mybuilder fake leads

JeezCrikey

Hi I am a "builder" (contractor) self employed and use the website mybuilder amongst others to generate work
Recently I have had a number of occasions where I have been "shortlisted" for jobs (for those on the client side which is "free" this is the point where we the poor mugs pay for the privilege of seeing your contact details) and when I have followed up the lead the client never answers the phone or replies to texts
I am beginning to wonder if this is a scam and mybuilder are creating leads on their system for us to show interest in and get shortlisted (thereby earning them revenue)? Anyone else out there had a similar issue? Never used to happen before - I have also had many many more dead leads recently - where the person shortlists, you contact them, lots of promises of follow up and then suddenly gone
Curious as to whether my suspicions are possibly true
Incidentally before anyone asks the shortlisting fee is never refundable so the model encourages the site to try and shortlist as many people as possible - minimum charges are about 5 incl VAT going up to 30 odd

Robby1988

I’m more inclined to think that it’s just people being ignorant and/or not knowing how to use the site properly, rather than there being any great conspiracy.

The site could really do with making it clearer to users that shortlisting a tradesperson should only be done when you are 100% sure you want to make contact.

southcoastrgi

I haven't used it for years but when I did if you weren't allowed to quote they refunded the lead cost that must have changed then

JeezCrikey

ha you will never get any money back from this crew