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BBB Remains on the Front Lines for Consumers with New Products, New Resources and a New Look

5/15/2008

HAMILTON, ON - The 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 Davidé Ward-Mathis III, President & CEO of the South Central Ontario BBB. "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 (70 percent) "say they would be more likely to buy from a BBB Accredited Business."

Other visible changes at BBB include a new logo, a redesigned Web site and a new tagline: "Start With Trust". 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 Ward-Mathis. "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."

The BBB continues to offer the same services that consumers always have relied upon for help in every stage of the buying process, including:
• BBB Reports on Businesses – BBB Reliability Report on businesses help consumers make informed decisions and find trustworthy businesses with factual and objective information gathered by BBB.
• 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.
• Complaint and Dispute Resolution Services – Consumers can contact their BBB to help them resolve disputes with any type of business.

About the BBB System

BBB is an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behaviour. The Better Business Bureau of South Central Ontario was founded in 1938. South Central Ontario includes Hamilton, Halton, Niagara and the Brantford regions of Southern Ontario. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behaviour. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability Reports and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is a difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 130 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit hamilton.bbb.org for more information about the BBB System.