Client References, Are They Good or Bad?

Wallace, That is my first priority as well, client confidentiality. I ask before I give out contact info.

Dorie, Yes I agre, it's really essential to have a reference list.

Josh, I don't sell homes, I'm an inspector. 

Ginny, Thanks, references are one part of the process.  

Joe, Thanks, Making sense is so important to what I do :)

Clint, I never send out a sample report, it's already on my web site. That is part of why I get a bit baffled by some potential customers. You don't have to ask, it's already there. 

Peggy, One dynamic I am certain works is a good rapport. Which is why people should pick up the phone and talk with the inspectors they are interested in hiring. 

David, Thanks, nice to hear about my web site. As for the person, I just found it odd someone would seemingly focus on one aspect in making such an important decision. 

Michael, One of those things in life we may never know :)

Lisa, Exactly! Smart client :)

Lenn, Right, no one is going to shoot themselves in the foot. With my business the majority are price shopping. 

Morgan, At least when they do decide to work with you, the client usually tells you why.

Kat, I think your right on all counts.

MS Woods, I wouldn't discount references entirely, as I said they need to balanced with samples of the work.

Joy, What ever tools we have we should use.

Jill, Thanks, It's still nice to know you would have suggested :)

Richie, I'm the same way. Get into a conversation, sooner or later you'll know what you need to know. 

Reuben, Yes places like Google are good too.

Greg, I could prepare a list, but some how that doesn't appeal to me. Good idea though.

Janis, I certainly agree with you on that. People do not tend to suffer in silence :)

Wayne, Yep, I would have to say in this day and age it's hard to hide from the internet :)

Jason, That sounds like a good system.

LaNita, Yes that would seem like a red flag if a company takes a long time to find references. 

Bill, Yes, the exchange should be part of the process I believe.

Christine, I'm a research fiend. I guess that's why I find it hard to understand people who don't bother.

Alan, I know they did, because one of my references Bcced me. 

Charlie, All good points. The bottom line is the more information you gather the more likely you are to get it "right". 

Michael, Yep, and those make us feel the best too.

Rob, Perhaps they are at that. Good point.

Ellie, Sorry, but that's not going to happen since I never got their business :(

Aimee, I use my website as part of my presentation. I much prefer to talk with someone and at the same time have them on the website. 

Jamey, Thanks, Are you a good hurdler? :)

Donne, Sounds like you have a good system.

Jaime, A good conversation can be very revealing. Good to hear your roof came out well.

Mike, Thanks.

Judith, The third party system seems to have merit.

Gabrielle, Yep, we should nurture each and every client. 

Brian, Interesting story and your point is well taken.

Craig, You have to wonder why people would think anyone would give out a bad reference. 

Jennifer, Most potential clients ask for a quote at the start. I always give them information about myself, most listen, some don't. 

Anthony, Thanks.

Jamie, I like to use the website to supplement what I say on the phone. 

Margaret, I didn't know that either.

Faye, I have had clients specifically tell me the testimonials are part of what swayed them to my company. They should be on your site. 

Valerie, That's a different tack. Now if you could get potential clients to go that way :)

Anna, Yes price is a big factor I am certain, but not always and not entirely. There are people who will gladly pay for what they feel is quality. 

Vanessa, Another good idea, thanks.

Michelle, For sure word of mouth is the best.

Ruthmarie, Yea, I know what you mean, but it's good to do.

Sharon, I couldn't agree more!

Maureen, As do we all, but pictures of your work also helps sell what you do. it's a balance.

Gabe, Yep, that's what you get.

Jay, Well their friends referral isn't a biased reference, but the other guy could be a poor inspector and no one knows any different. Like the shadows says, we don't know what we don't know. 

Gita, In that instance, I think it wise to be checking references.

Charles, Lame is right.

Suresh, Another good tack. 

Scott, When doesn't someone ask for the price? :)

John, I agree client privacy is number one.

Steve, Their biased in that anyone would only give out good references as opposed to both sides. 

Weichert, What ever works for you is the best approach I always say. 

Jeanne, Exactly, which is why folks ask for them and we need to be able to provide them. 

Judi, Yes I think it will always be a combination of the two. 

Marshall, As do I.

Ann, They found my company on the interent, so you would think...

Bill, I think the "problem" is most buyers are in a hurry and do not want to take the necessary time to do all the research. 

Eric, I do not deny references are useful, but I don't think they are a stand alone method. 

Mike & Kate, Good point on the video testimonials. 

Marte, That's great. They were obviously proud of their choice.

Lyn, I find in this day of emails and texting, a good number of people seem to want communicate exclusively in this way. I just did a job where the client never talked to me until he called to set up the appointment. 

Roger, Yep, that's my point.

Brenda, Thanks for your detailed comment.

Michelle, Third party reviews seem to be a popular theme here with many of those that have commented. I'd say it's a good choice for a reference. 

Richard, While I appreciate your opinion, I completely disagree. I have never had anyone I think was trying to scam me for client info ever contact me. Perhaps it has happened to you? In this day of people plastering their info all over the internet, I think the scammers have a pretty deep well in which to draw personal information. But if your system works, that's all that matters.

Winston, I have heard that. Maybe I should shave :) As for everyone looking the same, there is a lot of truth in that, which is why people should pick up the phone and interview prospective service providers in addition to doing their research. 

Gene, Yes there is a general consensus references are important...and they are, but no by themselves. 

Sylvie, Yes they did contact my references. One of them BCC their response to me. 

Bob, An excellent point. I would say many references are not. 

Debbie, Why indeed.

Mitch, That is an odd request.