Be wary of service quote websites

It seems that nowadays there are lots of websites that offer to get you quotes and information to supply you with the best service provider for almost any industry.

It started with trust-a-trader and now we have many similar sites, the premise is easy, fill in a form and it will be sent to hundreds of people who will match the criteria of the form you filled in.  Now these sites might seem like a great idea, simple, easy to use and time saving but will it find you the best people?  Is it really the best option?

Will it find you the best people?

If you are looking for a service provider to assist you, then you need to make sure you are looking at the right people.  Any cowboy can sign up for a website and pay for the credits to apply for any job.  Just because a website says "award winning" or "highly recommended" does not mean it is true.

Is it really the best option?

I would suggest that if you are looking for an electrician or a plumber then a service list is a good thing, but make sure you ask for testimonials and references from past clients to ensure you are getting someone who is going to provide the proper level of professionalism and quality.

But if you are looking for someone for an event or wedding, party or function then I do not think these sites offer any kind of quality guarantee and you really are just tossing a dice, you may get lucky but most likely you will just get someone who undercuts or is willing to pay for the credits to respond.

If you book through an agency or directly with the entertainer then you have someone you can complain to if they do not provide the service they promise, but websites like this offer no chain of communication.

What is the answer?  How do I make sure I am looking at the right people?

The best way to find good people is to look for them yourself.  
Here are some simple tips to get you speaking to the right people.

Look at as many options as you can.

Use Google, Type in "Magician needed in Newmarket" or "Disco for adults in Cambridge" and have a good look through the many options.  NO NOT just click on the first options but scroll a few pages too and when you have a few you like the look of, email them and ask for some information about what they provide, what quotes they have from previous clients, and do they have any public events you could see them at.

I have a whole page dedicated to quotes I have received and you can view it here.
I also have a page recommending other providers who will give you the best quality service in the industry, check them out here.

Ask the people you DO trust.

Facebook and Twitter and Social Media maybe the bane of the planet but they do keep you in touch with friends etc, so if you are looking for someone, ask your friends who they used.  There is nothing better than a recommendation.

A simple post on facebook asking for a disco, magician etc will get your friends tagging options to look at.  Once again DO NOT just click the first one, but check out all the options and look at what others say about them via review sites or quotes on their own site.  If you are not sure about the validity ask if they have any clients you could speak to.

Ask for a meeting.

The industry of entertainment is a very personal one, you are booking people to attend an event that not only means a lot to you but you also want to make something special for your family and guests.  Meet and speak to the people you are looking at.  When I meet my clients it is a two way street, they get to know me and who I am, and I get to meet and understand the needs of the people I will be working for.

If you need to find someone for your next event, then a little research can go a long way.  

To find out any information about who I am and what I do then please check out  my website www.waynegoodman.co.uk