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Angie's List grades companies using a report-card-style scale, which ranges from A to F; these ratings are based on the following criteria: price, quality, responsiveness, punctuality and professionalism.<ref name=Hoovers>{{cite web | last=Schein | first=Amy | title=Brownstone Publishing, LLC | work=Hoovers.com | publisher=[[Hoovers]] | url=http://premium.hoovers.com/subscribe/co/factsheet.xhtml?ID=rfkffhsjrfchyhx | accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> Each company has its own page, which is composed of a description of its business along with the customer reviews. The aggregate grade is drawn from the combined reviews and grades given to the businesses from the consumers. Angie's List employees are trained to identify any reviews that seem biased or sabotaged, so the overall rating will only reflect legitimate customer reviews. This process was reviewed and approved by [[BPA Worldwide]] during a 2009 audit<ref name=Detroit>{{cite news | last = | first = | coauthors = | title =Angie’s List: Metro shoppers’ best friend | work =The Detroit News | pages = | publisher = | date =2006-12-07 | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> [[Revenue]] for Angie's List comes from member subscription fees, as well as [[advertising]] from businesses that have an overall grade of B or higher on the website. <ref name=Angie'sA>{{cite news | last=Tribble | first=Sarah Jane | title=Angie's List earns an "A" for filling consumer niche | work=Seattle Times | date=2006-08-28 | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003230767_btangielist28.html |accessdate=2007-01-10| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070110163124/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003230767_btangielist28.html| archivedate= 10 January 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
Angie's List grades companies using a report-card-style scale, which ranges from A to F; these ratings are based on the following criteria: price, quality, responsiveness, punctuality and professionalism.<ref name=Hoovers>{{cite web | last=Schein | first=Amy | title=Brownstone Publishing, LLC | work=Hoovers.com | publisher=[[Hoovers]] | url=http://premium.hoovers.com/subscribe/co/factsheet.xhtml?ID=rfkffhsjrfchyhx | accessdate=2007-01-30}}</ref> Each company has its own page, which is composed of a description of its business along with the customer reviews. The aggregate grade is drawn from the combined reviews and grades given to the businesses from the consumers. Angie's List employees are trained to identify any reviews that seem biased or sabotaged, so the overall rating will only reflect legitimate customer reviews. This process was reviewed and approved by [[BPA Worldwide]] during a 2009 audit<ref name=Detroit>{{cite news | last = | first = | coauthors = | title =Angie’s List: Metro shoppers’ best friend | work =The Detroit News | pages = | publisher = | date =2006-12-07 | url = | accessdate = }}</ref> [[Revenue]] for Angie's List comes from member subscription fees, as well as [[advertising]] from businesses that have an overall grade of B or higher on the website. <ref name=Angie'sA>{{cite news | last=Tribble | first=Sarah Jane | title=Angie's List earns an "A" for filling consumer niche | work=Seattle Times | date=2006-08-28 | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003230767_btangielist28.html |accessdate=2007-01-10| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070110163124/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003230767_btangielist28.html| archivedate= 10 January 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>


The listing process for contractors is stringent, as they are not allowed to pay to be on the list, nor are they able to list their own names and review their own company. Some critics state that determined contractors can find a way around that policy, by creating fake email accounts and using fake addresses; however, Angie’s List claims that their employees must read every single report as it comes in and ask each member whether he or she is affiliated with or is competing against the company they are reporting on.<ref name=Mininggold>{{cite news
Angies List claims the listing process for contractors is stringent, as they are not allowed to pay to be on the list, nor are they able to list their own names and review their own company. Some critics state that determined contractors can find a way around that policy, by creating fake email accounts and using fake addresses; however, Angie’s List claims that their employees must read every single report as it comes in and ask each member whether he or she is affiliated with or is competing against the company they are reporting on. In Fact there are numerous scam artists and frauds targeting individuals using Angies List despite the claims made by the companies cofounder in their flashy television advertisements.<ref name=Mininggold>{{cite news
|last=Duros
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Revision as of 21:33, 4 January 2013

Angie's List, Inc.
Angie's List
Type of businessPublic
Traded asNasdaq: ANGI
Founded1996-04-26
HeadquartersIndianapolis, Indiana
Founder(s)Angie Hicks
Key peopleJohn W. Biddinger, Chairman
William S. Oesterle, CEO
Angie Hicks, CMO
IndustryInformation collection and delivery
Revenue$88 mil
Employees750
URLwww.angieslist.com
[1][2][3]

Angie’s List is a website that aggregates verified consumer reviews of service companies as a way to "capture word-of-mouth wisdom".[4] Angie’s List has about 1.5 million subscribers throughout the United States and Canada who post an average of about 40,000 reviews each month. The concept behind the website is to certify their data collection process by only allowing paid and registered subscribers to access the website to prevent anonymous or biased reviews. [5][4]

History

Formerly headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Angie's List was co-founded by William "Bill" Oesterle and Angie Hicks in 1995. It was inspired by Hicks' search for a reliable contractor in suburban Columbus on behalf of Oesterle, a venture capitalist and her former supervisor. She relocated to Columbus to join him in creating Angie's List, which started as a call-in service and publication for reviews about home and lawn care. Hicks went door-to-door, signing up members and collecting ratings on local contractors. For a year, it was called "Columbus Neighbors", the name and idea being patterned after the Indianapolis, Indiana-based community publication, Unified Neighbors.[6] After solely recruiting more than 1,000 members in Columbus within one year, Hicks turned to Oesterle to raise money from investors in order to develop the business at a steady pace. [7]

In 1996, Angie's List purchased Unified Neighbors, from creator Bill Corbin and relocated its headquarters to Indianapolis. By 1999, the database of local services and reviews was moved to the internet. During the ensuing years, their customer base and business relationships grew throughout North America, while also expanding to include additional service industries such as health care and auto care.[8]

CNN Money featured Angie's List as one of the 100 fastest-growing inner city businesses in the nation, with their 2009 revenues reaching $45.6 million in 2011. [8] According to their 10k, Angie's List's revenue last fiscal year was $90M.

Methodology

Angie's List grades companies using a report-card-style scale, which ranges from A to F; these ratings are based on the following criteria: price, quality, responsiveness, punctuality and professionalism.[2] Each company has its own page, which is composed of a description of its business along with the customer reviews. The aggregate grade is drawn from the combined reviews and grades given to the businesses from the consumers. Angie's List employees are trained to identify any reviews that seem biased or sabotaged, so the overall rating will only reflect legitimate customer reviews. This process was reviewed and approved by BPA Worldwide during a 2009 audit[9] Revenue for Angie's List comes from member subscription fees, as well as advertising from businesses that have an overall grade of B or higher on the website. [10]

Angies List claims the listing process for contractors is stringent, as they are not allowed to pay to be on the list, nor are they able to list their own names and review their own company. Some critics state that determined contractors can find a way around that policy, by creating fake email accounts and using fake addresses; however, Angie’s List claims that their employees must read every single report as it comes in and ask each member whether he or she is affiliated with or is competing against the company they are reporting on. In Fact there are numerous scam artists and frauds targeting individuals using Angies List despite the claims made by the companies cofounder in their flashy television advertisements.[3][11] Also, members can only report on each company once every six months. [12]

Corporate affairs and culture

Angie’s List is reputed to have a unique company culture, in that it encourages a laid-back yet innovative atmosphere. Communication is extremely open between management and staff, and ideas are encouraged from all employees, regardless of their positions.[13] Angie’s List was named one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana in 2007 and 2008 by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The rankings for the list are based on the feedback of randomly selected employees at eligible Indiana businesses.[14][15]

Angie’s List was also a finalist for the Nation’s Healthiest Employers of 2010. They have had a comprehensive employee wellness program for over 5 years, which includes about 30 different programs and events throughout the year. Employees are offered health, life and dental insurance, as well as access to the fitness programs and the on-site fitness center. They are encouraged to participate in various events created to foster a team environment and boost company spirit.[16]

According to the Washington Post, in March 2007, SCS Contracting Group sued two Angie's List members for libel for their negative reviews of the company, along with Brownstone Publishing d/b/a Angie's List and other defendants. One of the two members remarked, "If [contractors are] able to sue, then the value of Angie's List depreciates .... People aren't going to be willing to submit reviews if they could be threatened with a lawsuit."[17] On 7 October 2008, Stephen C. Siebert et al. dismissed the complaint against Monica Hammock and Edwin Castillo. Judgment was rendered in favor of all defendants.[18]

Financial information

Angie's List estimated that its annual revenue in 2008 was $58 million, generated primarily through advertising in its newsletter and membership fees.[19] Angie's List has not published its annual expenses or net income.

Membership fees are based on location. For example, Angie's List reported the following annual membership fees as of 4 December 2009:

  • Charlottesville, Virginia — $10
  • Stamford, Connecticut — $32
  • Beverly Hills, California — $36.25
  • Pompano Beach, Florida — $47

In 2010, Angie's List raised a total of $25 million in capital from investors. In September 2010, Wasatch Funds and Battery Ventures invested $22 million.[20] In November 2010, Saints Capital led an additional funding of $2.5 million.[21]

On November 17, 2011, Angie's List began trading on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol ANGI. It priced 8.8M shares at $13 and opened for trading at $18, a 33% premium.[22]

References

  1. ^ "accessIndiana". Indiana Secretary of State. Retrieved 2006-11-07.
  2. ^ a b Schein, Amy. "Brownstone Publishing, LLC". Hoovers.com. Hoovers. Retrieved 2007-01-30.
  3. ^ a b Duros, Sally (2007-01-05). "Mining gold from Chicagoans' word of mouth". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on 9 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b Darlin, Damon (2006-08-05). "Let's Say Your Toilet Backs Up. How Do You Find a Good Plumber?". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  5. ^ DeBare, Ilana (September 3, 2006). "Amateur reviews changing approach of small businesses". San Francisco Chronicle. pp. F–1.
  6. ^ The Story with Dick Gordon
  7. ^ Evans, Teri (2010-10-06). "No Free Stuff Here: At Angie's List, Members Pay". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  8. ^ a b "Inner City 100". CNN Money. 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  9. ^ "Angie's List: Metro shoppers' best friend". The Detroit News. 2006-12-07. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ Tribble, Sarah Jane (2006-08-28). "Angie's List earns an "A" for filling consumer niche". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 10 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-10. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Leonard, Kim (February 1, 2007). "When it comes to local [[Better Business Bureau|BBB]], region better watch the watchdog". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. {{cite news}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  12. ^ "Angie's List helps you choose a contractor". KVBC. 2006-07-10. Archived from the original on 24 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Angie's List Overview". Glass Door. 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
  14. ^ "Best Places to Work in Indiana Named". Inside Indiana Business. 2007-02-26. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  15. ^ "Best Places to Work in Indiana Named". Inside Indiana Business. 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  16. ^ "Angie's List: Fitness for Life". Healthiest Employers. 2010. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  17. ^ Kelly, John (March 13, 2007). "Homeowner's Web Gripe Draws Contractor Lawsuit". Washington Post.
  18. ^ "STEPHEN C. SIEBER, et al., v. BROWNSTONE PUBLISHING CO" (PDF). October 2010.
  19. ^ Murphy, Tom (2007-01-20). "Angie's to-do list: doctors; Service ratings firm explores expansion into health care". Indiana Business Journal. Retrieved 2007-02-01.
  20. ^ Merino, Faith (21 September 2010). "Angie's List strikes big with $22M". VatorNews.
  21. ^ Merino, Faith (11 November 2010). "Angie's List raises $2.5M adding to $22.5M". VatorNews.
  22. ^ "Angie's List gains 25% in IPO". CNN. 2011-11-17.

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