April - Better Business Bureau
April - Better Business Bureau
April - Better Business Bureau
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<strong>April</strong> 2013<br />
Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo<br />
Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco<br />
®<br />
VOL<br />
63<br />
No. 4<br />
BBB Announces 2013 Board of Directors<br />
B<br />
BB serving Central, Coastal, Southwest<br />
Texas and the Permian Basin is proud<br />
to announce that the 2013 BBB Board of<br />
Directors were officially installed at the<br />
62nd Annual Meeting on February 28, 2013. BBB<br />
would like to thank all officers and board members<br />
for their volunteered support of BBB services. Their<br />
leadership is key to advancing marketplace trust in<br />
our local communities.<br />
2013 BBB Officers<br />
Chair: Monica Davis,<br />
Davis Group, Inc./Teleclip, Inc.<br />
Chair-Elect: Bobby Hoxworth,<br />
First National Bank Texas<br />
Secretary: Doug Davidson,<br />
BMC Select<br />
Treasurer: Patti Smith,<br />
KVUE-TV, Inc.<br />
Immediate Past Chair: Nancy Thompson,<br />
Bolton Real Estate Services<br />
President/CEO: Carrie A. Hurt,<br />
<strong>Better</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong>, Inc.<br />
2013 BBB Executive Committee<br />
Jon Eckert, Comerica Bank<br />
Laurens Fish III, Weed-Corley-Fish<br />
Funeral Home<br />
T. Getterman, Supercuts<br />
2013 BBB Legal Counsel<br />
Laura Lee Prather, Sedgwick LLP<br />
2013 BBB Board of Directors<br />
Scott Barr, Southwest Exteriors<br />
Maria Bleier, Dell, Inc.<br />
Martin Bomba, Window World of San Antonio<br />
Randy Brunnemann, Crowne Plaza Hotel Austin<br />
John Carlson, Braswell Office Systems<br />
Mike Church, Cody Pools, Inc.<br />
Holly Dunham, Waco Hyundai<br />
Jeff Evins, Evins Personnel<br />
Kathryn Frank, Kathryn Frank CPA<br />
Bobby Jenkins, ABC Home & Commercial Services<br />
Stan Johnson, Jr., Stan’s Heating & Air<br />
Conditioning, Inc.<br />
Susan Jones, Extraco Banks Mortgage Department<br />
Heather Ladage, Austin <strong>Business</strong> Journal<br />
Mat Naegele, Lamar Outdoor Advertising<br />
Mitchell Neubert, Baylor University<br />
Odis Pippins, Fort Hood National Bank<br />
Rick Ravel, Karavel Shoes<br />
Philip Robinson, Covert Auto Group<br />
Darrell Sander, Frost Bank<br />
Angie Sinkfield, Seigman, Starrit-Burnett and<br />
Sinkfield, PLLC<br />
Linda Smith, En Su Casa Caregivers
NewFebruaryAccredited<strong>Business</strong>es<br />
®<br />
AUSTIN<br />
A & L Landscape<br />
Acker Plumbing and Air<br />
Conditioning<br />
Advanced Property Solutions<br />
Air Velocity LLC<br />
Alternative Resource Recyclers LLC<br />
Amerigroup Corporation<br />
Amorwares<br />
AQ Exteriors Inc<br />
Atlas Efficiency Solutions<br />
Austin Blind & Drapery<br />
Austin Fine Properties LLC<br />
Austin Rising Fast Motors<br />
Avera Law Firm PLLC<br />
Bear County Contracting LLC<br />
Boca Construction & Fence<br />
Capitol Car Credit<br />
Champion Plumbing<br />
Charles Skiera Jewelry<br />
Crossbow Construction, Inc.<br />
D & C Entertainment<br />
Danny Ray’s Music<br />
Diamonds Direct<br />
Dimensional Roofing and<br />
Diagnostics, LLC<br />
Dominion Swimming Pools<br />
DS Professional Dryer Vent &<br />
Chimney Sweep<br />
Envision Construction Services<br />
Excalibur 7 Wood Graphics.com<br />
Fibrenew of Metro Austin<br />
Gray Electric<br />
Greenbelt Svcs.<br />
H H Ramsey<br />
Health and Fitness Staffing<br />
HEsolar LLC<br />
Horizon Construction, Inc.<br />
Hughes Air Conditioning<br />
JBK Electric, LLC<br />
Kennon Legal Ltd. LLP<br />
Kim Session Wedding Officiant<br />
Ku Photography LLC<br />
L&M Plumbing and Home<br />
Remodeling<br />
Lake Bastrop Lodge<br />
Lennox Industries Inc.<br />
Local Surge Media<br />
Master Pools of Austin<br />
Mendoza Trucking<br />
Michael Lawrence, Attorney<br />
Mike Chang Fitness LLC<br />
Murpho’s<br />
Narvaez Service Company<br />
NativeJuicer LLC<br />
Overhead Door Company of Austin<br />
P B Construction<br />
PCW Construction Inc.<br />
Peddle, LLC<br />
Pro-Voice Pro DJ Services<br />
Ramona’s Rendezvous<br />
Rebecca Belcher Photography<br />
Redbud Custom Homes Inc<br />
ResCare Home Care<br />
Ron Nemeth Pool Service<br />
Russell Bros. Contracting Ltd<br />
SecurityNational Mortgage<br />
Company<br />
Spiceworks, Inc<br />
Standard Pacific Homes<br />
Stressless Auto, LLC<br />
Sunset Company Pools<br />
Tenant File Property Management<br />
Software<br />
The Learning Train<br />
Tiger Tax and Bookkeeping Service,<br />
LLC<br />
Watermark Pros, LP<br />
Winnie A. Bates, Attorney<br />
Your City Movers<br />
CENTROPLEX/WACO<br />
America Construction Co.<br />
Bell Mini Storage GP, LLC<br />
Bygone Era Antiques<br />
Central Texas Frame & Alignment,<br />
Inc.<br />
Christian Brothers Moving Services<br />
CM Construction<br />
David Coufal Insurance Agency<br />
Emily’s Rentals<br />
Escape Nails Spa<br />
Galleria Wellness Center<br />
HCS Commercial General<br />
Contractors<br />
Isbell Properties LLC<br />
Isbell Property Management LLC<br />
Let’s Get Marry<br />
MM Trucking<br />
Northstar Development<br />
Platinum Autoplex, LLC<br />
Randy Daniel Ornamental Iron<br />
Ryan P Farms, LLC<br />
Sawz N Ladderz LLC<br />
Waco Metal Building Products<br />
WB Computer Services, LLC<br />
CORPUS CHRISTI/VICTORIA<br />
911 A/C & Heating of South Texas<br />
Amber Stone Apartments<br />
Big Robert’s, LLC<br />
Black Dog Promotions and Sign<br />
Shop, LP<br />
Citywide Air Conditioning<br />
Dawson’s Recycling<br />
H.V. Gonzalez Contractor<br />
Jim’s Repair Service<br />
Mike Shaw Toyota<br />
Rio Entertainment Inc<br />
RSK Transport<br />
Trident Construction Services<br />
Water Works Of Texas<br />
PERMIAN BASIN<br />
Ace Supply & Repair<br />
Amigo Welding & Services, LLC<br />
Boudreau’s Automotive<br />
Brown’s Training and Compliance<br />
Services, LLC<br />
Bulldog Specialties,LTD<br />
Burrows Construction<br />
Expert Detail<br />
Lopez Roofing<br />
Ray’s Auto Sales<br />
Redge Friday Welding<br />
T & T Earth Movers Inc<br />
SAN ANTONIO/LAREDO<br />
A.B. Perez Inc<br />
Alamo Discount Solar Shades MFG<br />
All American Home Improvements<br />
- A division of Wayne’s Fence &<br />
Decks of South Texas<br />
Anderson-Jenkins Signature<br />
Homes, Ltd.<br />
Audio Dynamics Inc.<br />
Big Dave’s Appliance Repair<br />
C & K Lawn Services, LLC<br />
Car-vel Skate Center<br />
CGH Insurance<br />
Charlie’s Carwash Service<br />
Conrad Flores Screen Repair<br />
Corona Visions Inc<br />
Crowne Plaza Riverwalk Hotel<br />
Dano’s Plumbing Co<br />
E Z File Tax<br />
First Call Restoration<br />
FM 2543 RV Restorations<br />
Four Star DJ<br />
Franchise Maintenance<br />
Organization, Inc.<br />
Got A Fence Co.<br />
J & A Tree Service<br />
Juan O. Bautista Licensed Customs<br />
Broker<br />
Kevin Garland & Associates<br />
King’s Men Movers<br />
Leon Springs Pediatrics<br />
Lifetime Real Estate Services, LLC<br />
Los Campos Landscaping<br />
NB Leasing & Resorts<br />
Patton Association Management<br />
LLC<br />
Photogenix Images<br />
Rapidos De Nuevo Laredo, Inc<br />
Reese & Escobar, L.L.P.<br />
Restorative Healing<br />
Ronald Colunga Company LLC<br />
Ronald L. Ritter PHD & Associates<br />
Inc<br />
Specialty Turf Services<br />
Storm Rebuilders<br />
Sunbelt Electric Contractors<br />
Sunrooms Plus<br />
Taylor Automotive<br />
TBM Carriers Inc.<br />
Texas Concealed Handgun<br />
Academy<br />
Texas Copiers & Office, LLC<br />
Texas PC Doctor<br />
Three Tigers Martial Arts<br />
Tiger Pro-Vacuum<br />
Tony’s Concrete Finishing and<br />
Metal Building Erection<br />
Zespa<br />
Zeus Construction Services LLC<br />
2
<strong>Business</strong>es Billed Hundreds of Dollars for Unordered Services<br />
BBB warns businesses to be on the lookout for fake Yellow Pages bills<br />
B<br />
etter <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> is reporting a possible<br />
scam targeting businesses. BBB has received<br />
complaints about companies posing as the<br />
Yellow Pages Directory and using a variety of<br />
strategies to get money from businesses.<br />
Some business owners allege companies have mailed or<br />
faxed fake invoices for yellow pages advertising or similar<br />
directory services. Others allege that sales representatives<br />
have contacted their business to sell advertising in<br />
directories that do not exist.<br />
Another report to BBB alleges a company calling a<br />
business to confirm the address and phone number, then<br />
sending a bill for a service the business “agreed to” on the<br />
phone. Often, the fake yellow pages company will record<br />
the phone call and modify the recording to make it appear<br />
the victim agreed to buy advertising.<br />
Companies looking to defraud business owners will often<br />
incorporate “yellow pages” into their names, as neither<br />
that name nor the walking fingers logo is copyrighted.<br />
For example, last year, The Federal Trade Commission<br />
issued an action against Jan Marks; Yellow Page<br />
Marketing B.V., also doing business as Yellow Page B.V.<br />
and Yellow Page (Netherlands) B.V.; Yellow Publishing<br />
Ltd.; and Yellow Data Services Ltd.<br />
• Watch for fraud. Alert your accounting personnel<br />
to be on the lookout for disguised solicitations, fake<br />
invoices and fraudulent phone calls. Read Yellow<br />
Pages offers carefully, including any small print.<br />
Look for terms and conditions, as well as costs. If<br />
you do not remember purchasing any Yellow Pages<br />
advertising, be wary of invoices claiming you owe<br />
money for such ads.<br />
• Route the calls to a single employee. Any calls<br />
to confirm directory listings or advertising should<br />
be forwarded to one employee or small department.<br />
That employee should be trained in how to confirm<br />
that a directory is legitimate and keep a list of every<br />
directory your company has agreed to be in. This<br />
ensures that your advertising and directory listings<br />
are tracked, and prevents scammers from claiming<br />
that another employee agreed to charges.<br />
• Do your research. Once you have the exact name<br />
of the company publishing the directory, check out<br />
its BBB <strong>Business</strong> Review to see if it is affiliated with a<br />
possible scam.<br />
• Verify the company name. Directories may have<br />
names that sound alike, so look closely to see who the<br />
offer is from. Independent directory publishers use<br />
the term “Yellow Pages” as well as local telephone<br />
companies.<br />
Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!<br />
3
®<br />
<strong>Better</strong><strong>Business</strong><strong>Bureau</strong> Trust Talk | <strong>April</strong> 2013<br />
<strong>Better</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong>, Inc.<br />
1005 La Posada Drive<br />
Austin, TX 78752<br />
PRSRT STD<br />
U.S. POSTAGE PAID<br />
AUSTIN, TX<br />
PERMIT NO. 60<br />
®<br />
Return Service Requested<br />
Inside this issue<br />
BBB Announces 2013 Board of Directors................................<br />
New Accredited <strong>Business</strong>es..…….……...........................................<br />
<strong>Business</strong>es Billed Hundreds of Dollars for Unordered<br />
Services....................................................................................................<br />
February Activity Report....................…................................................<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
4<br />
Trust Talk is published by <strong>Better</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Bureau</strong> 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited<br />
<strong>Business</strong>es in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the<br />
publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product<br />
or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited <strong>Business</strong>es and subscribers. Because the matters contained in<br />
this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises<br />
in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited <strong>Business</strong>es to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material<br />
concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its function of improving the economic system through informed decision-making.<br />
Impact & Influence Report<br />
4<br />
In February 2013, your BBB...<br />
Provided customers with 230,102 BBB <strong>Business</strong> Reviews<br />
Handled 1,823 disputes<br />
Assisted 4,585 people over the phone<br />
Hosted 435,686 website page views<br />
Sent 755 Request A Quote referrals to Accredited <strong>Business</strong>es<br />
February Top 10<br />
Inquiries<br />
Revocations<br />
Roofing Contractors<br />
Prepaid Debit/Credit Cards<br />
Home Builders<br />
Construction & Remodeling Services<br />
Auto Dealers - Used Cars<br />
Plumbers<br />
Air Conditioning Contractors & Systems<br />
Contractors - General<br />
Insurance Companies<br />
Auto Repair & Service<br />
The Scooter Store: Engaging in activities that reflect<br />
unfavorably on BBB standards<br />
Austin American Awning: Unresolved complaint(s)<br />
Dream Builders Of Austin: Misuse of BBB name and or<br />
trademarks<br />
South Texas Metal Roofing: Unresolved complaint(s)<br />
Air 1st: Misuse of BBB name and or trademarks<br />
Capital Commercial Cleaning & Services: Unresolved<br />
complaint(s)<br />
Drain and Air Rescue, LLC: Unresolved complaint(s)<br />
The Law Offices of Garcia, Ramirez, Gonzales, and<br />
Pina, P.C.: Misuse of BBB name and or trademarks<br />
In February 2013, your BBB was mentioned<br />
515 times by 47 local media outlets including…<br />
Get news as it happens! Join BBB’s press release<br />
list at: centraltx.bbb.org/press.<br />
Find BBB on...<br />
youtube.com/user/CentralTexasBBB<br />
twitter.com/CentralTexasBBB<br />
facebook.com/YourBBB<br />
watchyourbuck.com<br />
Contact BBB<br />
BBB Corporate Office<br />
1005 La Posada Drive<br />
Austin, TX 78752<br />
P:<br />
F:<br />
@:<br />
512.445.4748<br />
512.445.2096<br />
info@centraltx.bbb.org
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