You actually can trust (some) businesses

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/01/2017 (3357 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba shoppers who stroll past blue-and-white certificates may not always have the time to slow down and appreciate exactly what they mean.

They may know the framed paper means they can place more trust in the business they’re buying from but the letters “BBB” and the words “accredited business” don’t tell the whole story.
Businesses with these certificates adhere to a lengthy list of ethical standards. And the Better Business Bureau (BBB) holds them to it.

The BBB is a non-share, not-for-profit organization that is run by accredited businesses. The BBB wants businesses to advertise honestly, honour written and verbal representations, address disputes in good faith, and embody integrity.

“We want to make sure consumers can trust the businesses where they’re spending the money they work hard for,” says Len Andrusiak, president and chief executive officer of the BBB serving Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.

The goal of the organization is to create a marketplace in which consumers don’t have to feel the anger and frustration of ripoffs or scams and in which businesses can create trusting relationships with customers.

In pursuit of this goal, the BBB performs regular checks on businesses that have earned certificates to ensure they’re sticking to the standards.

The BBB also gives people a way to reliably research businesses via its website — bbb.org/manitoba
Consumers can search company names to find credible reviews and a rating from the BBB.

The BBB tracks scams, which consumers can also see on the website. The scam tracker shows fraudulent behaviour common in certain areas and gives a detailed description of what to look out for.
Consumers who have felt cheated by a business can file complaints through the BBB’s dispute resolution and arbitration process. The BBB will then help the customer and the business resolve the issue.

Businesses enrolled with the BBB are those dedicated to maintaining customer trust. When consumers trust companies, both sides benefit. The customers get the products they want or need and the company keeps the customers’ business.

Businesses looking to get involved in the marketplace of trust can begin by visiting bbb.org/manitoba/for-businesses.

Here, they can fill out an accreditation application. The BBB can also coach businesses on ethical practices.

The BBB has been doing this work for 100 years. It’s a task businesses and consumers must work together on, and the BBB is here to help both sides create relationships they’re happy with.

The Better Business Bureau has 110 offices across North America, all working to promote trust in the marketplace. Find out more at www.bbb.org/manitoba