Calfinder
High Pressure Sales, deceptive marketing, questionable ethics

The below documents the correspondence and documents the transaction sequence between Boston Contractor and Calfinder. Boston Contractor is contesting the charges from Calfinder. Tuesday November 17th: A fellow contractor received a call from Ken Witfeild who represented to him that he had a Kitchen and Basement remodel to do in the Boston area. Since kitchen and baths were not in his area of expertise he forwarded the number to me. I followed up on the lead and called Ken, who turns out was not homeowner in the Boston area but works as a salesperson for a lead services company in California. Ken launched into his salespitch for the Calfinder service and explained the service. Calfinder employs a high pressure sales pitch in which they transfer you to a processor that sends a contract via email and waits on the phone for you to e-sign it. During the initial phone call with Ken, it was made clear that leads are $80 a piece. He also indicated in generalities what typical companies might end up spending with Cal Finder over the course of a typical year. At no time however, was it made clear the terms of the contract and the total dollar amount of the commitment by e-signing. Also, during the conversation with Ken I asked pointedly if I was able to cancel the service at any time. I was left with the impression that you could cancel the service at any time. The contract is attached. The actual terms are as follows: Application fee: $430 Monthyly Membership: $145 Lead fee: $80 per lead, two per week. Three month contract. This equates to a total commitment of $2945.00. After realizing this, I sent the below email to Calfinder on 11/17/09:9: 50 PM: % Hello, I spoke with Whit today phone (#510-250-6953) who is listed on the contract as the sales representative, and there were verbal representations made in our call that are not reflected in the written contract. Most noteably the below representation is not in the language of the contract: At any time advertiser can request in writing that the number of leads per week can be changed, including moving them to zero. If the agreement is that I agree to pay for a start up fee, a monthly fee, and 2 leads a week for a full 3 months regardless of the quality of those leads, I will not proceed with this deal. Id like to speak with Whit or whoever my ongoing contact will be to get the above representation in writing. I would also like the full names, the direct contact information including phone and email for who my representative will be moving forward. My license # is not stated correctly on the contract. It was indicated that I would get a phone call today to set up my account. A phone call was not received. The above issues need to be addressed, or I will place a stop payment on the authorization of membership fees start up costs, and contest any future charges. Thanks for your assistance Boston Contractor Company % 11-18-09 As a follow up to this email I contacted Ken Whitfield, expressed the concerns as stated above, and then was referred to his manager Paul Drobot (510-834-4607). I indicated that I was not willing to sign-up for a full 3 month contract, and that there would need to be an exit mechanism for me to stop the service without being liable for the full $2945.00. He indicated that if I tried the service for 6-8 weeks and was not happy with it, he would let me cancel the membership and close my account. I asked him if he would put this in writing and he indicated absolutely not. I asked Paul for references of contractors that work in the Boston area so that I could talk to them about if the were happy with Calfinder. He refused to provide references stating his contractors do not want to take time to sell Calfinder. He indicated instead he would email me the same day quotes from local contractors via email. I did not receive references or quotes from Calfinder. % The same day (11/18) I talked to Micheal Foreman in Calfinder support. The below is the summary of the key points that were discussed that I summarized to him in an email after our converstation. HI Micheal, Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today. I look forward to working with you to make Boston Contractors relationship with Calfinder a success. During the sales process I also spoke with Ken Whitfeild and his manager Paul Drobot. The following summarizes some key elements to the discussions and subsequent agreement. Boston Contractors business model is to serve the mid to high end remodeling, renovation, and addition market in primarily Newton and Brookline. We have not expanded our service area because of the overheads associated with travel, logistics, and other associated factors that has to do with the fragmented nature of the many small towns and building departments that comprise the Boston area. Given that my service area is relatively small, I have expressed concern about Calfinder being able to produce quality leads that fits the niche I work in. The contract is for a 3 month period, with an expected lead rate of 2 per week. We share the same goal. As I pursue the leads that are provided, I would like to think that after the first 6 weeks I feel that the leads being provided by Calfinder are well worth the agreed to pricing structure. However, there are some concerns that the combination of limited geography and niche may be to small to generate the quality leads we are both looking for. I understand that my risk in trying the Calfinder service is: - $430 application fee - $145 monthly membership fee - $80 lead (2 per week). For the first month the total liability is $1215.00 We set an evaluation period ending 12/17/09. At this touch point it has been indicated if the leads are not being generated that the membership fee for the 2nd month would be waived. Paul Drobot indicated that at the end of 6-8 weeks, if the system is not working, that he would allow me to cancel my contract. At this time I am not interested in changing my business model to incorporate a wider area. If the market continues to constrict, I may change my mind on this front. Please reply via email if the above is not consistent with our conversation today. Regards, — The same day 11-18, Calfinder sent me a lead prior to me filling out any application with regard to references, insurance information, and since by license # is wrong on the application it is very unlikely they vetted a valid construction license. I called the perspective client and the below email to Micheal Foreman documents the result. Copy of the lead is attached. — HI Micheal, We are not off to a good start. I followed up on my first lead (ID in the subject). Customer x of X Avenue stated that she clearly indicated to the Service Magic people that she wanted two bathroom cabinets done. She was quite aggravated because she went to extra lengths with them to make it clear what her scope of work is (two bathroom cabinets). She indicated that the service magic rep was trying to put her in the kitchen category and she repeatedly said she needed two bathroom cabinets done. She has received multiple (6 to 8) calls from contractors with the understanding that she wants a kitchen remodeled (which is the lead you gave me). This is not a legitimate lead for a Kitchen remodel. Secondarily, If both you and Service Magic are selling the same leads it is not the deal that was represented to me (Paul and Whit indicated you are developing your own leads and they go to a maximum of 3 to 4 contractors). If you are getting secondary leads from other lead services, they are not worth $80 a lead. Please contact me on my cell Regards, - At this point it was clear to me that the upfront obligations of this proposed deal were not a good fit for me. Calfinder makes the following pledge to their customers below with regard to contractors. Excerpt from Calfinders website: CalFinder's Pledge to You Why You Should Use a CalFinder Contractor? Quality workmanship Fair pricing Availability for your questions Happy customers and vendors Clear contracts and agreements Friendly service We only feel comfortable referring contractors that we would have work on our own homes. When we certify a contractor we are looking for more than just quality workmanship or a final product.

We care about the customer experience and look for contractors that ease the process of home improvement. Our contractors are reliable, you can count on the promises they make.

From initial estimate to final walk through our contractors are available for your questions and concerns. The combination of these outstanding business practices in combination with character and integrity make up a CalFinder Contractor.

If you are ready to get started with a CalFinder Contractor and would like Free -estimates, select your remodeling need below:

& The fact is Calfinder sent me a lead and referred me to a customer without: - checking my client references - checking my vendor references - checking to see if my general liability insurance was current and at appropriate levels - checking to see if I had workmans comp insurance - asking to see my contract format Basically, they had a 30 minute conversation with me and looked at my website.By giving my name out to one of their clients, Calfinder did not live up to the pledge to their clients to receive my application and thoroughly check me out as a contractor. Based on this, I made the determination that they would also not honor their pledge to me to only present and charge me for qualified leads. My first contact point with an actual lead re-inforced this. Having never filled out an application, and having never received any service from Calfinder, I approached them to cancel my contract. (email to micheal foreman on 11-19)

Company: Calfinder
Country: USA
State: California
City: Oakland
Address: 520 3rd Street
Phone: 5102506591
Site: calfinder.com

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