Any update on this? You get a refund check for your client?
BINGO !!! we have a winner. I have a very detailed list of contractors in every category that can cover anything my clients could ever need. All the contractors and services are local and the best in their trade. If my clients ever need anything all they need to do is ask, and I can hook them up with NO release of any info. They win and I stay honest and ethical unlike ALL those that promote, partner with any of the data broker scum of the industry !!
Jim
Yes, but many of the Realtors I work with have their own list of favored service providers and some prefer that I refer them back and not get involved. This is the best of all worlds since it keeps me out of the liability loop of referring a vendor who underperforms. It’s really the reason I’ve never been involved with any gimmicks, warranties or things I can’t control but still be made liable for.
Nope, Nobody from Porch reached out yesterday as Matt stated. I left a message with ISN support over the weekend asking for a complete download of all data including past agreements. Someone from ISN called today (two days later) and left a message to call back but the number is to the main line. Besides it was a busy day so I could not call back until now (after 6pm). I don’t really need a check. I just don’t need the reputational risk associated with this marketing program.
I will be setting up a different inspection agreement program via DocuSign or something like that and just use a different scheduling software. I’m not going to trust ISN anymore.
I agree with you. I have many agents, brokers, mortgade companies etc that like us to just do a Fantastic inspection but leave any contractor referrals to them, That is totally cool with me, I PNLY offer assistance with a list of good contractors to the client IF they ask and the agent has no objection. In most cases I find the agents asking is they could get a copy f my list…LOL That gives a BIG brownie point to me and keeps the agent calling me for all their inspections.
Doing it this way ensures no conflict with anyone and is a win, win for all. 
This is much better for my clients, agents and our Industry as a whole. Compared to some scum bag inspectors that use these widgets and release, sell, trade etc… their clients private info and tarnish the industry as a whole in the long run but are too brainwashed or just plain old stupid to see 5 steps ahead, and thus are harming the reputation of all those inspectors that don’t need to be slimy.
Jim
^^^THIS^^^ The 5 steps ahead is what scares me the most when it comes to Porch. Do the inspectors still using ISN and the ones actually referring Porch to save five bucks think this is it? This is only the beginning.
Well it’s sad but these inspectors that are falling for this are too stupid to see what’s really going on. It will take all the rest of us to inform and educate all agents, clients etc… that we work with what’s going on with these data brokers and the names of the inspectors that are promoting these sleazy vendors and how it all involves around the brokering of Private data. We cannot just let it happen and united we stand.
If we stop the source of the data then these vendors can’t continue to ruin OUR Professional Industry for the rest of us.
Jim
Agree!
And remember that Realtors have actually been battling this type of scum for longer than we have. Can you say Redfin, Trulia, or Zillow to name just a very few. Image the crap they will rain down upon us when they catch wind of this ***! It will not be all 'shts & giggles’ like Porch, ISG, ISN, InterNachi, and more and more everyday like to tout. We need to nip this **** in the bud… and FAST!
I doubt Nick will allow home inspectors to organize here on NACHI’s message board to inform the Realtor community that a significant portion of the home inspector community is selling their client’s personal information to data brokers… So where do we start?
No censorship here. Remember?
I suggest a private FB group for those interested. Just a thought.
We suffered through this **** before with Thornbury doubt you’d get more than a handful who care enough to do anything… 
What do you mean WE? You did nothing to help you POS!! :mad:
While I am going to do whatever I feel is best for my company and my market. I urge the rest of you to do the same. that being said I do have a few statements to make to some of you as you are really taking this in a bad direction.
When I first started here in 2009 your site was one that I admired; however recently…
You are repeatedly calling other industry professionals names and causing belittlement. I personally chose to not interact with ANY company that is willing to bad mouth or attempt to tarnish the reputation of their competition. I feel that a good company is one that can survive without the necessity of such actions.
You are against PORCH but you have no problem advertising that you are HOME ADVISOR APPROVED. and you have several back links on your site that may tie you to some scum bag slimy inspector
You are very caught up in monetary values of all of this, you repeatedly complain about some $5. or how much money that you think Porch may be making. Do you know what all the offers are or did you just hear about $5 savings and chose that as a topic of interest?
Here they are you can only choose 1 I’m told:
- $200 per installed security system.
- Buy back guarantee fee of $5 paid for by porch.
- An added $100 in coupons to your client.
- Discount pricing on ISN Fees. $1 per inspection.
It almost seems like if you were offered more money you would happily jump the fence, careful you don’t become a hypocrite.
The man that started this torch tossing thread.
Honestly now Mr. Hughes.
You chose to use the Porch service…
- Did you explain it to your client? (I would assume no otherwise they would not have canceled based on a message about marketing calls)
- When the tried to cancel did you explain it to them and let them know you can cancel that part of the service? (I would assume no again, easier to blame someone else for our shortfalls)
In the future know how to sell the services that you wish to offer, ask for help in a marketing plan if you are unsure.
If you are so pissed off at ISN why not leave rather that adopting the attitude that they are still OK UNTIL i find a replacement.
Everyone
Lets not forget that Porch was introduced to the inspection industry through the purchase of HON.
HON set up by Omalley, Dominic some others forget who.
Dominic designed the Repair Checklist integration to ISN that is going to allow Porch to see needed repairs of the property we inspect, and still operates that.
HomeGuage recently sold to an insurance company. thats going to be interesting.
Where is the madness going to stop…
I believe that each one of you on this thread are valuable good hearted inspectors,
Best of luck with your anti vendor torch party that protects the Real Estate Industry. Let me know where you guys land, so I can check in on your progress. I’m excited to see what you come up with.
By all means start a FB page that will show them. teamed against the selling of private client data as discussed on a social platform that sells private client data. Hiding behind enemy lines… I love it.
"You are very caught up in monetary values of all of this, you repeatedly complain about some $5. or how much money that you think Porch may be making. Do you know what all the offers are or did you just hear about $5 savings and chose that as a topic of interest?
Here they are you can only choose 1 I’m told:
- $200 per installed security system.
- Buy back guarantee fee of $5 paid for by porch.
- An added $100 in coupons to your client.
- Discount pricing on ISN Fees. $1 per inspection.
It almost seems like if you were offered more money you would happily jump the fence, careful you don’t become a hypocrite."
John- You seem to get part of my stance on the issue. I wasn’t aware Porch offered $200 per alarm system? Do they?
Of course I’m interested in the money end. I’m a business man. I’m in business to make money. The reward has to outweigh the risk. The way the program is set up now, it doesn’t.
They mentioned something to me regarding cash back for security systems.
It did not interest me at the time. If I was to use the program I would want something consistent as a benefit not a possible $200 hit and miss.
Added monetary value to my clients that they can use to improve their new home is good.
A consistent reduction in the cost of services that I currently pay for is good.
If I remember correctly, aren’t you the guy that claimed to make big bucko’s on jobs like these (a few years ago)??
Seems to me that would make you a little biased in favor of shenanigans like this!
John, For someone scolding fellow inspectors for “belittlement” of other inspectors, you seem to have no problem doing it.
I’m just guessing here, but it’s doubtful that the fulfillment of your goals were the primary reason the data brokers incorporated in the first place, just as it is doubtful your clients knew their personal information might be shared as part of your added monetary value plan or as a reduction in the cost of services. Just saying.