooked. You soon face the hard truth:
1. Of course after visiting the site (my bad!) I find that there is no authorization to be contacted for the "lead" to click on and that the nonexistent disclaimer is hidden at the bottom below the web site info. The lead quality is a joke because the site is all about generating as many emails (not leads) as possible. My first lead was seeking a value of Emory University!
2. The "trial period" does not exist.
2. The 30 day "guarantee" is only for undeliverable emails
3. Your "coach" fights you hand and foot (on the phone but not in writing, again, very slick) if you try to send back a lead.
4. The leads are either jokesters or people looking to refinance (all of mine that I could possibly make contact were). I think it is especially appalling that people who are looking for a house value for refinancing (this is one of the selections on the web page) are routed into this program and sold as leads.
5. You are encouraged by your "coach" and the company-paid shills on their "mastermind calls" to personally knock on their doors and drop off a CMA. You are then supposed to set up an aggressive call and email drip marketing campaign. The result is that the people get angry and either do not respond or gripe or unsubscribe. It all winds up making realtors look awful.
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