Handy Pro

I'm a 5-Star Certified Angi (formerly Handy) Pro with !00% positive feedback. That's because I care about my customers. I was taught at a young age by my dad how to work with my hands, good values, integrity and good service to customers. Unfortunately on many occasions, I have been faced with situations where Angi's services and policies fall short of promises made to customers, and forced me (The Independent Contractor / Expert) to either make it right, or ask customers for more money than what was quoted for the job, or, if they refuse to pay, leave the job. (Angi support says, "I am under no obligation to stay if the customer refuses to pay.")

One customer recently purchased a kids bunk bed from an Angi partner; Target, Wayfair, Walmart, or Costco, etc. for about $600, and this included $492 for assembly. The job assignment required two "professionals", to show up for 2 hours, but I was the only one who did.

Here's where it gets complicated: Out of $492 that the customer pays, I get $38.50. (Hard to believe?) Also, we get paid for our time, not per job. $38.50 is for 2 hours worth of work. That means if the job takes longer than what is estimated, which often happens, it puts us in a compromising position to have to ask the customer directly for more money.

In this example, had the other guy shown up, everything would have been OK for the customer, but now, in order to get it done, so the customer could have a bed for her kids, I had to extend my time another 2 hours (cancelling other jobs) and request Angi for more money. All I can say is asking Angi to do what's right, is ridiculously hard, and time consuming (unpaid time) and a bit like pulling teeth from a crocodile.

They refer me back to "the customer" (You guys) to ask for more money. And sometimes when I have done this, especially when I was new, it puts me in a very awkward situation. (In the end, after much to do, I stayed on this job, finished it up, put my best work into it, and got another $38.50 for the additional two hours. And a tip from the customer.) But this is one of many incidents, where the "machine" breaks down and I had to collaborate with customers to get paid from Angi for the rightful pay for hours I spend doing the work. Angi, from my observation, really does not care about either of us in that process any more than an packing machine cares about the meat it's packing. It's a machine. (It works. But there's no heart or humanity, or soul, especially when the system breaks down.)

Customer's frequently lament about trying to cancel or reschedule jobs, and it doesn't get done and I show up when they had cancelled and that's when they tell me about their experience; an overall lack of / poor customer service. (That is another Angi outsource.)

I have so many more stories... I have done over 100 jobs, and I think you get the point. Not everything about Angi / Handy is bad. Like other 'gig economy' business models, it gets people who would not ordinarily meet in the same local area to meet. And that's a good thing. And it gets people like me with a valuable skill set, active and doing something constructive, between jobs and other sources of income. And, most of the other "Pros" I've met along the way are good guys.

(I have not met anyone from Angi.) What Angi calls "certified" is not much of an assurance of anything honestly, except to give the perception to the customer that there's some sort of "vetting" going on. As I said earlier, it's a machine, backed by legal ease, and at the end of the day, they have no clue who's entering your home.

One thing I will say in closing is that the economy created by Angi and it's partners huge price differential between what it charges it's customers and what "Pros" actually receive is not a healthy one. (Notice I said, "between jobs" above. That's because when you add in the cost of travel and tolls and parking to the already very low rates that Angi is paying it's "Pros", you realize that if this was a "Professional's" only income, they would be at or below poverty level in the United States.

It is like the outsourcing of our manufacturing base to third-world countries for so many products in the United States. But the standard of living of these people at that low income level is something we don't give a second thought to.

The problem is when you invite people who are willing to work at such a low income level into your home; some who could be desperate for paying the rent, supporting a family, may have an addition, etc, there could be consequences. Especially as inflation rises and the economy falters. Consequences which Angi is protected against from a liability standpoint, just like Big Pharma cannot be prosecuted for adverse reactions to a vaccine, but your home and your family is not protected from. The machine protects itself.

I do recommend Angi to customers in the hopes that they find an honest handyman and create a long-term relationship with them.

inexperience pros, bad customer service and dishonest company. have used four times and only one was a success - the pros either didn't show up or did and couldn't complete the job.

I asked Angelo for a quote and expressed to him that I did not have a ladder. He explained that he did not either for the work I needed done this weekend...so I opted for a different company who could provide one. I thanked him through text when he followed up with me. "You're a waste of my God damn time. Good luck. I hope they screw you." Was his response.

We exchanged a few emails back and forth for less than 24 hours. That's it. That's the "time" he is referring to. I truly do not know how to react to someone speaking to me like this. I understand we all have our bad days and I am sure he is capable of great work, but there is no excuse for this behavior.

0 STARS. Liar. Thief. Cheat. Scam Artist. Criminal.

Some basic words to describe Angelo and his HandyPro business. He stole my money and vanished with it. Never hire him and we should all aim to put this scammer out of business and behind bars.

Before you read my story, please note the other 1-star reviews on here. They're all the same about him vanishing mid-project and communicates absolutely nothing with you. Except with me, he actually took $200 and ran away with it. You'll also notice he replies to the 1-star review with some terrible excuse/reason just so he can justify to himself that he's not a bad person and a con artist. Nobody's buying it Angelo.

Story: I contacted Angelo in early February to get a quote on a project in my apartment. After some back and forth contact and, we finally decided on a date in late February when our schedules lined up. He comes in on Saturday, February 28th to take measurement and secure a deposit for the materials he would need. I've done some of my own research and the amount he asks for as a deposit is a fair amount. He comes in and takes measurements, takes my deposit, and e-mails me a receipt. He's supposed to show up at 9am the next day, Sunday.

Low and behold, he doesn't show up, no phone calls, no emails, no texts, no trace of where he is. I called him numerous times, left him voice mails, texts, emails, even messaged him via Yelp.........nothing. I keep trying the day after as well. At this point, I want my money back and and don't care about the project.

Tuesday morning, Angelo decides to e-mail me......not call me back given that I've left at least 10 voice mails, 50+ missed calls, and tons of texts.

His email reads "My wife's car was impounded Saturday evening from our parking lot along with all materials and my cell phone. I was able to retrieve my cell phone yesterday. The car and materials will have to be picked up once we can get the car out. I'll be happy to return the money if I can return the materials to home depot. Please leave me ur number because I do not have it on my cell phone."

The COWARD that he is, he e-mails me citing some terrible story as to why he didn't show up. His story had so many holes. You would think a master scammer such as Angelo would tighten up his story a little more, but he's not even a professional scammer. He probably can't do any real handy work at all, to be honest. Just lies, cheats, and steals his way through life. After e-mailing him back and pointing out the holes in his story, I demand my money back. Since then, no contact from him at all. Now why would he delete phone calls/texts from his phone? He even offered to give me my money back if he can return the materials, then why hasn't be replied to my email demanding my money back?

After a few more attempts at contacting him, I haven't heard back and now I'm writing this review to make the world know of this cheat. He'll probably reply with some terrible excuse but after people read this review, I hope he never has any more customers ever again.

Save your time and money everybody. Angelo is a cheat and Handy Pro is a scam.

**Reply to his comment**

See everybody, I told you he would come back with some fictional story. I never cancelled on him, I never signed any contract stating the deposit is subject to forfeit (he even sent me a receipt), I never met him at Starbucks, I certainly never got my money back, and I certainly never threatened him with my family/friends to leave negative reviews. I did threaten to file a police report and believe me, I will do that. Angelo either has a mental issue where he's confusing his lies for truth....or he's actually a con-artist and thief. Take your pick people.

Also notice the way he ended his comment.....by calling me a "Haji". I am a brown-skinned person and this guy chooses to swing a racial slur at me. How professional of him? Like I said, never ever hire him for anything.

Responded quickly - only positive.

Agreed that he should come at noon. The day of, at 9:36 am, he tells me he can't come at noon and asks if he can come a bit later. I answer at 9:49 that it's fine. He never responds. I write him at 10:54, and he doesn't respond.

At around noon, I give up and I had to scramble to find another handyman that can come on the same day.

Unprofessional behaviour. At least answer and tell me you can't come. He made something that was not supposed to be stressful, extremely stressful.

I WAS looking for quotes and Mr Handy was rude insisting he wasn't available when he clearly got messages mixed up... What a jerk! If you offer services the first thing is NOT being rude to possible clients!

Angelo started out courteous, then told us we needed to buy extra things in addition to the full TV mounting kit we'd researched and bought. He also said he couldn't do the job until late at night, which didn't work for us. So, we politely told him we'd found someone else who had the equipment and could come at a better time. His response:

All good. Fucking flakes
Make sure u leave a bad review for calling u a flake just like the last bitch

As you wish, Angelo.

Angelo was extremely courteous and precise. It is clear he knows exactly what he is doing anddd his rates were fair. He installed two Acs for me + put up two paintings. I was impressed by the level of professionalism he displayed! He offered lots of free tips as well, which was really kind. Don't hesitate to reach out to him....Would def use again :)

I don't know if you're a really bad liar, Angelo, or just very confused but here's the number listed for the Handy Pro deal on Amazon Local, which you said you don't have an account with:

"Call merchant at (646) 490-6391 with questions"

Sure looks like yours, doesn't it?

I used Angelo when I moved into my new apartment and he was absolutely wonderful. I called him and he came to my apartment within two hours. He hung closet rods + shelves in my closet, put together an entertainment center and hung blinds. He was thorough and everything was put together well. You could tell he held his work to a high standard.

I will definitely use Angelo again and have even recommended him to friends since!