Comments on: A Widget That Does Background Checks On Plumbers, Painters, Products, And More. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/ Startup and Tech News Sat, 17 May 2008 10:10:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: khris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2296925 khris Wed, 14 May 2008 20:21:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2296925 Hi Steve, You say "... many small businesses may be perfectly great, but have some sort of negative report that may have no relationship to their ability ..." This may certainly be true in specific instances, but by what logic does this render credit data worthless? The majority of responsible companies will surely argue that the ability to get insurance, pay ones debt, secure licenses, etc. are important elements of "greatness". In addition, Advisor provides a powerful compliment to top-line credit information by allowing real customers to offer their own reviews, comments, and ratings of particular vendors. Taken together the consumer has a well rounded base of information upon which to make a decision. With respect to legal matters, Experian holds harmless any site that presents this data via Advisor so long as the data is not altered. Business owners are also provided a mechanism, within the widget, to update & correct errors. The truth is a lubricant to the economy. Widely shared, credible information increases the speed of transactions and removes the tendency for consumers to discount bids in an effort to cover risk. Conversely, decreased transparency results in transactions delays and increased costs as consumers invest in research or 'due diligence'. All honest brokers have an interest in promoting an environment of maximum transparency. The collective good is best served by freely shared information. Advisor advances this goal. Caveat Emptor or "buyer BEWARE" has stood as law for long enough. It's time that business competed using the truth. Let the buyer be AWARE. Khris Loux, CEO <a href="http://www.js-kit.com" rel="nofollow"> JS-Kit </a> Hi Steve,

You say “… many small businesses may be perfectly great, but have some sort of negative report that may have no relationship to their ability …” This may certainly be true in specific instances, but by what logic does this render credit data worthless? The majority of responsible companies will surely argue that the ability to get insurance, pay ones debt, secure licenses, etc. are important elements of “greatness”. In addition, Advisor provides a powerful compliment to top-line credit information by allowing real customers to offer their own reviews, comments, and ratings of particular vendors. Taken together the consumer has a well rounded base of information upon which to make a decision.

With respect to legal matters, Experian holds harmless any site that presents this data via Advisor so long as the data is not altered. Business owners are also provided a mechanism, within the widget, to update & correct errors.

The truth is a lubricant to the economy. Widely shared, credible information increases the speed of transactions and removes the tendency for consumers to discount bids in an effort to cover risk. Conversely, decreased transparency results in transactions delays and increased costs as consumers invest in research or ‘due diligence’. All honest brokers have an interest in promoting an environment of maximum transparency. The collective good is best served by freely shared information. Advisor advances this goal.

Caveat Emptor or “buyer BEWARE” has stood as law for long enough. It’s time that business competed using the truth. Let the buyer be AWARE.

Khris Loux, CEO
JS-Kit

]]> By: Rachel http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2283407 Rachel Thu, 08 May 2008 15:24:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2283407 We run a local website where people can find and rate local businesses. We'll definitely take a look at this product. Re Steve Smith comments are a concern, we'll have to take a hard look at that, but our site was designed to allow businesses to comment and for customers to review data, so hopefully the combination of data will provide a truthful profile of the business for consumers. www.RatingSmart.com We run a local website where people can find and rate local businesses. We’ll definitely take a look at this product. Re Steve Smith comments are a concern, we’ll have to take a hard look at that, but our site was designed to allow businesses to comment and for customers to review data, so hopefully the combination of data will provide a truthful profile of the business for consumers.

http://www.RatingSmart.com

]]> By: Steve Smith http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2264572 Steve Smith Sun, 04 May 2008 23:50:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2264572 Unfortunately, this has the potential to be a nightmare. How many people out there have a blemish on your credit report for reasons not related to employment and are concerned about getting a job. How many small businesses may be perfectly great, but have some sort of negative report that may have no relationship to their ability. The idea that a reputation can be derived from a large massive data-dump is just an invitation to litigation. It’s just a matter of time before some small business sees they are wrongfully labeled as not trustworthy before lawsuits start to fly for defamation and other torts, including partner pages that did nothing more then display data. Anyone in the data acquisition industry knows that these data dumps have significant limitations, and inferences need to be drawn carefully. The large credit bureaus are just looking for additional ways to monetize data collected for credit purposes. That data may have nothing to do with reputation. This seems like allot of snake oil to me. This is just another reason that Congress and the states needs to step in and further regulate the credit industry Unfortunately, this has the potential to be a nightmare. How many people out there have a blemish on your credit report for reasons not related to employment and are concerned about getting a job. How many small businesses may be perfectly great, but have some sort of negative report that may have no relationship to their ability. The idea that a reputation can be derived from a large massive data-dump is just an invitation to litigation. It’s just a matter of time before some small business sees they are wrongfully labeled as not trustworthy before lawsuits start to fly for defamation and other torts, including partner pages that did nothing more then display data. Anyone in the data acquisition industry knows that these data dumps have significant limitations, and inferences need to be drawn carefully. The large credit bureaus are just looking for additional ways to monetize data collected for credit purposes. That data may have nothing to do with reputation. This seems like allot of snake oil to me. This is just another reason that Congress and the states needs to step in and further regulate the credit industry

]]> By: Phil Butler http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2251880 Phil Butler Fri, 02 May 2008 20:20:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2251880 A great article about a fantastic development. Khris and his team have done an extraordinary job of evangelizing one of Web 2.0's most significant themes: "Collaboration is the key to success!" I have had the great pleasure of working with Khris on some of these projects and he is a true visionary in this regard. The web will and should be comprised of very trustworthy, relevant and compact data for people to use. This widget expresses what Web 3.0 will be about - 3 deep tools for accomplishing what we need. Great job Khris and I know TC and everyone will be fascinated with further developments in the weeks to come. Always, Phil Butler A great article about a fantastic development. Khris and his team have done an extraordinary job of evangelizing one of Web 2.0’s most significant themes: “Collaboration is the key to success!”

I have had the great pleasure of working with Khris on some of these projects and he is a true visionary in this regard. The web will and should be comprised of very trustworthy, relevant and compact data for people to use. This widget expresses what Web 3.0 will be about - 3 deep tools for accomplishing what we need.

Great job Khris and I know TC and everyone will be fascinated with further developments in the weeks to come.

Always,
Phil Butler

]]> By: Marc’s Voice » Blog Archive » May 2 - 2008 blogging http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2250888 Marc’s Voice » Blog Archive » May 2 - 2008 blogging Fri, 02 May 2008 17:02:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2250888 [...] Very coolio practical widget JS-Kit- it brings reviews of plumbers, electricians, professionals into... [...] […] Very coolio practical widget JS-Kit- it brings reviews of plumbers, electricians, professionals into… […]

]]> By: Max Freiert http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2249592 Max Freiert Fri, 02 May 2008 12:45:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2249592 Kudos to experian for opening this data up. I wonder what Angie's list's recent investors think about this... Kudos to experian for opening this data up. I wonder what Angie’s list’s recent investors think about this…

]]> By: Joe T http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2248088 Joe T Fri, 02 May 2008 07:09:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2248088 It used to be that everything was done as a site, now everything is being done as a widget. It used to be that everything was done as a site, now everything is being done as a widget.

]]> By: Samidh Chakrabarti http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246835 Samidh Chakrabarti Fri, 02 May 2008 01:27:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246835 Bravo to the JS-Kit team. This really is the first chapter in the future of reputation systems & recommendations on the web. You no longer need to separately visit a siloed reputation provider. With systems like this, you can find out all the relevant information right in situ. Imagine, for example, how commerce would be different on the web if ebay reputation scores were distributed in such widgetized form! The next chapter after this is being able to choose your reputation provider and having your browser mash it up intelligently on the page you are viewing. There are lots of providers of reputation info out there and users are best served having a choice. What if I don't want Experian's reputation data, but instead want Yelp's? Once tools like Mozilla's "Weave" are more widespread, we will undoubtedly see such a new class of service. Bravo to the JS-Kit team.

This really is the first chapter in the future of reputation systems & recommendations on the web. You no longer need to separately visit a siloed reputation provider. With systems like this, you can find out all the relevant information right in situ. Imagine, for example, how commerce would be different on the web if ebay reputation scores were distributed in such widgetized form!

The next chapter after this is being able to choose your reputation provider and having your browser mash it up intelligently on the page you are viewing. There are lots of providers of reputation info out there and users are best served having a choice. What if I don’t want Experian’s reputation data, but instead want Yelp’s? Once tools like Mozilla’s “Weave” are more widespread, we will undoubtedly see such a new class of service.

]]> By: YouYap.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246782 YouYap.com Fri, 02 May 2008 01:16:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246782 I am looking for investors/ angel/ capitalist. I have similar product. Looking for anyone who can help. email me: Johnson360@gmail.com I am looking for investors/ angel/ capitalist. I have similar product.
Looking for anyone who can help. email me: Johnson360@gmail.com

]]> By: Jon Carder http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246720 Jon Carder Fri, 02 May 2008 01:06:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246720 We're both excited and honored to be partnered with JS-Kit and Experian. They have both been a pleasure to work with. The integration of this widget truly provides an enhanced search experience for MojoPages users. Our goal is to be the best resource for consumers to find great local businesses. This widget gets us one step closer to achieving our mission, but there is still a long road ahead. We welcome the challenge. -Jon Carder CEO MojoPages.com We’re both excited and honored to be partnered with JS-Kit and Experian. They have both been a pleasure to work with. The integration of this widget truly provides an enhanced search experience for MojoPages users. Our goal is to be the best resource for consumers to find great local businesses. This widget gets us one step closer to achieving our mission, but there is still a long road ahead. We welcome the challenge.

-Jon Carder
CEO
MojoPages.com

]]> By: Sean http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246595 Sean Fri, 02 May 2008 00:40:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246595 I think this is a good idea and looks well done (JSKit is the bomb after all) - but wow, what a small niche to serve. I mean in terms of the sites that would install such a widget... I think this is a good idea and looks well done (JSKit is the bomb after all) - but wow, what a small niche to serve. I mean in terms of the sites that would install such a widget…

]]> By: anthropocentric http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246554 anthropocentric Fri, 02 May 2008 00:30:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246554 Wow - the UI of the popup needs a ton of work. Not scannable, terrible data density, no hint as to where the "BAD" information is in the case of a bad contractor, and more. Get to work guys. Wow - the UI of the popup needs a ton of work. Not scannable, terrible data density, no hint as to where the “BAD” information is in the case of a bad contractor, and more.

Get to work guys.

]]> By: Chris Saad http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246529 Chris Saad Fri, 02 May 2008 00:23:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246529 Well done Khris and team - love your stuff :) Well done Khris and team - love your stuff :)

]]> By: Michael D http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246526 Michael D Fri, 02 May 2008 00:23:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246526 Lot's of potential with a widget like this. Great to see something that took more brain power to create than a simple survey or weather widget. Lot’s of potential with a widget like this. Great to see something that took more brain power to create than a simple survey or weather widget.

]]> By: Dario http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246523 Dario Fri, 02 May 2008 00:21:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246523 Seriously necessary. It amazes me the level at which many tradespeople operate. How can a business person operate so shoddily? This is not to say that many business people outside of general trades are flawless so please dont infer that from my comment. Seriously necessary. It amazes me the level at which many tradespeople operate. How can a business person operate so shoddily?

This is not to say that many business people outside of general trades are flawless so please dont infer that from my comment.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246521 Andrew Fri, 02 May 2008 00:21:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246521 Wow that a cool.I remember one time a plumber came over and made the problem bigger and i had to call someone else. Wow that a cool.I remember one time a plumber came over and made the problem bigger and i had to call someone else.

]]> By: acedanger http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246518 acedanger Fri, 02 May 2008 00:20:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246518 @1 no need to be redundant, you could have just said "contractors" since half-assed is implied @1 no need to be redundant, you could have just said “contractors” since half-assed is implied

]]> By: adrian chan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246514 adrian chan Fri, 02 May 2008 00:19:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246514 Yah khris -- congrats! Yah khris — congrats!

]]> By: Meet Folks Online http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246469 Meet Folks Online Fri, 02 May 2008 00:08:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/01/a-widget-that-does-background-checks-on-plumbers-painters-products-and-more/#comment-2246469 Boy will this service come in handy. I've been burned a couple of times by half-assed contractors. Boy will this service come in handy. I’ve been burned a couple of times by half-assed contractors.

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