I keep getting spammed from BuyersUSA.com (aka buyersusarelocation.com ). They won't turn off the emails, and I think they hijacked the email from our MLS. Years ago we had an account with them, and there is NO WAY that I would EVER have an account with them again. But, there is no justification for their sending me any emails today - it's just spam. I've asked them to stop, but they continue. OK, but you may not know this company....here are some things to consider:
You know you're not dealing with a first-class (maybe not even a second-class) company when:
- They don't have a customer service phone number for you to call. When I was a member years ago, they only had an email form, and they may not even reply to that. You know something is wrong when you can't talk to anyone. That's a sign that there are going to be problems.
- The company spams and spams and spams. As far as I can tell, they stole my email address from the MLS. Or maybe they are using some shady company who stole it from the MLS. I've tried to get them to stop spamming me, but they ignore my requests.
- Their "leads" were terrible. To say that they were discount-oriented does not begin to describe it. Not only did most of the leads want discounts, they also wanted points back from the commission. If it were a mid-range to high-range client, one MIGHT consider giving some buyer consideration, depending upon the circumstances. But their arrangement is based not only on a subscription fee but also a referral fee off the top of the commission. So you end up with a "client" who wants the lowest of the low properties, plus a piece of the commission, plus a referral fee to BuyersUSA, and you end up with deals that are not worth being done.
You make your own call, but, in my experience, this was a BAD way to spend one's limited marketing dollars. There are much better ways to spend your marketing money....this is not one of them.
BUT, if you have had a positive experience with this company, then please let us know your experience and who you are so that we can ask some questions. And if you've had a negative experience, let's hear those as well.
The net result for my "membership" was 0 serious leads, 0 transactions. I'm sure that they would want to blame me or blame my agents, but if you asked anyone in San Diego County, we are one of the leaders in the use of the Internet. We know how to work with folks over the Internet, so it isn't us.
Fortunately, it has been many years since I spent any money with this company. Now, if they'd only turn off the spam. Indeed, if they turn off the spam and agree to never spam me again, I might even agree to modify this post.
Just so you know who I am talking about, I'm posting their most recent spam email. They say now that the membership is "nothing like the membership before." In itself, that's nearly a confession that the value that agents got before was terrible. OK, so let me think this through. Company that takes my money and I don't get anything asks me to trust them now because they aren't the same company that they were before. OH YEAH. What's the expression....Fool me once? I don't think I'm going to get fooled twice. They can keep their new, improved membership. And the "guarantee" that you'll get at least 10 leads. Yes, I may have gotten 10 leads, if you want to call them that. But they were the worst of the worst kind of Internet leads. Not stuff that any agent on my team wants. They don't guarantee quality, and that's the real issue.
Best of luck - people figure these things out, and now that we have tools like ActiveRain, we can share our experiences.
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Johns [mailto:memsupport@mail.buyersusarelocation.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 5:42 PM
To: Hokkanen, John
Subject: Guaranteed Leads for Encinitas area - or your money back!
Suppose you could pay for advertising but get your money back if you didn't get enough leads?
Would you be interested?
We're betting you will.... you've nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Introducing our new LEAD ASSURANCE PROGRAM. It's nothing like the membership you had before.
On this special program we promise that:
If you don't receive at least 10 leads or close on a sale within 6 months of your membership, we'll refund your money!*
But we're increasing our advertising and need another member. This offer is currently NOT open to the public - just to select few agents in certain cities.
Are YOU ready to boost your profits by investing in an affordable, low-risk lead generation system at a fraction of the cost of other relocation services?
*For more information on this new program and to sign up, go to our member information and JOIN page TODAY!
(You must use the link in this e-mail to take advantage of this offer. This offer is not available if you use the renewal page on our site or respond to any other offer. This offer applies only to a small select group of licensed REALTORS. Our goal is to provide an increasing number of leads to a smaller, select group of quality members who are serious about increasing their relocation-related revenue.)
BuyersUSA Relocation
PO BOX 367
Anniston, AL 36202
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