The Phenomena That is GUMTREE

Well Gumtree's the only place I've had any responses from - and for the massage ads they've all been cranks! However I do get good response for my Reiki courses on there.

I've not advertised on gumtree as I was worried about getting dodgy calls. The wording on some ads even from whal appears to be a geniune therapist sometimes looks a bit suspect. Those offering more than massage are quite obvious so it must be annoying to get calls from clients looking for extras.

Gumtree

I advertised on Gumtree when I was looking for work and I did have some genuine responses although nothing came of them. I've also advertised on there, looking for new friends and luckily, I've not had any unsavoury characters respond. I think you just have to try it and see what happens.

Hi,
I advertise on there because I do end up getting quite a few clients from there - admittedly it's always males but the ones that I do see and treat are genuine enough. The downside is that for the amount of clients I get, I also get the same amount of pervs and weirdos, asking for lots of different (and weird) extras. It does get annoying but at the moment it's still worth it for the business. I've now got to the stage when I can tell within about a minute of a phone call whether the caller is genuine or after something else. And it does annoy me when there are extremely blatent and sexual adverts on there- Gumtree do nothing about this so you can sort of see why some stupid people might think that you offer the same things - even though my own, and I'm sure many other therapists' ads are extremely professional. There was one woman in Manchester basically spelling out word for word all of the sexual services she would offer- I couldn't believe it! 😮

I advertised on Gumtree a couple of times when I first started my business (and many other free ad sites) and the only calls I got were dodgy ones so I stopped advertising on there. I did put an ad on there specifically for Reiki but didn't get any clients from it.

I still advertise on gumtree (free listing), on and off. Used to get loads of dodgy calls and still get the occasional e-mail, but hardly any since I have started working at a practice and the phone number is that of reception and no longer my mobile.

I struggle to get the ads on there though, and they have been removed a few times: you can't have any photos (which in my opinion only makes it less clear what kind of massage you offer!), you have to state that "this is not a sexual service", and you have to mention your qualifications. And a couple more conditions that I can't remember right now.

I have now got an ad format that seems to be ok, however it usually takes half a day before it appears as I think they are manually checking all the massage ads. When I place a second ad on a different topic at the same time, that appears in the list hours before my massage ad does.

I don't think I have ever got any business from gumtree directly, hard to say. I get quite a few clicks from gumtree through to my website though, I think because when people do a google search then the gumtree ad link comes up quite high. So people click on it and then go through to my website.

I had my first call which was one female client from gumtree then nothing at all but at least this person is coming back which I am delighted about.

I advertised my therapy rooms on Gumtree and all I got was contacts from sales people who had visited my website - insurance, crafts and the like. Made some interesting contacts but can't say it generated any business.

Always with love,
Amber

I've had quite a few genuine clients off of gumtree including a couple of female clients, however i have also had several dodgy male callers.

I have to say though that gumtree has been great for boosting my business as clients i have gained from gumsite have gone on to recommend me to other people.

I think its a shame that quite a few men see it as a way of finding a service of a different kind, especially as i feel that in some ways it makes me more weary towards men, when in fact there are so many genuine guys out there.

Hello Andan
The trouble is Gumtree has ads for sexual services mixed in with ads that are genuine,I have found some really excellent massages but have also found therapists who are qualified are also offering massage under the sensual banner.

Oh i totally agree Whitesnake, i have checked out some of the ads myself and seen what services they provide! The bit i really hate is that you read a great title and especially round where i am based, they appear more discreet at the service they are offering until you click on their website and see there is a lot more to it.

I have had some dodgy calls from people who have found me on there, however gumtree was great for boosting my business. I have had at least five excellent new clients from there, with three being men all of whom have become regulars. I know that a lot of people my age use gumtree a lot in my area and so i have had to weigh up the pros and cons.

Will i keep using gumtree? I'm not sure, now that business is growing and i am getting more regular work and recommended more i may stick to other forms of internet advertising. I just feel its a shame for the guys who are out there who are genuine who prefer to use the internet. Even though my ads and hopefully my site don't make people feel like i provide any extra services, dodgy males still get in touch. I most definitely feel they should keep dodgy services and ligitamate massage service seperate and i feel this would help a bit. I also feel it would be of benefit to male clients and sort the genuine ones from the dodgy kind.

If people prefer not to use gumtree, what other forms of internet advertising are they using and do they feel they are still hitting a large target?

Hello Andan,
Some might say the key is how you word the ad,however i have found alot of ads say 'this is not a sexual service' however when you email or call this service is on offer under the sensual banner.Some are more obvious than others but unfortunately if you advertise on a mixed site i think you will always have the minority trying their luck.

I've advertised my courses on gumtree and have had a good response from it, and some therapists have re-booked.

All my massage ads have led to dodgy calls, here is a text book call

"um, are you the one that does massage?"
and I reply "yes".
"oh right, so what TYPE of massage do you offer?"
and I list them.
pause
longer pause
"and what else?" they ask
"oh, I also offer reiki, crystal healing, and facials" I reply.
"well, I want a relaxing massage, can you do that?"
"Yes, I am a trained aromatherapist so once I've done a consultation to find out what oils I will use...."
they usually interrupt
"right, well can I book an appointment for today?"
"no, I'm fully booked today"
"oh right, I'll ring back".

one man stated that he wanted just his buttocks and groin massaged.

so, I don't advertise massage on gumtree anymore. I have advertised facials and haven't had any response whatsoever.

however i have found alot of ads say 'this is not a sexual service'

thats because gumtree state they have to say that otherwise the ad will not be accepted.