Why is it so hard to find reviews on Turn Key Providers?

Question

I've been researching turn key providers for a few months now and it seems like every time I find one that has a well put together website or smooth talking sales rep I can never find any reviews from people who have actually worked with them and been satisfied with the experience. Why is this? It feels like it's a super secret club. Even several post on Bigger pockets who mention having experience with various turn key providers they never really mention details or names. Is there an unwritten rule that you have to keep the provider your working with to yourself unless you have a bad experience?

What do you guys think?

Account Closed · Answer

Its not

Jeff Schechter · Answer

As a TK provider, we don't get that many requests for references.  But, we give so much docunantation on the property that there's already a level of comfort. We certainly provide them when asked. Not sure why you're finding that so difficult.

Tom Ott · Answer

I think it just depends on the provider. If they are small they may not have an online presence. If you search Google and forums, you should be able to find a decent amount about the bigger ones.

Bryan Blankenship · Answer

• Speaking to 3 of our other clients
• Calling the local police department
• Calling the local news station
• Researching the local school district and chamber of commerce
• Speaking at length to our Client Specialist (I think it was probably 6 hours on the phone total).
• Talking to some of our other business contacts
• Asking about us on BiggerPockets

I always encourage everyone to dig deep. Ask all of the questions. If someone balks, there's a good reason why, so trust your gut. Trust if you must, but verify. :)

James Wise · Answer

Maybe you've just talked to a few small operations. I know my company has 100's of reviews online. I'd also guess some of the other bigger players do as well.

Ali Boone · Answer

Lol. The secret club and unwritten rule. I like that.

In my experience, having bought turnkeys myself for 8 years and working with a ton of turnkey buyers in that time too, and being on BiggerPockets for that entire time, what I've seen is that once someone buys a turnkey and all has gone well, they're nowhere to be found on BiggerPockets (or probably other forums too). Because they don't have to be. Once you buy a turnkey once, it's pretty straightforward. And most turnkey buyers aren't trying to do other strategies in conjunction, so there's not really a reason for them to still be on here. They don't need to learn more, they aren't looking for new connections, etc. They just go on about their lives and keep doing their turnkey thing.

I know hundreds of buyers, and none of them are on here anymore.

How far into your research are you? Have you just gotten as far as the smooth-talking sales reps? What all have you done towards wanting to invest in a turnkey?

Andrew C. · Answer

I still see turnkey reviews up: http://turnkey-reviews.com/

However, most of the reviews are older and it seems for the most part people only post positive reviews.

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

if turnkey reviews is still up you can find reviews there.

Nicholas Parish · Answer

Adding onto @Geordy Rostad's great advice. Another tactic that can weed out the less than ideal TK providers is to contact them directly and ask for client references. A solid TK company should be able to connect you with references at any given moment.

Geordy Rostad · Answer

@Daniel Ng

If I was investigating turnkey providers, I would probably focus on the individuals themselves. You can use a Google query such as:

site:linkedin.com "turnkey provider company name"

That might give you at least a couple names to start with.

In most cases, they are brokers, contractors, etc outside of being turnkey providers. For brokers, you can find reviews for them on Zillow and other places. Yelp often has contractor reviews but expect an abnormal amount of bad ones.

If I'm dealing with someone I don't know, often I will run their name through Been Verified to see what comes up. It's not perfect but it's better than being totally blind. You can find bankruptcies, work history, criminal history and other interesting stuff on there. Don't rely on the data without verifying it though.

Other than all this, the easier way might be to just reach out to the BP members that have mentioned these companies in other threads.