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Better Business Bureau – June Naming Names, 2008

Monthly BBB Hit Parade

Naming Names is not about revenge or vindictiveness, it is about accountability. The BBB enforces Accredited Business standards and holds non-accredited businesses accountable by naming names in the top ten categories for the month.

Naming Names is a monthly release of the complaint handling activities of the BBB’s non-accredited businesses for the previous month. All complaints that have closed out in the BBB’s previous month’s timeframe are utilized to compile this monthly Naming Names. What warrants companies named in this release? Those non-accredited businesses that 1) don’t answer complaints brought to their attention by the BBB, 2) have a complaint closed disputed, which means that, despite attention to the complaint, the company did not resolve the issue, 3) are unable to be found and have mail returned to the BBB as undeliverable, 4) have had an unusual volume of complaints for the month that, as a result, drove its industry to the top ten (whether they resolved the complaints or not).

PLEASE NOTE: Companies named in the top ten monthly categories are non-accredited businesses ONLY. BBB Accredited Businesses are held to a higher standard of delivering trust, and as a result, no BBB Accredited Business is "named" in the top ten categories of the Naming Names list. BBB Accredited Businesses can’t have unanswered complaints, a pattern of complaints, nor be "unable to be pursued" and maintain BBB accreditation.

If any BBB Accredited Business fails to comply with BBB standards, their accreditation is suspended and sent to the Board of Directors for revocation, in which case they will then be "named" in a separate news release.

TOP TEN COMPLAINT INDUSTRIES

1. CONSTRUCTION, REMODELING, BUILDING CONTRACTORS took the number one spot in June with all but the following complaints closed resolved: Premier Services & Development, Inc. of Spokane, WA., Herrell Construction Co, LLC of Deer Park, WA., Steve’s Painting of Post Falls, ID, and Brown Dog Building Supply of Whitefish, MT each had one unanswered complaint. A-1 Contractors, LLC of Great Falls, MT, GWSN Inc. Contracting of Billings, MT, and Jorgensen Construction of Chattaroy, WA each had one complaint closed unresolved.

Complaints for this category mostly concerned contract, service and guarantee issues.

2. AUTOS-USED took the number two spot in June because of the many deals taking place with the purchase of vehicles due to the gas situation. All complaints were closed resolved except for the following: Ponderosa Motors of Moses Lake, WA, Dale’s Used Autos of Coeur d’Alene, ID, and True’s Auto Plaza of Union Gap, WA each had one unanswered complaint. Complaints for this category mostly concerned guarantee, contract and selling issues.

3. AUTOS-NEW took the number three slot this month with all but the following complaints closed resolved: Rimrock Chrysler Jeep of Billings, MT and Parker Toyota, Inc. of Coeur d’Alene, ID each had one complaint closed unanswered. Complaints for this category mostly concerned repair, contract and billing issues.

4. MAGAZINE SALES took the number four spot this month with all complaints closed resolved and mostly due to the following magazine sales companies located in Montana: America’s Choice Reader Service of Helena, MT. and U.S. Magazine Service of Lolo, MT. Complaints for this category mostly concerned billing/refund issues and selling practices.

TIPS: Never confirm or give your credit card information to a company you don’t know anything about, and if someone tries to hard pitch you to buy magazines, do the math to make sure you really ARE getting a bargain. BBB suggests that you choose magazines on your own accord, and by doing your own research, rather than via a cold call from a source you know nothing about.

5. CABLE AND SATELLITE TV took the number five slot in June with all complaints closed resolved. The majority of complaints were Charter Communications complaints transferred to the St. Louis BBB for resolve. Charter does a high volume of business in this area. Complaints mostly concerned service and billing disputes.

TIPS: Comparison shop, and make sure you have read the contract and know your terms and conditions before signing up for any cable or satellite service.

6. APARTMENTS AND REAL ESTATE RENTALS took the number six slot in June with all but the following complaints closed resolved: John L. Scott Real Estate of Kennewick, WA had two complaints closed unanswered, Peter Nolen, LLC of Wenatchee, WA. and White Water Creek of Post Falls, ID each had one unanswered complaint, and Canyon Bluff Apartment Homes of Spokane, WA. had one unresolved complaint. Complaints for this category mostly concerned deposit, service and guarantees.

7. AUTO/TRUCK REPAIR and SERVICES took the number seven spot in June with all but the following complaint closed resolved: Full Throttle Auto Repair of Post Falls, ID had a complaint closed unresolved. Complaints for this category mostly concerned repair, guarantee and billing issues.

8. RETAIL/GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES took the number eight slot this month with all but the following complaints closed resolved: Guy’s Outdoor Equipment of Lewiston, ID and the UPS Store 5247 of Veradale, WA each had a complaint closed unresolved. Complaints for this category mostly concerned customer service and product issues. BBB NOTE: Read and understand all return policies before purchase if you shop at a store you may be unfamiliar with.

9. HOTELS and MOTELS took the number nine slot in Naming Names in June (due to the season) with all but the following complaints closed resolved: Airway Express Inn of Spokane, WA and Bali Hai Motel of Yakima, WA. each had a complaint closed unanswered. Complaint for this category mostly concerned billing/refund and customer service issues.

10. COLLECTION AGENCIES took the number ten slot in June with all complaints closed resolved. Complaints for this category mostly concerned customer service and billing issues.

CLEARING THE AIR If any company on this list ever responds to the BBB’s Naming Names list wanting to "clear the air," we’ll let you know about it in the next release of Naming Names.

Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho & Montana
152 S. Jefferson, Suite 200, Spokane, WA. 99201
509-455-4200 or 800-356-1007

Media Contact:

Zan Deery, Communications/Investigations
[email protected]
Direct: 509-232-0534
Fax: 509-838-1079

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