So, you are searching for a service provider (pet sitter, housekeeper, general contractor, etc.)...how do you know they are who they say they are? Or they will do what you ask? How do you know they are really reputable?
Sometimes, just a couple of questions can assist you in making the correct decision for your needs. Find out:
1. Is the service provider licensed for their field? Do they have a business license?
2. Are they insured & bonded?
3. How did you find them? A personal recommendation is great if they can back it up with other references...ask them for references.
4. Do you have to ask to put things in writing or do they have all the bases covered by offering you service contracts? Get everything in writing, always.
Hopefully, the service provider will have some sort of community presence, which means, if they screw up, others will hear about it...word of mouth, whether positive or not, is always the best form to keep us all in check. What does their reputation say for them? Ask your friends, family, Chamber of Commerce, etc. Chances are, if nobody has heard of them, they aren't the one to hire.
Of course, there are some really wonderful brand new businesses that strive to gain positive feedback and are working on creating the presence in your area. We support start up businesses and love to see people succeed...if all the signs leave you with a good feeling and they can answer the above questions with ease, we say, give them a try! Help small businesses thrive!
Web sites such as Angie's List, Yelp!, Yahoo! Local, Merchant Circle, myfoxLA's HOTLIST, etc. can be very helpful in finding just the person/company you are looking for. They offer reviews, grades, etc. for your every need.
Most service providers offer special discounts. Whether it is seasonal, organization based, site based (mention certain sites, get a discount), etc., these "deals" may be slight, but in today's economy, why would you not ask? 10% off or $50 off can be a value to you and a way to get you to call...could be a match made in heaven or a scam. Find out the details of any offer and make sure it's in writing before you spend any money or trust anyone with your house, car, pets, kids, etc.
Trust goes a long way with most consumers, but if you are too trusting, you can get very burned...be careful, ask the good questions, and always, always, always get it in writing BEFORE you let any service provider start an assignment. Find out exactly how much, when, how, and follow up...
It's not always too good to be true...every deal is not a steal...use your brain to weed the iffy providers out of your circle of trust and keep the good ones happy.
