Edmonton, AB – October 2, 2007 Today, Better Business Bureau (BBB) announced it has changed the way businesses affiliated with the organization are designated, from “BBB Member” to “BBB Accredited Business.” This change is part of a larger public outreach campaign highlighting the valuable information, resources and services BBB offers the public to help them make informed pre-purchase decisions.
The new “Accredited” designation highlights the fact that businesses affiliated with BBB contractually agree to meet and uphold BBB’s high standards for integrity and reliability when dealing with consumers. BBB reviews each potential accredited business and strictly enforces its standards, rewarding only those meeting and upholding BBB Standards For Trust.
“Accreditation clearly defines what a business has achieved, stands for and promises to consumers,” said Chris Lawrence, CEO of BBB Serving Central and Northern Alberta. “BBB Accredited Businesses pledge to follow through on their commitments, deliver on their promises and right any wrongs if an honest mistake has been made.”
In a recent survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International on behalf of BBB, two-thirds of consumers “say they think the term BBB Accredited Business is a better way to identify a company affiliated with the BBB.” The survey also showed that seven in 10 consumers (69 percent) “say they would be more likely to buy from a BBB Accredited Business.”
Other visible changes at BBB include a new logo and tagline: “Start With TrustSM”. This new tagline describes the vision and spirit of BBB to work with businesses and consumers to create a strong marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.
“Consumers should always Start With Trust with their BBB for reliable, objective advice, including which businesses they can trust and which businesses they need to avoid,” added Chris Lawrence. “BBB is, and always has been, the standard for trust in business. We want to make sure the public doesn’t lose out on all the information and services that are available to them.”
In addition, BBB continues to offer the same services that consumers always have relied upon for help in every stage of the buying process, including:
- BBB tips and alerts – BBB provides pre-purchase advice for consumers on a wide range of issues, and also posts alerts on the latest consumer scams and fraud incidences and tips on how to avoid them.
- BBB reports on businesses – BBB Reliability ReportsTM on businesses help consumers make informed decisions with factual and objective information gathered by BBB.
- Complaint and dispute resolution services – Consumers can contact their BBB to help them resolve disputes with any type of business.
- Advertising Review - BBB also promotes fairness and accuracy in advertising and reviews advertising for truth and accuracy.
- e-Quote – Consumers can request prices and information online, from over 4200 type of business categories from BBB Accredited Businesses.
- Google™ Maps BBB Listings – Consumers can search for businesses, by name and location in Google™ Maps (www.google.ca/maps) and Local Search Results at the top of the main page on www.google.com. By clicking on “More Info”, beside the company’s name, find out that they belong to BBB.
For more information about BBB Serving Central and Northern Alberta, visit www.edmonton.bbb.org