Occasionally I receive a book by the company above that is a Home Services Guide, listing home service contractors that they have selected based on consumer surveys. The companies do not pay to be in this book, according to them.
I’ve read a bunch of their background material on their web site bestpickreports.com but can’t figure out how they make money, or if they’re legit.
Anybody know anything about these guys?
No idea if the company is legitimate, but as to funding, the FAQ on their website says,
"How is the publication funded?
Once research is complete, companies that excel in each category have the option of participating in the Best Pick program. Those who choose to participate receive the Best Pick designation and authorize us to include their names in our annual publication. These companies pay a listing fee that allows us to mail the publication at no cost to homeowners. Participation in the Best Pick program is by invitation only and is completely voluntary."
Edited to add, another business for EBSCO is providing electronic databases, magazines and so forth to people through public libraries.
And the library or school pays for the privilege. For an individual, it’s rather expensive.
Best Picks Reports is published by EBSCO, an Atlanta based company.
They supposedly do independent research to determine whether a company is on the up and up, by contacting former and current customers to ask them about their experiences. And, based on that, companies are given a rating. Our company was given a 97% rating a few years ago. In order to participate, companies must pay a printing fee . Each company is assigned a phone number not-their-own and then, the companies must pay a specified amount per call/lead. How much you pay per lead is determined by the type of service the company provides and the average ticket-amount/$$ per job. So, a kitchen remodeling company would pay more per lead than say an electrician or a locksmith.
EBSCO is headquartered in Birmingham Alabama. They are a huge and hugely diversified (and profitable) company and probably don’t need to make money on this specific publication.
EBSCO Industries, the parent company, is in Birmingham. EBSCO Research, the subsidiary that publishes these books, is based in Ipswich, Mass.
This company would not lose money for the sake of informing consumers. As mentioned earlier they do have ways to generate revenue, and probably profit, from this.