Whether it’s last minute holiday repairs or getting a jump start on those nagging home improvement ideas you’ve been putting off – Angie’s List is your go-to site to get it all done!
Have you ever wished that when hiring a professional for home improvement jobs, you could see a report card on their performance? What about having the ability to read reviews from the people in your neighborhood without having to go door to door for advice? Perhaps you are pessimistic due to a prior disaster involving a contractor with less than classy behavior around your children. Or maybe you have had a surprisingly satisfying experience with a team of local landscapers who not only helped you realize your dream but made it better than you could have imagined. Whether you need a job done or you have just had one completed and would like to share your experience, Angie’s List is the answer to everything.
What is Angie’s List?
Angie’s List is a website where you’ll find thousands of unbiased reports and reviews about service companies in your area. You can find information and costumer reviews on over 450 categories of service. Angie’s List members share their experiences with each other so that you can choose the service company that’s right for your job the first time around. This is more than just a resource site for home improvement. You will also find services such as health care, child care, fitness centers, catering and much, much more. You can even search from a list of strictly eco-friendly companies for those of you who are dedicated to green living.
When browsing through the Angie’s List you will find all kinds of extra helpful information. For example, there is Angie’s Tips and I think you’ll agree that the tips provided are not what you would expect from any normal website of this nature. Here are just a few topics that could help answer those little questions that nag you from time to time:
Angie also has what is called a penalty box. Rather than only listing those service providers that are excellent, she also finds it very important to list those that have failed to meet a costumer’s satisfaction. The penalty box is operated by a complaint resolution process. There are four possible outcomes in the resolution process.
The first outcome is “pending” meaning that the complaint is in process and a final outcome has not yet been determined. The second is “resolved”, this simply means that the service company has met the member’s request for resolution to the complaint. The third is “stalemate” and it means that the service company has responded to the member’s request for resolution, but they have declined to fulfill the member’s requirements for resolution. The fourth and final outcome is “penalty box” and this is reserved for companies that have failed to respond to a costumers request for resolution, or sometimes they have responded but failed to follow through with their promise to the costumer. Bottom line is you don’t want to end up in the penalty box if you are a company on Angie’s List and as a consumer you would want to steer clear of these companies for your service needs.
There is quite a bit of buzz surrounding Angie’s List. Aside from all the wonderful advice, helpful tid bits and dozens of other reasons to visit this website there is a wonderful section where you can check local news reports as well as local costumer reviews just by picking your city and state from a drop down list. Once you choose your town you will be directed to a page where you can read thousands of reports to help you in your decision making process.
Check out some of the reviews from nationwide reports:
And here are some costumer reviews:
“I’ve heard horror stories about women being taken advantage of on price and service, and I didn’t want this to happen to me. So I talked to a friend, and she directed me to Angie’s List. What a blessing! Now I can avoid being the victim of another horror story. Thank you Angie’s List!”
–Jessica K., Atlanta, Ga.
“When I had a problem with a service provider, Angie stuck up for me, and I got action immediately. I wish I would have called earlier!”
–Robert H., Columbus, Ohio
“Before Angie’s List, selecting a service provider was like throwing darts blind folded. Those who report on Angie’s List have helped me make informed, logical, educated decisions. I am truly grateful.”
–Nancy B., St. Paul, Minn.
“I think it’s great that people can use Angie’s List for medical referrals. I absolutely love my pediatrician, and I think people should know about
my holistic dentist!”
–Joan L., San Jose
There is also a fabulous blog section, podcasts, and Angie’s List Magazine. You might be wondering if there is a fee to join Angie’s List and the answer is yes, but the fees are minimal and with so much information at your fingertips it’s hard to imagine why anyone would use any other resource for their service needs.
So go check out Angie’s List from our retailer line-up. I’m confident you will be impressed and the next time you need any type of service for your home you’ll know exactly where to turn for help.
To acknowledge International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, we are taking this opportunity to honor and recognize women the world over as true agents of social change. Through purchasing retail items that were once known only as tribal or village handicrafts, you can help support these women as they implement change within their communities through their successful entrepreneurial endeavors. Supporting women from around the world through fair trade is a direct and effective way to create sustainability and peace within a community. Economic empowerment is a goal we can all relate to and for some women it is a matter of life and death. This month we encourage you to fall in love with some of the beautiful, hand-made, one-of-a-kind pieces from our strong and inspiring sisters across the globe. In this way you can help support Women for Women International, support female entrepreneurs worldwide and get your best girlfriends a unique gift just in time for International Women’s Day!
Launched in 2005, Macy’s Path to Peace Project is changing lives by putting income-generating opportunities into the hands of Rwandan women. Today the project employs thousands of weavers yielding remarkable results that impact tens of thousands of lives. Because this initial campaign has proven so effective, Macy’s has embraced an even broader product line named Shop for a Better World which includes collections of limited-edition master works from artisans in recovering regions of Rwanda, Cambodia and Indonesia.
To take action on International Women’s Day, Global Exchange is pleased to introduce the Women Around the World Gift Basket, a collection of gifts made by women from around the world. The Kaisa grass basket from Bangladesh is filled with Putumayo’s ‘Women of World Acoustic’ CD release, Palestinian Olive Oil Soap from the Aseela Women’s Cooperative, Native Scents Goddess of the Bath Herbal Bath Bags, End the Embargo on Cuba -1 Pound Bag of Coffee, Choice Tea, Star Ornaments made by members of Thai Tribal Craft, Dip n’ Whisk Gift Set from ‘The Tomorrow Project’ (helping women create futures today), Greeting Card featuring a removeable hand-painted bottlecap ornament from the Batsiranai cooperative (a co-op of mothers with disabled children living in Zimbabwe), one dark Divine Chocolate Bar and a Recycled Flour Bag Shopping Tote, again from the Batsiranai Cooperative.
Peaceful Valley seeks out vendors that are committed to supporting environmental awareness, eco-friendly manufacture techniques and sustainable farming. Their products are chosen for sustainable characteristics as well as social responsibility. They do their best to buy locally. When they do order from other countries such as Brazil, Sri Lanka, China, Canada, Mexico and the Andes, they work with the owners of the companies to ensure that all imported products are manufactured under Fair Labor Standards
Indian textiles, art from Haiti, handicrafts from Eastern Europe, or jewelry from Asia… At Gaiam you can shop for fair trade merchandise by the region in which it was produced and help local artists and family craftspeople make a fair wage using traditional skills. “Tomorrow, I will have money; I will not have to beg, and my children can go to school,” says beadwork artisan Ms. Jagwati, summing up the most important reason to support fair trade: to restore someone’s hope, dignity, and smile. Jagwati comes from a slum in Delhi, one of many places around the world where fair trade is paving a way out of the cycle of poverty. By paying livable wages, funding schools and providing job training and child care assistance, fair trade is helping talented yet disadvantaged people gain ground against illiteracy, exploitation, slavery and human trafficking.
from stocking stuffers to show stoppers… it’s the nonprofitshoppingmall.com GREEN GIFT GUIDE! all items are either Recycled, Sustainable, Made in America or all of the above
We’ve highlighted this amazing company before in our blogs and well… we’re at it again. We’re not playin’ favorites either, it’s just that they seriously have some of the most unique recycled, reused and sustainable gifts out there! At uncommon goods, your whole family can be satisfied and greenified in a one-stop, shopping binge! But if you don’t believe me, see for yourself.
For Mom: Elegant and sophisticated beauty. Melissa Borrell 18KT “Pop Out” Earrings, $58. Recycled red record Vinyl Cuff Bracelet, $55. Josh Jakus Modern Wool Clutch made from excess industrial wool from American factories, $95.
For Dad: Masculine and unique…Modern Ring handmade from stainless steel and ebony — designed by Ryan Wither and Paul Lewin, $45. Pool Ball Bottle Stoppers made from found pool balls, $30. Handmade Philips Head Screw Cuff Links – designed by LeeAnn Herreid, $85.
For The Teens: Accessorize your favorite young-person with the coolest of green fashion! Recycled Skateboard Earrings, $32.00. Wool Felt Wrist Cuffs, $39. Guitar Picks get a second-life as jewelry, $30 – $60. And what goes around comes around with these necklaces made from vintage record-parts, $25.
For The Home: Clean n’ Green! Nagelburste nailbrush and household cleaning “toothbrushes” are handmade in Berlin at the former Home for the Blind by its team of 15 blind craftspeople. Nail brush $28, set of “teeth” for $80.
Us greenies, who love technology, practical, good-looking design and who dream of using sci-fi inspired gadgets, have been dying for this technology to finally be on the market. So without further ado… The Voltaic Generator: Solar Powered Briefcase Bag that has enough juice to charge your laptop for hours! For the tech-ecoist in your life, this is THE perfect gift. $599.
When you’re ready for the “grown up” apartment or simply upgrading your current living space, make Vivavi your first stop. Welcome to sustainable modernity at it’s best! For every room in your house there’s a classic eco design sure to add style and sophistication to your increasingly greener home. Recycled steel The Hive Bench $1,790, Molded Wool Soft Bowls $39, Bamboo iPod Dock $150.
Again – here’s a company that you’ll want to check out if innovative design, coupled with sustainability, is your rap. On top of your nonprofitshoppingmall.com contribution, Feel More Human will give 1% of your sale to the planet through their 1% For The Planet initiative. For a fashion forward gift for two, take a look at Nixon’s extraordinary wrap-watches in Bamboo, $200-$225.
Should you find yourself in a shopping quandary because your gift’s recipient is someone who seems to have just about everything — here’s a gift idea that’s unique and sure to grow smiles. Arrange for your gift tree to be planted in the state or listed country of your choice. Each TreeGivers gift tree supplements the natural resources of our Earth and brings life and beauty to the world around us. Plant a tree to honor your special gift recipient and help offset our collective carbon footprint for as little as $39.95.
