MarketMonitortheNews for Better Business Bureau Accredited Businesses June 2012

1

1

INSIDE

Homeowners Trust BBBuildZoom.com, a website that specializes in ranking and rating contractors

across the US, recently conducted a survey of homeowners as part of a research project aimed at exploring a variety of topics centering around satisfication and hiring for home improvement contracting jobs. The homeowners in this survey had hired at least one home improvement contractor in the past year and were asked “What methods do you use when trying to find a home improvement contractor?” The question allowed multiple responses.

BBB outpaced Angie’s List, Google, and other referral services as the most trustworthy source used by consumers when selecting a contractor. (See chart at left). Customers who got their referrals from BBB were also more satisfied with the results of the work performed than were homeowners who got their referrals from other sources. The other referral services included in the survey were Craigslist, Google, ServiceMagic, Yellow Pages, and Yelp.

Fuel-Saving Devices Typically Not “Fuel-Smart” hen the first mandated

gasoline rationing occurred in United States history in 1942, the newspapers were soon full of ads for “fuel saving” additives, gadgets, gizmos, and gimmicks. When gas was rationed again in the 1970’s, “fuel-saving” devices were, once again, quite common products in the marketplace. The ads seem quite silly by today’s standards, after all we know now that there’s no way to magically convert gasoline to water, but it seems some things will never change. Every time gas prices rocket, so do claims by companies that they have a new product that can mitigate the effect. (Continued on Page 2)

(Vintage Fuel-Saving Advertisement)

Service to the CommunityReports issued on companies/charities.................. Customer complaints filed............. Lists of BBB Accredited Businesses provided by industry...................www.cleveland.bbb.org visits.....Advertising review cases initiated.......

Top 10 Inquiry-Generating Industries1. Roofing Contractors2. Mortgage Brokers3. Health & Medical (General)4. General Contractors5. Collection Agencies6. Construction & Remodeling Services7. Auto Dealers - Used Cars8. Auto Repair & Service9. Landscape Contractors0. Plumbers

Top 10 Complaint-Generating Industries

1. Insurance Companies2. Auto Dealers - New Cars3. Collection Agencies4. Auto Dealers - Used Cars5. Mail Order & Catalog Shopping6. Auto Repair & Service7. Manufacturers & Producers8. Television - Cable, CATV, & Satellite9. Banks0. Magazine Sales

Greater Cleveland BBB Activity Report January - May 2012

401,3443,407

24,833368,826

174

Meet a New BBB Director

On Our Radar

Accreditation RevocationsB2B Discounts for You

BBB Controls Workers’ Comp Costs

B

W

BBB Centennial 1912 - 2012

Fuel-Saving Devices Typically Not “Fuel-Smart” (from Front)

Change Your Accounts Payable Address

The BBB’s new address for receiving payments has changed. Please update your records. The new address is:

Better Business BureauPO Box 91039

Cleveland, OH 44101 - 9003

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency started testing such devices in the 1970’s to ensure that no damage to vehicles was being caused by these aftermarket products and that vehicle emissions were not being adversely affected. These are two areas which are usually the most problematic when it comes to installing “fuel saving” devices. Recently, Fuel-Smart, a Mentor company manufacturing a “fuel-saving” device contacted

BBB regarding its “F” rating. BBB had requested substantiation of company claims on its website that it guaranteed fuel savings of 20%. Fuel-Smart was unable to provide the BBB with independent quantifiable documentation to validate fuel savings. Instead, the company provided several anecdotal e-mail testimonials from distributors of the product. The company also claimed to have several product patents “pending” but BBB determined that the patent application numbers the company provided were either expired or abandoned. In short, there was no “patent pending” on the product. Furthermore, the product operates on a concept called “variable displacement.” Simply put, the product is preventing cylinders in the engine from firing during deceleration or coasting. Many newer cars already have this as a stock feature, but experts warn that installing aftermarket add-ons like these risk damaging the car. Unburned air in the exhaust makes the engine and exhaust run very hot. Extra heat can do severe damage to a car such as melt the catalytic converter or blow a head gasket. The gadget could actually worsen gas consumption. Depending on the vehicle, the “fuel feedback system” may sense extra oxygen in the mix and try to put more fuel in to compensate. As a result, any cars with this or a similar product installed may constantly flash the Malfunction Indicator Light (also called “MIL” or Check Engine light). In short, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. There are many more inexpensive ways to save fuel that don’t involve soldering wires to your fuel injectors and brake switches. For example you can:

(The Fuel-Smart Device)

• Change your driving habits. No “jack rabbit” starts. • Use cruise control when possible. • Drive with the windows up and remove any roof racks (to reduce drag).• Don’t use your A/C. • Avoid idling. • Use highways when possible and practical.• Makesureyourtiresareproperlyinflatedandyourcar is properly maintained(regularoilchanges,changeairfilters,andtuneups).• Clear out excess “junk in the trunk” and weight so your car won’t have to bear the load.

(December 4, 1937 Plain Dealer)

Your BBB Business Review Have You...

- Encouraged customers to post reviews?

- Uploaded photos of your work, staff, logos, etc?

- Added coupons for customers?

For more information on enhancing and updating your Business Review, contact Laura at (216) 623-8964 x107 or at mybbb@cleveland.bbb.org.

190 Businesses, Businesses Like Yours

June 2012

Meet a New BBB Director

Name: Alex Petrus

Company: Guidestone (Formerly Berea Children’s Home and Family Services)

Position: Vice President of Advancement

Fun Facts: He enjoys serving as a mentor to those entering the fundraising field and serving in a number of volunteer capacities in the area and in his community. In his spare time, he also likes to play golf, do woodworking, and smoke cigars.

B2B Discounts for BBB Accredited Businesses

Credit Card ProcessingTSYS Merchant Solutions offers rates as low as 1.52% on retail transactions and 2.09% for mail and phone orders (plus a nominal fee per transaction). Small monthly fee. Call (888) 562-6737 for details.

Document ShreddingAll Ohio Secure Shred will shred documents on site for $22/month for one container. Also, one-time bulk purge for 10 cents/lb. $50 minimum.Call (216) 332-9850 or (888) 747-3394.

Phone ServiceEaston Telecom - Rates ranging from 2.5¢ - 3.5¢/minute for long distance calls, toll-free lines as low as 1.79¢/minute. 5% discount off most retail services. Contact Jim Butler at (800) 222-8122.

Pre-Employment Background ReportsInstant online Criminal Checks for under $10 each. Other reports also discounted. Monthly fee waived (save $120 a year!), $100 enrollment fee waived. Call IntelliCorp at (888) 946-8355.

Payroll ServiceHeartland Payroll Co. - Savings of as much as 50% on payroll fees. Call Brian Nelson at (440) 371-5245.

BBB Group Rating/RetroControls Costs

The 4,700 current participants in the Ohio BBB Workers’ Comp Group Rating Program reduced their premiums by over $22 million dollars this year through aggressive claims management and comprehensive safety programs by the BBB’s partner, Sheakley.

Claims history keeping you out of group rating? Check out Group Retro! Sheakley represents more than 40% of all Ohio private employers in the 2011/12 Group Retro program. Employers enrolled in BBB’s Group Retro program are projected to save an average of $18,700 off premiums over 3 years.

Call BBB’s Laura Fitzgerald at (216) 623-8964 x107 for a FREE analysis.

Accreditation Revocations

BBB accreditation is a privilege given to businesses which agree to comply with BBB Standards. Accreditation is suspended by BBB staff when a company fails to live up to those standards. Suspensions are referred to the Accreditation Committee of the BBB’s Board of Directors, which rules on revocation.

Friar Home Improvement of Parma had its accreditation revoked for failing to maintain three accreditation standards including failure to resolve two complaints, failure to maintain a “B” rating, and failure to maintain a level of financial responsibility. Among the complaints was one from a homeowner who provided a $15,000 loan to the company in exchange for a lower contract price. However, the company failed to make promised payments on schedule.

Tint-N-More of Cleveland, a company that specializes in automobile accessorizing, had its accreditation revoked after failing to resolve a complaint concerning a punctured gas tank discovered in a car shortly after company installation of products.

The accreditation of Alliance Construction & Roofing of Westlake was revoked after failing to resolve complaints. In total, the company has had 7 complaints in the last year and 4 of those remain unresolved. The complaints indicate that homeowners made substantial down payments for work that was never performed. The company’s two locations appear to have closed recently.

Allstate Roofing’s accreditation was revoked after failure to comply with the accreditation standard requiring timely responses and good faith efforts to resolve customer complaints. Allstate’s owner appeared before the Accreditation Committee to appeal its decision. The Committee voted to uphold the revocation.

June 2012

On Our RadarIn recent weeks, several new advance fee loan businesses have surfaced using Cleveland-area addresses. These include:

Cleveland Capital Trust – An Ohio consumer seeking $8,000 for college tuition was approved for a loan but instructed to wire $435 to Jamaica to get the funds. Company claims to be in business since 2006. Its website, ccapitaltrust.com, was created May 7, 2012.

Marigold Financial Solutions – A Georgia woman complained to BBB after sending $1,400 for her $5,000 loan. She became suspicious when the company kept requiring additional fees before providing the funds. Marigold’s website was created in May 2012, and is registered to a Canadian address. Mizani Financial Solutions – Mizani claims to be “listed” with the BBB and told a Canadian consumer to wire $600 in order to get a $8,000 loan – without even checking the consumer’s credit report. First Federal Associated Lending - A Florida woman called BBB when she was told to wire $850 in advance for a $10,000 loan “because her credit was so bad”. Company’s website claims they have been “building customer loyalty since 1999” yet the website was just created May 25, 2012.

BBB has confirmed that none of the above businesses have required licensing to offer loans nor any business filing with the Ohio Secretary of State. BBB has alerted the Ohio Department of Commerce.

The Market MonitorBetter Business Bureau2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Fl.Cleveland, OH 44115-2408

The Market Monitor (ISSN 1085-5122). June 2012. Volume 7 No.3. Published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October and December by the Better Business Bureau, Inc. 2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44115-2408, Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Market Monitor, 2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Fl, Cleveland, OH 44115-2408.

Periodicals Postage Paid

Connect and engage with us on our social media platforms to boost the visibility of your business. Share our valuable timely consumer content with your followers. Also stay current on the latest BBB news briefings and Centennial news. Experience the ways that following BBB benefits consumers and businesses alike!

You may have missed interesting posts and articles about topics like:

Moving? Or do you just need extra room? In 2011, BBB received more than 1,000 complaints against storage unit rental companies. (”StoreYourBelongingswithConfidence–NotWithTrepidation” article from the BBB News Center)

How long would it take to crack your p@55w0rd? Or one similar to it? (Article from NakedSecurity)

Need your chimney cleaned? Floor waxed? Junk removed? Or are you looking for a maid or butler? Check out one of our Accredited Businesses! (List of Accredited Businesses who were part of our “Spring Cleaning” Facebook Post)

facebook.com/BBBCleveland

Boost Your Online Visibility - Connect with Us!Your BBB will kick

off its 100th year with a signature event on December 6th. The downtown breakfast event will celebrate BBB’s history and the many businesses whose commitment through the years have kept your local BBB vital and relevant. See what has changed for BBB (and Cleveland) over the past 100 years…and what hasn’t. Cleveland icon Dick Feagler will keynote the event, which will also again feature BBB’s Students of Integrity Awards presentation.

BBB’s annual business meeting will be held this year in conjunction with the meeting of the Board of Directors on October 30th at 8 AM at BBB offices.

Hold the Date to Celebrate!