Complaint Review: Zip Brands LLC - Westlake Village California

Laura Green, a sales rep for ZipBrands and RealPin, (of whom was terminated shortly after I signed up with as her client) had cold called me. After several objections and numerous additional phone calls to me, we started a conversation that eventually led to me purchasing a 4 lead package from her company at a total set up and lead cost of $778 or $194.50 per lead. 

The reason for this hefty sticker price per lead (compared to Zillows $25-50 average cost per lead) is, per Laura and her company, these leads are not only screened through a rigorous screening process, but as a result of their superior (her words) qualifying and advertising techniques these leads are real, ready to sell, exclusing to me, and most agents land 1 listing out of 4 leads. 

Moreover... if a lead turns out to have gone through the qualifying screen and then later says they are "just curious" or provide poor contact information... that lead will simply be replaced. No questions asked. They say they will verify the phone number, but a just curious or poor contact information is not something anyone is going to fake. They either get the lead and work it or get a false or terrible lead and it is replaced. 

At this point, I received all 4 leads. Here are my results:

Lead 1 - Couldn't get off the phone quick enough. Was shocked to even get a call. He said he was just curious and not at all interested in selling any home.

(I requested a replacement)

Lead 2 - I spoke with the potential future Seller... he was a REAL ESTATE BROKER / TRAINER and did not require 

(I requested a replacement)

Lead 3 - No response from numerous contacts via phone call, text, and email. I would send one touch for each method over the course of a few days and follow up in a week. 

(I requested a replacement)

Lead 4 - Was already listed on the MLS before I received the lead!

So far these leads are not remotely close to the superiority as proclaimed. 4 terrible leads and no help. 

I have not received replacement leads. 

I have not received a single email response to my multiple requests to a refund for these leads. According to my eamil from Laura Green... her clients are entitled to a full refund if her company does not perform. See the email below:

Full Email at the Bottom...

GUARANTEE If you don’t receive your  minimum amount of QUALIFIED seller or buyer inquiries by the end of the 30 day cycle, you will not be billed for another month and will remain on the program for free until the leads are provided.  If it takes us 90 days and we have not provided your minimum QUALIFIED lead guarantee, you are entitled to a refund as well!  THESE ARE QUALIFIED LEADS THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST CONVERSION RATE!  Qualified means they are income and age verified and looking to buy or sell in the zip codes you provided.  We do not send out [email protected], and they must be age and income verified before we send them to you.  These are buyers that are looking now!   EXCLUSIVE All inquiries are sent to you 100% exclusively within 30-60 seconds after they’ve been submitted and verified for a valid name, email, and phone number!  They’re then sent to you via email, text, any CRM you’re currently using, and a FREE CRM that you receive with our program as well! The CRM shows you what homes and activity your users (leads) are doing, as far as what homes they are saving, favorites, and specific homes they are viewing.  "  

I copy and pasted this from the email zipbrands sent me. They changed color and bold typed the everything as you are seeing it. 

So I call and email without a single returned response. They are ignoring my request. 

Furthermore at one point they said they will replace 2 of the 4 leads. Hmmm. Do any of you think this is correct at close to $200 a lead? 

What's even worse... Laura Green said to me on the phone.. and this is what got me to sign up "I will make sure you get a win [listing]. We will keep replacing the leads until you get a listing"

Then she said "Because, if you get a win, you will continue to do business with me"

SOLD! I should've known better, but she had me with the full refund and that she will work with me until I get a listing. 

All I wanted was to get in front of a Seller!!!

I never got the chance to have a single conversation with a Seller that was actually interested in Selling their home! How can I get a listing if I can't get people on the phone or someone that is ready to Sell? 

I was guaranteed over and over again these people are NOT just curious about the value of their home AND they are expecting a phone call from a Real Estate Agent. 

Here's my approach to the first caller... "I receieved your message that you would like a professional valuation for a home you are considering selling"

1st Lead - Nope sorry not interested in selling anything. 

I continued to ask:  "what brought you to request the valuation? Are other homes selling in your area?

Lead: Nope, just curious. 

Me: Ok, can you tell me more about your home so I can be as accurate as possible when putting together your free valuation then?

Lead: Nope.

Me: thanks for your time, keep my number. 

The reason one pays almost $200 a lead... is to get someone a little closer to putting their home on the market than this guy.

Therefore, in my head I'm thinking, ok no problem.

I am supposed to get SUPERIOR leads so this one is saying he was literally just curious. At this cost - I expect MUCH better leads than what I could get cold calling people. Wouldn't you?!

Moral of the story, I didn't get a single conversation that lead to even a valuation of their home. Not even just curious wanted a free valuation! 

Very disappointed and to boot... they have not followed through on any of their promises and their customer service has been horrific.

How do you treat people like this? We are not cattle for YOU to pick pocket. We are professionals trying to increase our business with help in advertising from people that call themselves experts in the field. 

NEVER NEVER NEVER BUY ANY LEADS FROM THIS COMPANY!! SCAM ARTISTS THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY, UNDERPERFORM, AND TREAT YOU LIKE YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!!

THEY OWE A FULL REFUND FOR THESE TERRIBLE LEADS

ALL of my Zillow Leads answer my calls and set appointments with me. ZipBrands does the opposite of send you Superior Leads.. They send you terrible leads and then blame it on YOU!

As part of their spiel: An Executive from Zillow and one Executive from Realtor.com came together to form ZipBrands (using REALPIN) because they new they could provide much better leads! 

Do NOT fall for this!!! 

I am writing this to keep all other agents and agencies from joining this company. I hope you do your research, find this article and SAVE YOUR MONEY!! 

Complete and Total RipOff!

Full Email as Promised Earlier: See Below

Subject: Exclusive Seller or Buyer Leads For Anthony!       LG Laura Green <[email protected]>           | Thu 4/19, 7:03 PM     Hi,

    You spoke with my assistant Irisk.  I look forward to talking to connecting so I can tell you more about our program.   I have outlined our program for you.  I wanted you to have everything in writing, and complete transparency.  This assures you that we must perform, exclusivity, and our guarantee in writing.  Everything is exclusive based on three zip codes, you are branded as the only local expert in those areas on every listing.     We’ve been in business since 2009 and are currently ranked as the #1 company in the country for “Best Lead Providers” organically on Google Click Here.  I’m currently working with the top realtors in the country generating exclusive “Ready to Sell Now” seller and “Top Income Qualified” buyerinquiries!

   

• Guaranteed “READY TO SELL NOW” Seller Inquiries!
• Converting at 1 in 3 into a Listing Nationwide!  Highest in the Country!
• “Just Curious” Valuations are provided FREE!

• “TOP INCOME QUALIFIED” Buyer Inquiries!
• Price Point and Income Targeting for a More Qualified Buyer!
• Specific Neighborhood, Community, and Sub-Division Targeting for 80%-90% of the Traffic from where you want in Each Zip!

• 100% Exclusive to Only 1 Realtor or Broker per Zip Code!
• Opt-In Only Inquiries with No Forced Registration!
• Verified Name, Email, and Phone Number on Every Inquiry!Month to Month with No Contract!
• No Commission Split!

  SELLER PROGRAM These are inquiries from people that have actually specified an interest in selling and needing a realtor at this time!  These are not the “Just Curious” valuation inquiries that you may be used to, as these customers have indicated that they’re ready to sell when they’re completing the form!  This way you know that they’re a serious seller as soon as you receive the lead!  Any inquiries we receive where the customer indicates they’re just curious or they haven’t specified their intent, get sent to you for FREE whether they end up being a serious seller or not!  Every other company will charge you for these “Just Curious” inquiries no matter what!   BUYER PROGRAM We’re the only company to puts restrictions on our buyer ads by income to ensure that we’re only targeting people in the top 20-30% income bracket for your market!  This way you’ll know that everyone who submits an inquiry can at least afford properties in your area!  We’re also the only company that allows you to provide us with your favorite neighborhoods, communities, subdivisions, etc. within the zip and the price points for where you want to receive 80-90% of your leads from!   GUARANTEE If you don’t receive your  minimum amount of QUALIFIED seller or buyer inquiries by the end of the 30 day cycle, you will not be billed for another month and will remain on the program for free until the leads are provided.  If it takes us 90 days and we have not provided your minimumQUALIFIED lead guarantee, you are entitled to a refund as well!  THESE ARE QUALIFIED LEADS THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST CONVERSION RATE! Qualified means they are income and age verified and looking to buy or sell in the zip codes you provided.  We do not send out [email protected], and they must be age and income verified before we send them to you.  These are buyers that are looking now!   EXCLUSIVE All inquiries are sent to you 100% exclusively within 30-60 seconds after they’ve been submitted and verified for a valid name, email, and phone number!  They’re then sent to you via email, text, any CRM you’re currently using, and a FREE CRM that you receive with our program as well! The CRM shows you what homes and activity your users (leads) are doing, as far as what homes they are saving, favorites, and specific homes they are viewing.     MONTH TO MONTH Our program is month to month with no contracts and is a flat monthly fee with no commission splits!                    We also provide you with a free CRM that shows you what your homes your leads are previewing, and what they favorite.  Predictive analytics and consumer knowing the consumer's behavior, saves time, increases productivity and leads to higher conversions. The N.A.R. says 30:1 is a typical conversion rate.  Our conversion rate is 5:1 and this is a very accurate number. In addition, if the lead is notqualified or a fake person or a generic, "what's my home worth," we replace this lead for you. We will also do a free Facebook ad for you that will reach a minimum of 25,000-30,000 in your three targeted areas.  These are free leads, as are phone calls.   Remember everything is scaled to your budget!  I am sure we can beat commissions inc, and the quality is far superior.