Angie’s List, the runaway hit local household (and now local heath care) rating and referral service, is on a roll. The better business brainchild of founder Angie Hicks has grown a glowing 3500% in the Seattle market since launching here in May of 2005. The helpful home care hub which outflanked and outlasted Judy’s Book, among others, counts over 20,000 Seattle members in its ranks who have commented on more than 9,700 local businesses. What can the booming advisory service, which offers “members-only” advice and recommendations for $5.25/month or $40.00/year (including access to a call-in center and a complaint resolution service), tell us about our local needs and attitudes?
The top 10 most requested Angie’s List categories for Seattle in the past year are these:
1. Plumbing
2. Roofing
3. Windows
4. Remodeling – General
5. Remodeling – Kitchen & Bathroom
6. Heating & A/C
7. Painting – Exterior
8. Landscaping
9. Handymen
10. Electrical
Seattle members also appear to be slightly more “green” than other markets. 54% of Seattle members responded to a recent poll saying they would consider buying a hybrid car, while only 46% of respondents from across the country said the same thing.
80% of Seattle members say they live somewhat of a “green lifestyle”, but admit they could do much more. 70% of poll respondents from across the country claim the same. [24×7]
City’s Public Toilet Role Ends on E-Bay
Seattle city officials have finally gotten rid of five high-tech self-cleaning toilets that cost the city $5 million. The porta-potties sold online for just $12,549.
The city installed the modernistic stand-alone toilets four years ago, hoping they would provide tourists and the homeless a place to do their business while downtown. But the automated loos became better known for drug use and prostitution than for relief.
Neighbors and analysts said they were less cost-effective than regular public restrooms, and in May, the City Council voted to sell them on eBay. After a failed first attempt, when a $89,000 minimum failed to attract a single bid, the city revised its strategy in hopes of sparking a bidding free-for-all.
But despite more than 9,000 combined page views, only 148 bids were cast.
One of the five toilets, which currently graces the downtown waterfront, sold for $4,899, but the average sale was just over $2,510.
A Rochester, Wash., business, Racecar Supply, won all five auctions, which ended Thursday. Butch Behn, the owner, said he plans to use two of the units at the South Sound Speedway and sell the other three.
“It’d probably be good to have a couple around for spares,” he said. “We get pretty busy at the track sometimes.” [24×7]
