Better Business Bureau serving Ashland, Medina, Portage, Richland ...

Better Business Bureau serving Ashland,
Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit &
Wayne Counties
FACTS
December 2010 Volume IX
Generate Goodwill and Help a Charity through
Cause-Related Marketing
Cause-related marketing is a great option for small business
owners to help a charity and generate goodwill for the
company. Whether it's donating proceeds from sales to a
charity or encouraging customers to give, BBB Wise Giving
Alliance recommends that small business owners consider the
benefits of partnering with a worthy cause.
According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, at the close of
2008, 60 percent of small business owners reported that the
tough economy had affected their charitable giving. When
times are tight, businesses may need to get creative about
helping charities. Cause-related marketing is a great option for
businesses that can't necessarily write a big check.
The recent breast cancer awareness month is a great example
of the impact of cause-related marketing. Bright pink ribbons
were everywhere in October as businesses donated proceeds
from regular sales or for limited edition pink items.
Embedded giving is another way that businesses can partner
with charities to raise money. Embedded giving is common at
stores where customers are asked if they want to donate to a
charity at check out and then the desired amount is tacked
onto their total.
"Times are tough for small business owners, but that doesn't
mean they can't be good corporate citizens and help out a
In This Issue
BBB Operations Activity
BBB Accreditations Revoked
Who's Minding the Store
BBB Discount Program
New Accredited Businesses
Membership Anniversaries
New Money Savings to BBB
Accredit Businesses
New Online Feature for BBB
Accredited Businesses
7 Ways Small Business Law can
help you.
BBB Warns Area Businesses not
to Fall Prey to Phony Invoices
New Accredited Businesses
We welcome these new Accredited
Businesses. They can be proud of
their decision to support the Better
Businesses Bureau's work on behalf of
self regulation and ethical business
practices.
Joining between 10/01/2010 and
11/30/2010.
Akron
Akron Beauty School, Inc.
Brown Mackie College
Custom Trim of America
Foam of Akron, Inc.
Henry B. Ball Jewelers

worthy cause this holiday," said Victor Wlaszyn, President and
CEO of the BBB serving Ashland, Medina, Portage, Richland,
Summit & Wayne Counties "By partnering with a charity, small
businesses can help raise awareness as well as money for the
cause and generate goodwill for the company in the process."
Before soliciting donations on behalf of a charity, or engaging
in any cause related marketing efforts, the BBB Wise Giving
Alliances offers the following advice to small business owners:
Do your research
When choosing a charity to donate to, always research the
organization thoroughly. Visit their website and look for details
on the charity's programs, finances, and governance. Always
check the charity out with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to see
if they meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Get formal permission from the charity
Charities are trademarked entities, so before you place their
logo all over your marketing materials, contact the charity to
get permission to use their name and likeness. They might
also have ideas for cross promotion or additional ways you can
help out.
Include the right disclosures
At some point prior to the purchase, the customer should be
presented with the following information:
• How much from each purchase will go toward the
charity.
•
•
The time frame for the campaign.
If applicable, the minimum or maximum amount that
the charity will receive.
For more advice on being a savvy donor and to review BBB
Wise Giving Alliance evaluations on more than 1200 national
charities, visit www.bbb.org/charity.
BBB Operations Activity
January - September 2010
Company Reports Issued: 460,706
September
Website Reports Issued: 18,907
BBB Staff: 997
Total: 19,904
BBB AutoLine Arbitrations 2
HBA Arbitrations 1
BBB Member Arbitrations 4
BBB Member Mediations 1B
Complaints Processed 3,963
Ad Review 108
Pella Window & Door, Co.
Ultragloss
Ashland
Weaver Home Improvements
Brunswick
Ber's Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Madd Chefs
Quality Collision Center, Inc.
Cuyahoga Falls
Custom Catering, Inc.
Weatherseal Home Services Inc.
Hinckley
Brad's Lawn Services
Kent
Angelic Monument Co.
Tarheel Construction Inc.
Macedonia
Innovative Global Vision, Inc.
Marshallville
Sam's Automotive
Medina
Maibach's Home Furnishings
Pole Cat Cycles, LLC
Northfield
Northfield Tire Company
Randolph
Wise Chevrolet Inc.
Ravenna
WK Pools, Hometopia
Sagamore Hills
Mae Construction, LLC
Streetsboro
Classic Kia of Streetsboro
Tallmadge
Saulic's Heating & Air
Wadsworth
J. Patrick Construction
Windham
Roberts Construction

BBB Accreditations Revoked
The following company's BBB Accreditations were
revoked by the BBB's Executive Commitee:
November 19, 2010
Interval Brotherhood Home for a Government Action
filed against them.
Mr. Handyman of Northern Summit County for one or
more unresolved complaint filed with the BBB.
Who's Minding The Store
Despite two written requests from the BBB, the
following listed companies have not responded to a
complaint during the period of October 1, 2010
and November 30, 2010. Numbers in ( ) indicate the
number of unanswered complaints.
AKRON
A 1 Resources (3); A... Max Music; Ace Tax; Action Tire One Ltd.; All 4
Seasons Lanscape & Design; Allure Nail Spa & Hair Studio; BIGS Home
Services; Dave Walter Inc.; DREAM; Frecka Myers Industries; Furniture
& Mattress Liquidators; Homecare Collection Service; JCS
Construction, LLC; Johnny On The Spot Home Remodeling; M P
Commercial Blacktop Paving; Mattucci Construction; Medical Modalities;
Mobility Works; NSA Technologies, LLC; O'Reilly Auto Parts; Payless
Cleaners; Precision Overhead Garage Door Service; Smokers Outlet;
South Street Quality Appliances (3); Stephen A. Walker Liquidating;
Team Health; Van's Tire, Inc; Wet Seal; YRC Inc. (2)
BARBERTON
Brite Top Enterprises
BRUNSWICK
Empire Landscaping
BUTLER
Omorrow German Shepherds
CLINTON
Four Seasons Swimming Pool
COPLEY
Concrete Sensations
CUYAHOGA FALLS
Area Wide Plumbing and Drain
DOYLESTOWN
Richard's Garage Door Service
HINCKLEY
Star Paving
HUDSON
Akron-Cleveland Engine Exchange (2)
KENT
Stow Tri County Appliances Inc.; Xtreme Tint and Graphics
The Better Business Bureau
extends gratitude and
appreciation to the following
companies for years of
commitment to supporting the
ethics and standards of the BBB
serving Ashland, Medina, Portage,
Richland, Summit and Wayne
Counties.
Renewing Memberships in the period of
07/01/2010 - 09/30/2010.
50 years
Ayers Insurance Agency Inc.
40 years
Garrett Basement Waterproofing Inc.
20 years
Klines Concrete Inc.
15 years
Advance Landscaping Company Inc.
Buckeye Fencing
Don Basch Jewelers Inc.
Emery Electric Inc.
Ferfolia Funeral Homes Inc.
Finally Hear Company
J. Wellington Inc.
New View Window & Door Co., Inc.
Premier GMC Ltd.
Reliable Micro
Rubber City Arches, LLC
Summit Electric
Varney, Fink & Associates, Inc.
10 years
AATEC Inc.
Anshutz Enterprises, Ltd.
Clean Air America
Incipio, Inc.
Time Zone
5 years
Artistic Design Homes, Inc.
Csiszar Construction LLC
ENG Heating & Cooling, Inc.
G.A. Trent Heating & Cooling
Glenn Fisher Jewelry Inc.
Greensman Inc.
Home Appeal LLC
J & L Tent Rental
Julius Zorn Inc.
MBM Logistechs LLC
No-Burn Inc.
Peace of Mind Pet & Plant Sitting
Perri Hearing Aid Services, LLC
Rock Solid Flooring of Dalton LLC
Schroeder Cognitive Development LLC
Sherwin-Williams Company
Stroup & Son Ltd.
Technical Consumer Products Inc.
Tim's Solon Collision Repair, Inc.
NEW MONEY SAVINGS TO BBB
ACCREDITED BUSINESSES

LODI
Harrells Lawn Care LLC
MANSFIELD
EPJ American Crystal; I G Concrete
MANTUA
Midway Grill; Patricks E Z Terms Auto Sales
MEDINA
Appointment Setters; Jawzy's Powersports, Inc.; Medina Bees Youth
Football (2); Royal Forest Landscaping; Soft Wall Finishing Systems, LLC;
Surplus Mags
NORTHFIELD
XtremeModz
NOVA
Mattress Liquidators
ORRVILLE
Stahl Excavating LLC
RAVENNA
Diversified Accounting (2); Globe Auto Sales, Inc.; Wayne P. Jackman
DDS (2)
RICHFIELD
Group Management Services
ROOTSTOWN
Loy Banks; Melton's Affordable Roofing Inc.
SHARON CENTER
Styx Valley Solutions Inc.
SHREVE
Basement Doctor
SEVILLE
Blue Beacon Truck Wash
STREETSBORO
Fit 4 All
STOW
Asphalt Paving General Contracting (2); Highpoint Lawn Service; Reiheld
Roofing
TALLMADGE
A. Buchanan Liquidators, LLC; Ohio Best Foods (2)
TWINSBURG
Twinsburg Brake & Tire
VALLEY CITY
Mason Builders & Remodeling
WINDHAM
Hoffman's Home Service
BBB Business to Business Discount Program
Special discounts are offered by the following companies
exclusively to BBB Accredited Businesses:
IGS ENERGY
IGS will offer the best
residential/small commercial rate
they have available to BBB Accredited
Members that use less than 800 mcf
per year.
KAISER PERMANENTE
FLOURISHPLAN
Kaiser Permanente is offering very
affordable insurance packages
including:
1.) Special rate Health Insurance -
six competitive health plans;
2.) A Dental Plan available through
Delta Dental;
3.) Life Insurance provided through
Assurant, a Fortune 500 company and
provider of specialized insurance
products and services.
Kaiser Permanente serves more than 8.5
million members nationwide, and is one of the
fastest growing health plans in Northeast Ohio.
WORKERS' COMP GROUP RATING
SAVINGS PROGRAM
Member participants are saving up to
51%, the maximum allowable for
2011-2012, on their Ohio BWC
premiums. "In House" claims
management provides same day
service for your employee's workplace
injuries limiting your firm's financial
exposure. Attorney representation is
provided for your company at no
additional cost for Industrial
Commission hearings.
NEW ONLINE FEATURE FOR BBB
ACCREDITED BUSINESSES
In the next couple of weeks all BBB
Accredited Members will have the
opportunity to access their BBB
information through a website, and
make updates if necessary. All
Accredited Members will receive login
information to a website that will
allow you to update your Company
Information, have access to BBB
Accredited Business Seals and Logos,
and will be able to view Reliability
Report inquiries as well as Type of
Business Inquiries.
This will be a great opportunity to
review company information and

A/C Laser Tech, Inc. - (330) 784-3355 - www.aclaser.com
Take $20 off an order of $100 or more for first time
customers only. Offer excludes all technology equipment
and HP Brand Toner and Ink Cartridges.
Coupon code: ACLT01
Akron Tile & Fireplace Inc. - (330) 867-4087
www.akrontileandfireplace.com
10% Off
A Keener Landscape & Design, LLC - (330) 635-5297
www.akeener.com
$100 Towards annual service.
Armored Pest Solutions - (330) 690-3638
AtNetPlus, Inc. - (330) 945-5685
www.atnetplus.com
15% Service discount and a free initial network assesment
for new clients.
Aurora Roofing & Home Improvement - (330) 562-
2648
www.auroraroofing.net
5% Discount of total job upto $300 maximum discount.
Barrington Carpet & Flooring Design - 9330) 896-
4141
www.barringtoncarept.com
10% Discount to all members on any flooring purchase.
Becker Building & Construction LLC -
(330) 725-1109
www.becforbuilding.net
10% Off any project up to $10,000.
5% Off any project $10,000 and up.
BHW Landscape Construction -
(330) 592-1863
www.bhwlandscapeconstruction.com
5-10% Off depending on work done and amount of the
project.
Brandon Heating & Air Conditioning - (330) 686-
9828
www.brandonheating.com
$250 Off the installation of a furnace/air conditioning
package.
Co-Op Optical Eye Care Center - (330) 688-8244
15% Off a complete pair of glasses.
Custom Computer Solutions - (216) 571-2115
www.ccs911.com
15% Off service to all BBB members and employees.
Dry Clean Carpet Care - (330) 431-2587
Two room minimum at $21.00 per room.
Emerald Home Improvement, Inc. - (330) 467-3393
make updates as necessary for the
upcoming 2011 Edition of the
Consumer Directory that will be
published in the early spring of 2011.
Please contact your local BBB
office at 330.253.4565 for more
information on our low cost
advertising opportunities to
promote your company and the
products and services that you
offer.
5 Bad Habits That Keep You From
Getting The Funding You Need.
It's common for small businesses to slip into
bad habits that limit their ability to get
funding. From unscreened customers to
generous payment terms, here are some of the
most common reasons lenders will not loan to
small business owners.
1. Not putting profits back into the
business.
When you hear these pleasant words from your
accountant, "You should take a draw before the
end of the year," think again. Building equity
in your business has a positive impact on your
ability to get funding. A lender always looks at
your debt-to-equity ratio. The more equity you
have, the better your ratio. If you believe you
will be able to grow the business next year, and
will need financing to make it happen, manage
your debt-to-equity ratio as carefully as you
manage your personal taxes.
Good habit: Keep your business solid by
re-investing to support growth.
2. Allowing your customers to run your
business.
Many small businesses leave the setting of
critical business practices to their customers.
If you do not set clear payment terms and
establish a pattern of following up to collect,
your customers will assume they can pay you
when it best suits their business. Following a
policy of credit checks on customers and a
consistent collections process can make
running the cash side of your business much
easier. If you are seeking working capital
funding, your receivables will likely serve as
collateral. Being a good steward of your
collateral means a history of dependable
receivables with few disputes.
Good habit: Establish fair terms with your
customers and follow up - consistently.

10% Discount off of any servicce over $1,000.
Fastener Technology Inc. - (330) 745-8166
www.fastner-technology.com
15% Discount to all BBB members.
Good Feet Arch Supports - (330) 666-4265
www.goodfeet.com
15% Off any regular price purchase.
Hardwood Design - (330) 957-7474
www.hardswooddesign.homestead.com
15% Discount on all products.
Highland Auto Body - (330) 468-2050
www.highlandautobodyandcollision.com
10% Discount off any of our car detailing services for any
BBB members' vehicles or employees' personal vehicles.
Joe's Auto - (330) 688-3611
www.joes-auto.com
10% Off parts and labor and service work. Exclude oil
changes.
Kasidonis Heating & Cooling - (330) 220-8125
10% Off all services provided.
KT Waterproofing - (330) 687-2053
10% Off upto $500 on a full basement system.
15% Off all services.
Madd Chefs - (330) 225-5544
www.maddshefs.com
15% Off entire check, Lunch or Dinner.
Medina Carpet Cleaning - (330) 461-0837
www.medinacarpetcleaning.com
10% Off products and services.
Mohican Maintenance - (419) 589-0003
www.mohicanmaintenance.com
15% Off to seniors & military and prefer customers.
10% Off to other contractors.
5% Off for customers that refer us.
Nanna Accounting & Tax Services - (330) 835-9570
www.nannacpa.com
20% Discount on all services provided.
Ott Electrical Services, Inc. - (330) 677-9249
www.ottelectrical.com
10% Discount on all Ott Electrical Services.
Park Ford - (330) 633-6222
www.parkford.us
Any new vehicle at Invoice Price exept Ford Mustang GT
500.
Paul Davis Restoration - (330) 920-1936
www.pdrestoration.us
3. Blowing off formal financial statements
You might believe that you know every aspect
of your business and creating a formal Income
Statement and Balance Sheet every month is
not necessary. However, if you intend to get a
working capital loan, accurate and timely
financial statements are vital. Additionally,
taken together, the revenues, expenses and
balance sheet need to make sense. If you are
not confident that you know how to read and
interpret financial statements, seek the help of
an accountant or business consultant. Your
financial statements are like a first impression
to a lender.
Good habit: Be disciplined about
preparing accurate and timely financial
statements each month.
4. Winging it instead of 'writing' it
It's not uncommon for small business owners
to take a cowboy mind-set to running the
business. You may see yourself as the Good
Guy whose word is as good as a contract and
who can keep important decisions and plans in
your head. While we hope that is true, lenders
and other businesses judge you by your
business practices. Guard your reputation as a
professional, organized business person by
putting your relationships in writing.
For example, quotes should always be in
writing. When dealing with vendors, negotiate
a payment schedule, put the agreed terms in
writing and then pay on time. If you are going
to pay late, check in with your vendor and let
them know ahead of time. Your credit score
will thank you. Be diligent about clearly
recording in writing loans to and from owners
and other related parties.
Sticking to the practice of putting your
agreements in writing creates the impression
that yours is a well run business and helps the
lender make a fast and favorable decision.
Finally, have a written business plan. A
business plan, even a brief one, demonstrates
to the lender that you have a plan to repay the
loan.
Good habit: Be disciplined about keeping
a record of all agreements and
transactions in writing.
5. Being standoffish about pledging your
assets
Often we see business owners who are
reluctant to sign a personal guarantee or
pledge collateral when seeking funding. It's
natural that a business owner would want to
protect himself and his family. But a lender is
different from an investor. An investor puts up
capital, knowing there is a risk that they will
not get their money back. In return for that
risk, the owner guarantees them a share of
the business's success. A lender, on the other
hand, does not expect a share of the business.
They expect to be repaid. By signing a
personal guarantee and pledging collateral, the

10% Off any water job up to $250.
Pole Cat Cycles - (330) 416-5240
10% discount on parts & service available to BBB
members, per Harley Davidson invoice.
Productive Air Duct - (800) 818-3398
www.4productive.com
Free Estimates. 10% Discount to BBB members.
R.R. Landpro Landscaping LLC - (330) 801 5657
10% Off any service, one time use only.
RPF Group Inc. - (330) 990-0788
www.rpfgroupinc.com
Free one month trial in Sales & Marketing Advisory Board.
Randolph Home Furnishings - (330) 325-1711
10% Off all 'Regular everyday low prices' items.
5% Off all 'Not buy and Clearance items'.
Ravenna Oil Company - (330) 296-9618
www.ravennaoil.com
3% Off oil lubes and accessories.
5% Off oil heating service and parts.
5% Off all dust control services.
5% Off all tanks and accessories.
Raw M-Provements LLC - (330) 571-3636
10% Discount on siding or roofing jobs totaling $3,000 or
more for BBB members.
Ron the Roofer - (330) 867-7365
Roofing - Spouting - Siding
Route 14 Storage, Embroidery & More - (330) 296-
0084
www.route14storage.com
Free embroidery set-up with the purchase of 12 or more
shirts or hats.
Rudy's Carpet - (330) 784-7328
10% Discount to all members to any flooring related
products.
Rusty Dog's Retreat - (330) 658-7387
www.rustydogsretreat.com
1st day of Service Free (Up to $60 Value)
Skibiski Asphalt Co. - (330) 673-9165
5 or 10% Off commercial work.
5% Off residential work.
Sound & Vision, Inc. - (330) 923-5933
www.soundandvision.com1
10% Discount on electronics.
15% Discount on speakers.
Stile Companies - (330) 762-8661
www.stilecompanies.com
owner assures the lender that the loan will be
repaid.
Good habit: Be realistic about the
underlying risks and expectations when
seeking capital.
BBB WARNS AREA BUSINESSES
NOT TO FALL PREY TO PHONE
INVOICES.
The Better Business Bureau is
cautioning businesses about a potential
scam that is targeting local business
owners. The scam involves an
unauthorized shipment and billing of
Office Supplies. The BBB wants to
make sure that you do not fall prey to
this fraudulent billing practice.
Phony invoice scheme crooks and
shysters owe their success to
companies that have careless
bookkeeping practices, inattentive or illequipped
employees, and faulty
corporate communications that blind
each division of a company to the
important responsibilities of another
division. By educating your employees
to identify common invoice scams, you
can help them to defend your business
against these swindlers.
The BBB is advising business
owners to follow these following
steps to prevent falling prey to
these scams:
• Read all invoices and solicitations
that are sent to your company carefully.
• Channel all invoices through one
department.
• Clear all invoices with the
appropriate executives.
• Familiarize yourself with the format
of bills regularly sent to you by other
companies.
• If you do receive a bill that may
appear to be from a legitimate
company, look it over carefully for the
name and location of the company
sending the bill.
• Do not be alarmed by language
indicating you must pay the bill or that
an unpaid bill will be forwarded to a

10% Discount on commercial leases of al least a 3 year
term.
Team Recovery - (330) 916-7030
5% Discount on normal contingent fee for collection
service.
The Chiropractic Wellness Center of Hudson, Inc.
- (330) 656-1977
1 Region X-Ray free of charge.
1 Consultation at no cost.
The Goddard School - (330) 665-3035
$100 Off 1st full month of enrollment.
The Grille - (330) 225-3355
www.thegrille.net
10% Off. Not valid on Fridays or Saturdays. Cannot be used on special
or inconjunctions with other gift certificates, offers or specials.
Whited K-9 Services, Inc. - (330) 678-7587
10% Off training, dog placement, boarding, underground
fence installation.
Yellow Book - (330) 666-7845
www.yellowbook.com
Buy one ad, get one free in Akron Yellowbook.
collection agency. If your business did
not place an order with the company,
you are not responsible for paying the
bill.
• To prevent your business from
paying for an invoice that it does not
owe, educate all of your staff --
especially those responsible for paying
routine bills -- about the variety of
scams involving phony invoices and
solicitations.
• As always, check out any companies
that you are not familiar with before
doing business with them with your
local BBB at (800) 825-8887 or visit:
www.bbb.org.
The BBB Serving Ashland, Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit & Wayne Counties
222 W Market Street
Akron, OH 44303
330-253-4565