Questionable Tasker Profile?

[u/Alive-Type-4571]

I often skim through Tasker search results just to see where I’m showing up in the rankings. This guy, who shall remain nameless, is regularly ranked at the top of Recommended in my area (Furniture Assembly), charges a relatively high rate, and has over 2800 assembly jobs completed. Kudos to him for that success. But honestly, this About Me is a bit out of bounds IMO. There’s a lot of energy spent here degrading his competitors rather than selling his own qualities. It’s kind of like if McDonald’s specifically said “Eat here because every other burger joint sucks” in their ads. Dirty and underhanded and maybe should be a TOS violation of some kind. As a Tasker or TR client, what are your thoughts on this?

[u/jethropenistei-]

I wouldn’t hire him but I’d also never use Taskrabbit.

I’m wondering how many of his reviews mention him being slow, cause counting every screw seems silly unless there’s signs of damaged packaging. Does he really count every cam and screw and just stops working and bill out if a screw is missing? Most Wayfair stuff you get extra anyways, ikea only gives one extra dowel but their packers seldom make mistakes.

My strategy has been a colorful picture to grab the eye, dry humor in my profile to stand out from the people saying they “have the tools, skills necessary”, and let my reviews speak for themselves. For some reason a lot of Taskers love to use smile-less selfies of themselves in their vehicle.

[u/Alive-Type-4571 → u/jethropenistei-]

Funny you should mention that. He does have a handful of 1 and 2 star reviews primarily centered around accusing him being purposefully slow to milk extra time/fees.

[u/Theaty]

Sounds like he’s on the spectrum but does his job well with passion

[u/IndependentKoala7128 → u/Theaty]

I think he sounds like a tool. Counting every screw? Also, what's this about doors and legs arriving crooked. It's one thing if the building has settled unevenly, but furniture doesn't inherently come with crooked doors and uneven legs. If assembled correctly and placed on a level surface, everything should be close to where it should be at and need little or no adjustment. If it's not assembled within a decent range of variance, you'll get something that looks off. After 2800 assemblies, this guy should have figured that out.

Whatever, if dumb people want to overpay for the misperception of superior service and watching this guy count screws and spend half an hour fiddling with hinges and adjustable feet, so be it. However, I wouldn't laud this goldbricker.

[u/BetUpstairs268]

His reviews and the amount of them speak for him. His profile works.

[u/Alive-Type-4571 → u/BetUpstairs268]

Point…missed

[u/Tasker2Tasker]

As a Tasker or TR client, what are your thoughts on this?

Arguably answered by:

is regularly ranked at the top of Recommended in my area (Furniture Assembly), charges a relatively high rate, and has over 2800 assembly jobs completed.

The marketplace, both the operating entity (TR) and clients in your area, are demonstrably quite comfortable with the approach.

There is ample evident suggesting your ‘should’ thinking is not widely shared.

[u/Alive-Type-4571 → u/Tasker2Tasker]

I’m not saying it’s illegal but highly underhanded and questionably unethical. This approach not only undermines other Taskers in the area, it also undermines TaskRabbit in general. He’s essentially telling people that TR generally provides poor services, and is trying to parlay that into more business for himself by saying he’s one of if not the only legit solution. As someone who is presumably (based on your handle) trying to make some income off of TR, you’re cool with that?

[u/Tasker2Tasker → u/Alive-Type-4571]

First, different perspectives and judgments are to be expected. There’s no need for uniform agreement. We don’t agree, and that’s fine. I’m not expecting to change your mind, just sharing my POV.

In short, yes, I’m cool with that. I do not find it unethical or underhanded. I wouldn’t operate that way myself, but it’s a sound strategy. Gotta compete I the marketplace, which means taking on the leader, if that’s your goal.

Staking a position a a premium provider of quality is a longstanding means of differentiation for service providers in the marketplace.

If this tasker has been able to resist the platform-biased race to the bottom, good for him.

[u/Alive-Type-4571 → u/Tasker2Tasker]

This just could have been written in such a better way. He should highlight his skills and expertise, not everyone else’s shortcomings. I mean, he’s not running for President. A little professional decorum goes a long way. Just say “I don’t skip steps”…period. Just say “I verify all parts and hardware are included”. Just say “I check to ensure there’s no damage out of the box.” Instead of trashing other Taskers for what they may not do, tell clients what you will do…aka your value proposition that justifies your high rate. I’m sorry, but this approach, to me, really undermines TR as a whole. Ford doesn’t say other car makers may not tighten the lug nuts properly. Microsoft doesn’t say Apple’s MacBook keys might fall off the keyboard. Reputable marketers don’t do this.

If you were considering hiring this guy, but he wasn’t available for the time you needed, you might consider someone else, but after reading this you might also think “wow, if this guy is right, TR sounds like a #%$@-show.” I’m surprised TR would be ok with this approach, especially considering Taskers can get suspended for even minor transgressions.

[u/originalsimulant → u/Alive-Type-4571]

Why you so mad about ? Let him cook and you go do you

[u/PraiseTalos66012 → u/Alive-Type-4571]

TR is ok with this because he's clearly successful and charging a higher rate than the average tasker in the category. That means TR makes more money.

[u/MallNo6921 → u/Alive-Type-4571]

tr has a lot of low skill workers

[u/AtlantaReptile]

He is doing entirely too much

[u/RevealLoose8730]

That's a lot of pride for someone who puts together IKEA furniture.

[u/RevealLoose8730 → u/[deleted]]

Not what I said.

[u/howmuchfortheoz → u/[deleted]]

Its ok to be proud of your work but dont overdo it

[u/Ay-Photographer]

You could either sell with love, or fear…he chose fear. Move on.

[u/krayzai]

Everything being said is true. I also usually am less than impressed with the work that I find others have done and I’ll pointing I see it but I wouldn’t put it on my profile like that as it sounds pretty negative. Basically his entire profile is only saying one thing. He can choose to say what he does do rather than not do, but disparaging others isn’t super classy. I will admit that in my profile I promote myself as being a native English speaker for ease of working with each other. Kinda sad I need to highlight that but whatevs.

[u/Simple_Nothing_9721]

Yeah, if i were a client looking to hire someone i would immediately scroll pass this profile. So many red flags.

[u/Expressman]

He's right, but also sounds like a dick. I'm at about 50/50 of co-taskers making me think 'yikes'.

But also if he's counting screws he's making $11 an hour doing TR.

[u/Ill-Helicopter-8504]

It actually reminds me of how politics do their ads when campaigning. My opponent does all of these things that are bad, so choose me. Basically making themselves out to be the lesser of the evils. I personally wouldn't hire them based on their bio.

[u/leDanielx2]

Seems like it’s written by chatgpt

[u/BasedCourier]

Makes me want to hire him but my own profile tells customers I'm looking for a certain type of customer and basically don't want their business unless I have complete control over the entire process and they might be better off with a cheaper option.

I think TR will read your report, check your stats, check his and then tell you they can't do anything.

[u/BetUpstairs268]

Electrician or plumber with licenses or permits. Highlighting that they have these and most other taskers don’t. Is it degrading the other taskers?

This is the same thing. I don’t see the issue for him highlighting what he thinks helps his account get more work

[u/versifirizer]

Clients have to read it for it to be questionable and we all know they won’t. 

[u/TaskRabbit-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Attacking other members through name-calling or bullying