Angie's Lis Anyone?

I don't know how I feel about this. I am a highly rated contractor on Angie's List. And have been for a few years. I'm actually the highest rated contractor in my field on there.

I have now been informed they will be doing a background check on all contractors. I don't have any type of record so it won't make a difference, but is that crossing the line?

Part of there email:

Angie’s List is now requiring background checks for all advertisers. Also, to be eligible for the Super Service Award, you must have a current, passed background check on file. Please review and sign the attached document to authorize Angie’s List to run a background check.

Angie’s List will require a background check on the owner, relevant manager, or principal of the business organization appearing on Angie’s List. If you are not the owner, relevant manager, or principal, please ignore this request. This email request has also been sent to other active associates for your business, as indicated in your Business Center account. Only one person from your company needs to submit a background check.

I dont no who angie lis is but background checks are nothing new. We do them every project we go to. You need to no who your working with

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Capebuffalo

I don't know how I feel about this. I am a highly rated contractor on Angie's List. And have been for a few years. I'm actually the highest rated contractor in my field on there.

I have now been informed they will be doing a background check on all contractors. I don't have any type of record so it won't make a difference, but is that crossing the line?

Part of there email:

Angie’s List is now requiring background checks for all advertisers. Also, to be eligible for the Super Service Award, you must have a current, passed background check on file. Please review and sign the attached document to authorize Angie’s List to run a background check.

Angie’s List will require a background check on the owner, relevant manager, or principal of the business organization appearing on Angie’s List. If you are not the owner, relevant manager, or principal, please ignore this request. This email request has also been sent to other active associates for your business, as indicated in your Business Center account. Only one person from your company needs to submit a background check.

---

1st thing I would do is contact them directly by phone to verify that the email was sent from them, and not a scammer attempting to steal identities.

Now, I know angie's list is pretty big (finally), but this will most certainly put a hurting on them. I think that a mandatory BG check is out of control and certainly crosses the line. Now... if I were Angie's list, I would make it optional, and list on the website the ones who are verified. In this case it would be beneficial for those with clean records as they could charge more for services, and the majority who see the "Back ground check clean" stamp will likely choose that person vs. an unverified contractor.

Another acceptable way is to make services free, or much cheaper for advertisers with background checks on file.

I was ripped off by a contractor and it took about a decade after the judgement to collect my money. So to give you a consumer's perspective, I would certainly like to know that my contractor has a clean record, but as a human rights advocate, I would not like to see this as a mandatory solution.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by austinite

1st thing I would do is contact them directly by phone to verify that the email was sent from them, and not a scammer attempting to steal identities.

Now, I know angie's list is pretty big (finally), but this will most certainly put a hurting on them. I think that a mandatory BG check is out of control and certainly crosses the line. Now... if I were Angie's list, I would make it optional, and list on the website the ones who are verified. In this case it would be beneficial for those with clean records as they could charge more for services, and the majority who see the "Back ground check clean" stamp will likely choose that person vs. an unverified contractor.

Another acceptable way is to make services free, or much cheaper for advertisers with background checks on file.

I was ripped off by a contractor and it took about a decade after the judgement to collect my money. So to give you a consumer's perspective, I would certainly like to know that my contractor has a clean record, but as a human rights advocate, I would not like to see this as a mandatory solution.

---

Exactly. That's why I'm a little torn by the request. It has been great for me so I feel it would be in my best interest to do it. But I don't like being strong armed into it. You're right , give the option to us.

I will verify the email. I didn't even think of a scammer doing this.

Thanks
Austin

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by austinite

1st thing I would do is contact them directly by phone to verify that the email was sent from them, and not a scammer attempting to steal identities.

Now, I know angie's list is pretty big (finally), but this will most certainly put a hurting on them. I think that a mandatory BG check is out of control and certainly crosses the line. Now... if I were Angie's list, I would make it optional, and list on the website the ones who are verified. In this case it would be beneficial for those with clean records as they could charge more for services, and the majority who see the "Back ground check clean" stamp will likely choose that person vs. an unverified contractor.

Another acceptable way is to make services free, or much cheaper for advertisers with background checks on file.

I was ripped off by a contractor and it took about a decade after the judgement to collect my money. So to give you a consumer's perspective, I would certainly like to know that my contractor has a clean record, but as a human rights advocate, I would not like to see this as a mandatory solution.

---

I doubt it will be better worded than this ^^^. I don't like the idea of being forced to do so but rather be given Incentives if I so choose. Good luck with this CapeBuffalo.

This one's kind of difficult. One the one hand, these ppl bring you (and in some cases an entire crew) into their homes, so it seems like the natural next step for the website to require background check for its advertisers. After all, it's only mandatory for those that choose to utilize the site. On the other hand of course it could be construed as a civil rights violation, as it could cause negative results for some with less than stellar pasts. You're running a business though, so I'm sure this isn't the first time you've been strong armed.

Thats horrible.
If you have a good record on Angies List for doing quality, trusted work, why should it matter if you made a mistake in you past.
Obviously by this point, you have turned you life around and are providing a good service.

I wouldnt care if a GC on my job was a ex-con, if he knew his shit and was honest.

It sucks because I made some bad decisions in my youth and it still affects me to this day over a decade later.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JJ78

Thats horrible.
If you have a good record on Angies List for doing quality, trusted work, why should it matter if you made a mistake in you past.
Obviously by this point, you have turned you life around and are providing a good service.

I wouldnt care if a GC on my job was a ex-con, if he knew his shit and was honest.

It sucks because I made some bad decisions in my youth and it still affects me to this day over a decade later.

---

Just to be clear I haven't had to turn my life around. I have no record.

That being said I agree if your rating is higher it shouldn't be necessary.

I'll give you an example:

My father did 10yrs in fed pen. He was a pilot back in the late 70's and early to mid 80's Think like Blow the movie.

He did his time, came out and runs a somewhat sucessful Landscape and Irrigation company in Fla.
He has a great record on Angies List for doing honest and good work. He gets a lot of business from that site.
He is honest with a lot of his customers and they know his history. It was a big deal when he got in trouble locally.

Now what? he will probably get none and know will lose 50-60% of his business, and with the way it has ben the last couple of years, will probably ruin his business.

I think it is bullshit. Now I kind of understand where they are coming from, with dangerous rapist and pedo's out there, but I dont think they sould be allowed to have a business license anyway. Should never have gotten out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JJ78

I'll give you an example:

My father did 10yrs in fed pen. He was a pilot back in the late 70's and early to mid 80's Think like Blow the movie.

He did his time, came out and runs a somewhat sucessful Landscape and Irrigation company in Fla.
He has a great record on Angies List for doing honest and good work. He gets a lot of business from that site.
He is honest with a lot of his customers and they know his history. It was a big deal when he got in trouble locally.

Now what? he will probably get none and know will lose 50-60% of his business, and with the way it has ben the last couple of years, will probably ruin his business.

I think it is bullshit. Now I kind of understand where they are coming from, with dangerous rapist and pedo's out there, but I dont think they sould be allowed to have a business license anyway. Should never have gotten out.

---

Oh wow. That will not work out well. If that was a requirement when they are bombarding you to join it would be different. But to have established your business for years with them then get hit with this is not right. I'm kinda stuck. It is a far part of my business. I don't want to lose that but I also don't think it's right. Nowhere in the agreement is this mentioned. No notification of period of time to ask questions or give an opinion. I don't like it. But my family has to eat and that is what takes precedence. I just don't know.

My father told me once, "You can be the most principled man in the unemployment line, how well did those principals really serve you?".
Now obviously that does not apply in all circumstances but at the time in my case it was great advice.
You have a family you are responsible for, its ok to voice your displeasure AND abide by this at at the same time.

Cape:

You do what you have to do brother. If it doesnt apply to you, then sign it and do the check. I just sayin its going to hurt a lot of people.

But if it was me I would just put a clean person as an officer in my company, and shoot them a G for the trouble.

I know a lot of guys with successful A/C companies, Landscape, Framing, Mechanics that all have criminal records.

Its going to screw over a lot of people, but there are always ways around it.

Congrats Cape. Having a great reputation in any line of work is something IMO to be really proud of. The first thing in business is you can run it any way you choose its your business. You are never going to please everyone so best bet is to protect your own ass.

Its a lawsuit waiting to happen if they have unethical people being promoted on their site. I will tell you from my perspective that any time I buy goods or service from any place or person (To ordering a Pizza to Dental work to dry cleaning) I look them up on Google and do a search and see if I can find anything.

In my line of work I am licensed but there are so many that are not. When ever I am competing I ask the client to go to a consumer access site and put in the competitions name and it tells them their full background. I cannot tell you how many times this has gotten me sales as so many don't have the credentials I have.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JJ78

I know a lot of guys with successful A/C companies, Landscape, Framing, Mechanics that all have criminal records.

Its going to screw over a lot of people, but there are always ways around it.

---

I think most people can differentiate between bad choices or mistakes one has made in life over serious offenses. No matter how much I like a service one may provide if they are a child molester I do not want to give them money. If they got arrested for public intoxication you can give someone a pass.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JJ78

I'll give you an example:

My father did 10yrs in fed pen. He was a pilot back in the late 70's and early to mid 80's Think like Blow the movie.

He did his time, came out and runs a somewhat sucessful Landscape and Irrigation company in Fla.
He has a great record on Angies List for doing honest and good work. He gets a lot of business from that site.
He is honest with a lot of his customers and they know his history. It was a big deal when he got in trouble locally.

Now what? he will probably get none and know will lose 50-60% of his business, and with the way it has ben the last couple of years, will probably ruin his business.

I think it is bullshit. Now I kind of understand where they are coming from, with dangerous rapist and pedo's out there, but I dont think they sould be allowed to have a business license anyway. Should never have gotten out.

---

I would hire someone in PR and try to fight it head on before letting people find out on their own. People can forgive mistakes when you are honest about making them but if people feel its being hidden you are going to lose the business.

See the problem is most people will not differentiate between a Pedo and someone who got pulled over with some pot.

Most people feel a felon is a felon. Not right, but thats the way it is. And Angies List inst going to. Again, there are ways around everything, and believe me the ex-cons will find a way

Im from NY Im pretty open minded or liberal as some would call it here lol

I can appreciate that. Unfortunately, there are a lot of ignorant folks out there.

And I wont hold it against you for being a liberal.