Nick,

Same as above. I ALMOST gave up my cc #. Thank goodness I thought twice and Googled to find your blog.

Thanks!

They have been quite persistent with me as well.  I keep putting them off.  The next time they call I am going to have them remove my number from their list.

Thanks for the heads up! I was considering them as well. Does anybody have any suggestions on reputable companies providing leads?

This is Brian Bowman from Reply.com. I am the Chief Marketing Officer and appreciate your feedback.

Reply! has a published 1-800# and we have a customer service team ready to assist with issues. Furthermore, we have a system that reviews the accuracy of information provided in our leads and should leads get through that system with inaccurate contact information, we have a return policy and are happy to work with you to make sure you can easily exchange the leads. If you feel we under delivered or you are unsatisfied, please call us and we will work to meet your expectations. We have been in business since 2001 and work hard to deliver quality.

I would also like to make you aware of another offering from Reply.com via our lead exchange. If you want more control over quality and bidding with the ability to start, pause stop, I encourage you to check out this blog post for context - http://blog.reply.com/?p=40.

Additionally, if you prefer to drive targeted traffic to you website, we have a click marketplace that takes the complexity out of internet marketing. For more information please check out - http://blog.reply.com/?p=101

Bottom line - we want you to be happy and will work to correct your experience and look forward to the opportunity to improve your experience with Reply.com.

Respectfully, Brian Bowman Chief Marketing Officer Reply.com

We received our first lead. Called the prospect and he indeed was looking for a new home but he did not have a job.

We contacted Reply and they refused to refund $ saying "it was a credit issue"....no it was a a DEAD LEAD.

Brian Bowman...what do you have to say about that?

WOW, these guys are awesome they really stepped up to the plate! I got a phone call from a guy named Adam Carabetta (out of the blue,) he was awesome. He refunded me all of my money and even worked something out with me for future leads. I really do feel like they care now. If you do feel like you were mislead, just call and ask for Adam. If you want to call to confirm what I've experienced or have any questions, you can get me at 559-285-0680 Thomas Miller with RE/MAX Gold in Fresno CA.

I'm canceling after only 4 days...I wish I had found this info before I gave them my credit card information. What they don't tell you is that leads who NEVER RETURN CALLS OR E-MAILS are not part of their refund policy. That's not a lead---its a scam! You can bet I will not rest until this lousy company is put out of business. And I assure you, they set "limits" of 4-5 leads per month, and then totally ignore that limit so they can rack up a huge bill. They sell the lead to several agents, as well. Two of the sellers I got as leads had responded to a "we buy houses" ad for distressed sellers--they had NO knowledge that a Realtor would call them--and couldn't pay commission if they hired one! LOUSY, FRAUDULENT, WORTHLESS COMPANY. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! See below: http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/reply-c140932.html#c346076

Hello Stephanie,

My Name is Adam Carabetta and I am the Director of Retail Real Estate Operations at Reply! Real Estate. 

I am not sure specifically what you expected when you originally decided to join, but the thing that is clear by your post is that the product you received did not meet your expectations.  For that I apologize.   I wish that we could have done more to meet those expectations

The broader question is what is the minimum and maximum cost per transaction that will get you the ROI that you expect?  If you are expecting a Rolls Royce - traditional referral - and received a Honda - internet lead, then I am not at all surprised that you are disappointed.

The stark reality is that no marketing program will ever be able to compete with a traditional referral.  On average it will take a pipeline of 50-100 internet leads before you begin to close transactions.  The internet consumer is always going to be less loyal, and less willing to commit than a traditional referral, yet it is currently the fastest growing segment of the market. So does that mean that you should write off the internet leads forever, or alternatively, make the math work for you?  And will it ever be worth it to call 100 people over the course of a year and close 3-7 deals? 

I know that to be successful with online leads it takes commitment, consistency and persistence. Many agents are not willing to commit for 6 months and follow up on 40-50 deals until they experience their first close.   The numbers will work, but statistically you will have to work with a large number in order to see results.  I would equate it to a pollster surveying 7 people to determine who will win the presidency.  It is possible that the outcome would be correct, but not entirely probable. 

Looking back, I wish that we could have done a better job communicating this to you, because I doubt that you would have opted out of our program so quickly. 

I also think it is important for agents to understand the program thoroughly prior to participating.  In fact, we recently added an account verification department.  It's an entirely separate department that is dedicated to ensuring that every agent joins the program under the right pretenses.  Every account must pass through this third party call prior to their account being activated.  During this conversation, we communicate 5 key points:

•1.)    What percentage of leads on average will be invalid, disconnected, etc., and how to go about submitting a credit request.

•2.)    What leads we will and will not credit.

•3.)    Pricing & Billing

•4.)    Closing expectations, i.e. that it will take at least 50 valid leads before an agent should expect results and that as your pipeline matures, you can expect 5-10% close rate.

•5.)    Success Guarantee - If an agent doesn't close at least 1 transaction in his/her first 12 months, we will send the agent free leads for an additional year.

I noticed that you did speak with someone in our verification department subsequent to joining.  In addition, we sent you two emails summarizing the program.  That being said, in this case it certainly was not effective.  If there are ways we can improve this process, I welcome your thoughts and ideas.  

Stephanie, it sounds like we didn't do enough to set your expectations correctly.  For that, I apologize.  We are always looking for ways to introduce more transparency into our program.  It is seldom that things worthwhile come easily or quickly.  I assert that active participation, education, and commitment are the keys to making any program work.

If you wish to contact me directly, my phone number is 925-983-3396 and email address is adam.carabetta@reply.com

Sincerely

Adam,

I can assure you if this type of honest disclosure was available at the time of the sales call--OR the verification call, I would have been prepared for the deluge of poor leads and my expectations would have been more in line with what you say it takes to get a sale. In fact, I would have declined to start the program at all! The average commission in my area is $3300. Your plan would take at minimum $5000 in paid leads over a 6 month period in order to possibly earn a commisson. Again, part of the issue is not what you say you WILL credit--which all looks good and fair. Its what you fail to disclose you WON'T credit or acknowledge as poor customer service that makes your system shady. The primary issue is one of transparency and truth in advertising. Although you have started that dialogue, the problems with your system are still very clear: (1) no true and trustworthy verification that a "lead" is in the market and wants a Realtor and (2)unfair business practices in selling to multiple agents, without disclosure to those agents and (3) poor customer service regarding non-responsive leads are still on the table. In my opinion, the market will weed out such practices, helped by the internet and the TRUE dialogue of your former customers. I am pleased to have been a part of the disclosure of your practices--most by your own hand--and hopefully save your copying and pasting this response again. And another agent the misery!

Unfortunately I didn't think to do research on Reply, Inc's reputation and manner of doing business.

I got a call from them while on vacation. Their sales rep explained that they charge $ 54.95 per valid lead. I would get credit for invalid leads. I signed up for 5 per month and told him I wanted to get no more than one per week - because payment is due within 72 hours of getting the lead. I didn't want a bunch of charges to roll up on me very early in the relationship. He said no problem.

Upon returning from vacation I looked on Active Rain and found lots of negative feedback on them. I e-mailed to tell them I wanted out. They told me I'm in for for their 30 day cancellation period. 

In the first 2 days they hit me with 5 leads, in two weeks I've been billed for SEVEN leads when I asked for a maximum of FIVE per month! That's $ 384.65 in two weeks that I've been billed for already! They're bucking for an $800 dollar month!

They've made no attempt to honor their sales rep's representations, their only replies have said that I owe within 72 hours for any leads sent. Absolutely no recogniton of the fact that their rep agreed to the one per week, 5 per month that was agreed to on the phone.

Reply Inc., or Reply Real Estate as they go by uses misrepresentation and deception. Avoid them. It will not be a good experience.

I have just attempted to reach Adam Carabetta.. based on the history of my experience with this company since June, I don't expect a callback or reply to my email. Please beware of this company. Every dollar I have for marketing is so precious to me in this economy; I feel like I have been raped by Reply Real Estate. That may sound drastic to some, but I really freel like I have been raped. Stay away from them unless you have money you don't mind throwing away.------------- goshawnna

I enrolled in the service for 5 leads per month. I have put my account on inactive status twice when I was out of town. The first time was great. Rep Nyeisha Ellis and Thyrone Antonion emailed back to confirm receipt of my reguest to accept leads while I was out of town. The 2nd time however, I was still sent leads and they drafted payment causing a huge over draft to my account. I was also told I could do the 5 leads per month. I wanted 1 lead per week and an extra lead at anytime of the month. The internet rep who called me back upon enrolling confirmed that I could do that. But the deceptive scam artists at Reply Real Estate ramrod me with 5 leads in one week. On 7/9/09, I sent multiple requests to service@replyrealestate.com, nyeisha ellis and thyrone antonio to keep my account inactive until the 30 day cancellation period expires, which would be 8/8/09. I have not received any confirmations back. When I go into the system to change the leads, the option has been removed so it still says 5 leads per month and I can't change it on my own. Nyiesha and Thyrone have both stopped responding to emails and can't get either one on the phone.

The contact information I have for Nyeisha Ellis [E] nyeisha.ellis@reply.com, P] 925.983.3476
[F] 925 983.3509

The contact information I have for Thyrone is [E] Thyrone.Antonio@Reply.com
[P] 925.983.3400 ext 1002

The people are definately scammers. Over the weekend, they decided to apparently reactivate my account despite my July request and I have since received 3 leads- the 3rd being today. I have sent an email to Nyeisha, Thyrone and service each of the three times- I received an email response back from another scammer named Collette, which reads:

Colette Munkner to me
show details Aug 3 (1 day ago) Reply

Dear Shawnna:

Thank you for your email. Your request to cancel was received on July 9, 2009. We ask for a 30 day notice to cancel the account therefore your account is due to cancel on August 8, 2009. Any leads received to your account prior to this date are considered valid unless returned for invalid reasons. Thank you for allowing me to assist you today.

Have a wonderful day!!

Colette Munkner
Client Relations and Service Specialist


Reply! Real Estate
A division of Reply! Inc.
12667 Alcosta Blvd., Ste. 200
San Ramon, California 94583
www.replyrealestate.com
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (pst)
Monday- Friday

You can view the status of your credit requests (plus much more) by logging in to your online account management at:
http://My.ReplyRealEstate.com

... to which I replied (and still haven't received a response back yet):

Shawnna Stone to Colette
show details Aug 3 (1 day ago) Reply


Your cancellation policy doesn't state that an account has to be active prior to requesting cancellation. I emailed on 7/9/09 to keep my account inactive and cancel on August 8, . 2009.

The cancellation policy is posted as follows:

Cancellation Policy.
You may cancel the program at any time by simply emailing our service team at service@replyrealestate.com. You must provide a 30 day written notice. Your program will be cancelled 30 days from the date of notification. We believe that true success requires a long-term approach, we will not build our business by locking you into an extended contract.


I followed the policy. I am not to be charged for leads after July 9, 2009 and my account is is to be cancelled. Reply Real Estate fraudulently and unethically chose a date to reactivate my account without my consent, conveniently over a weekend in hopes that I wouldn't be checking my emails and messages I'm sure. You people are money grubbing, scam artists and I've reported you as such. I am still fixing my overdrafted bank account because of you frauds.

I am not to be charged for the leads I received over the weekend. My account has been inactive at my request since July 9, 2009. I have not sent any request, verbal nor written to Reply to reactivate my account. You are a crook.

STAY AWAY FROM REPLY REAL ESTATE! I have reported them to the BBB of Greater Richmond, the SCC of Virginia and the FTC.

It is really too bad that good agents continue to be sucked in to this Reply program when searching for a way to increase business and make good use of their limited marketing dollars.  I'm not sure if SCAM is the right word, but deceptive certainly applies. They say NO CONTRACTS and pay as you go, and you can cancel anytime. The truth is that when you cancel, or give "30 day notice" as required, they continue to send you leads AND bill you for the 30 day period. It seems to me if there is no contract, once you want out of the program, the relationship should end. If I was a agent who has luckily not been contacted by them yet, DO NOT SIGN UP when you get the call, and sooner or later you will get the call. It is so ironic that one of their Corporate Values under Integrity Guides All Our Actions is: We conduct all business with uncomprimising integrity. NOT! Another Value is that Our People are our Foundation: Reply! cultivates a fun, rewarding, and enjoyable experience for our customers, clients and employees. I would be interested to have people post their "fun, rewarding, and enjoyable experiences as thier customers. This would be a good way for Reply! to receive some positive feedback.

Regards, Dean