WSVN — Most people only think to call the Better Business Bureau after a purchase or service goes bad. In tonight’s Money Monday, Lynn Martinez shows you how the BBB can help us before buying.
We’ve all been there. You do business with a store and have a bad experience.
Michael Galvin, Vice President of Communications, BBB: “The pool man hasn’t come back in three months to finish the pool in the backyard, and there’s nothing but a big hole. So, what are they going to do? They’re going to go to the Better Business Bureau and register a complaint.”
But, if you would have checked with the BBB before signing with that company, it may have been a different story.
Michael Galvin: “Use it as a resource, a resource prior to getting in trouble.”
Some of the the top complaints to the Better Business Bureau are about burglar alarm systems, movers, auto repair services and airlines. All services that can cost you.
Michael Galvin: “The Better Business Bureau can save people money and save people a lot of heartache by going to them first and checking out the contractors and the businesses that they are doing business with.”
Go to the BBB website, type in the state and the name of the business, and you have all the information you need to decide if the business is worth your time or money.
Michael Galvin: “Find out who it is, find out how many complaints they have, find out what their letter rating is before you do business.”
The biggest thing the BBB watches out for is a pattern in the complaints.
Michael Galvin: “The business has 30 days to respond to the complaint. So, they’re a part of the system.”
If the business doesn’t respond and try to fix the problem, it will all be there online for you to see, a red flag to look out for.
Michael Galvin: “If they’re not with the BBB, steer clear of them. There’s too many people popping up, making promises and then walking away with your money.”
The website is free and open for anyone to use.
Michael Galvin: “A lot of times, good buy means goodbye, there goes your money. We want to make sure people understand that there’s a whole formula that you have to look at.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Better Business Bureau
bbb.org