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Revamp without Scams: National Home Improvement Month!

5/17/2013

Posted on 5/17/2013 by

The good weather that accompanies summertime means one thing for many homeowners across the country: it’s time to clean out the chimney, replace the windows and maybe even add on the back patio you’ve dreamt about all winter. May marks National Home Improvement Month and the BBB of San Diego and Imperial Counties wants to make sure before you hand over any money for your next project, that you look out for a few of the red flags that may signify a scam. The good news is, with over 700 accredited contractors in San Diego alone, consumers have plenty of options to choose from whether they are looking to replace their driveway or are planning a second story addition.

As you are planning your summertime remodel or even a few touch-ups around the house, keep an eye out for these common signs of a scam:

High Pressure: While this applies to scams in nearly every industry, be weary of contractors that push you to act quickly with high pressure tactics. Take your time and feel comfortable with a company before handing over any money for your project – any time you have to “act now” should be a red flag.

Low Ball Prices: While we all love a good deal, a low price doesn’t always equate to a good thing. The BBB has seen a trend of unlicensed contractors offering low ball prices to attract customers and then either not finishing the job or completing it in an unsatisfactory manner.

“Left Over” Materials: Beware of door-to-door salesmen that say they are in the neighborhood completing a project, have left over materials, and will touch up the crack in your driveway or patch in your stucco at a reduced rate. While you may be enticed by the convenience or lower rate, often times a contract is never signed and therefore the contractor isn’t held liable to finish the job.

What can you do to ensure you make the best decision in beginning your home improvement project this month? Follow these tips and you’ll be enjoying your new living room or garage in no time!

Be Picky: Always get a contract in writing from the contractor before the job is begun. Specify what work is to be done, the deposit needed upfront and when it should be completed by. If a contractor is hesitant or unwilling to put pen to paper and do so, walk away.

Do Your Homework: Always look into the contractor’s licensing and insurance. Check out the Contractor’s State Licensing Board for information on what licenses are required, to check out the validity of a license and more. Ask the contractor for proof of insurance – you want to make sure that if they fall off a ladder or damage your home, they have insurance to protect both themselves and you.

Check the BBB: Your first step before you hire any contractor for any size job should be to check them out on bbb.org. With over 1,000 A+ rated contractors here in San Diego, you and your family should have no problem finding a company that suits your needs.

To browse local construction companies, read through their Business Reviews, browse for any complaints and more, click here.

Tips to Benefit Businesses of Every Size

5/16/2013

Posted on 5/16/2013 by Sheryl Reichert

The sun is peaking out. The grass is greenand the birds are chirping. Summer is upon us, and even though school may beout for summer, that doesn’t mean that you’re going to take a break from yourbusiness.

BBB Accredited Businesses are committed toputting their best foot forward, shining past their competition, and alwaysconducting their business with integrity, honesty and the consumer in mind.

Running a successful small business is noeasy feat. Owners must be the CEO, marketing manager, customer service guru andIT representative all in the same day, often times. It seems there is no task too large or smallfor a business owner of a small company.

At the BBB, we know that it can bedifficult to foster on growth and expansion when you have to focus most of yourenergy on running the day to day operations of your business. Try a few of ourtips for small business success, and see your company rise (I’d pay specialattention to number four!).

1. Be Consistent. Create a logo, a business name – a brand –and use it. Stay consistent in how you communicate with your current andpotential customers. If a consumer doesn’t understand your services, productsor basic business information, they are unlikely to use your company. A stablemessage ensures that your communication will break through to your targetaudience.

2. Optimize your web presence. I can say it until I’m blue in the face: Getonline. The best strategy to attract new customers is to go where they are, andthe vast majority of consumers are online. They are searching for businesses,making new connections, reviewing companies. If you aren’t there to be part ofthe conversation, then you are missing valuable opportunities to reach out tonew customers.

3. Driving new leads should never take a back seat. Even if businessis booming, you should never stop seeking out and acquiring new customers. Useevery tool available to you at every opportunity to gain business. Your BBB hasa great lead generation tool called Request A Quote in which consumers canrequest a quote from your business directly from your business review. If youaren’t in this free program already, I suggest you sign up by emailingbenefits@sandiego.bbb.org.

4. Use your BBB. Weare here to help your business grow and be better. We want to help you achievemore, reach new consumers and remain ethical all the while. Our free servicesinclude website creation, BBB-branded business cards, arbitration andmediation, as well as our aforementioned Request A Quote program. To learn moreabout any or all of these programs and services, please contact us atbenefits@sandiego.bbb.org.

At the BBB, we want to see your businessgrow and flourish. I hope that our tips can help you increase your success. Ifyou have any questions about your BBB Accredition, give us a call at858.637.6199 or email us at info@sandiego.bbb.org.

Guest Blog: Talking to your kids about debt

5/15/2013

Posted on 5/15/2013 by

New cars, fancy vacations, the latest electronics—there’s no question that Americans, even in the aftermath of the Great Recession, love to spend money. And, all too frequently, those purchases aren’t paid for outright. Instead, people hand over a credit card or get a loan. In the second quarter of 2012, U.S. consumers had a total of more than $2.7 trillion in outstanding consumer debt, such as credit card debt and car loans—and that doesn’t include mortgage debt.

Most people understand that getting trapped under a mountain of debt isn’t smart. But that doesn’t stop many—especially young people who are out on their own for the first time—from making poor financial choices that can haunt them for decades.

So, as a parent, what can you do to help your kids avoid debt and make sensible financial choices? One step is modeling good financial behavior yourself, since if you spend carelessly and are always struggling to pay off your credit card bill at the end of the month, your kids may end up mimicking those actions. You can also have a frank conversation about how to use credit wisely and recognize if they have a problem with debt.

Signs Someone Has a Problem with Debt

How can you tell if your child has a problem with debt? Debtors Anonymous has identified 12 signs that a person’s debt may be out of control:

1. Not have a good understanding of your current financial situation, including loan balances, interest rates or monthly expenses.

2. Habitually borrowing items or small amounts of money from friends and family and failing to return the item or pay the person back.

3. Inability to save for expected future expenses, such as taxes or retirement.

4. Shopping compulsively, including purchasing but not using items, buying things just because they’re on sale, and or making lots of impulse purchases.

5. Trouble meeting basic personal and financial obligations.

6. A feeling of being special or grown up when paying for things with credit rather than cash.

7. Living in persistent financial chaos, including suffering from constant financial crises, bouncing checks and using one credit card to pay off the balance on another.

8. A tendency to “live on the edge” financially, such as not having health insurance or car insurance or living paycheck to paycheck.

9. Being embarrassed to discuss money.

10. Either overworking or underearning, such as working extra hours to pay off creditors or taking jobs below your current skill level.

11. Having to sacrifice basic needs in order to pay off creditors.

12. Having a sense that someone will step in to handle the situation so that serious financial trouble can be avoided.

If you recognize these signs a loved one, encourage them to get help. If you suspect that your child is having problems managing money, talk to them about your concerns. Try to avoid being too judgmental. At the same time, resist any urge you have to bail them out, which won’t force them to change their habits and could put your own financial future at risk.

If a person isn’t careful about how they use credit, it can quickly spiral out of control, making it difficult, if not impossible for them to achieve their long-term goals. Talking to your children today about the hazards to debt could be one of the greatest financial gifts you ever give them.

Have questions about financial planning? We’ll be happy to sit down and talk with you. You can also stay informed on Comprehensive Financial Planning and ElderCare Advocates by subscribing to Chris Cooper’s email newsletter today.

Sign up for the Gerry Wilson Golf Classic TODAY!

5/14/2013

Posted on 5/14/2013 by

The clock is ticking down to our 17^th Annual Gerry Wilson Golf Classic and for those of you that haven’t registered yet, we thought we’d give you a little inspiration to register today. Need a reason to attend? We’ll give you 10. Here’s why YOU should join us on the green of the Maderas Golf Club on June 6^th:

#10: Bringing Wacky Back: Past CEO Gerry Wilson was known for wearing an outrageous pair of golf slacks each year at the BBB Tournament and to continue this tradition, players are asked to wear their flashiest pants. Known as our Annual Wacky Slacks contest, the BBB will be offering a special prize for the ninth year in a row to the golfer and sponsor with the wildest trousers at the tournament! So rummage through your neighborhood thrift store or dig through your closet and dress to impress!

#9: Get Some Swag: Not only does registering for the tournament give you access to one of Golf Digest’s Top 100 Golf Courses, but you will also receive a hat and either golf shoes or sunglasses! While making the choice between the two items may be difficult, either way you’ll be walking away with a little extra swag!

#8: Win Bragging Rights: While enjoying a day on the course is ultimately our goal, there’s nothing wrong with a little competitive spirit along the way! After clubs are put away and scorecards tallied, trophies will be awarded for achievements such as closest to the pin, the longest drive, straightest drive and more.

#7: Have a Ball: Golfers will be able to participate in our many activities both on and off the course! Before the shotgun start at 11:30am, all players will have a chance to win $10,000 in a putting contest, as well as participate in the games, contests and more at each of the eighteen holes, making this one of the most memorable tournaments in San Diego!

#6: Get to Know your BBB: With BBB staff at the registration table, manning a few of the holes and making sure your day is going smoothly, the Gerry Wilson Golf Classic is a great opportunity to get to know your San Diego BBB staff members. Make sure you stop and say hi – we’d love to get to know you!

#5: Going, Going, Gone: After the last ball is sunk, a silent auction accompanied by dinner will be held for all in attendance. With items ranging from bottles of wine to vacations, there is sure to be an auction item that will catch your attention!

#4: Explore Maderas: As one of America’s Top 100 Golf Courses as ranked by Golf Digest, players will have the opportunity to play on one of the most beautiful greens in Southern California. The course offers beauty and challenge as it winds through the cliffs, rock outcroppings, creeks and forests of the inland hill county of north San Diego. With over 40 acres of land, three lakes and five waterfalls, you are not going to want to miss this opportunity!

#3: Co-branding to win: The Gerry Wilson Golf Classic has always been a great way to promote your company with opportunities to sponsor a hole, the putting challenge and even beverage carts. By participating as a sponsor, your company is furthering aligning itself with the BBB mission and brand – all while enjoying a day out on the green!

#2: Network: With over 100 of San Diego’s top business executives in attendance, the Gerry Wilson Golf Classic is not only a day of fun and excitement, but also the perfect place to run elbows with some of the much influential leaders in our community.

#1: Support ethics: We believe in mulligans both on and off the course. As the BBB’s only fundraiser of the year, the Gerry Wilson Golf Classic plays an instrumental role in raising the funds needed to operate our essential Foundation programs, including the Student Ambassador program, Military Line and Speakers Bureau. Your participation in this event, either as an individual player or as a sponsor, is essential in keeping the BBB’s mission alive!

Don’t waste any more time! Sign up today for our 17^th Annual Gerry Wilson Golf Classic. To register, click here. For more information about the event and for general questions, please contact Brenna Simon. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Shelley Bradley.

We hope to see you out on the course in a few short weeks!

Lunch on Us? Learn How Here!

5/10/2013

Posted on 5/10/2013 by

There never seems to be enough hours in the day. Many of us juggle our careers, carpooling, school plays, school games and more. As a BBB Accredited Business, we know you have a lot on your plate. We do, however, want to get to know you and make sure you are making the most out of your accreditation. That’s why we want to invite you to our office, enjoy a meal together and go over your BBB Accreditation Benefits, all while networking with other newly accredited businesses.

The BBB Lunch and Learn program is designed first and foremost to congratulate you on your new status as an Accredited Business. We are looking forward to working with your staff and raising your business even higher over your competition. Held quarterly, these Lunch and Learns will give you the opportunity to build a relationship with BBB staff, ask questions about your accreditation and learn about the benefits you may not be taking advantage of.

Upon arrival, attendees will view a quick presentation covering how to market your accreditation, member benefits and how to align yourself with the BBB in the community. After words, attendees are encouraged to stay and enjoy networking, food and drink in the BBB office. Our next Lunch & Learn will be held in July 2013; newly accredited businesses will be sent an invitation via email.

For more information about the BBB Lunch and Learn program, please contact Lauren Holt.

For more information about BBB Accreditation, please contact Erin Levine.

National Moving Month: do's and don'ts

5/9/2013

Posted on 5/9/2013 by

May marks the beginning of a four month stretch through September where approximately 40 million Americans will pack up their belongings and post “For Sale” signs in their front yards as they prepare to switch addresses and change communities. More than half of all annual moves occur during “moving season,” mostly due to the end of the school year and summer breaks.

In 2012, the BBB received 1.4 million moving-related inquiries and more than 9,300 related complaints. Unlicensed movers and dishonest scammers ran rampant as customers dealt with damaged or missing items, were charged a much larger price than their estimate, received late deliveries and had their goods “held hostage” until more payment was received.

This year, the BBB has again joined forces with the American Moving & Storage Association to provide important tips on how to avoid scams and find a trustworthy moving company:

Research the company thoroughly. While regulations vary by state, all interstate movers must be, at minimum, licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. FMCSA assigns a unique motor carrier number that can be verified at protectyourmove.gov. Additionally, look up the company on bbb.org to view the business’ history, consumer complaints and for access to company contact information.

Get at least 3 estimates. Don’t settle for only online or over the phone estimates; get three in-home estimates to insure they are accurate based on your living situation. Not all price quotes online or over the phone are legitimate, and crooks are not likely to send an estimator to your home in advance. Also, remember that the lowest estimate can sometimes be an unrealistic, low-ball offer, which may cost you more in the end.

Get it in writing. Before the move, get a contract in writing that spells out the pickup dates and dates of delivery. The FMCSA requires interstate movers to offer arbitration to help settle disputed claims and having proof of your original agreement will ease the process.

Consider full value protection. It may cost a few dollars more up front, but purchasing full value protection can provide some peace of mind and eliminate headaches after your move. Purchasing full (replacement) value protection from your mover means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or replaced, or a cash settlement will be made to repair the item or to replace it at its current market value, regardless of age.

Make your move as seamless as possible and follow these tips to ensure your items get delivered intact and on time. To check out a mover near you, and for more consumer information you can trust, visit bbb.org, and the AMSA website.

Guest Blog: Extend the life of your outdoor furniture

5/8/2013

Posted on 5/8/2013 by

One drawback to outdoor furniture is that it’s kept outside and often times exposed to some harsh weather conditions. From the time of purchase, try to keep in mind these basic tips that will ensure your furniture lasts as long as possible and hopefully you won’t have to take on the task of repairing the damages yourself or taking it to a professional.

How Outdoor Furniture Suffers

There are many things that outdoor furniture can be exposed to. The harmful rays and heat of the sun can lead to peeling paint or weakened metals. Rain, snow, sleet, hail, and wind can also affect metal, plastic and wood. Even pool deck furniture that has been treated to withstand the effects of water and chlorine used in swimming pools can eventually begin to suffer.

Can Damage Be Prevented?

One of the simplest ways to provide care for your outdoor and pool furniture is to protect it from the various weather elements. This can be done with furniture covers or tarps that are simply thrown over the furniture when it isn’t in use. Another way to keep your outdoor furniture looking great is to move it into a sheltered location during the off-season. If you have pool season move it into the shed or other protective shelter during the rest of the year. Finally, constantly monitor your yard furniture for minor damages. If you can respond quickly to small areas of rust or light scratches, you may be able to prevent further damages.

Where to Find Help for Repairs

Repairs may eventually become necessary, even if you are extremely protective of your furniture. You may be able to find a professional who will repair your wood furniture with just a little bit of effort, but finding someone who knows how to repair plastic or metal may be a bit trickier. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources available online where you’ll be able to find many places offering parts for a variety of types of furniture. Some businesses will even provide some instructions for completing the repairs yourself. If you know who the manufacturer of your furniture is, you may be able to go directly to the company website for care or repair information.

Once you begin looking, you are sure to find that there are many ways to care for and improve the looks of your outdoor furniture. With a little bit of research and some creativity, you can take an old and worn piece of outdoor furniture and turn it into a beautifully restored addition to your patio space.

Article courtesy of Patio Guys. We repair pool deck furniture and restore old lawn chairs back to showroom new without the new price tag.

5 Tips To Retain Employees

5/7/2013

Posted on 5/7/2013 by Sheryl Reichert

It’s no easy feat finding good help.

Sometimes even the best employers can feel like their office is a revolving door, ushering in and out the unmotivated, unskilled workers of today.

A good employee is as rare as a four-leaf clover, and unlike the plant life doesn’t require a lot of wishing and hoping on your part. Good employees get the job done, lighten your load, are hungry to learn and make your office a happier place.

Once you bring one of these great people into the fold of your company, though, how do you make sure they stick around? The first thing that pops into a lot of employers’ heads might be high salaries and big raises. While it’s true that money is a major motivating factor in the longevity of your employees, there are also several other benefits that can keep a good employee around for the foreseeable future that don’t involve a dizzying number of zeros and commas.

If you have exemplary employees, but no money tree in the backyard, try some of these retention tools in your office:

· Flexibility. Even for the most motivated, exceptional employees, work isn’t their entire lives. Things come up, someone has to take the kids to school, and wouldn’t it be nice to leave a few hours early on Friday for that weekend trip? No one is suggesting allowing employees to come and go as they please, logging minimal hours, but if you create an environment of flexibility and understanding, employees will grow to appreciate and develop a sense of loyalty to your company.

· Don’t forget to give a few high fives. The best way to keep employees is to keep the happy, and a good way to keep people happy is to recognize their good work and achievements. No one, regardless of their station at the company, wants to feel like their hard work is going unnoticed. A pat on the back, an announcement at a company meeting, even a surprise morning Starbucks can elicit more good feelings than you might realize.

· Moving on up. If you’ve got a good employee, promote them. Employees want to work somewhere where they feel they can grow in their careers. Even if you offer the best perks and a great environment, many employees will still leave if they feel they aren’t achieving personal growth.

· Build skillsets and confidence. Offer training and growth opportunities to your employees. By allowing employees to attend classes or trainings in their chosen field, you are benefiting your company and making your employee feel valued. Most classes are offered at a reasonable cost, and can provide good feelings amongst your employees, as well as facilitate a renewed excitement for their current jobs.

· Bring the FUN. Work shouldn’t be all about quotas and workflows and climbing the ladder. Employers who keep their staff around know that a good balance of work and play is important. It can be as simple as monthly staff lunches and holiday parties. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, try an office sports league or quarterly staff mixers. If your employees have fun at work as well as when they are with their colleagues, they will be more likely to stick around at your company for a longer time.

Of course, these tips may not keep all of your best employees, but it’s a great start to making your company one that is a desirable location for the best applicants of tomorrow.

What do you think makes employees stay at a company – one of these ideas or something completely different?

In Case You Missed It: May 2nd B2B Mixer

5/6/2013

Posted on 5/6/2013 by

In case you missed it, the San Diego BBB kicked off the summer with another B2B networking event at the 94^th Aero Squadron in Kearny Mesa on May 2^nd. Guests were welcomed onto the back patio of the restaurant, mingled under gazebos, and were able to enjoy the sunshine, good company, and delicious food and drinks.

All Accredited Businesses were able to attend free of charge thanks to our 2013 mixer underwriters, Eagle Print Dynamics and Health Savings Associates. Non-accredited Businesses were also given the opportunity to attend for a fee of $25; all proceeds received from the afternoon go towards the BBB Foundation.

Attendees were encouraged to beat the heat and mingle for the first half of the afternoon by browsing sponsor tables, visiting the buffet and bar, and chatting up other business men and women. As business cards were swapped, guests were also able to visit the BBB’s own table promoting the upcoming Gerry Wilson Golf Classic at Maderas Golf Club on June 6^th. Known as one of the most fun tournaments in San Diego with activities at every hole, a “wacky slacks” contest and silent auction, the Gerry Wilson Golf Classic is one not to be missed! With the backdrop set and props in hand, attendees were encouraged to take a few “wacky” golf pictures of their own and also had the opportunity to sign up for the tournament at a discounted rate.

As is customary at each of our mixers, the approximately 150 guests were entered into a raffle by dropping off their business cards upon check-in. San Diego BBB President/CEO Sheryl Reichert randomly selected the winner’s cards and prizes awarded varied from dinner & a movie gift card sets, solar cell phone chargers, free Del Mar Fairgrounds tickets and more.

All table sponsors enjoyed the sun and fresh air of the Aero Squadron’s back patio overlooking Montgomery Field. San Diego Biz Law, California Commercial Security, National Processing Company, the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Aflac, Fashion Valley Mall and Lawyer Referral Service all interacted with attendees with their own tables and giveaways. The BBB extends a big thanks to all companies who participated in this event – without them the event would not have been nearly as successful! We hope all attendees were able to browse each of the sponsor’s tables, get more information on the businesses and make future connections.

B2B Mixers are a great place for business professionals of all industries to socialize and get to know their colleagues from all over San Diego and Imperial Counties. While all Accredited Businesses are encouraged to attend as a benefit of their membership, the opportunity for Non-Accredited Businesses to support the most ethical businesses in our community, as well as network and learn about the benefits of accreditation, is truly one that should not be missed in the future.

Not only are these bi-monthly mixers a great way to network within the business community, but they are a way to publicly represent your company, talk to potential leads on a more personal basis and distinguish yourself from your competition. Sometimes all that you need to bump your company’s success to the next level is face-to-face interaction; we at the BBB want to help you do so by attending our B2B mixers!

Overall, attendees of the May 2013 B2B mixer enjoyed networking with a variety of business men and women, delicious food, a view of Montgomery Field and beautiful summer afternoon. The BBB sincerely thanks the 94^th Aero Squadron for being a gracious host of the event, in addition to all of our sponsors for their support. All information regarding B2B Mixers and other San Diego BBB events can be found here. For all event photos, please visit the San Diego BBB’s Facebook page.

BBB Job Postings: helping consumers and businesses

5/3/2013

Posted on 5/3/2013 by

While unemployment here in San Diego has dropped to 7.7 percent (the lowest in the region in the last four years) there’s no denying there are still hundreds looking for work on a daily basis. Everyone has their own preferred method of taking on the job hunt: classified ads in the paper, online sites such as Craigslist, job fairs and now even social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter. But are you looking for a reliable and trustworthy way to search for jobs or even fill an open position within your company?

If so, your BBB offers Accredited Businesses the opportunity to promote job opportunities on the highly-trafficked BBB website! Unlike many popular job listing programs currently on the web, the BBB’s job postings are complimentary to Accredited Businesses and consumers alike. By promoting your job opportunities for free via our website, your company is encouraging consumer confidence, endorsing your commitment to a trustworthy marketplace and encouraging consumers to align themselves with your mission. Your job listings are accessible from your Business Review and are searchable through our online directory.

Consumers: how do you know the company you’ve submitted your resume to has your best interest at heart?

If you are looking to make a move in your professional life, visit the San Diego BBB’s website and click on Accredited Businesses Job Listings (under the “BBB for Consumers” tab.) From there, you can browse jobs by type of industry, or type in a keyword and zip code in the search bar. Once you’ve clicked on a posting, you can either directly apply for the job, or view the company’s business review.

Businesses: how can you ensure that your company’s job postings will be aligned with ethics, trust and integrity?

If you would like to promote a job opportunity within your Accredited Business, visit the Business Login page, accessible here. Once signed into your account, you will see the option to create a Job Listing. You will be asked to enter in basic information about your business, the job (required experience, salary, hours, etc.) and essential contact information. Once completed, consumers will be able to both search for the listing through the directory and view the position on your Business Review.

Whether you are looking to make your next career move or hoping to expand your company, the BBB’s Accredited Business Job Listings are easy, reliable and safe. If you have any questions or would like to request more information, please contact Lauren Holt by email at lholt@sandiego.bbb.org or call 858-496-2131. If you have any questions about any other BBB services, please call 858-496-2131 or email info@sandiego.bbb.org.

Flowers, Not Frauds this Mother's Day

5/2/2013

Posted on 5/2/2013 by

Our moms have been there to clean us up after a fall on the playground, make us after-school snacks and drive us to soccer practice or ballet class. That’s why the San Diego BBB wants you to make sure that when Mother’s Day rolls around on May 12^th (mark your calendars if you haven’t yet!) you are focused on celebrating your loved one instead of reeling from a scam. No matter how you plan on showing your appreciation, follow these few tips to keep your mom, and your wallet, safe and happy!

Don’t Forget the Flowers!
Because they are the most frequently purchased gift this holiday, be wary of emails you receive advertising Mother’s Day specials on flowers. Phishing emails containing harmful links may lead consumers to illegitimate sites where their credit card information is stolen. Thoughtful sons and daughters should check out the company on bbb.org before handing over any money for a bouquet for Mom this month.

Finding the Perfect Card
Moms should be on the lookout for suspicious emails this Mother’s Day. While e-cards may have been novelty and cute in years past, they are just as likely to be a malware email as an actual greeting from a loved one. Moms: make sure you recognize the sender and if not, the sender’s name will usually be in the body of the email. Failing that, a quick Google search of the site the e-card was generated on will alert you if it’s a scam or not.

Love to Save
Scammers know we all love a good deal, especially when buying gifts, planning brunches and picking out bouquets for our loved ones on every holiday, Mother’s Day included. Beware of bait-and-switch tactics in the form of restaurant and store coupons. If the email you receive for a voucher seems poorly worded and has typos (common mistakes include spelling errors and all capital letters), its best to call the store or restaurant and verify the deal before purchasing.

Most of us think we can spot a scam from a mile away, but when scammers get our emotions involved (like shopping for a loved one this Mother’s Day), it can cloud our judgment and impair our ability to make smart purchasing decisions. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Keep these tips in mind and spend your Mother’s Day celebrating with family, not tracking down missing gifts or funds.

Fun in the Sun: Picking the right summer camp for your kids

4/30/2013

Posted on 4/30/2013 by

Parents hoping to keep their children busy this summer are already looking for camps that will keep their kids safe and occupied once school’s out. The Better Business Bureau is advising parents to look past the glossy brochures and dig a little deeper to ensure the safety, health and satisfaction of their children.

“A great camp is one that keeps parents feeling comfortable and has children talking about their summer when school starts back up in the fall,” says Sheryl Reichert, San Diego BBB President/CEO. “The camp’s staff should be top-notch, programs should be enriching and most importantly should have your child’s safety as its main concern.”

Whether your family is choosing a camp centered on a particular activity (soccer camp, art camp, photography camp, etc.) or one that is more flexible and lets campers choose how they spend their days, their standards should all be about the same. The BBB offers the following tips for parents searching for the right camp for their child:

1. Always visit the camp before submitting your deposit. Check its location and view the living, eating and recreational facilities. Ask about safety procedures (particularly for water activities, archery and out-of-camp trips), and assess the quality and commitment of the staff.

2. Ask about fees and payment deadlines. Is your deposit refundable? Are there extra charges for any activities? Are meals and transportation offered?

3. What is the camper return rate? The counselor return rate?

4. What is the camp director’s background? How is the staff trained? Are criminal checks made for employees and volunteers? What is the ratio of campers to staff members?

5. Are medical facilities adequate? Is a nurse or doctor on site? What are the procedures for transporting injured or sick children to medical facilities? Are those facilities nearby?

6. What are the safety rules and how are they enforced? Does the camp have appropriate insurance coverage?

7. Are family visits or other communications with campers allowed? How is homesickness handled?

8. Are references from parents of repeat campers available? Ask the parents about their child’s experience and why they recommend the camp.

9. Finally, look for camps that are certified by the American Camp Association. ACA-accredited camps have met up to 300 nationally recognized standards.

Whether your child is chasing a soccer ball, picking up a paintbrush or camping in the mountains this summer, the BBB wants you and your kids to feel comfortable and enjoy their summer camp experience. Check the BBB website for the camp’s record on handling complaints and to view their business review. The American Camp Association can be reached by calling 800-428-2267 or visiting their website.

A Guide to Guest Blogging

4/26/2013

Posted on 4/26/2013 by

Thriving online is all about producing great content—that’s writing, graphics, videos, etc. One of the best ways to create content and build your authority is to create your own blog. It’s a simple way to produce fresh content, incorporate some keywords, and give your company a unique voice and personality.

And then there’s guest blogging, which has become a common practice for many people and organizations throughout the online realm. But what is guest blogging?

What’s the Goal?

The concept of guest blogging is simple enough: you provide another blog with good, relevant content. It’s a win-win situation, because they get to add fresh, well-written content to their blog, and you might get:

Exposure for your website

Recognition as an authority in the industry

Backlink(s) to your site

Granted, with good content on an authoritative blog, you can accomplish all for those things and more. However, if you just want to aim for either of the first two goals, find blogs with a large, engaging audience. If you’re just looking for that precious link juice, you’ll want to contribute to blogs connected to authoritative root domains.

Finding Opportunities

Before you get in on the guest blogging scene, you should figure out what to look for.

Find blogs that feature content that focuses on or is related to your specific niche/industry.

The audience should be interested in your industry.

The blog owner(s) should be active on a variety of social media platforms, which ensures that your work will get promoted.

The blog has a relatively engaged readership ready to interact with you and share the content socially.

Once you’ve narrowed things down, you can find opportunities through a variety of channels. Search keywords related to your industry through Google or social media platforms, like Twitter.

Submitting a Great Guest Post

So you’ve found a blog and pitched your idea. Now it’s time to submit your guest post. Make sure you’ve spent time creating useful, interesting, and unique content. You’re building relationships and readership, and representing yourself or your company through your writing, so make sure it’s done well.

Remember that your post isn’t about you or your business. Guests posts are not advertisements. They should provide relevant information that focuses away from your own brand. Anything about your business or related items should go in your author bio.

Don’t be afraid to include some internal links to other useful resources that supplement your ideas and information.

Finally, make sure you end with a call to action for comments. An active discussion makes for a better post.

This article brought to you courtesy of Best Rank, Inc.

4 Tips of Highly Effective Teams

4/23/2013

Posted on 4/23/2013 by

We all want our teams to be more effective, functional and self-governing. While many of us have sat through hours of training, lectures and seminars to find the secret formula for a perfect team, it turns out that in order for a group to reach its full potential, it simply needs to be self-aware.

"The issue of the team becoming one and bonded around an identity is something I've found very useful," says Vincent D. O'Connell, Asia regional director at Globecon Institute, a training and performance firm that services the financial industry. He's also co-author of 9 Powerful Practices of Really Great Teams. "Teams are very productive when people share a sense of identity separate from that of the organization itself."

How do you get a team to bond around, share and identify with a common identity? Here are 4 steps O’Connell recommends:

1. Give the team a name: Whether the name is more whimsical (think along the lines of “The Superhero Team”) or simply describes what the team does (“The Customer Service Team”), the act of developing a name bonds its members. An actual name, no matter how creative or to-the-point, gives members of the team a shared identity.

2. Develop a mission statement: Like the team name, the mission can be as simple as why it was formed, which customers it serves, or the result they are looking for. “It's useful to have that written down and shared among the team so all team members agree on what they're there for,” says O’Connell. Setting some guidelines for how the group should be run is also essential – all members should have a clear understanding of how meetings should be ran, decisions made, etc. Ideas for these include:

As a team, we request an agenda for each meeting.

As a team, we believe if someone’s speaking, we should all listen attentively.

As a team, we will vote on all decisions before they are made.

3. Do a self-assessment: A team self-assessment is similar to an individual self-assessment. What is this team good at? What are we not as good at? What does the team need help with? An important part of the assessment should be looking at the role each team member is playing and whether it is best suited to their strengths. This grows trust among members – they don't feel like they have to second-guess or double-check what that person does.

4. Develop listening skills: While we all “listen” on a daily basis, there is a different listening skill set needed during meetings and brainstorming sessions. The best teams take their time arriving at solutions and ideas rather than rushing to make a decision and take action. Whether your team has someone taking minutes, writing ideas on a whiteboard or even taping brainstorming sessions, take your time to explore all ideas to ensure the team will come to a fully formed conclusion.

While following these tips will get you steps closer to developing a more effective and successful team, it truly does take time and the patience of its members. So whether you are evolving your sales strategy, developing new software, or planning an office move, look around your office, pool together your next team and use the tricks above. An effective team will keep your employees happy and mean better business for your company.

Domain Hijacking: Protect your site

4/22/2013

Posted on 4/22/2013 by

In January 2012, shoppers hoping to browse Coach.com for the latest handbags and purses were redirected to a hacktivist’s website promoting the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA.) While customer emails to Coach.com were not intercepted and financial information remained protected, the hijacking of the retailer’s domain name caused confusion among customers and slowed online sales.

While many of us don’t think of online hijacking as a clear path for political gain, not all businesses are as lucky as Coach. Domain hacking can strike in a variety of forms including the impersonation of a domain name, forgery of account information, website defacement, phishing and the resale of a domain name to another party. Once completed, the effects can be catastrophic not only to the company, but also its customers, business partners, consumers and employees.

Research by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) shows that .com sites are the most attractive to domain hijackers because of the volume of traffic they receive; this multiplies their value to resellers nearly eight times. Besides obvious monetary gain, hackers are also known to hijack domains to tarnish a brand’s reputation or extort money out of a business hoping to regain control of their site.

"Criminals have figured out that the value of hijacking a domain name is far greater than many other forms of attack," says Ram Mohan, CTO of the domain registrar Afilias. "Hackers have now effectively done the online equivalent of identity theft. They've taken over an organization's online identity and the organization’s brand is now solely in the hacker's control."

With over 53 million domains hacked in the 2012 alone, how can you assure that your site will stay protected and uncompromised?

1. Be picky when choosing a domain registry: Some domain name companies target consumers and small business. Consequently, they don't offer the security protections that corporate focused domain registrars provide. While it may be tempting to go with the low-cost provider, they may not offer the same security and protection as someone with a higher payment.

2. Keep up-to-date with security patches: A security patch is the software used to detect and fix problems with a computer’s security system. By making sure you apply the latest security patches to your web servers, you further protect yourself from hackers looking to exploit known software vulnerabilities.

3. Monitor where your site traffic is going: Track the path of the majority of your website’s traffic. If you see it going to a foreign server, it’s a sign that something is wrong.

4. Request DNSSEC: Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) - which adds security extensions to your Domain Name System - won't prevent domain name hijacking, but it's the only technology known to guarantee that once a user clicks on a link to your website, he or she won't be hijacked between the time they click and the time they reach your site.

Protecting your web domain is something that is always better done sooner, rather than later. By following the tips above, you are protecting not only your company’s reputation and financial stability, but also those of your employees, business partners and consumers. For more information on domain hijacking and how to protect your business, view the original ICANN report by clicking here.

Guest blog: Have you looked at your parking lot lately?

4/18/2013

Posted on 4/18/2013 by

Parking is important. Every business owner and manager knows that providing adequate, attractive and safe parking makes a direct contribution to their company’s bottom line. A poorly managed and maintained parking lot can turn your customers into someone else’s.

Here’s another reason to pay attention to your parking lot. If you don’t, you may get hit with an expensive ADA lawsuit.

“Probably 90% of ADA lawsuits are over parking related violations.”

That’s according to Dennis Hytinen. And Dennis should know. He is licensed by California as a Certified Access Specialist and the owner of CASp Solutions, a full-service ADA compliance firm. In just the past few years, over 14,000 ADA compliance lawsuits have been filed in California. Dennis is very busy.

“Parking lots with the wrong or out-of-date disabled parking signs, or no signs, or having the wrong size or number of parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities, that’s getting a lot of small businesses in trouble.”

Big trouble. Many of these lawsuits are brought by attorneys and plaintiffs targeting smaller businesses. They are betting that you do not have the time, the money, the legal knowledge or legal team to go to court and fight them. They’re banking on you paying them several thousands of dollars to withdraw the suit.

More than one business owner has told me how these plaintiffs do not even bother to enter a targeted store, restaurant, or shop, to pretend they are a customer or to make a purchase. All they do is drive into your parking lot and look around. Are there out of date disabled parking signs? Improperly painted or non-van accessible parking stalls? No California R100B Tow-Away sign posted?

You’ve may have just been hit with a lawsuit. And you won’t be alone. In as little as an hour or two, without even having to get out of their cars, these plaintiffs can visit many other businesses in your area, and sue all of them.

And if you choose to go to court, odds are overwhelming that you will lose. Because making your businesses and public properties accessible to all Americans has been the law since 1990.

But, given that the US Census reports over 19% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population—54 million people—have disabilities, ADA compliance also makes good business sense.

And it is the best defense against expensive and possibly repeated ADA lawsuits.

This might mean hiring a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) licensed by the State of California to perform a comprehensive survey of your property. It could also mean purchasing and installing the correct California disabled parking signs, Braille signs, any required ramps, as well as making restrooms wheelchair accessible. Not to mention documenting, documenting, documenting. Just in case you do wind up in court.

And you might want to start by taking a short walk.

Around your parking lot.

David Boyne is the ecommerce manager of STOPSignsAndMore.com, a third-generation family-owned California sign company.

BBB warns of scams in wake of Boston Marathon tragedy

4/15/2013

Posted on 4/15/2013 by

April 15, 2013 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – Tragedy struck on Monday morning in Boston; marathon runners and spectators were injured and killed as a result of two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

The San Diego BBB, though on the opposite side of the country, sends our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by tragedy. It’s times like this that bring together people from all walks of life to stand and support the victims of senseless tragedy. Unfortunately, it’s our job to remind all of you that this is also the time when scam artists go after your heart and your wallets.

Though there is no one scam employed by con artists after a disaster has struck, the BBB advises that there are several common scams for which consumers should be on the lookout.

Fake social media posts. After a disaster or tragedy strikes, scam artists take to Facebook, Twitter and the like to post “exclusive” content. Of course, the articles, photos and videos are never exclusive or rarely real, for that matter. Rather, they usually infect the user’s computer, sending a virus that searches for personal information stored on the device and then spams the user’s friends or followers with the same bait.

How to avoid it: Don’t take the bait! It’s hard to resist taking a peak at an exclusive clip or photo, especially when the source seems to be reliable – one of your Facebook friends, but the risk is too great. Keep your personal information safe and take a pass at “for your eyes only” content.

Hold On To Your Heartstrings. In the coming weeks, consumers will surely want to help those affected by the tragedy that occurred at the Boston Marathon. Some may want to give money to a charity that is helping the victims. Knowing this, many scam artists will be soliciting consumers for contributions. They may send letters advising consumers to leave money under the doormat, or provide a web address where consumers can donate via the web. These types of scams are not always easy to identify, but the BBB has some tips to avoid handing your money over to scammers.

How to avoid it: Give, but give wisely. The BBB warns that consumers should never leave money under the doormat or give to any charity without understanding where their donations are going. As a rule of thumb, consumers should always choose the charity they give to, and never let the charity choose them. Do your research and give to a charity that will use your money for the intended cause.

Above all else, follow these tips when giving:

Do your research. Always research a charity at the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance website, www.give.org, before donating money.

Don’t let the charity choose you. Don’t react to the requests of a charity, rather seek out a charity that fits you.

Contact charities directly. Never click on links to charities on unfamiliar websites or in texts, emails or social media posts. These may take you to lookalike websites where you will be asked to provide financial information. Phony sites may also download harmful malware into your computer.

Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and giving directly to those that have a presence in the region.

The non-profit organization Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties opened in 1921, and is San Diego’s largest county-wide business membership organization with more than 6,400 accredited businesses and charities. The BBB provides free pre-purchase information and advice to consumers. Its website is viewed over 7,700 per day, and houses business reviews on more than 50,000 local companies. Before buying decisions are made, consumers are encouraged to phone the BBB's free 24-hour Consumer Helpline at (858) 496-2131, or visit the website at bbb.org, to obtain free pre-purchase information and a list of BBB Accredited Businesses by type of industry.

###

Rachel Newman

Director of Communications

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

Concert & Baseball Season Bring Ticket Scams

4/11/2013

Posted on 4/11/2013 by

BBB CEO Sheryl Bilbrey explains how to avoid being scammed when buying concert and baseball tickets from sites like Craigslist and eBay.

-- Remember

Do your research.
Avoid unreliable sellers.
Always use a credit card.

Guest Blog: Why you should demand workers comp

4/10/2013

Posted on 4/10/2013 by

When considering a contractor, you must never assume that your contractor carries workers compensation insurance. In fact, he or she can legally be exempt from the workers comp insurance requirement. Approximately 170,000 licensed contractors in California have filed such an exemption and are legally exempt IF they do not hire anyone. That means about 60% of the total licensees are either legally exempt or are operating outside the law. Few contractors can complete substantial projects without hiring at least one laborer to assist them. If they do, workers comp is a requirement and it is a very costly one at that. Premiums can run into many thousands of dollars a year.

Why should you care? Because an uninsured worker who has an accident while working on your property may very well claim that you are responsible for the cost of his medical expenses Speak to your insurance carrier. You may find that a workman engaged in work on your property is not covered by your insurance. You could be found legally responsible for all his expenses. Since this could represent thousands of dollars, it is not the route you want to take! It is easy to determine if your contractor carries the required insurance.

Here’s how to check: Go to the Contractors State License Board website here. Once you have located your contractor, scroll down the page to the section that shows the workers compensation insuring company and the expiration date. Once you have verified that, you can breathe easy. You may also ask for a certification of the contractor’s insurance, which is sent out by the insurance company by request through your contractor.

This article courtesy of The Door and Window Consultants.

Is there a pay-what-you-want payoff?

4/8/2013

Posted on 4/8/2013 by

On average, consumers are willing to pay up to five times more for a product or service if they know the proceeds are going to charity. As a society, we want to feel good about ourselves and giving back to the community with donations is one of the easiest ways to do so. Panera’s tapped into this trend and has started calling it their Meal of Social Responsibility. To others familiar with the idea, it’s known as the pay-what-you-want model. With five pay-what-you-want restaurants open in St. Louis, Detriot, Portland, Chicago and Boston, Panera is showing that paying either once cent or $100 for an item on their menu has its payoffs.

At first glance, the non-profit pay-what-you-want Panera locations look like any other: baskets of breads and pastries line the walls, customers chat quietly in the dining room and the smell of coffee fills the air. There are a few subtle differences though – signs detailing the restaurants’ charitable mission are scattered, “suggested funding levels” are listed on the menus instead of prices and employees walk the line to explain the process and answer any questions. Payments are placed in donation boxes and cashiers man cash registers to provide change and run credit cards.

While skeptics may question the functionality of this business model, Panera has the statistics to back it up: 60% of customers pay the “suggested” meal price, 20% pay more and 20% pay less. According to the National Academy of Sciences, the reason why a pay-what-you-want model works is the human fear of looking cheap; we are more likely to settle on a fair or generous price to avoid looking cheap around our peers. One location in St. Louis even received a payment of $500 for a lunch-time meal – the company’s highest to date.

Only a few take advantage of the system — "lunch on Uncle Ron" as Panera’s founder Ronald Shaich calls it. He still fumes over watching three college kids pay $3 for $40 worth of food. Generally, peer pressure prevents that sort of behavior, he said.

"It's like parking in a handicapped spot," says Shaich.

Overall, the St. Louis cafe performs at about 80% of retail and brings in revenue of about $100,000 a month. That's enough to generate $3,000 to $4,000 a month above costs, money being used for a job training program for at-risk youths. With a goal of opening one new non-profit café every three months, Panera is gaining traction in the communities it operates with customers inspired by the business’ charitable cause.

Pay-what-you-want (PWYW) is not a new phenomenon. When Radiohead released their 2007 “In Rainbows” album online with a PWYW format, the music industry was turned upside down. Fans of the band were able to download the album for free or pay what they thought the album was worth – and it worked. “In Rainbows” went #1 in both the UK and the US before it was physically released and generated more money online alone than the bands last album (2003’s “Hail to the Thief”) made in total.

The Humble eBook bundle, made famous for its massive PWYW success in 2012, generated over $1.1 million in under two weeks. By offering users the ability to download a wide variety of fantasy and fiction novels, comics, music and games as a bundle, the company saw payments ranging from $10 to $1,300.

However, it doesn’t always work. Yogaview, which operates three yoga studios in the Chicago area, initially tried a donation-style payment program, but switched to a traditional plan after two years of seeing unsuccessful results. "You'd get a class with six people and there would be 12 bucks in donations," co-owner Tom Quinn said. "It got frustrating to see how some people weren't owning up to it."

Businesses are adopting a pay-what-you-want model to either change up stagnant growth or for charity and giving back to the community. Whatever the reason, if your business is toying with the idea, there are a few things you should consider before implementation:

Is your product right for PWYW? Products and services that can be sold at a variety of different prices, in a competitive market place and generate a strong connection between buyer and seller typically work better with a PWYW model.

Consider a time limit. Especially for retail, PWYW is not a sustainable promotion. To drum up a buzz, the offer should be restricted to an hour, day or even week depending on your product.

Set a suggested price. A suggested price has a powerful psychological impact on a consumer’s buying tendencies; it gives them an idea of the value of the product.

Add some social pressure. If you relate the price a consumer is spending on a scale and compare it to the price others have paid, you create a sense of peer pressure that may make some feel “cheap” and up their offer.

Excite customers old & new with the BBB Coupon Program!

4/5/2013

Posted on 4/5/2013 by

Over the last decade, 60% of consumers have revealed that they actively search for coupons they can use on a daily basis. Because coupons have proven themselves to be highly effective sales tools for nearly every conceivable size and type of business, savvy marketers are tapping into the trend and utilizing coupons now more than ever. With the opportunities to expand your market area, entice customers that have been shopping at your competitor and attract new market shoppers, it’s no wonder businesses large and small are scrambling to generate a coupon program.

Does your business fall into this category? Are you looking to attract new customers and excite your existing clients? If so, your BBB offers Accredited Businesses the opportunity to market your company by posting coupons on the highly-trafficked BBB website.

Unlike many popular coupon and discount programs currently on the market, the BBB’s coupon program is a complimentary service connecting consumers with Accredited Businesses currently offering deals on their products and services. By promoting your sales and discounts for free via our website, your company is encouraging higher levels of consumer confidence and endorsing your commitment to an ethical and trustworthy marketplace. Your coupons are visible on your Business Review and are searchable through our online directory.

On the flip side, consumers can rest assured that when shopping Accredited Business’ coupons and discounts, they will not be subject to any bait-and-switch scams or other forms of fraud commonly associated with sales. We have become a nation of coupon-clipping, bargain loving consumers – trust your BBB Accredited Businesses and shop their deals at bbb.org!

Is your Accredited Business ready to grow your market share with our coupon program today? Creating your own coupon is simple and easy:

To create your own coupon, go to the Business Login page

Click on “Create Your Own Coupon”

Follow the steps provided

If you have any questions or would like to request more information, please contact Valerie Simson by email at vsimon@sandiego.bbb.org or call 858-496-2131.

If you have any questions about this program, or any other BBB services, please call 858-496-2131 or email info@sandiego.bbb.org.

Consumer Alert! Received a phone call from SDG&E lately?

4/5/2013

Posted on 4/5/2013 by

SAN DIEGO, April 3, 2013 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is alerting business customers to be aware of an ongoing wire fraud that has been targeting SDG&E commercial customers. Reports indicate that individuals are misrepresenting themselves as utility employees by calling customers and threatening to turn off electric and gas service if an immediate payment is not made. Customers are instructed to purchase a pre-pay credit card, and are directed to another phone number where information is then obtained from the card and the cash value is then removed.

SDG&E wants to warn business customers of this fraud in an effort to prevent them from becoming potential victims. The company assures customers that SDG&E does not proactively contact them and ask for credit card information over the phone.

SDG&E customers should not provide any financial information by phone unless they have initiated the conversation. If any customers receives a phone call that makes them feel uncomfortable, and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call SDG&E directly at 1-800-411-7343.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 855,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

If you are contacted in this manner, please follow these consumer tips:

--Call SDG&E Customer Care Center at 800-411-SDGE if you get a call like this.

--Don’t give credit card or other financial information over the phone unless you initiate the call.

--SDG&E will always provide customers with past due and shut-off notices in writing first.

--Customers with outstanding balances should not be afraid to call. We want to work with customers to avoid service shut-offs, which can lead to reconnection fees and deposits. If businesses are having difficulty paying their bill, they should contact SDG&E before the expiration of the past due notice.

Sweep Away Spring Cleaning Scams

4/4/2013

Posted on 4/4/2013 by

Flowers blooming, birds chirping and the sun shining are all signs that spring is here to stay. However, while we are starting to dust off our shorts and t-shirts this spring season, scammers are breaking out their trickiest scams and hoping to still catch you in hibernation. While most of us think that spring cleaning is simply clearing out our closets and dusting under our couches, this can also be a time to tackle our bills, clean up our yards and much more. Below are a few tips on how to get rid of your dust bunnies while avoiding scams.

Dust, Vacuum, Mop: Starting off spring with a clean and fresh feeling home is one of the best ways to begin the season. But before you allow someone into your personal space, there are a few things you should distinguish and get in place.

--Apples to Apples: Get at least three estimates for the job and make sure you are comparing them apples to apples; the job description, materials necessary and time constraints should all be the same.

--Be Clear: Should your furniture be moved? Should the blinds be dusted? What kind of treatment should be used on your carpets? It’s always better to be very specific when determining what work needs to be done instead of being disappointed after the job is finished.

--Be Present: Unless you feel comfortable, it may be best to be present in your home while the cleaning is being done. That way, if something is moved, broken and damaged during the job, you know who to hold accountable. You may also feel more comfortable being in your home while someone has access to your personal documents and items.

Save vs. Shred: Spring cleaning can be a good time to clean out those desk drawers filled with paperwork you’ve accumulated over the past year. But what should you be saving and what can you shred? To avoid identity theft and protect your savings, here are a few tips on what can go to the dump and what documents you may want to keep for another year.

--Cancelled checks: If they have no long-term significance or potential bearing on your taxes, cancelled checks can be destroyed after one year. However, if the check pertains to a charitable contribution or tax payments, you may want to file these away for at least seven years. Any cancelled checks or related receipts for a home purchase or sale, large home improvement project or non-deductible contributions to your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) should be kept indefinitely in a safe place.

--Deposit, ATM or Credit card Receipts: These can be saved until the charge or refund is reflected on your bank statement. Once they have been verified as correct, these receipts or slips can be shredded and thrown away.

--Credit Card & Bank Statements: You may want to keep monthly statements at least until your annual statement is mailed to you each year. Because online banking has become so popular, many consumers rarely receive credit card or bank statements in the mail anymore. If you receive these via email, it is recommended that you create a file in your inbox where you can store these documents for at least one year.

Heavy Lifting: After the rains and harsh weather winter can bring have disappeared, spring can be a good time to make repairs and do a few touch ups to the exterior of your home. Before hiring a contractor or handyman, the BBB suggests:

--Watch out for Red Flags: Did someone come to your home unsolicited and tell you about a problem they noticed with your roof, gutters, stucco or driveway? Are they telling you they have leftover materials from a project down the street? Will they only accept cash? Don’t feel pressured to start a job, especially when you are unfamiliar with the business and feel uncomfortable.

--Check References: Ask for local references and verify the contractors are in compliance with all licensing, bonding and insurance requirements. Always check the company’s business review on bbb.org to see if there are any outstanding complaints, company history and services offered.

--Get it in Writing: Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the job and make sure it is not just a verbal contract, but to get it in writing. At minimum, make sure it states when the project can be started and when it should be completed, payment schedules, guarantees and your right to cancel.

Guest Blog: Getting Natural Links (Part 2)

4/3/2013

Posted on 4/3/2013 by

Getting natural and organic links might not be quick and easy, but with the right strategy, you can acquire them with minimal effort and maximum ROI.

Judging a Website by its Cover

The first thing you want to check is your website design. Ask yourself, is my site:

--Aesthetically pleasing?
--Current; outdated?
--User-friendly and intuitive?
--Different from my competitors?
--Useful (contains great on-site content—written, audio, video, graphics)

Even businesses that must uphold a certain amount of professionalism or “seriousness” on their site (e.g. hospitals, law firms) can make their site stand out with streamlined design and color. Even seemingly insignificant improvements in the appearance and usability of a site can increase the number of sites that naturally link to your site. However, the main purpose of improving your site's appearance is to stop turning people away. Patching up holes is the first step of optimizing anything and if your site looks like it was last updated sometime in the mid '90s, it's about time to freshen it up.

Blogging

The next step towards encouraging more natural linking to your site is to start or be more consistent with blogging. If you don’t already have one, contact a web development company to build easy-to-use blogging software for your site (such as WordPress), round up a few people from your organization with original ideas and writing skills, and create an editorial schedule. Plan to publish something interesting, useful, and/or informative at least once per week. Share this content through your social networks. Remember, though, that this is for business purposes and as tempting as it may be to use it to express your opinions of politics, celebrity news, or other hot topics, you may want to be careful about how candid you get on your blog. With a blog, you can reach out to people and provide them value which will in turn encourage people to either return to your site or share it with others (which can result in an increase of links to your site).

Trying New Things

There are other, newer strategies than you might want to consider trying as well—in particular, creating content that is very easily shared and accepted. Some of the most recent link building strategies that have been popping up include:

--Videos
--Infographics
--Comics/Cartoons
--Webinars
--eBooks
--Whitepapers
--Contests
--Interactive Content (think HTML5)
--Good luck in your link building endeavors!

Article courtesy Best Rank, Inc., a San Diego based Internet and Search Engine Marketing company. More information on the business can be found here. For access to part 1 of this blog, click here.

Video Blog: Mystery Shopping

4/2/2013

Posted on 4/2/2013 by

In Case You Missed It: March 7th Mixer Wrap-Up

4/1/2013

Posted on 4/1/2013 by

The San Diego BBB held its second B2B Networking Mixer of the year on Thursday March 7^th. Held in the Headliners Club at the Union Tribune in Mission Valley, guests were welcomed to the event with food catered by Tio Leo’s, a hosted bar and complimentary tours of the UT-TV studio.

As usual, all BBB Accredited Businesses were able to attend free of charge thanks to our mixer underwriters, Eagle Print Dynamics and Health Savings Associates. Non-accredited Businesses were also given the opportunity to attend for a fee of $25; all proceeds received from the evening go towards the BBB Foundation.

Encouraged to network, eat and browse sponsor tables for the first half of the evening, attendees braved the clouds and cold weather out on the patio of the Headliner’s Club for a little rooftop mingling. With sweaters on and beautiful views of Mission Valley in sight, business cards were swapped and connections made.

As is customary at each of our mixers, the approximately 150 guests in attendance were entered into a raffle drawing courtesy of our sponsors. While the prizes awarded varied from board games, to blankets and even free advertising space in the Union Tribune, Health Savings Associates raffled off a BBB first - a “Toyota.” (Note: the winner did not receive a car - instead a cute and cuddly “toy yoda” was gifted.)

A special additional benefit of this mixer was the unprecedented opportunity to tour the Union Tribune building and gain a sneak-peak into the UT-TV studios. Unseen by the majority of the public, attendees were able to see where segments are taped, the staff newsroom and more. We thank the Union Tribune for allowing the BBB and its supporter’s access during this event!

All sponsors enjoyed the fresh air and tabling on the wrap-around patio of the Headliner’s Club. Companies such as FBS, Aflac, BBB Yellow Pages, Newbridge College, National Processing Company, Giant Step Communications and The Union Tribune all interacted with attendees with their own tables and giveaways. The BBB extends a big thanks to all companies who participated as sponsors for this event – without them the event would not have been nearly as successful! We hope all in attendance were able to browse each of the sponsor’s tables, get more information on their business and make future business connections.

Overall, attendees of the March 2013 B2B mixer enjoyed networking with a variety of business men and women, delicious food and drinks and a glance into the world of the Union Tribune and UT-TV. The BBB sincerely thanks the Union Tribune for being a gracious host of the event, in addition to all of our sponsors for their support. All information regarding B2B Mixers and other San Diego BBB events can be found here. For all event photos, please visit the San Diego BBB’s Facebook page.

We hope to see you at our May 2013 mixer on May 2^nd at the 94^th Aero Squadron in Kearny Mesa. Please contact Brenna Simon with any questions or for further information.

Hunt for eggs this Easter, not scams!

3/29/2013

Posted on 3/29/2013 by

Even though Easter is a time for celebrating family, enjoying the sunshine of spring and doing our best to paint pretty eggs, scammers are hoping for you to hand over more than just a box (or two) of Peeps. It’s sad, but true: while you’re hunting for Easter eggs, scammers are hunting for your wallet. What can you be on the lookout for in the week leading up to Easter Sunday? Your BBB has a few tips to keep your ducks in a row and scammers out of your savings.

We all like receiving e-cards from our loved ones on holidays, birthdays and other special occasions, but be careful next time you pull up your inbox and see a card from someone you don’t know. Scammers can disguise links for malicious software as e-cards which can steal your personal information and ruin your computer. If you don’t know the sender, it’s safer just to hit the delete button and move on to the next message.

While discount shops seem like a quick and easy way to save a buck, be careful of sub-par stores selling old Easter candy at a discounted price. Cheaply made toys are also prevalent at discount or dollar stores and could contain lead-based paint or sharp edges. By purchasing at a slightly higher price, you could be keeping your little ones healthy, safe and excited for their egg hunt and other springtime festivities.

Many families use this time of year as the season to surprise their children with new bunnies, chicks, puppies or other pets. Be careful of scammers placing fake animal ads on the web. It’s always better to adopt or purchase in person from a local and reputable store or dealer.

Charity scams are always more abundant during holiday seasons and Easter is no exception. Scammers are skilled at making charities look legitimate and even worse, know how to tug on your heartstrings. Be wary if you receive an unsolicited letter, phone call or salesman at your door asking for donations this Easter Sunday. If you are interested in making a contribution, always do your research first and check with your BBB to verify the charity.

Because holidays are synonymous with traveling for many of us, scams regarding free airline tickets, timeshares and discounted hotel rooms run rampant. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have any question about a company or the legitimacy of its claims and offerings, check them out on bbb.org before handing over personal or financial information.

Spring break, sunshine and...scams?

3/28/2013

Posted on 3/28/2013 by

It’s that time of the year when people everywhere are dreaming of beaches, bikinis and fruity drinks. But if you’ve lost track of time and are just now getting around to thinking of taking a few days of R&R later this month, don’t fear - the BBB of San Diego has a few tips on how to find good deals and have fun, all while staying on budget.

Fly Away

If you’re hopping on an airplane to visit your spring break destination this year, don’t just look at the fares and remember to factor in potential additional fees.

To avoid excessive baggage fees, check your airline’s standards & measure and weigh your luggage at home.

Booking your flight early and online can help travelers avoid booking or seating fees, saving customers an average of $15 to $45 per ticket.

Book directly through the airline’s site; sometimes there are fees associated with tickets bought through a third-party and they tend to be inflexible if your plans change.

Package Plans

Businesses may use giveaways to persuade travelers to upgrade and buy an over-priced travel package. How can you make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck?

Shop around. Compare the travel package against deals with other travel sites. You can also look into booking with a reputable travel agent and see how the savings stack up.

Watch out for sales presentations that are high pressure. If you ever feel as if you are being forced into a package, whether online or with an agent, walk away and look into booking the accommodations yourself.

While third party sites that put together vacation packages look cheaper, be wary and do your research. Hundreds of complaints are filed each year because third party sites oversell and over book hotels.

Joining a Travel Club

Many travelers are eager to join a frequent traveler club because of an attractive discount offered – but what are you really signing up for?

Look at any fees associated with membership - they might end up being more in the long run than the discount offered for your trip. Annual membership fees, maintenance costs and other unexpected fees may be charged unknowingly to your account.

Read the contract and look to see if there are an exclusions or blackout dates that apply to your travel dates. These dates may also affect your opportunity to receive a refund or change your travel dates.

Guest Blog: Understanding Link Building (Part 1)

3/27/2013

Posted on 3/27/2013 by

Part 1: The Basics

If web pages are the buildings in the Internet realm, then links are the streets and passageways between those buildings. Links have been used since the late 90s to inform search engines which sites are popular and informative and which pages aren’t up to snuff.

Search engines have seen a lot of improvement since then, applying a whole assortment of algorithms to better refine search results and give users a better experience. Recently, the popular search engine giant, Google, has made huge changes to their algorithm that has shaken up the link building realm. However, links haven’t gone away, and as much as the Internet has changed over the years, links still play an important role in getting seen and heard.

The Importance of Link Building

Some things haven’t changed: links are still a great way for search engines to figure out the popularity of a given site based on the pages linking to that site. Links have been compared to votes when it comes to determining authority in the eyes of search engines, which is why link building has become an important component with Internet marketing. In the past, however, deceptive and spammy tactics were used to create irrelevant and sometimes annoying links on various sites in hopes of increasing their site's rankings in search engines. Though the big search engines also use other metrics to determine a site's authority, links have long since been a key factor in determining the value of a site.

As spammers continued to rob legitimate sites for their well-deserved rankings, the search engines have tried to level the playing field to keep the cheaters from winning. Therefore, they've taken action to adapt to this which includes changing how to use links to determine the authority of a given site. To help clear the air about link building and its effect on your site's SEO, here is some information you should consider.

Organic Links: You can create a whole series of links through comments, user profiles, signatures, guest books, and more. Because this method can get a bit spammy, Google and other search engines have been devaluing some of these types of links and are even beginning to punish sites that get a carried away with it. The simplest rule to follow is: build links with the user in mind. The search engines aren't the ones who are doing business with you directly; it's the searchers who are. Provide them valuable information by creating relevant content if you're going to build out your own links and make it easy for them to reach your site, or share a link to your site if they like it.

Paid Links: This is sort of a grey area since it can't always be proven by the search engines. Methods of paid linking include paying for listings, submitting sites to directories, emailing bloggers for links, and trying to do everything else in your power to proposition backlinks from other sites. Some people use these tactics to gain backlinks, but be warned: you should never pay for links or accept payment from someone else in exchange for links. There is some debate regarding paid links but the safest things you can rely on are most likely not paid.

Natural Links: Sometimes, other sites just want to link to you. You don’t actually need to do anything to get these links aside from creating great, usable content and having the means to get attention for it. However, getting people to link to your site naturally can be difficult, which is where link building tactics, like link bait, are often used. These methods not only benefit your site from increased linking, but they also carry over into social media marketing. With social media signals becoming increasingly important for search engine rankings, using the right link building tactics can help boost your online and social presence. Nevertheless, natural linking is still the best way to build links without incurring the wrath of the search engines.

Article courtesy Best Rank, Inc., a San Diego based Internet and Search Engine Marketing company. More information on the business can be found here. Stay tuned for part 2, where we will discuss how to acquire natural links.

BBB to appear in Channel 10 News phone bank tonight!

3/26/2013

Posted on 3/26/2013 by

March 25, 2013 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – San Diego BBB, with the help of Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) and the City Attorney’s office, will appear on Channel 10 News tonight at 5pm to answer consumer questions on-air regarding identity theft.

This is the second consecutive year the BBB has participated in a phone bank with Channel 10 News. Last year, the BBB was on hand to answer any consumer questions regarding marketplace issues. The phone bank was extremely successful, garnering over 130 phone calls and reaching innumerable San Diego home viewers.

“The 10 News Phone Bank is an excellent way to reach a large group of San Diego consumers,” said BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “We’re grateful to have the opportunity to educate not only the callers who ask us questions, but all of Channel 10’s viewers who watch from home and learn about this important consumer issue.”

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing types of consumer fraud in the country. In fact, identity theft in 2012 accounted for 18%, or nearly 370,000 of all consumer complaints to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Victims of the crime can be old or young, male or female, Asian or White. Identities are stolen across all technologies – from social media and email to simply digging old credit card bills out of the trash of a neighbor or relative.

Because of the vast span of victims and motives, consumers are often caught off guard by identity theft scams, and can find themselves severely in debt when all is said and done.

“It’s certainly something that we hear about daily at the BBB,” said President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “Identity theft, if caught early, can cause very little damage to a consumer; however, what happens often is that years pass before the victim realizes what has happened to them. At that point, a lot can be lost.”

At this year’s Phone Bank, the BBB is honored to be in the company of non-profit organization ITRC as well as the City Attorney’s office. Each entity, along with the BBB, works tirelessly each day to ensure that consumers are educated about marketplace issues, including identity theft.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about identity theft at today’s phone bank, tune into Channel 10 News from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. San Diego BBB, ITRC and the City Attorney’s office will be standing by for your phone calls, and we’re looking forward to answering your questions and further serving the San Diego community.

###

Rachel Newman

Director of Communications

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

Why you should be using Request-A-Quote

3/22/2013

Posted on 3/22/2013 by

For every consumer who has felt a twinge of uncertainty at the start of the shopping process, there’s hope. For businesses searching for new sales leads, look no further. The BBB offers a free service to fulfill both needs in the name of creating an ethical and trustworthy marketplace.

The BBB’s Request a Quote program is a complimentary service connecting consumers with Accredited Businesses to provide a higher level of consumer confidence. This program permits consumers to request a quote, proposal, or information from a company that meets and is committed to the BBB’s standards. By giving consumers the ability to connect with an Accredited Business with the click of a button, consumers can trust that their next project or service will be done by an honest and reliable company.

On the flip side, Accredited Businesses can rest assured that by participating in the Request a Quote program, they are generating leads from consumers that have done their due diligence in researching better businesses.

Once a consumer submits their search requirements, they are able to see a listing of all Accredited Businesses that meet their type of business and zip code specifications. After filling out a quick form detailing your budget, brief description of the project and your contact information, the request is immediately sent out to the Accredited Businesses selected, saving countless phone calls and trips to various stores.

Consumers: Not sure where to start? Begin the process by clicking on the Request a Quote button on the San Diego BBB homepage and follow these few quick and easy steps!

1. You’ll first be asked to specify the type of business you need and in which zip code the work will be completed. For example, if you need your home re-painted, try the key words “paint” and “contractor.”

2. After you input this information, you’ll see a list of businesses appear. Not familiar with one? Click on their name and you will be redirected to their Business Review in a new window.

3. Once you find a business (or two, or three) that you would like to send your request to, click on the box next to their name – a copy of your request will be sent to each business you select.

4. When you’re ready, hit “Click Here to Contact Selected Businesses” and your quote will be sent to your BBB for review and then forwarded on to your selected businesses.

For Accredited Businesses looking to participate in the Request a Quote program, please contact Valerie Simson at VSimson@sandiego.bbb.org. Once active, a link will be placed on your Business Review for consumers to easily and quickly request a quote solely from your company.

If you have any questions about this program, or any other BBB services, please call 858-496-2131 or email info@sandiego.bbb.org.

Don't Let Scams Drive You Crazy During March Madness

3/21/2013

Posted on 3/21/2013 by

With many San Diegans getting ready to put on their best red and black gear to watch San Diego State play in their first 2013 NCAA Tournament game this Friday, the BBB is warning local consumers of March Madness related scams. Regardless of which team you’re rooting for to win the big dance (although we have to say – Go Aztecs!) scammers often capitalize on the scarcity of tickets and fan’s desire to pick up the latest souvenirs and jerseys for their favorite teams.

We realize that it may be tempting to snag counterfeit merchandise or scour Craigslist for tickets, but often times these “sellers” are just scammers looking to make a quick buck. To make sure you stay pumped for game day, follow these few tips:

Purchase wisely. Craigslist offers hundreds of NCAA tickets, but none of them are a guaranteed buy. Sellers do not have to provide identification when listing tickets, or provide refunds or exchanges. While they will be more expensive and may not available, the BBB recommends purchasing directly from the NCAA Tournament website at http://www.ncaa.com/tickets or checking out a reputable third party seller at www.bbb.org.

Do your research. Lodging scams may also be a problem during events such as March Madness. Scammers may lure attendees by advertising low prices – or they may charge premium prices by claiming the hotel is closer to the arena than it actually is. Others may offer a package of tickets and a hotel room, when there is little way to verify whether the tickets exist or are legitimate.

If it seems too good to be true...While counterfeit goods may seem like a good deal, in reality they are stolen and illegal. If you love your team, don’t cheat them from making a profit by buying from someone who has stolen their name and logo. Additionally, they are often poorly made and may not last more than a wash or two. The best way to ensure you’re getting quality jerseys, hats, mugs and more is to buy directly from the team or league’s website.

As always, when dealing with lodging, tickets, memorabilia and everything in between, the BBB cautions consumers against wiring money. When you send money via wire transfer, it is almost always impossible to trace the recipient or retrieve your funds. If you want to actually attend the big game in your favorite player’s jersey, be very wary of wiring funds of any amount.

To verify the legitimacy of any company, always visit bbb.org before you buy. Good luck with your brackets and happy March Madness!

Guest Blog: Google Targets Customer Reviews

3/20/2013

Posted on 3/20/2013 by

The vast majority of traffic arriving at any given websiteis driven by a Google search. Forwebsites that are selling products, online traffic is often heavily relied uponto keep business afloat. This isespecially true in the automotive segment where almost two-thirds of adealership’s traffic comes directly from Google. Every time a potential customer stumbles upona dealership’s website in a Google search, the search engine also displays ascore based on customer reviews that have been submitted to the searchengine. Customers can click on the scoreto view the dealership’s reviews, but even if they choose not to, it’s believedthat there is a strong correlation between a higher score and the likelihood ofa customer visiting that dealer’s website.

Because of this correlation, many dealerships areencouraging their satisfied customers to leave them a positive review on Google. Some dealerships have even gone so far as topay non-customers to submit reviews to the search engine, and others have begunleaving negative reviews for their competitors. In order to combat this unethical practice, millions of reviews werescanned last month when Google released an updated algorithm. All of the reviews suspected to be dishonestwere removed, and as you can imagine, a lot of truthful feedback was deleted inthe process. As a result, somedealerships were left with only a handful of customer reviews (mostly negative)when previously they had ten times that many or more.

Since the update, online traffic for a lot of dealerships isin decline and therefore, so are profits. Though Google has recently reinstated a fraction of the deleted reviews,the search engine is being condemned for not providing an avenue of appeal tocompanies affected by the update. Likethe reviews that were removed, the reinstated reviews were put back withoutexplanation or notice from Google.

While it isn’t possible for disgruntled companies to appeal directlyto Google, many have petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to intervene. Their argument is that Google isunaccountable and largely operating under its own rules because it has no oneto answer to. Further, they point outthat Google isn’t sharing these rules and therefore it is impossible to keepfrom violating them in the first place. Google itself has been relatively quiet about the issue, insisting onlythat monitoring the reviews is an effort that’s meant to benefit everyone.

Article courtesy of Brittany Larson of Honda of Escondido.

Taxing Decisions To Make Your Business Better

3/19/2013

Posted on 3/19/2013 by Sheryl Bilbrey

No decision in business is easy. We vacillate over the colors in our branding, employee wages, quality of office equipment; we even dither over what to order for lunch (but that could make or break your day, though).

These decisions, to an outsider of your company, may seem like no brainers. Choose complementary colors, pay slightly above average with raises, when deserved, buy high quality office equipment and order a salad for god’s sake – you’re watching your weight after all. Business owners, CEOs and managers know better, though. These decisions can have long lasting effects on your business; the effects can perhaps last longer than your stay at the company.

So what do you do? Freeze under the pressure? Of course not, you’re an Accredited Business. You consider your options and make a decision that will bring the most benefit to your company.

In light of tax season quickly approaching, I’m not going to chide you for not completing your returns yet or give you any financial advice. Rather, I’m going to give you my answers to five taxing decisions most businesses face, and how the right choice can make your business that much better.

1. Under promise, over deliver. This applies to employees and customers. Managing expectations is one of the most difficult aspects of running a business. Don’t promise those who are connected to your business the moon unless you’re absolutely certain you can deliver it. No one likes to feel let down, but if you stay realistic and are able to overshoot your customers’ and employees’ expectations, you’ll be a hero.

2. Say yes to change…and mean it. It’s a scary world out there. Things are changing constantly. The business landscape is rarely the same today as it was yesterday, but that is no reason to bury your head in the sand. Jump on the social media bandwagon. Build a website. Start an online campaign. Whatever you choose to do, start it today. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

3. Show ‘em the [metaphorical] money. I could list the countless studies that have been done which show that money is relatively low on the list of importance to your employees, but we’ve all seen those. What has been shown to be much more important to employees is the benefits a company offers. If it’s plausible for your company to offer a 401k, vision and dental care, or even company-wide mixers, don’t think about it. Do it. These are benefits that employees appreciate and increase their happiness at and loyalty to your business.

4. Hire to your weaknesses. It’s not easy. The inclination is always to hire those that you like and with whom you feel you would get along. Fight that urge, and fill open positions with the qualities you don’t currently possess. If you’re terribly disorganized, hire a second-in-command that takes neurotic to a new height. If you tend to gloss over guidelines and rules, hire someone who is going to keep you and your business in line. You’ll be more successful for it.

5. Come out swinging. When times are tough, competition is that much greater. It’s easy to retreat, scale back your marketing efforts, cater to your base, but I challenge you to ride, head up, into the battlefield. Take on your competition and show consumers why yours is the superior business. If they see what your BBB sees, there won’t be any competition.

Of course, this is just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to tough business decisions. It seems like each day we are faced with a new challenge, but hopefully these tips will help your business reach the next level of success. For more information about your Accreditation or the BBB, call 858.637.6199 or visit us at bbb.org.

What's keeping small businesses off of social media?

3/18/2013

Posted on 3/18/2013 by

One conclusion is becoming increasingly clear: small businesses are still very much in the “feeling out” stage when it comes to what works and doesn’t on social media. With constantly changing perceptions, shifting values and new platforms, it’s no wonder small businesses are confused where to start.

A study recently conducted by the Wall Street Journal surveyed 800 small businesses with revenues ranging from one million to $20 million and found that LinkedIn is used by 30% of participants, making it the number one most used platform. Facebook and Twitter came in as numbers two and three with 22% and 14% users respectively.

A few other interesting results include:

45% of businesses surveyed found social media “somewhat valuable” while only 12% found it “highly valuable”

60% do not have employees dedicated to social media initiatives

33% of businesses are spending “no time” on social media, while 48% spend just 1-5 hours per week on their platforms

These statistics have brought a few facts regarding small business social media usage to light. What is causing small businesses to shy away from creating profiles?

1. How to Be Effective: If large corporations are still struggling to find out how to properly monetize and take advantage of the full potential of social media, how can small businesses be expected to? Developing strategies and mastering each platform can take a long period of time, dedication and research.

2. How Much Time to Give: It can be hard to dedicate your employee’s focus to a largely unproven form of marketing, especially when time is the biggest form of currency for any small business owner.

3. Knowledge is Power: While the majority of us may have created personal Facebook pages, Twitter accounts or YouTube channels, generating a business account is a completely different process; the education and knowledge of how to do so is sincerely lacking among small business owners and leaders.

If you are a small business owner or employee and have not jumped into the world of social media, we have an announcement: it is likely here to stay. We suggest you hop online, create a profile and take your time in building your presence – it will be worth it in the long run. Even though you may not see the immediate bang for your buck, keep in mind that it may be years before social media becomes the norm for small businesses and by then, you will likely be ahead of the curve.

We've Moved!

3/18/2013

Posted on 3/18/2013 by

Did you know that your BBB has moved offices?

It’s true! We’ve unpacked the boxes, put up a few pictures and stocked up the fridge. We may still be nursing our sore muscles, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not back to business as usual.

Rest assured, if you need us, we’re here. We’re answering phone calls, providing consumers with information and processing complaints. Our new office is located at:

4747 Viewridge Avenue, Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92123

Our phone numbers and email address are still the same, as are our working hours. We’re so happy to be in a new space, and we would like to thank you, San Diego consumers and our Accredited Businesses, for supporting us during this transition.

Here are a few pictures of our new digs! What do you think of the new space?

Baby Boomers: The Prime Target for Scammers

3/14/2013

Posted on 3/14/2013 by

Approximately 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 today and about 10-thousand more will cross that threshold every day for the next 16 years. Additionally, over the next fifty years the United States will see the largest transfer of wealth (totaling more than $20 trillion) from Depression-era consumers to their baby boomer children.

For scammers tuned to this wave of societal aging, an unprecedented opportunity is presented for access to a pool of wealth.

All of this adds up to a prime situation for thieves looking to tap into baby boomer savings. Below are a few of the most common scams that will continue to circulate as more and more baby boomers prepare to blow out their birthday candles.

Telemarketing Scams: Consumers aged 65 or older are twice as likely to purchase an item or service over the phone in comparison to their younger counterparts. Whether the person on the line is asking you to pay to receive a lottery prize, for your credit card number to buy a new computer at a discounted price or for your social security number to adjust your Medicare account, do not give out any personal information over the phone. If you ever have any question about the legitimacy of the business you’re speaking to, ask for a callback number and verify its claims with your BBB.

Internet Fraud: The ability to use the Internet is a good tool to have at any age, however baby boomers and the generations that precede them are more likely to fall victim to pop-up ad scams, phishing scams and anything else that has the potential to steal personal information or download malware online. Never open an email from someone you don’t know, click on an unknown link or download software onto your computer without being aware of its function.

Charity Scams: Scammers see the most results and are able to steal the majority of their money when the ‘cause’ tugs at the heart strings of unsuspecting consumers. While it’s unfortunate, the Better Business Bureau sees a severe uptick in complaints regarding charity scams after natural disasters, school shootings and other major crises. Even though it may be tempting to send off a check or hand over your credit card number when introduced to stories of those seemingly affected by these tragedies, always ask for additional information (i.e. the organization’s website, phone number, mission statement, etc.) to verify their legitimacy and feel comfortable with your donation.

Guest Blog: Welcoming the Designated Texter

3/13/2013

Posted on 3/13/2013 by

Federal administration officials are urging motorists to designate a person for texting, just as they would designate a person for driving after they’ve had a few drinks. Perhaps it's time for us all to welcome for this seemingly natural - if not necessarily problem-ending - solution of designating texters to reduce the number of accidents caused by texting drivers.

The job of the DT would be to help the driver send or read a text message. While the driver concentrates on the task of driving, a designated passenger would be solely responsible for sending and receiving texts so that the driver can maintain both his cognitive and physical focus completely on the road, and operating the deadly weapon that is the automobile.

Every motorist who has ever had a few drinks and wanted to drive home knows the importance of having a designated sober driver. The designated sober driver was an organic occurrence that was spawned by an increase in intoxicated driving laws and accidents. Today it is common practice for a group, or even a couple, who knows that they will be consuming alcohol, to choose one person in the group to stay sober in order to provide safe and legal transportation for everyone.

Now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is applying the same strategy to deal with distracted driving, specifically, texting while driving. Texting while driving is a major safety issue, particularly among teen drivers. These motorists are also much more likely to go out driving with teenage friends, increasing the risks of distraction. A teenage motorist driving a car full of friends of the same age group may feel encouraged to text while driving. In such cases, suggests the NHTSA, another person in the car should take over as the DT, leaving the teenage driver free to concentrate on the road.

DT Best Practices

Here are some basic tips that should be applied when using a DT:

- The driver should hand over his phone to the DT prior to setting the automobile in motion.

- Any new texts or incoming texts should be physically handled solely by the DT.

- If possible, the DT should sit in the front seat next to the driver so that communication between the driver and the DT requires as little distraction as possible.

- The DT should be in control of the phone for the entire duration of the trip.

The NHTSA calls text messaging the most destructive of all driving behaviors, because it requires the visual, cognitive and manual attention of the driver. The practice of texting takes a person's hands away from the wheel, his eyes away from the road, and his mind away from the task of driving.

This article is courtesy of the marketing team at The Reeves Law Group, San Diego.

Family Businesses: From the Board Room to Kitchen Table

3/11/2013

Posted on 3/11/2013 by

For the millions of family businesses operating across the world, having little separating lunch time meetings and family game nights is a recipe for disaster. Not only is the potential for a family feud highly likely, but a business disaster is also an unfortunate possibility. While family businesses can create unique entrepreneurial challenges for those involved, the payoff of working with those you already know, love and trust can be a huge plus for your business.

Here are a few tips for how to operate your family-run business and help it thrive:

1. Play to Your Strengths: Having clearly defined roles and strengths are good ways to keep a clear separation between the board room and kitchen table. In the end, responsibility and authority can determine the success of a family business - clarity in respect to goals and boundaries are key. While you all should work together for the benefit of the company, have someone responsible for client acquisition, another in charge of bookkeeping and someone else track of inventory. Doing so will avoid the blame-game and keep everyone accountable for their actions.

2. Don’t take it Personal: Even though working with your family members gives insight into personality traits and thought processes, be sure not to cross the professional line and take things to a personal level. While lashing out against a co-worker wouldn’t even be thinkable in the corporate world, sometimes it’s easier to lose your cool when there are personal relationships involved. Try to leave your emotions at the door and look at family members as professionals when entering the office.

3. Separate Personal from Professional Time: While it would be ideal to operate as a family while at home and as a business strictly when in the office, often times family businesses operate on both levels at all times. Setting time limits or restrictions on what is talked about at the dinner table is a good way to create a distinction between personal and professional time. Also, take time for yourself. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to be around the same people both in and out of the office. Going to a coffee shop or getting outside for a few minutes can give you the space and personal time you need when being with your family 24/7.

National Consumer Protection Week: How to Get Involved

3/6/2013

Posted on 3/6/2013 by

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a national campaign coordinated between 67 organizations annually that promotes and encourages consumer education and protection. The goal of the campaign is to encourage consumers to take full advantage of their rights and that by doing so they make better-informed and mutually-beneficial marketplace decisions. National Consumer Protection Week 2013 takes place between March 3^rd and March 9^th and hosts participants ranging from AARP, the FBI, the FTC, the IRS, the FDA and many more.

As an active supporter of National Consumer Protection Week, the San Diego BBB is encouraging consumers across the county to get involved and take advantage of the resources available. How can you participate in NCPW this year?

Consumer Tips

Just visiting the NCPW’s website will give you a wealth of tips and information from participating federal and state government and non-profit organizations. The option to view and download materials on everything from safe banking, investing, technology and more makes it easier than ever to share information with friends, family and neighbors or even order materials directly from select partners if you’re planning a larger event such as a conference or workshop.

Reach Out to Your Community

There are countless ways you can spread the news of NCPW to your community.

o Be a Gracious Host: Host a forum, workshop or seminar and share the tools people need to thrive in today’s economy. For more support, think about partnering with a local library, police department or small business.

o Put it in Writing: Write a press release to distribute to local newspapers, publications and organizations so they can promote NCPW and its information.

o Address the Press: Contact your local television, radio or cable stations and offer to tell their audiences about NCPW.

o Shout From the Rooftops! Word of mouth is powerful – sharing with friends, family, co-workers and neighbors about the information NCPW has to offer is the best resource!

Add Buttons and Banners

Visiting the NCPW’s website will also give you access to various banners and buttons you can add to your website, blogs and social media. Doing so will publicize to your audience your support of NCPW and spread the word of the importance of the campaign!

Promote the Event

To make it even easier, the NCPW’s website provides sample press releases, newsletter articles, flyer templates and even social media messages promoting the campaign. You can either modify these to fit your own event or information or even simply fill in your information for release.

BBB Appears on San Diego 6, Discusses NCPW & Tax Scams

3/5/2013

Posted on 3/5/2013 by
Sheryl Bilbrey, CEO of the BBB, explain how to avoid tax scams and stay aware not just during NCPW, but all year long.

Twitter Success? Just A Few Tips Away

3/1/2013

Posted on 3/1/2013 by

Depending on your goals, success on social media pages can be measured in many ways. Looking at your number of followers, click through rates and what people are saying about you are all tangible measures of success.

These days, Twitter has become a virtual necessity for almost every business and is the second most used social media page, behind only Facebook. At this point, your business (whether large or small) is missing out on consumers and potential business if you’re not tweeting.

While it may be tempting to dive into the Twitter-verse head first, it’s important to polish your profile and learn your voice before establishing the number of followers you aspire. Below are a few tips on how to construct the Twitter presence and success your business deserves.

Build your bio: Describing your business in a short, compelling way is one of the most important things you can do when starting out. Look at this as a sales pitch – use your motto, catch-phrase and any witty humor that will draw people in. Clarify who you are and what you offer, what differentiates you from competitors and any awards or claims to fame you have achieved.

Choose your @handle wisely: For the sake of clarity, the best handle for your account (if it isn’t taken) is your business name. If it is already in use, be creative! Adding numbers or symbols (underscores, dashes, hyphens, etc.) to your name makes your account still easy to find while distinguishing you from other users. You can also use a witty combination of words to describe users of your product of service if you really want to appeal to your audience’s sense of humor.

Create your content: Social media pages were not created as an advertising platform – they were originally meant as a place to entertain and socialize. That means that while it’s tempting to make your page all about you, don’t. Post relative, interesting, share-worthy content for your users to re-post and you will easily build a larger following.

The internet never sleeps: Twitter is alive and breathing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so there really is no wrong time to be actively tweeting. However, knowing your audience and their tendencies becomes effective when choosing what the best times are to tweet to reach the largest number of users. In other words, sending out a tweet at 3am when the majority of your followers are sleeping becomes obsolete and ultimately, a waste of your time, money and efforts.

Tips To Please That One Tough Customer

2/28/2013

Posted on 2/28/2013 by

Cranky customers are simply part of running a business. Whether the complaint comes via phone call, email or face-to-face confrontation, an unsatisfied customer can make even the most skilled professional want to hide under their desk. While we never want our customers to be unhappy with our services or products, the best offense is a good defense – be prepared for when they are. With a little emotion management and creative problem-solving, your business can turn even your toughest customers into your most devoted fans.

Below are a few tips on how your harshest critics can evolve into your strongest marketing tools and spread good news about your company.

1. Give Thanks: A genuine thank you can be extremely disarming to a disgruntled customer. While a whopping 89% of unhappy customers take their business elsewhere without telling you why, they do share the news with their friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. Look at their complaints as insight into problems that others aren’t willing to share and express your thanks for them doing so.

2. Soothe: The best approach when dealing with a complaint of any kind is to remain calm, collected and in control of the situation. It’s important to let the customer vent and release all of the negative thoughts they have in regard to your business. Listen to their complete story and when they’re done, offer a solution that can fill the void of all those pent-up angry feelings. It’s easy to get defensive during a hostile situation, but soothing your and your customer’s nerves will go a long way in the end.

3. Take the High Road: Even though the mantra says that the customer is always right, they aren’t. However, it’s important for your customers to perceive that they are. Don’t point fingers, pass blame or make excuses in regard to their complaint. By taking responsibility for the situation and attempting to solve the problem, you are storing your customer’s trust and faith in your business.

4. Exceed Expectations: It’s a matter of time before something goes wrong, whether with a product, customers, internally with your staff – the opportunities for disaster are endless. But don’t be surprised when they do, be prepared! After an unsatisfying encounter with your company, customers will often ask for much less than you anticipate. By going above and beyond what they need to repair the damage done, you’ll gain their loyalty and bragging rights.

How to Make a Fantastic First Impression

2/28/2013

Posted on 2/28/2013 by

In today’s current economy the job market has become flooded with prospective employees. Thanks to so many highly qualified individuals that currently find themselves unemployed, hiring managers find themselves with piles of resumes to go through. This condition makes it even more important to make an amazing first impression when you get chosen for an interview.

Obviously, if you are called in for an interview, then your resume has already made a great impression and got you in the door, but now you need to sell yourself and your qualities in person – which can be intimidating, to say the least. Here are a few strategies to follow in order to ace the interview.

1. Give the interviewer what they want. With thorough research before your interview, you can find out the specific industry needs of your potential employer. Going into your job interview prepared and ready to show them how you can meet those specific needs gives you an advantage on the competition.

2. Presentation matters. Clothes and grooming only comprise a portion of what good presentation is. Be on time, be polite and be enthusiastic about the job. As always, wear professional clothes with neutral colors (black, white, dark blue). You should usually dress as well as the top executives in the firm. This is often a suit and tie for men and a dress suit or pant suit with blazer for women.

3. Remember that even the most cliché job questions need answers. Even though the typical question of, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” seems easy to answer, you should still prepare short, concise answers to these types of questions. There are plenty of online resources where you can find examples of these typical interview questions and get help in preparing short, appropriate answers.

4. Remember the Process of Elimination. Most interview processes require numerous rounds of interviews. The first round of interviews is usually meant to be a weeding-out process, more over than a hiring decision. If you do not portray your qualifications adequately in the first interview, then you will quickly be disqualified. So be prepared to really make your attributes and technical skills shine in that first interview.

5. Never Lie. It may seem obvious, but lying will catch up to you. If you do manage to pull the wool over the interviewer’s eyes and land the job, then they will quickly discover your lies when you begin working and display your lack of skills. If there is a skill that you are not familiar with, then simply admit that in the interview, but make sure to stress your quickness and willingness to learn the skill.

6. Keep calm and carry on. It seems probable that a question will be asked that you simply didn’t expect and cannot come up with an answer for. If this situation arises: STAY CALM and CARRY ON. It is best to give a short, concise answer that will still give a positive impression. So, if you don’t have a specific answer to a question, then highlight another relevant skill or situation that you have dealt with in the past to show your coping strategies.

7. Remember the scenario questions. Interviewers are very fond of asking what would you do if….? These types of scenario questions are meant to show your potential employer how you would react to a typical on-the-job situation that is likely to arise. Prepare for these questions by imagining some scenarios that may arise on the job. Create potential questions from the detailed job description and have a few examples ready for how you would deal with some likely situations in the role. Make sure your answers show your ability to deal with different situations, and reference your previous successes in your responses.

Overall, the interview process can be stressful. But with the proper preparation and presentation, you can rise to the top and hopefully win the job of your dreams.

About the Author

David Kochanek is the Publisher of Job Search Digest and its related services for Private Equity, Investment Banking and Hedge Fund Jobs. He brings over 20 years of professional experience, including client management with a top 10 consulting firm and executive recruiting. Mr. Kochanek is a graduate of Albion College, one of the respected liberal arts colleges located in Michigan.

BBB Appears on Channel 6, Discusses Rising Gas Prices & Gas Scams

2/26/2013

Posted on 2/26/2013 by
BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey explains how thieves target your tank as gas prices rise.

Watch the BBB Famous Faces Commercials

2/21/2013

Posted on 2/21/2013 by
Watch the BBB's Famous Faces commercials! Faces Jerry Navarra of Jerome's Furniture and George Coles of Coles Fine Flooring explain why their businesses are better with the BBB.

Guest Blog: Crisis Marketing & How to Avoid It

2/20/2013

Posted on 2/20/2013 by

I got a call last week from a small business owner. “I need sales and I need them now.” he said, “how can you help me, how fast can you do it and how much will it cost? Oh and by the way, I don’t have a lot of extra money to spend.” This business owner is now in crisis marketing mode.

Waiting until you have no leads coming into your business can automatically put you into the crisis marketing mode. The time to get help or try new marketing strategies is NOT when you are desperate because then you will either not have the budget or you will pay just about anything to generate sales and cash flow.

Consumer buying habits have changed and if you plan on staying in business, your marketing strategies have to change too. It’s time to stop using old strategies to find new business.

Use Internet Marketing to Generate Leads

According to some studies, 90% of people searching for your products and services on the Internet never search beyond page one. That means if your business isn't on page one or at the very least page two of Google, your business doesn't even exist. And if people can't find you, they can't buy from you!

Critical Steps to Avoid Crisis Marketing

You don't necessarily need more marketing money to increase sales. Instead, it's your ability to use the marketing money and resources you already have more effectively. Commit to spending a specific amount every month on Internet marketing.

Step 1 - Create a website - It's hard to believe, but yes, some small business owners still don't have their own website. If you are one of those small business owners you better get busy.

Step 2 - Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - On-site search engine optimization helps provide the search engines the information they need to match what your site has to offer to the person conducting an online search.

Step 3 - Drive Qualified Traffic to Your Website - There are many ways to drive traffic to your website, some cost you little in terms of actual cash, while others are more sophisticated and complicated and will need to be budgeted. Here are few online strategies to consider:

--Social media marketing

--Press releases

--Blogging

--Video marketing

--Local search directories like Google Plus, Yahoo and Bing

Step 4 - Convert Website Visitors into Leads - The only way to verifiable of turning visitors into leads and leads into sales do this is to capture their contact information – at minimum first name and e-mail address. One of the best ways to do that is using an opt-in form. Offering a Free Report containing information that your visitor would find helpful in making an informed buying decision is a great way to do this.

Step 5 - Create a Follow Up Marketing System - Once you get website visitors to “opt-in” to your mailing list, follow up with your prospects and current clients using e-mail marketing newsletters.

Step 6 - Create a Referral and Review Marketing System - Make it a point to create a plan to generate referrals and ask for reviews that can be posted on your website or sites like Google Plus, Yelp and City Search.

The Bottom Line? - No matter what brand you sell, how high the price, what time of year or how bad the economy, people are still buying, you just need to be sure they buy from you.

David Carleton is a Local Business Marketing Success Consultant who specializes in showing small business owners how to spend less and get more from their marketing and advertising using low cost strategies in local business marketing, lead generation and conversion, Internet marketing and social media.

Don't Fall For A Tax Scam

2/20/2013

Posted on 2/20/2013 by

There’s one thing we all have in common this time of year: none of us look forward to dealing with tax season. Unfortunately, while we can be tempted by shortcuts we see online or on TV, these often come with the chance of being a scam. Unintentionally or not, there are huge potential consequences for cheating on your taxes. How can you make sure you avoid doing so this year? Look out for the scams below and breeze through this tax season with ease.

1) Phishing: While we can laugh off emails saying we’ve won the lottery in Spain or can buy an iPhone 5 for $20, it gets a little scarier when phishing emails circulate that are supposedly from the IRS. But here’s a heads up: the IRS will never contact you by email, text message or social media, especially when asking for personal information. If you do receive a request for personal info that states it’s from the IRS, forward it here (phishing@irs.gov) and do not respond.

2) Fishy Accountants: If you’re having a pro help you with your taxes, make sure they have the proper credentials and licenses. Some preparers have been known to fudge numbers or fake information to boost your refund and ask for a cut. Just say no – in the end, you’re always responsible for your return and will be the one busted if you’re not playing by the rules.

3) Fuzzy Math: People cheat on taxes for a lot of reasons; they are tempted year after year to inflate their donations to charities and other deductions to increase their return. Between October and December last year alone, the IRS investigated 1,300 people for tax fraud, with 85% of those landing in prison for 4 years or more. While criminal charges are more serious than inflating a deduction or two, honesty is always the best policy.

4) Offshore Income: Some people reason that money the IRS doesn't know about is money they don't have to pay taxes on. So they try to hide it abroad by using foreign accounts and credit cards, wire transfers, international trusts, insurance plans, and other vehicles. Otherwise known as tax evasion, this is a more serious tax scam and can land perpetrators in prison for five years or more.

5) False Forms: Some people use countless forms to claim credits they aren't eligible for, either through ignorance, deceit or on the advice of an unscrupulous preparer. Says the IRS, "One version of the scheme is based on the bogus theory that the federal government maintains secret accounts for its citizens and that taxpayers can gain access to funds in those accounts by issuing 1099-OID forms to their creditors, including the IRS." If a preparer recommends you fill out a form you are unfamiliar with, do a little research and check the IRS site (www.irs.gov) before doing so.

For more information about tax scams or the BBB’s service, please contact us at BBB.org or by telephone at 858.496.2131.

Business Owners: Beware of these Billing Scams

2/19/2013

Posted on 2/19/2013 by

According to the San Diego City Treasurer’s office, about 94% of businesses in San Diego and Imperial Counties are classified as small businesses with 12 or fewer employees. As a small business owner, you have a lot on your plate. Juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a small business (managing your inventory, keeping your employees and customers happy, running your company’s website, etc.) can be overwhelming and at times, frustrating. At a time when it’s becoming harder and harder to operate as a small business, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself, your assets and your employees.

Scammers are taking advantage of demanding and hectic workloads by sending fraudulent invoices posing as legitimate companies. These bogus bills look just like any other; a phony company name, address, web address and logo can all be deceiving to those familiar with the look of an invoice.

The most common report of this scam comes in the form of “maintenance” billing, whether in regards to the phone lines, internet service, electricity outlets and more. With amounts ranging from hundreds, to thousands of dollars, it’s important to be vigilant before authorizing any form of payment.

It’s easy to be busy and let things slip through the cracks. So as you are shifting through the pile of bills stacked up on your desk, what should be looking for before breaking out your checkbook?

--Look out when paying your everyday bills, such as electricity, water and plumbing; since these are checks we write every month, sometimes we do so in haste - without really looking at the cost and the details of the invoice.

--If you are using an independent contractor for any work, ask for detail and do the math. A more detailed description of the work done and hours taken to do so will clear up any questions or suspicions.

--Follow up with your normal provider. If you receive a “maintenance” bill from a company you don’t recognize, get in contact with your provider and verify the legitimacy of the bill.

Need A Guest Speaker? We've Got You Covered

2/15/2013

Posted on 2/15/2013 by

Here at the San Diego BBB, we’re all about you. We ask to hear from you about businesses in our community, try to assist you in making the best marketplace decisions possible and help resolve any complaints you have with local companies. It’s our mission to educate consumers – and that’s YOU.

One way we do this is through our Speakers Bureau program. This FREE program gives you access to highly qualified volunteers in your area that would like to speak about frauds and scams that directly affect you and your peers.

Have a PTA meeting coming up? Need a speaker at your next community assembly? Looking for a presentation for your next club or class lecture? The BBB’s Speakers Bureau is right for you.

We want to talk to you about how to protect yourself from the scams currently circulating our community. Here are the top 5 reasons why we think you should schedule a Speakers Bureau presentation today:

1. Become Aware: Learn what scams are spreading through your community and have the potential to affect you the most! Simply becoming aware of scammers tactics is the best defense against their tricks. By bringing the Speakers Bureau to your group meeting, you are giving the gift of knowledge and educating your friends and family on what to look out for.

2. Protect Yourself: While learning what’s out there is the first step, the Speakers Bureau program also gives rules and tips on how to avoid a scam and what actions you should take if you have already fallen victim. Sometimes we don’t know a scam until it’s too late, losing money and giving up our personal information. The first few steps after a scam are crucial to regaining financial safety and stability; let us guide the way!

3. Spread the Word: Once you’re a pro, spread the word! Speakers Bureau presentations give you the knowledge, power and confidence to help protect your friends and family from scams – use it!

4. Meet your BBB: Attending a Speakers Bureau presentation provides a unique opportunity to connect and interact with your San Diego BBB. We often speak to you on the phone and via email, but rarely do we ever meet face-to-face. By scheduling a presentation for your group, you are able to meet with our staff and learn a little bit more of what we’re all about.

5. Get Your Questions Answered: Not only are we looking forward to meeting your group, but we are excited for the opportunity to get out into your community and answer your questions! We are eager to address your concerns, give you tips on the spot and become better acquainted – after all, we are here to help you!

We have a variety of presentations ready for your next meeting, including topics of Internet Safety, Scams against seniors, Identity Theft and more. If you would like more information about the program or are interested in setting up an appointment for your next meeting, please contact Lauren Holt. We hope to see you soon!

We're Sweet On You, San Diego

2/14/2013

Posted on 2/14/2013 by

In case you haven’t ventured onto Twitter, Facebook or watched a news program today, let us be the first to remind you that it’s Valentine’s Day.

Yes, the day of love can be wonderful for the couples, miserable for the singles and just business for, well, the businesses. At the BBB, though, it’s not just another business day. We’ve got something to admit; we’re sweet on you, San Diego.

You’ve got our heart. You’ve had it since 1921, and you just won’t give it back. Whether you’re giving us that beautiful skyline or filling America’s Greatest City with America’s greatest companies, you make the job of the San Diego BBB exciting and enjoyable.

Our relationship is a two way street, though. You pledge to do right by the consumers of this town and we pledge to provide them with free, verified information in real time. Symbiosis: some might say we’re a match made in heaven.

And while we aren’t strangers to the occasional disagreement – scam artists, those F-rated companies, 50 degree weather – we wouldn’t have gotten to where we are today without you.

So to give back to our one true love, here’s our Valentine’s Day offering: We actually have over 6,400 offerings. Each one shows our love and devotion to you, San Diego. Use today to take a look at one of our 6,400 Accredited Business. Whether you need some last minute flowers, a good restaurant, maybe even a hotel, we’ve got the information that will guide you to San Diego’s better businesses.

So what do you say, San Diego? Will you be the BBB’s Valentine?

Guest Blog: Write A Cover Letter to Land an Interview

2/13/2013

Posted on 2/13/2013 by

For most people, a cover letter is an afterthought – and that’s a big mistake. Spending a lot of time and attention on your resume is definitely required for a successful job search, but don’t leave your cover letter to the last minute. In fact, your cover letter may be the difference between getting an interview or ending up in the trash pile. When writing your cover letter, remember that it typically sits on top of your resume - it is the first, and sometimes only, impression you get to make before being asked for an interview.

In your job search, think of your resume as the main course and the cover letter as the appetizer – the first taste of who you are; it gets the potential employer to turn the page and look at your resume. Don’t miss out on the job because your cover lacks the zest and appeal required.

Each and every company is looking for an employer to fill their specific and unique hiring needs. They are looking for the perfect match fill the hole in their management team. Because you should have done your resume homework on the company, your cover letter should reflect this understanding by addressing their needs specifically. You need this letter to grab attention early and entice the hiring manager to read on. It is quite often the first step to getting hired.

A cover letter should always answer these critical questions and contain these key features:

It should state who you are. Explain your background that is relevant to this position and how your skills are a perfect match.

It should outline what you will be bringing to the job; what skills you have that could help make their workplace a more productive one (on day 1).

It should outline your main career goals. Be sure to show them that you want to remain with the company for a long time and that you will be a dedicated employee.

It should not include any discussion of your compensation expectations. Leave that for much later in the hiring process.

Show your great communication skills by proof reading the cover letter numerous times (including one time backwards) in order to be sure that there are no typos. It is obvious, but a professional-looking cover letter makes you look like a professional!

Your cover letter should be brief. Keep it to less than a full page, and keep it clear and concise.

Here is a great format to follow:

Who is this person?
Introduce yourself, tell them who you are and what your background is. Use two or three brief sentences to tell them who you are and what skills you bring to the job.

Why did they send me a cover letter?
You don’t just want the job, you are the answer to their staffing problem, a productive employee who can get the job done. List your key, relevant skills and how you will use your knowledge to benefit their brand.

Close with an invitation.
Thank them for their time and consideration and invite them to contact you for an interview to discuss things further. Don’t forget to follow the proper letter format with your name and contact info at the top of the letterhead.

You have less than a minute to grab the hiring manager thoughts and lead him to the decision to call you. Your cover letter needs to stand out among all the others but not by using colored paper or fancy fonts. Keep it clean, concise and professional looking. Get his attention by being the right candidate on paper.

Of course the key ingredient to a winning cover letter is to showcase how well you fit with the employer’s needs. Make the hiring manager’s decision an easy one by stating exactly what you bring to the table and how you can hit the ground running.

About the Author

David Kochanek is the Publisher of Job Search Digest and its related services for investment professionals, including the Private Equity Compensation Report. He brings over 20 years of professional experience, including client management with a top 10 consulting firm and executive recruiting. Mr. Kochanek is a graduate of Albion College, a well-respected liberal arts college.

For more information you can contact Mr. Kochanek at publisher@jobsearchdigest.com .

BBB Appears On KUSI, Discusses Valentine's Day Scams

2/12/2013

Posted on 2/12/2013 by
BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on KUSI's Good Morning San Diego yesterday to discuss Valentine's Day scams and tips. Catch the interview now!

Ownership vs. Experience: Market for Lifelong Consumers

2/11/2013

Posted on 2/11/2013 by

Products were once constrained by ownership and access; in order for someone to gain familiarity with your product, they had to buy it or try it in some other way. Sure, they could gain some insight to how your product worked and its purpose through advertising and word-of-mouth, but there was no real depth without consumption.

With the explosion of the web and social media, consumers are able to do something previously impossible: experience your product pre-purchase and make a purchasing decision from there. While the relationship between consumer and a brand was once one-dimensional and based solely on ownership, the interaction between consumer and brand has become much more of a complex process.

With purchasing power now weighing heavily in the consumer’s favor, there has been little companies can do except for embrace it and put their best put forward. Consumers have become the best marketing tool - sharing things they like online with the click of a button thanks to social media. By publishing videos, tweeting, blogging and updating social media pages multiple times a day, companies can embed the consumer experience in the brains of potential users, without even selling their product.

Why is this so important?

For marketers, it’s become apparent that the experience a product generates is now almost more important than the product itself. People are increasingly buying things based on the experience they expect it will create, with the expectation it will fulfill what they’ve seen online. For example, a consumer is likely to feel as if they know what owning a handbag from Kate Spade feels like simply by reading the company’s blog - regardless of if they are even planning on purchasing one. Just the association of the blog to the handbag is enough to strengthen brand awareness, make the company seem more accessible and plant a seed in the consumer’s mind that they are already familiar with the brand.

What should we take away from this?

It’s undeniable that creating a personal connection consumers share with your brand is now a necessity. More so than ever, we are no longer selling products - we are selling a relationship. So take the wheel and market your business the way you want consumers to experience it.

--Are you on social media? Create your business’ Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn profiles and start interacting with the public! Posting videos, pictures, reviews and essential information for consumers to frequent is the easiest building block for generating a relationship.

--Start a blog. The best way to get into the groove of a company blog is establishing a pattern of what type of content will be posted on what day. (Example: Monday= consumer tips, Tuesday= guest blog, Wednesday= product reviews, etc.) Doing so will alert your consumers what to look for and subscribe to your blog based what interests them the most. Generating a pattern of when they visit your site strengthens their ties to your brand.

--Encourage conversation. Having a portion on your page where users can post comments relating to your blog, services, etc. is a good tool to have when closely monitored. Hearing testimonials from current users can help paint a better picture in the head of potential purchasers what the experience of owning/using your products is really like.

BBB Warns, Check Phone Bills For Unexpected Charges

2/6/2013

Posted on 2/6/2013 by

Better Business Bureau Cautions Consumers against mobile marketing company

February 6, 2013 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – The Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties is asking consumers to check their cell phone bills for charges from a mobile marketing company with a recent influx of complaints.

Byte Spike LLC, a local mobile marketing services provider, generates mobile campaigns for media agencies, businesses and direct marketers. According to their website, Byte Spike was created to “fill the need for cost-effective mobile programs,” and remains dedicated to acquiring “high quality leads.”

While Byte Spike insists that it operates to create positive and engaging campaigns, the company has received an “F-rating” from the BBB and 26 complaints in the last 12 months alone.

“Cell phone usage has become such a major part of our daily routine. With nearly 80% of the population owning some sort of cellular device, it certainly gives unethical companies and scam artists a lot of opportunity to take advantage of consumers,” says Sheryl Bilbrey, President/CEO of the San Diego Better Business Bureau.

Unaware that they have even been targeted by the company, consumers are looking at their monthly cell phone bills and finding charges of $9.99 on their statement. Upon contacting Byte Spike’s customer service department, the majority of consumers seem to have little luck reversing the charges. Unfortunately, since these charges are made by a third party, consumers are unable to have their service providers reverse the fees. This very issue – billing or collection issues - is responsible for 21 of the 26 consumer complaints against the company.

“Even if you have auto bill-pay, it’s crucial to look at your statement every month,” says Bilbrey. “Consumers are finding these extra charges on their bill without even knowing the company it’s associated with and writing a check without asking too many questions.”

Consumer Tips

Phishing scams via text: Another way of wide-spread phishing, fraudulent text message have become more and more common over the last few years, prompting consumers to give up not only access to their phone numbers, but also providing personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.

Phishing Scams via Email: With smart phones more popular than ever, beware of opening suspicious emails on your cell; by clicking on a link embedded in a phishing email, you may be giving up personal info and infecting your device.

Online Contests: If you are told you have “won a prize” on the Internet and simply need to enter your phone number to receive it, beware. Certain links may give scammers access to your cellular account, download malicious software onto your device or access personal information.

###

Rachel Newman

Director of Communications

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

Guest Blog: How Technology Reduces Wage Fraud Lawsuits

2/6/2013

Posted on 2/6/2013 by

It appears more and more workers are taking their employers to court for wage and work hour violation claims. This spike in wage theft claims is mostly being attributed to tough economic conditions, increased enforcement by the government, and the lack of proper HR management systems such as time attendance software.

Federal judicial caseload statistics indicate that wage theft lawsuits have already soared to a record level. As of July, 2012, there had already been 7,064 lawsuits filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which is the existing law that governs wage and work hour provisions. In comparison, there were 7,006 lawsuits filed in all of 2011. Interestingly, the number of cases filed just a decade ago stands at 2,035.

As noted above, one reason for this increase in lawsuits is the fact that the government has increased vigilance in handling such matters. The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the Department of Labor collected more than $224 million worth of back wages from employers for more than a quarter of a million workers in the last fiscal year.

“The Wage and Hour Division has stepped up enforcement efforts on behalf of vulnerable workers — such as low-wage workers, migrant or seasonal laborers, workers with limited English language skills and workers who are unaware of their rights or are reluctant to file a complaint when subject to labor violations,” said Sonia Melendez, a spokesperson for the WHD.

A majority of today’s wage fraud lawsuits comprise of the misclassification of employees, complaints relating to uncompensated work performed off the clock, and inaccuracies in the calculation of overtime pay. Many of these claims deal with outmoded state and federal laws, which were established without the foresight of technology like automated time clocks and HR software. In addition, there seems to be a lack of clarity in existing laws, which creates confusion in regards to the classification of workers that need to be paid for overtime. The lucrative recovery figures from such cases, especially in some of the recent high-profile class action lawsuits, are getting the attention of employees and their lawyers.

How can technology help?

Since most of the FLSA violation claims are associated with the miscalculation of, or non-payment of overtime, technology such as employee time management systems can make or break a case. Automated time clocks and online attendance software can help employers avoid potential litigation and costly penalties. Some of these systems are capable of identifying employees using biometric features through fingerprint or facial recognition, ensuring there is no chance of erroneous payroll recording. Once the employee’s particular physiological features have been saved into the system, advanced timekeeping software records individual punches to mark attendance. The work hour data is automatically recorded in real-time, eliminating any possibility of human error. This not only leaves little room for a potential lawsuit, but also ensures that employers’ interests are being served because employees cannot engage in time theft practices.

Article courtesy of Chad Buckmaster of uAttend. For more information about uAttend, visit their website.

Consumer Alert! Don't Get The Blues This Valentine's Day

2/6/2013

Posted on 2/6/2013 by

Behind only Christmas, Americans spend more money on Valentine’s Day than any other holiday. With an average of $126 per person spent each year, Valentine’s Day raked in $17.6 billion in 2012 – all between cards, flowers, chocolate, jewelry and dinner. But even though romance is in the air for couples on February 14^th, scammers still have your money on their mind. What should you be on the lookout for this year when planning a special day with your loved one?

1. E-Cards: Even though checking your inbox and seeing that “someone has sent you an e-card!” may be mysterious and exciting, make sure you know the cupid who’s sent you the Valentine before you click on the link. Once opened, phishing e-cards can infect your computer with malware or obtain personal information, such as credit card or bank account numbers. Scammers know it’s easier to trick consumers into clicking onto malicious links while romance is in the air, so make sure you know who the card is from before you view it.

2. Online Flower Shops: Because we aren’t usually shopping for flowers on a regular basis, online flower scams spring up like crazy this time of year, hoping to trick consumers who don’t do their research before handing over their credit card number. Just because the company is promoted with advertisements all over the internet does not mean they are legitimate – you still need to do your research! Look for reviews and testimonials from previous customers, research the company’s physical location and most of all, check out their Business Review with the BBB.

3. Delivery Emails: With the majority of flowers and gift packages ordered online, it’s no wonder phishing scams abound as the clock ticks down to Valentine’s Day. Be wary of email warnings that your gift cannot be delivered because of a problem with the credit card used. Clicking on the link included in the message will usually direct consumers to a spoof site where they re-enter their information, handing it directly over to scammers. If you ever have any question about the status of your order or delivery, contact the company’s customer service department immediately and do not follow through with the original email received.

4. Online Dating: The online dating market has grown 57% in the last two years alone, with almost half of those subscribers signing up to meet their soul mate in the months of January and February. If you’re looking for love online this Valentine’s season, be careful of fake profiles created by scammers which try to lure vulnerable people into revealing their personal information. Do your research before joining: how introductions are made, background checks and the screening process for matches are all viable and important questions to get answered before joining.

Guest Blog: Damage Sun Can Cause Your Car

2/5/2013

Posted on 2/5/2013 by

Not everyone has the option to park their car inside a garage or even under a carport and so protecting a vehicle from the damage the sun can do to your car becomes quite important for anyone who is interested in retaining the shine and newness of their vehicle's exterior. A car left out in the sun for a few years where the owner doesn't take specific steps to keep that vehicle protected will often look faded and old far too soon. Additionally, significant time spent out in the sun can create cracks in the paint and allow the surface to peel away and disintegrate over time, which can start to cause other issues such the growth of rust and even cracks emanating from the weaker points of the car's exterior.

The Damage the Sun Can Do to Your Car

One of the least attractive types of sun damage on a vehicle is an area of the car that is starkly different in color due to an intense level of sun damage. Often a car that has been sitting in the sun for years will have a huge faded spot on the roof or hood and this is generally something that can make the car look exceptionally old and tired. Sometimes these faded patches can be repaired if the sun damage hasn't been going on for too long, but often the only way to repair such damage is through an entirely new coat of paint. Sun damage can also create problems with the protective clear coat that is applied to the surface of the car and the resulting bubbling or cracking of the clear coat can represent a huge hassle for a vehicle owner.

How to Protect Your Vehicle

Methods that are available to protect a car from the sun where a garage or covered enclosure isn’t otherwise available include the use of a cloth cover or the use of a high quality wax on the surface of the vehicle to provide a barrier between the car's paint and the rays of the sun. Many waxes will have something called a "UV stabilizer" within the mixture to reduce sun damage. It's also recommended that a car that is kept in a sunny area is washed on a regular basis to prevent interaction of the sun and any dirt buildup upon the vehicle's surface which might accelerate the appearance of aging. For vehicle owners who are particularly intent on keeping their car safe from the sun, there are also specific types of paint that can be applied to the vehicle that are more resistant to sun damage.

This post was contributed by Joe Seals—owner of SoCal Mobile Auto Detailing and contributor to MotorCar.com

Be sure to check out his very popular Auto Detailing Blog and leave a comment.

BBB Seeks Students For Scholarship Program

2/1/2013

Posted on 2/1/2013 by

January 30, 2013 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties (BBB) is offering high school Juniors and Seniors the opportunity to earn money for college through their participation in the peer-to-peer advising program Student Ambassador.

BBB’s Student Ambassador program aims to bring smart consumer information to high school age students, who are often the target of scam artists and credit card companies. In order to make the material more palatable for teenagers, the BBB trains volunteer students who then deliver speeches to their peers and classmates.

“High school age students are often hit hard by scammers because they tend to be naïve and have high disposable incomes,” said BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “This program gives teenagers the tools to fight back against scammers and become smart adult consumers.”

Established in 2005, the Student Ambassador program has grown tremendously over the years, with participants from private, public and charter high schools that range from Imperial to San Ysidro, from Carlsbad to Fallbrook.

The BBB encourages students to participate in the Student Ambassador program not just for the chance to win a scholarship that will be put towards college, but to build their resume, as well as take advantage of an opportunity for personal growth. Public speaking is a common fear, and with the practice of speaking to groups of their peers, many Student Ambassador participants will have the tools to overcome that fear.

“Having the ability to speak clearly and confidently to your peers is instrumental at any age,” said Bilbrey. “Mastering that skill while you are still in high school is invaluable.”

Though not all applicants will be able to receive a scholarship from the BBB’s Student Ambassador sponsor Union Bank, each Ambassador will be recognized for their service in the program and will be able to use the experience on their resumes for college.

The deadline to apply for this advantageous program is February 15^th. Interested parties should go to http://sandiego.bbb.org/studentambassador to apply; call 858.496.2131 or email Brenna Simon at bsimon@sandiego.bbb.org for more information.

###

Rachel Newman

Director of Communications

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

13 Tips For A Scam Free 2013

1/31/2013

Posted on 1/31/2013 by

The first month of the year has almost passed. Have any of your New Year’s Resolutions fallen by the wayside? At the BBB, we’ve had the same New Year’s Resolution for 101 years. It’s simple. We don’t need to give up soda or go to the gym more often, rather, we always resolve to help as many consumers as possible ward of the advances of scam artists.

Our CEO is fond of saying that the scams haven’t changed, just the method of perpetrating them. It’s hard to keep up with a scam artist’s latest tools for trickery, but that’s why your BBB is here! It doesn’t take much more than a click, the turn of a door knob or the pull of your heartstrings to hook you on a scam, but if you follow these 13 tips for 2013, you’ll be in good shape to stay scam free all year!

13. Stop. Think. Don’t Click. Videos and links to special, exclusive content abound on social media. It’s hard to control your clicking finger when the promise of such a interesting video waits for you on the other end. Your BBB reminds you though, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid tempting links and keep your computer virus free!

12. Spice up your password. Hold on, I’m getting a reading: Is your password “monkey1234”? You keep a lot of personal information online, and most of that information is guarded by just one word. Choose wisely. Avoid these common codes.

11. Don’t hide from your credit score. Your credit score isn’t something that should be avoided. Check in annually, at the very least, and if it isn’t where you’d like it to be, work to raise it. Checking your credit can also help keep you aware of any sudden or unexpected dips in your score, which can be a sign that your identity has been stolen.

10. Get ahold of those tear ducts. There are national disasters and tragedies every year that cause us to come together to provide emotional and financial strength to victims, but your BBB says to be cautious when giving to charity. Always check out the charity before you give, and never give money to an unverified source.

9. Slam the door on door-to-door salesmen. The story has been the same for tens of years. Whether it’s wrapping paper, candy bars, driveway repaving or magazine subscription, it’s tough to turn someone away when their staring you in the face. They may seem legitimate, but you should always do your homework before exchanging money with any person or business.

8. Stay off the wires. Wiring money is a big red flag when conducting any marketplace transaction. Consumers should be extremely wary of any person who asks them to wire money for goods or services.

7. Don’t show yours until they’ve shown you theirs. Background checks can be legitimate requests when you are apply for a new job. However, before you blindly send over your social security number, mother’s maiden name and bank account information to John from Craigslist, make sure the company that you are sending your information to exists and is ethical.

6. Don’t take the bait. Phishing scams grow in popularity as the 21^st century progress. Nary does a day pass when the average consumer doesn’t have a phishing email swim into their inbox. While most phishing emails are obvious, there are those that can trick even the most seasoned eyes. As a general rule of thumb, your BBB suggests never clicking on links in an email. Rather copy and paste them into your browser.

5. Be smarter than your smartphone. In 2012, mobile apps and compromised QR codes downloaded viruses onto your phone. This scam will only to continue to grow in 2013 if consumers aren’t careful with their cell phones. Make sure before you download or click on your mobile device, that you are sure of the source.

4. It’s all foreign to me. Foreign lotteries are illegal in the United States and are often fraudulent. Consumers who receive phone calls informing them that they’ve won a lottery they never entered are advised to hang up immediately and never give out any of their personal information.

3. Beware before you buy. Online shopping is hugely popular. The BBB advises, though, that consumers verify the source before they make a purchase. Gift card exchange sites are common these days, but many consumers have been shirked by the switching party when, after sending their full gift card, they receive a gift card in return with only a percentage of the amount that was promised to them.

2. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean you should ignore it. The fine print is there for a reason! Read it. Understand it. Never sign a contact without doing so. Tricks and caveats are often included in the fine print of a contract. Don’t get caught in a bad deal because you didn’t read the fine print before signing.

1. Check with your BBB before you do business. It’s the best advice we can give you. We have reviews on hundreds of thousands of businesses across the county, but we also offer our advice and are a great resource if you need help from a governmental or regulatory agency. So give us a call (858.496.2131), drop us an email (info@sandiego.bbb.org) or find us online http://bbb.org. We can’t wait to talk to you!

Guest Blog: Top 5 Tips for Resume Success

1/30/2013

Posted on 1/30/2013 by

The first step to landing a job is a well-crafted resume. Understand that a resume is your prime marketing tool and is usually the first, if only, point of contact with a possible employer. The goal of a resume is to stand-out from the rest of the crowd and get you noticed, and move you closer to an interview.

Writing a resume can seem a bit overwhelming, but it is easier than you may think. Here are some helpful tips to follow for crafting a successful resume.

1. Tailor Your Presentation

Start by doing your research. Visit the company website to familiarize yourself with the firm you are interested in, and then customize your resume to fit the goals of the organization. Based on your research, be sure to highlight all your aligned skills and experiences with the current needs of the organization. The headline of your resume is a good place to compose a “branding” statement, one that specifically touches on your industry expertise.

For instance, if you were an investment professional, you would want to make your deal-making skills stand out and grab the employer’s attention. Show them what you know, how you can benefit their firm, and why you are the best person for the job and should be interviewed.

2. Be Clear and Accurate in Your Message

This may seem obvious, but pay close attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Resume errors, even small glitches, can quickly squash your hopes for landing a job and most errors can easily be avoided. Proofread your resume several times before applying for a job and, if at all possible, have someone else review it as well.

If your resume is not perfect, employers may view you as unorganized, unprofessional, or incapable of paying attention to details on important projects. Your resume should be consistent, clear, and to the point. It should flow and be easy for an interviewer to read and comprehend. If you are not 100% confident in your writing skills, consider hiring a professional resume writer.

3. Be a Professional – Online and Offline

Another factor to consider in today’s online social age is consistency. It is imperative that your resume and online profiles (such as LinkedIn.com) are in synch. The last thing you want when applying for a job is to appear dishonest due to an over-sight which could easily be prevented. Also remember, employers will check your Facebook page. Don’t make the mistake of portraying yourself as a fool on Facebook. Believe it or not, employers screen potential candidates based on what they find on your online profile – and you will never know if they passed you over because of whey they found online.

4. Highlight Your Best Attributes

Take a thorough inventory of your achievements and be sure to highlight the most relevant ones on your resume. This inventory includes providing specific examples of how your efforts directly benefited your past employers. If you have specific experience or technical skills that you feel the potential employer needs to fill a “talent gap” in their organization, then showcase these in your resume.

Organize your resume in such a way that you are highlighting the most important points first. Then follow the standard reverse chronological order for the detail of your work experience. Remember, no matter your level of experience, employers are looking for candidates who possess leadership potential and effective communication. Demonstrate both of these through your resume.

5. Use Active Language

When it comes to resume language, always use action words to highlight your contributions. Action words add a powerful punch to your resume and set your apart from the competition.

Here are some action oriented words to consider:

-Analyzed
-Negotiated
-Managed
-Performed
-Directed
-Enhanced
-Improved
-Produced
-Secured
-Surpassed

Follow these tips and you will get your resume to work for you, not against you.

About the Author

David Kochanek is the Publisher of Job Search Digest and its related services for Hedge Fund, Investment Banking and Private Equity Jobs. He brings over 20 years of professional experience, including client management with a top 10 consulting firm and executive recruiting. Mr. Kochanek is a graduate of the Professional Management Program at Albion College.

For more information you can contact Mr. Kochanek.

Guest Blog: The Benefits of Integrated Platforms

1/29/2013

Posted on 1/29/2013 by

A successful company recognizes the customer as the focal point of their business. A customer driven organization has the ability to understand and meet the needs of its clients.

Currently, with so many different platforms and software addressing different marketing needs, it only makes sense for the customer to invest in an integrated sale and marketing system.

Integration in the marketing process is the only way to create efficiency and effectiveness in a company’s sales and marketing strategy. Using various separate systems can result in duplicated data, conflict, and poor quality in information. By integrating CRM, Customer Relations Management, with other operations such as email marketing, social media, and project management, a company can utilize all data to create effective strategies that target the appropriate audience. Having one dashboard allows the organization to utilize a single reliable source of data that can be accessed internally throughout the corporation. Cloud based applications in particular, are even better because you can access the secure information, any time from any location, making it easier for business with travel or multiple locations.

Small businesses require a flexible and adaptable system that can support and increase their productivity while reducing both technological and business risks. Challenges arise when information is not made readily available to those who need access to it within the company. Housing data in one place will not only increase sales but also support an operation’s efficiency and profitably, resulting in overall growth.

For too long, companies have had to rely on a number of different platforms to meet the needs of their daily operations. Unfortunately, this can be very costly. As a start- up or SME, Small to Medium sized Enterprise, overhead costs must be eliminated or greatly reduced to allow for maximum profitability. It is no surprise that we are seeing a shift towards more integrated software marketing systems. At the very least, having a CRM and email marketing software will allow both the marketer and sales personnel to gain great insight into their customers, creating better targeted email campaigns.

Having analytics attached to your CRM and email marketing platform will also enhance your targeted email campaigns. Being able to identify what content is attracting consumers, and seeing WHO is spending time there is crucial in developing an effective, efficient and directed online marketing strategy.

As the small to mid-sized business pool continues to grow, software companies will have to conform to the basic needs of a SMB. Integration is the next wave, as there are only a few systems out there currently tackling this business necessity.

Why spend more, when you can spend less and get more? Use an integrated platform that combines CRM, email marketing, website analytics (and more, if possible) to save you time and money while driving growth for your business. Technology exists to help your business - take advantage of it!"

This article brought to you by Lars Helgeson of Green Rope, headquartered in San Diego.

How To Hold Your Customer's Attention Online

1/28/2013

Posted on 1/28/2013 by

Ask any successful small business owner and he/she is sure to tell you that an online presence has been crucial to their company’s growth and success. The constant evolution of the web has opened a plethora of doors for businesses everywhere, proving to be a necessary component of any marketing strategy.

But the trick isn’t just getting consumers onto your page anymore – it’s building a site that is captivating, easy to navigate and clearly presents your goals as a business. Sound a little tricky? Here are five tips for revamping your website and improving your visitor’s online experiences:

1. Simplify: Your visitors want quick load times and straightforward menus, not fancy unnecessary extras. Simplifying your site not only makes it easier to navigate, but keeps customers from getting frustrated, leaving and ending up on your competitor’s webpage.

2. Regular Updates: If your page’s latest news is from 2010, it might as well not be there at all. Designate one portion of your website for fresh content and update it regularly – doing so will keep visitors checking back for the latest specials, announcements, articles, etc.

3. Keep it Short: Users tend to get bored easily online, so keep text under a few hundred words. Adding pictures, graphics, videos, etc. will add a little flair to the page without being overwhelming.

4. Contact Information: If most of your business comes from local consumers, it’s imperative to have a local phone number, address and even hours of business. Otherwise, adding a contact form or toll free number will make you accessible to visitors with questions or concerns. Adding a live chat option to the homepage has become a successful retention tool for many companies involved with customer service.

5. Use Analytics: Pay attention to what your visitors are doing on your site using Analytics. Doing so will allow you to see what content is most effective and what part(s) of your site aren’t working.

BBB Sponsored Sites

If you’re an Accredited Business and do not currently have a website site, please contact Valerie Simson to take advantage of our FREE BBB-Sponsored Webpages. Through this service, the BBB will build a web presence for you, including photos & videos of your business, business history and contact information. Your BBB-Sponsored Website will stay active for as long as your business is accredited.

Scholarships to Avoid At All Costs

1/24/2013

Posted on 1/24/2013 by

In the fall 2012 semester, there were approximately 19.7 million students enrolled in a college, university or other institution granting a higher education degree. The average in-state tuition at a public university was $15,876 per year and $40,633 per year at a private university. With so many students forking over so much cash, it’s no wonder scam artists are tapping into this growing population and stealing an average of $100 million annually though just scholarship and financial aid scams alone.

As college applications continue to flood in and early acceptance letters are being shipped out, the Better Business Bureau of San Diego & Imperial Counties is warning students and their parents to be wary of businesses offering to help with the financial aid or scholarship application processes.

Misleading Sales Pitches

There is a wide variety of warning signs to look out for when solicited by a company for help with the financial aid or scholarship application process. They are:

Access Fees: When a business charges you a fee, (ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars) for access to their database of available scholarships, it’s most likely a fraud.

“Only Available Here”: While companies may market their databases as exclusive, these lists are often easily accessible online.

It Sounds Official: Just because a company has the word “National”, “Federal”, “Foundation”, or “Administration” in its name, does not mean it is a legitimate company. Many students get tricked into believing the legitimacy of a company because of an authentic sounding name.

Attend Our Free Seminar: While many colleges and universities offer free seminars on financial aid for their prospective students, be cautious of businesses that do so – these tend to end with a sales pitch filled with pressure tactics to “act now or lose out” for a fee.

Warning Signs

There are a few quick tricks to follow while researching the validity of a company. By taking a quick look on their website or calling with a few simple questions, students can determine if they are dealing with a company they want to continue working with.

Personal Information needed: Companies that claim to need your social security number, bank account information, credit card number, etc. are scams. This personal information relating to your bank account and finances is not necessary when simply applying for financial aid.

First Come, First Served! Scholarship money from a valid source is not awarded on a first come, first served basis. Applications are seriously considered, instead of doled out based on how quickly they are received.

We Apply For You! When a business claims to need all of your personal information to apply for scholarships for you, the BBB cautions you to be careful. Handing over any personal information is dangerous, especially when you don’t know who is given access and for what purpose.

Guaranteed Success: No company can promise the award of a scholarship simply by working with them. Any financial aid coming from an institution, government agency or corporation is handled within the organization and cannot be guaranteed by a third party.

What Should You Do?

The BBB recommends working with your current counselor on finding scholarships and financial aid that you or your child is eligible for. It also may be beneficial to contact the financial aid office of the college or university at which you are applying to see what opportunities they have available, such as work-study programs. The FAFSA is another way to gain access to financial aid. As a government funded program, the application lets students know their eligibility for a variety of financial aid.

BBB Student Ambassador Program

The BBB offers it’s own exciting scholarship opportunity to local high school juniors and seniors – a student ambassador program. The BBB Student Ambassador program is a voluntary program to bring information on scams and frauds to the entry-level consumer. With high disposable incomes, young consumers are easy targets for scam artists. This program is designed to train students to deliver this information to peer groups on campus. Student Ambassadors will receive two hours of training on the educational information that they will be asked to share. They will then have the opportunity to develop and deliver their presentation to a small peer group.

If you are interested in the Student Ambassador program for yourself, your student or your local San Diego High School, please contact Shelley Bradley.

Why Drive-Thru Car Washes Are Dangerous

1/23/2013

Posted on 1/23/2013 by

Americans are getting busier and busier by the day. Some people work two jobs, have kids, and can barely find the time of day to sleep. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many people aren’t washing their own cars anymore, and we can barely blame them for being tempted to swing by a drive-thru car wash on their lunch break or whenever else they have a few minutes to themselves. But before you take your brand new car to your local drive-thru car wash, there are a few hidden dangers you should know about first.

Recycled Water

Many drive-thru car washes recycle the water they use from one wash to the next. That means water that’s full of road salt, dirt, and engine grease is being rubbed all over your brand new car and likely scratching it in the process. Even if you go to a “touch-less” car wash, the dirty water is being pummeled at your vehicle by jets at speeds that would bruise the human body. Make sure to inquire as to whether or not your drive-thru car wash of choice recycles its water. If it does, keep on driving to the next one or take it somewhere where they will wash it by hand.

The Drying Process

An air dry is the best way to dry your car, but a lot of drive-thru car washes will dry your car by hand at the end. While a hand-washed car is always preferable, a hand-dried car is not. This is especially true for commercial car washes. At commercial washes, rarely are fresh rags used to dry each car that comes through. Therefore, your car is being dried with rags that picked up the remaining dirt from the car before you, and if the car wash uses recycled water—that’s a significant amount of dirt. When dirt gets rubbed around on your car, nothing good can happen. Dirt particles are nothing more than broken down rocks and most have sharp edges that will strip your car of its protective finish and can scratch your paint job.

Powerful Detergent

Most cars come right from the manufacturer with a finish that’s applied over the car’s paint. The finish is responsible for protecting your car from the elements, especially from the sun because it has a tendency to cause your car’s color to fade. The detergents that drive-thru car washes use are frequently over potent and dangerous to the protective finish on your car. Any damage to your car’s protective finish is a threat to its late-life good looks. On that note, if you do have time to wash your car at home, definitely look into what type of soap to use before you do so, even dish soap is too strong.

Joe Seals is the proud owner of SoCal Mobile Auto Detail & Mobile Car Wash.

In addition he also works for Jimmie Johnson’s Kearney Mesa Chevrolet.

Online Dating Scams: What is Catfishing?

1/22/2013

Posted on 1/22/2013 by

Similar to popular email phishing scams, ‘catfishing” scams occur when a scammer assumes a persona on a social networking site and then creates an entire false identity using the pictures, hobbies, interests and even friends of someone else. While the purpose for doing so varies, the most common progression of this scam is the development of a relationship in hopes that the scammer will be able to ask for and receive money from their unsuspecting love interest.

Accounts from victims generally follow the same pattern: after meeting online, victims engage in a whirlwind romance, quickly progressing from emails to texting to phone calls. After hitting it off, the couple schedules many attempts to meet in person, however they are always suddenly cancelled (by the scammer) due to a family emergency, medical issue or other ailment.

After a duration of time, during which the victims believe an intense relationship is created, the scammer almost always asks for money: whether for a bill they cannot pay, a cousin that has ended up in the hospital, their car that needs repair and on and on….

Recently in the headlines due to Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, the scam is quickly garnering more attention and proving to be a bigger problem than ever anticipated due to the rapid evolution of social media. Late last year, Te’o captured the attention of the national media when the football star’s girlfriend, who he had a strictly online relationship with, passed away from leukemia shortly after his grandmother passed away from cancer. Weeks later, the story exploded once it was revealed that Teo’s girlfriend did not exist; Te’o maintains he was not in on the hoax and instead a victim of ‘catfishing.’

Warning Signs

While many couples credit online dating for the success of their relationship, an even larger number of victims are unfortunately reporting being tricked by ‘catfishing’ scams. With little certainty involved, what should you look out for the next time you chat romantically with someone online? The Better Business Bureau of San Diego has a few tips for wary consumers with an ‘online sweetheart’ who:

-Wants to leave the online dating site immediately and switch to personal email or instant messaging accounts

-Proclaims instant feelings of love

-Is from the U.S. but currently overseas

-Is continually cancelling face to face visits because of tragic or unexpected events

As always, the Better Business Bureau strongly cautions consumers against wiring any money, especially to those they have met and interacted with online only. The most common requests for money with ‘catfishing’ scams are funds for travel, medical emergencies, bills and unexpected financial costs; once this cash is wired, it cannot be recuperated.

Unfortunately, while there’s not too much that can be done after engaging in a relationship with a “catfish,” there are plenty of actions you can take when you begin to get suspicious of their actions.

-Check out their number of friends on their social media page àif it seems like an unusually small amount, be wary

-Look at the time they joined the social media site à if it was fairly recently, this may be another cause for concern

-To dig a little deeper, you can also Google search their name to see what else they are associated with

-To take it one step further, you can search their picture on Google Images à if their picture pops up on multiple sites under a variety of names, act cautiously

If you believe you have been a victim of ‘catfishing’ or any other scam, do not hesitate to contact your Better Business Bureau.

Don't Get Stumped By Scams on Superbowl Sunday

1/18/2013

Posted on 1/18/2013 by

Regardless of if your favorite football team makes it to the Super Bowl, this time of the season is exciting with playoff games, half-time show speculations and anticipation for the best commercials of the year. (Sure, I’d love to be watching the Chargers this postseason, but maybe next year…) As we get ready to throw on our jerseys, sink into our couches and break out the chips & dip, the Better Business Bureau has a few warnings for fans looking to spend a little more money this Super Bowl season.

Counterfeit Memorabilia: Once determined, it’s obvious that memorabilia sales for the two teams playing in the biggest game of the year spike enormously - however, fans (bandwagon or not) should be wary of purchasing anything counterfeit. These items are often cheaply made and amount to theft of the team logo or name. Also beware of websites selling these items when they are not licensed to do so; scammers may set up these sites to gain access to consumer’s credit card numbers without ever having the intention to ship memorabilia. How do you know you’re getting the best quality jersey, pendant, etc. from a source you can trust? Shop the team’s official website or check out the legitimacy of a company on your local BBB’s website.

Ticketing Scams: Thousands of tickets will be listed online during the weeks leading up to February 3rd. If the ticketholder doing the selling is pushy in closing the sale or their offer sounds too good to be true, beware. In addition, look out for phishing emails that circulate, asking you to click on an enclosed link for ticket deals – they often will download malicious software on your computer, enabling scammers to gain access to your personal information.

Money Transfers: While the BBB always cautions users against wiring cash for any sort of sale, we especially urge consumers to be wary when doing so for Super Bowl ticket or memorabilia sales. Visit trusted ticketing sites such as Ticketmaster or Stub Hub to make sure you are buying legitimate tickets and will end up in the stands in just a few short weeks!

Guest Blog: Good Corporate Citizenship

1/17/2013

Posted on 1/17/2013 by

In today’s tough economy, some companies struggle while others do well. Regardless where your particular company falls in the margins, it is always in your company’s best interest to practice good corporate citizenship.

There is a business imperative to do right by others. That imperative may not be immediately apparent, but it is definitely present. Supporting a deserving cause makes one think more holistically about the communities in which we all live. It provides perspective, to say the least, and it invariably also inspires.

Take for example Operation Caregiver, started by Michael G. “Doc” LaMar, MD, USN-Ret. Operation Caregiver provides basic hygiene products along with a few items of comfort to combat troops deployed to the remotest locations around the world, those warriors at the "tip of the spear."

Operation Caregiver began when Doc LaMar wrote a friend deployed in Iraq and asked if there was anything he could send to make the deployment a bit less Spartan. His friend replied that he would love some homemade cookies. He added that, if possible, he’d like enough for 250 men!

Basic hygiene products later joined the cookies in packages that are now called Caregiver Kits. Word got around about Doc’s good work, at home and among other deployed units overseas. With donations pouring in and Marines clamoring for kits, Caregiver grew so much that today Doc runs the Caregiver operation not from his kitchen but from the local Reserve Center.

One person looked outward, saw a need, took action, was joined by others and this grassroots organization now spends every cent it raises to send more Caregiver Kits to the war zone. There is no office staff, no one is on salary; there is zero overhead.

Operation Caregiver is a worthy cause and My Lineage supports it because it’s the right thing to do, morally and financially. We want to tangibly support the troops and show them they are in our thoughts and prayers. From a purely business aspect, it allows us to be more involved in the community we serve. To top it off, there can be tax benefits to giving so the actual costs can be minimal or non-existent.

Simply put, to not participate in something of value to a greater cause is to ignore our community, our place in it, and our responsibilities to contribute. A successful business does not focus only on the bottom line to the exclusion of the bigger picture. A successful business looks outward and in doing so makes itself better and makes the lives of others better, too.

The business imperative is clear. Working with outside deserving causes offers perspective and therefore insight, sometimes even into the marketplace. It can only help promote the company’s good name. It creates a corporate culture in which all employees can take pride. Everyone benefits.

Oh, and it makes everyone feel good!

[Note: information on Operation Caregiver can be foundhere.

BBB appears on KUSI, discusses Top 10 Scams of 2012

1/16/2013

Posted on 1/16/2013 by

San Diego BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on KUSI to discuss the Top 10 Scams of 2012 as well as tips for staying scam free in 2013. Watch the video now to learn the top scam of 2012!

Top 10 Scams of 2012:

10. Car Advertisement Scam

9. Grandparent Scam

8. Mystery Shopping Scam

7. Loan Modification – Up Front Fee

6. President Obama Will Pay Your Utility Bills

5. Jamaican Phone Lottery

4. Fake Rumor Messages on Twitter

3. Sandy “Storm Chasers”

2. Counterfeit Memorabilia Scams

1. Newtown Charity Scams

President's Message: Resolutions For Your Business

1/15/2013

Posted on 1/15/2013 by Sheryl Bilbrey

Happy New Year!

Each year we usher in a January month filled with fresh starts and new beginnings. This year, though, while we’re singing Auld Lang Syne, I think we should pause to look back on the day’s gone by, since our resolutions are usually so driven by our shortcomings from the previous year.

“I resolve to lose 10 pounds because I gained five last year.” “I want to be nicer to strangers because last year I treated passersby with the same courtesy I’d give to a bank robber.” “I want to grow my business by 7% because last year growth was stagnant.”

While I can’t hold your hand through two-a-day workouts or urge you to use your calm voice with annoying strangers, I can help you with that business growth problem. Try a few of these resolutions on for size, and I hope you’ll see brand awareness and sales grow:

Tackle the social giant. Don’t take that literally; I don’t want to see a raucous at the water cooler. Rather, take that step to increase (or create) a web presence for your company. Over 78% of the population uses the internet and the vast majority of them use it to research companies. Your BBB assists millions of consumers online each year. Sign up for Twitter, up your Facebook game, even give Pinterest a shot. The point is: take that step, get online, attend a seminar and see what happens. It’s free, after all.

Burst the bubble of your competition. Take on your competition by looking at their strategies. What are they doing right? How are they accomplishing their goals? Your business doesn’t need to be in a plastic bubble, separated from the rest of your industry. Take cues from successful businesses in your industry.

Listen to the noises under the hood. Your staff can provide some of the most valuable feedback. They know the inner-workings of your business and are very connected with your values and mission. Ask them for their opinions, you could find answers you’ve been looking for, and at the very least, you will make your employees feel valued.

Customers are KING. Don’t forget to appreciate the reason that you’re still in business. Whether it’s a client or a consumer, treat them with respect and gratitude. Happy customers are the best customers. They tell their friends!

Take advantage of us! I can’t say it enough. The BBB is a resource for Accredited Businesses. Sure, we take consumer complaints and resolve grievances, but we do so much more than that for you. At no additional charge, we’ll:

· Build your company a website.

· Buy you 500 BBB-branded business cards

· Assist you in finding low-cost, pre-negotiated advertising

· Provide you with a lead generation in our Request A Quote Program

The New Year is an exciting time. Anything could happen in 2013! Here’s to accomplishing our goals this year, and remembering what we did, and didn’t do, in 2012.

For more information about BBB service and your Accreditation, please contact us at BBB.org or by telephone at 858.637.6199.

In Case You Missed It: January B2B Mixer Review

1/14/2013

Posted on 1/14/2013 by

The San Diego BBB kicked off 2013 by holding its first B2B Networking Mixer of the year on Thursday January 10^th. Held at the SDG&E Energy Innovation Center, guests were not only welcome to food, drink and networking, but were also encouraged to explore the LEED-certified building, one of the most environmentally friendly in San Diego.

As usual, all BBB Accredited Businesses were able to attend free of charge thanks to our mixer underwriter, Eagle Print Dynamics. Non-accredited Businesses were also given the opportunity to attend for a fee of $25; all proceeds received from the evening go towards the BBB Foundation.

Milholland Electric, Design Institute of San Diego, SDG&E and McCarron Hull Agency participated as our January Mixer Sponsors. In addition, the following companies contributed as Table Exhibitors: Diego & Sons, Blue Ocean Window Cleaning, YellowPages, National Processing Company and Aflac. The BBB extends a big thanks to all companies who participated as sponsors for this event – without them, our first mixer of the year would not have been nearly as successful!

Each of the approximately 125 guests were entered into a drawing for six raffle items courtesy of our sponsors including: an exterior window cleaning (Blue Ocean Window Cleaning), a gas giftcard (McCarron Hull Agency), a Starbucks giftcard (Aflac), $25 Visa giftcard (National Processing Company), Restaurant group gift card (Eagle Print Dynamics), a digital camera (SDG&E) and a BPI energy audit valued at $550 (Milholland Electric.)

Overall, attendees of the January 2013 B2B mixer enjoyed a blend of networking, food, drink and eco-friendly learning. The BBB sincerely thanks the SDG&E Energy Innovation Center for being a gracious host of the event, in addition to all of our sponsors for their support. All information regarding B2B Mixers and other San Diego BBB events can be found here. For all event photos, please visit the San Diego BBB’s Facebook page.

We hope to see you at our March 2013 mixer; please contact Brenna Simon with any questions or for further information.

BBB Announces New Online Feature Free To Consumers

1/11/2013

Posted on 1/11/2013 by

January 3, 2013 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – Better Business Bureau (BBB) of San Diego and Imperial Counties announces the release of the Accredited Business Job Listings, a new online feature that allows consumers to find employment with ethical businesses that have been vetted by the BBB.

While many of the current online job search websites offer a robust list of local, available jobs, they generally do not provide oversight as to what is posted, leaving abundant room for scam artists to insert fake job listings in order to trick consumers.

“We’re proud to offer Accredited Business Job Listings to the community,” said BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “It’s our goal to keep San Diego scam free. We hope that this will keep consumers safe from falling victim to a job scam, which has been on the radar of the BBB for several years now.”

The BBB’s new Accredited Business Job Listings give consumers insight into local jobs that have recently become available, but also gives them the peace of mind in knowing that the jobs they find on the BBB website are not only legitimate, but being offered by companies who meet all of the BBB’s stringent standards for Accreditation.

The BBB not only assesses each listing before it is posted to the public, but evaluates and accredits each business that posts a job through the Accredited Business Job Listings.

“Employees who understand the importance of ethics are an asset to businesses, just as companies that put trust, honesty and integrity at a premium are desirable to job seekers,” added Bilbrey. “We’re pleased to have added another tool to connect our honorable Accredited Businesses with consumers in the community.”

Much like the BBB’s Accredited Businesses, the Job Listings posted to the BBB website’s job board are diverse in industry, occupation and salary. Whether the searcher is a recent college graduate, a seasoned assistant or a skilled tradesman, the BBB has a job listing that will fit your needs.

The BBB’s Accredited Business Job Listings are free to consumers, and offered exclusively through the San Diego BBB website. To find a job from one of the BBB’s Accredited Businesses, visit www.bbb.org/san-diego/jobs/.

###

Rachel Newman

Public Relation and Marketing Coordinator

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

BBB warns, use caution when joining a gym in 2013

1/10/2013

Posted on 1/10/2013 by

After the confetti has settled, champagne bottles have been emptied and calendars are changed, its tradition to sit down and draw up changes we hope to make in our lives during the coming twelve months. Without fail, Americans across the nation share almost identical New Year’s Resolutions and while these may shift a little, consistently the top three goals are to:

1. Stop Smoking

2. Exercise More

3. Eat Healthier

Because of this, it’s no surprise then that membership enrollment numbers spike in January in gyms all across the nation, even if members fail to lace up their running shoes the rest of the year. But with seven F-rated gym & fitness centers in San Diego alone, how can you make sure you’re signing up with the right gym?

Below are a few tips your BBB has to offer to make sure you’re thinning your waistline, not your wallet:

1. Consider Your Budget: It’s important to not only take a look and see if the monthly fees are within your means, but also to consider any upfront membership dues, cancellation fees or additional annual charges.

2. Schedule a Visit: Take a little time to check out the facility, talk to current members and make sure all of the amenities provided are what you’re looking for. You can even visit at different times of the day to see how crowded the gym is around the time you typically exercise.

3. Don’t Crack under Pressure: Unfortunately, there are salespeople in all industries that use pressure tactics to close a sale. Do not feel obligated to sign a contract immediately or pay any money upfront to reserve a payment plan. Instead, ask to take one home with you to read it over in a more relaxed environment.

4. Read the Fine Print: Make sure you know exactly what you are paying for. Are the facility’s hours, services, terms of agreement all listed? What is the total cost of enrollment? What is their cancellation policy? Ask any questions or address any concerns you have prior to signing the document and get the answers in writing.

Cloud Software vs. On-Premises: Data Security

1/9/2013

Posted on 1/9/2013 by

Cloud security breaches have been in the news lately, and this is bound to cause concern in any potential buyer of cloud software. Yahoo was recently hacked and user information stolen, and Dropbox, a cloud data storage service was recently hacked, leading to some of its members receiving unwanted emails. A blow-by-blow account of a savvy IT journalist's recent hacking nightmare can be found here.

To be fair, for every instance of a security breach of a cloud service, there are likely 10,000 breaches of on-premises systems. Thieves go for the targets of least resistance, and those targets are not the sophisticated networks run by the cloud operators. So, let's look at some of the most important factors that govern data security.

Cloud Considerations:

1. Enterprise data is stored in "hardened" datacenters that have the highest level of physical security, network security, data backup and power continuity. An on-premises system cannot hope to match it.

2. Data is encrypted when it leaves the cloud, and while it's in transit.

3. Most cloud ERP software uses strict roles-based security policies. All users do not have access to all the cloud data, so if a user's ID and password are compromised, the hacker only has access to a limited amount of information. Most clouds also enforce the use of "strong" passwords, thus reducing the vulnerability of easily-hacked username and password combination.

On-premises Considerations:

1. Network security depends to a large extent on the training and execution of the IT Department staff, or of the IT provider. The more highly trained they are, the safer your data is. It is difficult for a smaller enterprise to maintain high levels of IT training, so "local clouds" AKA "hosted software providers" have become a popular choice. In this setting, application software is installed at the hosting center, and it's available to all staff. Although the application software may be a legacy system, and may not be as secure as modern ERP or CRM cloud software, hosting it in the cloud brings all the physical security, network security, data backup and power continuity advantages that true cloud software enjoys.

2. Let's face it, data security is only as good as your system manager and your weakest user. It's up to your system manager to enforce strict password controls, and to make sure that all software has the latest patches, and it's up to your users to take your policies seriously.

3. Many on-premises ERP and CRM packages have roles-based security built into them. As with a true cloud application, this feature builds protective walls around your data, which minimizes the damage that an intruder can do.

On both sides:

1. It is critically important that your system manager stay on top of all changes in your staffing. It is imperative for all businesses to keep terminated employee from gaining access to sensitive data.

So which is safer - an on-premises solution, a "private cloud" (i.e. a hosted solution), or a true cloud application? All other things being equal, a true cloud application is likely to be more secure than any other. A private cloud (hosted application) is the next best, and an on-premises application is likely to be the least secure.

Does that mean that an on-premises solution is not secure? Not by any means. Your data security depends on the security features built into your on-premises software, it depends on the level of training and watchfulness of your IT or system manager, and it depends on how seriously your end-users take your company's security policies. You should have all of these reviewed annually by a data security specialist.

Article courtesy of Doug Deane, DSD Business Systems, Inc. More information on DSD Business Systems can be found here.

Don't Fall For the Bait: Avoid Phishing Scams!

1/8/2013

Posted on 1/8/2013 by

What is a Phishing Email?

Phishing emails are phony messages that appear to be from legitimate companies, but instead are from scammers. These emails often contain real logos and links to corporate websites that when clicked, direct you to a look-a-like page, instead of the business’ official site.

The email usually states that the consumer needs to either update or verify their personal account information, billing information, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, etc. by clicking a link in the message.

Once clicked, malicious software is downloaded onto the consumer’s computer and their personal information is stolen.

Signs of a Phishing Email:

There are a few telltale signs that the email you’ve received is part of a phishing scam. If the email includes any of the following, it’s best to avoid clicking on any links in the message and delete it immediately:

· Bad Spelling and Grammar: Cyber criminals are not known for their proper punctuation. If the message alleges to be from a major company and contains spelling and/or grammar mistakes, it’s likely to be scam. Real organizations have copy editors that pour over emails before they are sent, and while we all make mistakes once in a while, if the email is noticeably flawed, continue with caution.

· Threats: Most phishing emails contain a threat of action if your response is not received immediately. Ever received an email stating that your account will be closed, your security compromised or your profile will be blocked if you don’t follow certain steps? If you’ve not been given prior notice by the company, the email is most likely a scam.

· Suspicious Links: If you see a link in the message in question, don’t click on it. Rest your mouse on the link (without clicking) to see if the web address in the link is the one that matches what is typed in the email. For example, in the picture below, the address in the yellow box looks nothing like the company website mentioned.

Tips on Receiving Phishing Emails:

· Never click on a link in a message that’s asking you to give your personal information à Delete the message and contact the company with an email address or phone number you know is valid (i.e. what is listed on a billing statement.)

· If you are going to enter in personal information online, look for the “lock” icon on your browser’s status bar. This icon (pictured below) signals that the site is secure.

· Review your statements as soon as they are received and check for unauthorized charges.

· Always contact your BBB or the FTC if you believe you’ve been scammed due to a phishing email!

Mix & Mingle Thursday At B2B Mixer

1/7/2013

Posted on 1/7/2013 by

REGISTER NOW!

The beginning of a new year represents a chance to examine the opportunities and possibilities available for taking your business’ success to the next level. One of these crucial steps for the growth of any business in any industry is networking.

Jump-start your new year both professionally and personally by attending the San Diego Better Business Bureau’s first bi-monthly mixer of 2013 on Thursday January 10^that the SDG&E Energy Innovation Center in Kearny Mesa!

The BBB offers six mixers a year across San Diego County, hosting top executives from our community’s best businesses and providing an opportunity for interaction and promotion in a professional setting. This January mixer will be a great place for business professionals of all industries to socialize, publicly represent their company, distinguish themselves from their competition and potentially garner new leads.

While all Accredited Businesses are encouraged to attend as a complimentary benefit of their membership, the opportunity for Non-Accredited Businesses to support the most ethical businesses in our community and learn about the benefits of accreditation is truly one that should not be missed. We do ask that Non-Accredited Businesses have a rating of a B or higher to attend.

Generously hosted by the SDG&E Energy Innovation Center, this mixer is an excellent opportunity to explore one of the most sustainable and energy efficient buildings in San Diego. As always, complimentary appetizers and drinks will be served.

The San Diego BBB gives special thanks to our 2013 Mixer Underwriter Eagle Print Dynamics and January mixer sponsors Milholland Electric, McCarron Hull Agency, Design Institute of San Diego and SDG&E. Attendees will be able to walk from amongst sponsor tables, speak with their representatives and see what they each have to offer your business in the coming year.

REGISTER NOW!

Please contact Brenna Simon with any questions at BSimon@bbbsandiego.org or at 858-496-2131 ext. 324.

Guest Blog: The Rumblings of AuthorRank

1/3/2013

Posted on 1/3/2013 by

In the past couple years, Google has upped the SEO game with crucial algorithm updates that give users the best experience while ensuring that the average SEO company plays by the book. What was dubbed Google’s Panda update aimed at punishing those sites that only provided low-quality, spammy content. The recent Penguin update aimed at decreasing the rankings of websites that used any form of black-hat SEO, including keyword stuffing, duplicate content, cloaking, and general malicious practices.

Amidst these changes comes something new: AuthorRank.

What is AuthorRank?

Google introduced the rel=author tag this past year and gave writers and content creators a chance to claim pieces of content as their own.The tag also allowed for rich snippets in the SERPs, giving users a face to the content.

AuthorRank takes that concept of content ownership to another level. In simple terms, AuthorRank will give content creators a certain value or grade. That grade holds weight and will determine the rank of that author’s content in the search results. A content creator with a higher AuthorRank will rank higher in the SERPs over someone with a lower AuthorRank value.

How Will AuthorRank Be Determined?

The weight of your content will be determined by how well it’s received and how users interact with that content, including:

-The number of comments your content generated

-Who commented

-How often your content was shared

-How many Likes, Pins, +1s, and otherendorsements your content received

-The authority of anyone interacting with yourcontent

This doesn’t just apply to blog posts and news articles. AuthorRank is also determined by reviews, comments, answers, and Google+ posts.

Preparing for AuthorRank

If you haven’t yet claimed authorship, make sure you implement the rel=author tag. This is also a good opportunity to register on Google+ and begin engaging with others. There’s nothing wrong with being “just a content creator” but engaging in dialogue on Google+ and other social platforms is the beginning of building a good authorship ranking.

Above all, make sure you create good content, and not just in terms of value and good grammar. Start interacting and engaging with readers and other content creators on a deeper level; beyond saying, “Great post.”

Article courtesy of Best Rank, Inc., a search engine marketing firm.

New Year's Resolutions For Your Business

1/2/2013

Posted on 1/2/2013 by

It’s getting to be that time when we start to think about resolutions and changes we want to make in the upcoming year. While we normally associate resolutions to circumstances in our personal lives, (we want to eat healthier, exercise more, quit smoking and the list goes on and on…) the New Year also brings the opportunity to make adjustments to our work place.

The way you treat your staff and the environment you create in the office can have a huge impact on the success of your business in 2013 and beyond. So before you sit down to scribble a few resolutions as 2012 winds down, here are a few ideas on gifts you can give your staff that will keep on giving:

Empowerment: There is almost nothing more important than encouraging your employees to make their own decisions. Don’t micromanage – give your staff the tools to succeed with a final product in mind and let them figure out how to get there. Not only will this take some stress off of your plate, but it will leave them feeling invested in the success of the project.

Attention: It’s hard not to get caught up in day-to-day tasks, but try to spend a little more time away from your desk. By walking around the office and talking to your employees, you can see what motivates them, which in turn allows you to be a better leader.

Flexibility: There are certain perks that employee’s value, and workplace flexibility almost always seems to be at the top of the list. By giving your staff flexible hours or the options to work at home or remotely, you are building trust and strengthening loyalty to the company. Not only are these opportunities easy to implement, but they may end up saving you money on office space too!

Growth: There is no better way to strengthen staff loyalty to your company than offering the opportunity for growth through training and development. Not only does this increase motivation and drive, but it adds value to your company as a whole.

Fun: Do things you always wished your bosses would have done! Adding laughs to your workplace with monthly foosball tournaments, dress up days or office parties lightens up the mood and makes it fun to come to work.

Estate liquidation company rated F by the Better Business Bureau

12/28/2012

Posted on 12/28/2012 by

December 14, 2012 – (SAN DIEGO, CA) Better Business Bureau (BBB) of San Diego & Imperial Counties is advising consumers to avoid doing business with Pro Estate Liquidators, a Carlsbad business that specializes in selling the estates of their clients through consignment and online services.

After experiencing the loss of a loved one, many turn to an estate liquidation service to assist is finding buyers and selling off assets. The elderly often do this as well to lessen the burden on their loved ones. Estate liquidation is a common practice; in fact, the Better Business Bureau has three Accredited Businesses who operate in the industry. Todd & Company, Infinity Estate Sales and Kathy Hawley are all Accredited Businesses with the BBB and have A-ratings.

Pro Estate Liquidators may be catalogued in the same industry as those Accredited Businesses, but they are providing a wildly different service. The San Diego BBB has collected six complaints from consumers, all unanswered by the company, since it was established in May of 2012. Each complainant lists the same grievance: After signing over their estate to Pro Estate Liquidators, they never see the return of their property or any money from the sales.

Tonna Keith and Jasmine Jones, the owners of Pro Estate Liquidators, have been unresponsive to the BBB over the course of the year.

“We believe staunchly at the BBB that if a company owner ignores us that they are very well doing the same thing to their customers,” said President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “While just a simple response can clear the air for many businesses, it would seem that in the case of Pro Estate Liquidators, we’re dealing with a troubling pattern of complaints in which the company is not honoring a contract they have with their clients.”

The cost of these broken contracts can run anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars of lost property, and while many of Keith and Jones’ clients are the beneficiaries of those who have passed away, the BBB has received complaints from elderly San Diegans who were trying to sell their own estates.

The targeting of the elderly and those who are grieving is not uncommon among scam artists, however, it is a particularly distasteful act.

“Jasmine Jones and Tonna Keith came into my home in June of 2012 to conduct a estate sale. I signed the contract and they ripped me off,” said Mary Champlin, a past client of Pro Estate Liquidators. “I never received any invoice of what was sold and for how much. I had my mother’s china, cut glass antique mirrors, too much to list. I never received any money other than approximately $700.00. Jasmine brought me the check and said ‘I will get you the inventory and the rest of your money.’ That was the last I heard from her or her partner Tonna Keith. I have phoned and emailed both of them, [but] I get no response from either. They owe me at least $2000 for items that were obtained under fraudulent circumstances and just plain theft.”

Consumers who are interested in selling all or part of their estate should adhere to the following BBB tips:

· Always check BBB.org before entering into a contract or sale.

· Make sure you have a signed contract outlining exactly how the sale will be run (percentage you'll get, hours of sale, how will it be advertised, what kind of security will be in place..etc)

· Ask for references and contact those references

· Make sure seller carries insurance

· Attend the sale yourself, if possible

For more information or to file a complaint against a company; go to the BBB website at http://www.sandiego.bbb.org or call 858.496.2131.

###

Rachel Newman

Director of Communications

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

Evite fraudes con tarjetas de credito o regalo

12/28/2012

Posted on 12/28/2012 by
Para los que recibieron tarjetas prepagadas y buscan intercambiarlas tengan cuidado hay timadores profesionales que pudieran estafarlo.

Consumer Alert: Time Saving Tips on Holiday Returns

12/27/2012

Posted on 12/27/2012 by

‘Tis the season for giving - but what happens when you or your loved ones need to return a holiday present?

While all of us have accidentally bought the wrong size, color or style at one point or another, stores are cracking down and tightening their return & exchange policies this season due to an influx of fraudulent returns.

A reported 4.6% of returns done in 2011 were claimed to be fraudulent by retailers, costing the industry approximately $2.9 billion.

Fraudulent returns are classified as either purchases made for short-term use and then returned, returns of stolen items or returns of merchandise using falsified receipts.

For the friendliest and easiest return or exchange possible this holiday season, your BBB offers this advice to both you & your gift recipients:

Keep the original packaging: Stores may require you to return your item in the box, cellophane, bubble wrap, etc. that it came in when purchased. Even though it’s bulky and takes up precious closet space, store that packaging somewhere safe until you know for certain you’re keeping your gift.

Bring identification: Because of the rise in return fraud, many stores now require shoppers to show a form of I.D. when doing any kind of returns or exchanges. Before you brave the mall, make sure you have some form of identification with you. If you purchased the gift with a credit card, it’s always best to make sure you have that handy as well.

Don’t delay: There is almost always some sort of time frame during which shoppers can return or exchange their purchases. Check your receipt or look online – be careful, clearance or sale items may have different policies. Head back to the store ASAP and swap out your items sooner rather than later.

Read the warranty: Before you fight for a parking spot and wait in line to checkout, read the warranty for your item. Some stores are not held responsible if merchandise shows up defective or damaged and you may need to mail your product back to the manufacturer instead.

Keep your receipts: This may seem obvious, but the BBB is flooded with complaints from customers this time of year who have tried to return gifts without receipts and have been denied. It’s also always a good idea to have a gift receipt printed when purchasing a gift, that way your recipient has a copy and all of your bases are covered.

InstaAds? New Instagram Terms of Service, A Better Business Practice?

12/19/2012

Posted on 12/19/2012 by

Instagram made a lot of people angry the last few days by unveiling its new terms of service.

The company, acquired by Facebook earlier this year, has been catapulted to the forefront of social media with their creative and innovative way to connect via photos and has garnered over 100 million users in just the two years since its inception. Announcing that their new terms of service will be enacted as of January 16, 2013, there are a number of issues that have users disabling their accounts and walking away from the premium picture-sharing application.

The chief concern many users have with the new terms of service comes from the following section:

"To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your user name, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.”

Essentially this is stating that at any time, Instagram or any other business or paying entity, may access your photos and publish them – without notice or compensation to you.

While this is bringing intellectual property and privacy policy debates into question, many have already begun deleting their accounts without question, vowing to join another photo-sharing app that protects their images and rights.

Are you an Instagram user that is willing to keep your account at the expense of seeing the picture you took of your dog, shoes or last night’s dinner as an ad without your knowledge? There’s a growing list of other picture-sharing apps similar to Instagram that have seen a rapid increase in subscriptions just in the last 24 hours such as EyeEm, Starmatic, Flickr & even the Twit-pic feature on Twitter.

And while consumers and Instagram-active businesses must decide whether to continue on the photo sharing site or move on to another social site, the question we always ask at the BBB is simply “Is this practice supporting better business?”

Is Instagram obliterating consumer trust or is this just the next natural move for this business? What do you think?

Don't Fall Victim To A Holiday Scam

12/19/2012

Posted on 12/19/2012 by
As folks hunt for holiday deals, scammers are out to get your money. Sheryl Bilbrey, BBB President/CEO, talks about how to avoid being a victim.

It’s All Semantics: Understanding Semantic Search

12/19/2012

Posted on 12/19/2012 by

Google’s main goal is to provide users with the best search experience by giving them the exact information and resources they need at any given moment, all from a single word or phrase. Improving the user experience usually means providing more accurate search results.

While various algorithm updates have reduced the amount of low-quality search results, none quite affected the importance of keywords. Google’s move to semantic search, however, may change the keyword game.

What is Semantic Search?

When you search now, Google gives you its best-guess results based entirely on what you type into the search bar. Semantic search uses a form of artificial intelligence to understand exactly what you want to search for and the intended meaning of what you type in. Semantic search tries to figure out the relationship between the words, how they work together, and what they mean, which is what we do when we write or speak.

While semantic search isn’t something new, it’s gaining steam thanks to Google. Google only took notice because of the iPhone’s Siri.

Semantic Search and SEO

When people type words into a search box, they’re essentially asking a question that has been pared down to just its main elements. Keyword research and SEO mainly center on the popularity of the terms in a user’s question. It’s like going into the library and finding all the books that might have the word “flower” somewhere in the pages.

With semantic search, keyword research needs to go beyond just finding the words and look at what a person actually means. This leads to a more intensive search. “Flower” could lead into a vast array of results about gardening, local perennials, flower deliveries, and much more.

As a content writer in a world of semantic search, you have to start thinking about the questions a user might ask and provide answers, all in relation to the given keywords. You’ll also have to shift your focus to natural language.

While semantic search does affect how you use keywords, remember that your content still needs to maintain its relevance and overall quality.

Article courtesy of Lisa Cutter, Editorial Manager, of Best Rank Inc. For more information on Best Rank Inc., visit their website or view their BBB Business Review.

Better Business Bureau warns consumers to be cautious with car rental service

12/18/2012

Posted on 12/18/2012 by

November 20, 2012 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – The Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties is telling San Diego visitors and locals to be wary of a local car rental service with a recent influx of consumers complaints.

Payless Car Rentals, a local company providing auto renting and leasing services, is currently F-rated by the BBB. Thirty five complaints have recently been filed against the company, with eight of those grievances going unanswered. Complaints range from charging consumers undisclosed fees, requiring payment of “mandatory” insurance charges, failing to deliver the promised product or service, as well as unsatisfactory quality of rented vehicles.

“Consumers must read the fine print on rental contracts,” says BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “Often, consumers sign for a car rental and walk out of the office without knowing they’ve subjected themselves to lofty and unnecessary charges.”

By generating most of their leads online, Payless Car Rentals’ website quotes consumers a weekly rental price for the car size of their choice, ranging from compact cars to full size vans. Upon selection, the consumer moves to the checkout page where a disclaimer, located at the bottom of the page, states that the estimate, taxes, surcharges and fees given are subject to change without notice, at no fault to the company.

If recent history is any indication, it seems as if this disclaimer is more of a promise that consumers are guaranteed to pay more than they initially bargained for, instead of a warning. The majority of the consumer complaints received by the BBB state that upon vehicle pick up, customers are informed of fees and other miscellaneous expenses they never anticipated paying. When questioning these fees, consumers are urged to sign the rental contract with the implication that these extra charges will be taken off upon vehicle return. Because they are confronted with this information at a usually time-sensitive situation (i.e. headed to the airport to catch a flight or pick up relatives, picking up personal vehicles from repair shops, etc.) most complainants trust the business’ employees, sign the rental contracts and drive away in their newly rented cars with the hopes of resolution upon return. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case.

“My wife informed me that the Payless customer service representative gave the women in front of her the same ‘song and dance’ and gouged her for many extra fees also,” says Tom Housenga, a recent Payless Car Service customer. “I suspect this is their MO, to quote a low price and then ‘pad’ the price with ‘hidden fees’ and talk customers into options they don't need.”

After receiving an enormous bill of which they were assured would be reduced, consumers are even having a hard time getting in contact with someone in a management position at Payless Car Rentals to help resolve the issue.

“When checking out, the clerk said the manager was not there (it was a Sunday) and that I could call on Monday. I tried calling, left messages with several people, but had no response,” says Beverly Fang, another recent complainant of the company. “On the shuttle ride back to airport, [four] other people on the shuttle had complaints [about] this company.”

If you are thinking of renting a car, the BBB urges consumers to consider these tips:

Do your research. Check multiple sources, online and otherwise, before you make a buying decision.

Read the fine print. Never enter into a contract with a company before reading the fine print. Unethical companies will often try to hide fees and tricks in the details of a contract.

Have a backup plan. It’s not a bad idea when going out of town to have a backup plan in case your hotel or car rental turns out to be less than what you had hoped.

Check with your BBB first. Your BBB has reports on over 40,000 local companies, and we are happy to share our expertise on how to choose the right travel service.

For more information or to file a complaint against a company; go to the BBB website at http://www.sandiego.bbb.org or call 858.496.2131.

###

Rachel Newman

Public Relation and Marketing Coordinator

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

Consumer Alert: Give, But Give Wisely During The Holidays

12/17/2012

Posted on 12/17/2012 by

1 in 8 people globally don’t have access to clean water.

80% of the world lives on less than $10 a day.

Nearly 1 billion people entered the 21^st century unable to read or write.

A quarter of the global population lives without electricity.

There’s no denying that startling statistics like the ones above are enough to garnish our attention and worry. For many of us, hearing facts such as these will lead us to either open our wallets or donate our time by volunteering with an organization close to our hearts. However, while many of us donate kindheartedly with generosity in mind, scammers look at charity as an opportunity to take advantage of those doling out their hard earned cash.

In 2011, Americans donated close to $300 billion dollars, 24% of which was collected between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. How can you make sure your donations this holiday season and making it into the hands of your intended recipient? Read on for a few consumer tips on charitable giving:

Do Not Give Cash: When donating, make sure you do so in the form of a check made out to the organization, not an individual. Not only with this ensure that your money can only be cashed for the cause, but it also is a good way to track your donations for your own financial records.

Keep Records of Your Donations: Whether its receipts, cancelled checks or bank statements, you’ll want to have a record of your giving when tax time rolls around. While volunteer time is not tax deductible, out-of-pocket tangible expenses are.

Do Your Research: Check out the legitimacy of an organization with your BBB and your local charity registration office before you donate.

Ask Questions: Charities with nothing to hide will answer all of your questions – be wary of their reluctance or inability to answer.

Take Your Time: Often times charities that pressure consumers to donate on the spot are a scam. The charity that needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow – take your time, don’t feel pressured and don’t succumb to the pressure.

BBB Cautions Consumers to Watch Out for Scammers in Wake of Newtown School Shootings

12/17/2012

Posted on 12/17/2012 by

Do your Research Before Making Donations to Victims’ Family Funds

Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers to reports of phony charity solicitations, supposedly on behalf of the families of victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown on Friday.

BBB recommends donors avoid giving to charities or funds through unsolicited phone calls, emails, texts or social media appeals.

Charity scammers strike after natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, as well as tragedies such as the Colorado theater shootings and now the Newtown school massacre.

BBB urges donors to:

Do your homework: Always research a charity at the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance website, www.give.org before donating money.

Select a charity yourself: Charity cheats will use every method at their disposal to reach out to generous Americans in times of tragedy. However, rather than replying to a charity appeal, BBB recommends choosing a well-known charity or one that has been endorsed by local or state authorities in the aftermath of a tragedy.

Contact charities directly: Never click on links to charities on unfamiliar websites or in texts or emails. These may take you to a lookalike website where you will be asked to provide financial information, or download harmful malware into your computer.

Donors may contribute to a victims’ family fund through a collaborative effort between The United Way and Newtown Savings Bank.

Donations may be sent to:
Sandy Hook School Support Fund
c/o Newtown Savings Banks
39 Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470.

You can check out a business or charity’s Better Business Bureau review at www.bbb.org.

###

Customer Support Key To Success

12/17/2012

Posted on 12/17/2012 by

The combination of consumers doing research before making a purchasing decision and the present state of hyper-competition in the marketplace has businesses scrambling to find ways to differentiate. While some are looking towards R&D and sales tactics to stand out, others are looking towards a more costly, yet effective method: customer services. At a time where consumers write bad reviews on Yelp, share negative experiences on social media pages and are more empowered than ever, quality customer service can truly make the difference in retaining loyal customers.

The question on our mind is how to generate customer services that are worth paying for and how those services then translate into a larger revenue stream. Below are the top 5 ways the BBB thinks you can easily improve your customer service and in turn, gain more success.

Live Q & A Chats: Regularly scheduling chat sessions online where customers can ask questions about their purchases, receive help with features and get one-on-one attention with a company representative is a strong customer service tool. The easiest way to do so is by embedding a group chat tool such as Chatroll or Campfire, both of which enable real time social interaction, to a page frequently visited by consumers.

Drop-in Fridays: If the majority of your customers are local, schedule a time where they can come in to bring their products, receive additional service, get expert advice, training or even to just network with other users.

Trade-in Days: If you sell a product that is upgraded frequently (as is often the case with electronics) or fiercely pits you against your competitors, it may be beneficial for your company to assign a time where customers can bring in their old products and recycle them for credit towards an upgrade. This provides an incentive to stay away from competitors and also gives customers a time to familiarize themselves with your products while employees are there to answer questions.

Weekly Hangouts: With the use of Google+ Hangouts, video Q & A chats, weekly lessons and expert sharing sessions have never been easier. These can either be broadcasted publicly on your website, password protected or archived on a YouTube library for consumers to visit at their leisure.

Online Courses: Creating online courses that your consumers can sign up for allows your company to extend your relationship of ongoing support one step further. By using a site such as Kajabi or Wishlist, your business will be able to create a member-only site on which to share courses, tutorials and more.

What Your BBB Does: Consumers

12/13/2012

Posted on 12/13/2012 by

We’ve all had a negative experience with a business in some form or another. Bad customer service? Product malfunction? Late shipping? While these things are all bound to happen from time to time, your San Diego BBB advocates and encourages you to make your concerns known. By accepting consumer complaints about a business, it is our goal to contact the company and resolve the issue as swiftly as possible.

How can we make this happen?

By writing to us and detailing the extent of your complaint, the BBB reaches out to the company in question and asks for a written response addressing the issue. In the meantime, as a consumer you have the right to resources including licensing and regulatory agencies, investigatory agencies, small claims court and more – we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the marketplace. In conjunction, the BBB will evaluate your complaint as part of a potentially larger pattern of complaints to see if it is a more serious issue. Over all, your issue will be handled in all facets.

We always encourage the business to solve the problem as quickly as possible with the consumer, but in cases where this is not an option, we can offer dispute resolution free of charge to either party. Remaining neutral and impartial, the BBB does not take sides in the dispute or make a decision off of who it feels is “right” or “wrong.” The BBB does not conduct any investigations and does not hold the legal authority to put a company out of business - while we want to help you as the consumer, we remain unbiased and see both sides of the story. We also cannot make the company in question give you the resolution you are asking for and instead are there to listen and provide a suggestion.

Loyal customers are the basis for any successful business and we want you to be able to make smart, well informed and responsible purchasing decisions that benefit everyone involved. We understand that there will always be dissatisfied customers, it’s simply the nature of business, but is our goal to have your problems addressed promptly and to the best of both the company’s and BBB’s ability.

Contact us today (info@sandiego.bbb.org) to resolve any unsettled complaints you may have and to make the most out of your BBB!

What Your BBB Does: For Businesses

12/13/2012

Posted on 12/13/2012 by

Your BBB understands that you can’t satisfy every customer, all of the time - it’s what you do to appease these unhappy customers that we find important. With so much competition present in the marketplace, one of the biggest opportunities in business today is to transform a disgruntled customer into a repeat consumer.

How can you do so?

Your San Diego BBB recognizes that there are two sides to every story – we want to hear them both. By taking advantage of our free dispute resolution services, you not only get to tell your side of the story, but you also can tap into the mind of your consumers and see where their experience with your company turned sour.

Here’s how it works…

We accept hundreds of complaints a week from consumers who have various issues with businesses operating in San Diego County. Once received in writing, these complaints are then forwarded on to the company in question to ask for their side of the story. These complaints and their responses are then made public, omitting any personal information, on the company’s Business Review to aid future consumers in their decision making. This is a huge opportunity for businesses to showcase their excellent customer service and we always urge businesses and consumers to resolve the problem on their own.

However, we also recognize that sometimes an objective third party is needed to aid in making a fair, unbiased resolution to the problem. By looking at the bigger picture and seeing both sides of the story, it is our hope that both parties can come to an agreement that satisfies them equally and helps the company retain valuable customers. When this isn’t enough, the BBB also offers free mediation and arbitration services to Accredited Businesses to resolve more serious complaints.

It’s important to point out that in all forms of dispute resolution, the BBB remains unbiased and does not “take sides” during the dispute. We will never base our decision off of who we think is “right” or “wrong” in the situation and instead remain impartial and neutral. Additionally, the BBB never will offer legal advice or tell your business to simply give the customer what they want – as much as it is our goal to educate and aid consumers on wise spending, we equally function to support the integrity of your business.

Companies spend millions of dollars each year to focus on gaining new customers and retaining loyal ones – don’t let your money and efforts go to waste because of unaddressed consumer complaints. We understand that there will always be dissatisfied customers, it’s simply the nature of business. It is our goal to have you address these issues promptly and to the best of your ability in order to succeed.

Contact us today (info@sandiego.bbb.org) to resolve any unsettled complaints and make the most out of your BBB Accreditation.

Guest Blog: Finding a Trusted Wine Cellar Builder

12/12/2012

Posted on 12/12/2012 by

Finding a Trusted Wine Cellar Builder

Wine cellars can make a beautiful addition to a home or business, providing a secure space for wine to be aged and shared with guests. However, selecting the right wine cellar builder should be done carefully as collections stored in cellars are often very valuable. If cellars are not designed and constructed with the necessary care and expertise so as to maintain the proper storage conditions, wine can be damaged and lose its value and taste. With a trusted wine cellar builder, you can rest assured that your cellar will be secure and will be designed to reflect your vision for the space.

The first quality to look for in a wine cellar builder is experience. An experienced wine cellar builder will have demonstrated expertise in designing and building quality wine cellars over a long period of time with a track record of satisfied customers. Ask to see photos of cellars or testimonials from satisfied clients. By seeing the depth and quality of their work, you’ll know that your cellar will be constructed with care and expertise.

Wine cellars also come in a broad range of styles and sizes so it is important to ensure that your wine cellar builder is able to assist you in designing an attractive cellar that will reflect your vision and style. For example, one cellar may be smaller in an Old World style reminiscent of Europe while another cellar may exude a more modern style with a large bottle capacity. Whatever your desired cellar may be, choose a cellar builder that has a proven ability to construct cellars in the style and size you’re looking for.

Perhaps most importantly, your wine cellar builder should possess a strong knowledge of wine and wine storage. Building a wine cellar is not the same as building other cellars because the space must be carefully controlled for temperature, humidity, and vibration. Fluctuations in these conditions can damage the collection and the builder’s ability to incorporate these considerations into the design and construction is crucial to the security of your wine.

A knowledgeable wine cellar builder will also be able to work with you to develop a design that suits your cellar usage. If your cellar will be used for entertaining guests, then greater space can be dedicated to displaying or tasting wine. Conversely, if your cellar will be used purely for storage and aging, then they should be able to design racking that will provide optimal storage for your collection.

A wine cellar should always be constructed by a trusted and knowledgeable builder. Knowing what to look for in a wine cellar builder will help to ensure not just the security of your collection but your satisfaction with the cellar in general.

Warren Howe is a writer for Vintage Cellars. Vintage Cellars is located in San Marcos, California and is one of the longest-standing wine storage specialty businesses in the country. In addition to having designed and constructed custom wine cellars across the nation, Vintage Cellars' work has been featured in Wine Spectator magazine. Vintage Cellars, a BBB Accredited Business, is also a top retailer of wine cabinets, racks, and cooling systems.

12 Internet Scams of the Holidays

12/10/2012

Posted on 12/10/2012 by

McAfee just released their Top 12 Internet Scams of the 2012 Holiday Season and the Better Business Bureau thinks you should be informed! Online shopping is expected to increase 12.1% this year to $96 billion (yes, billion.) While most consumers have used the internet to purchase something at one point or another, many do so unprotected. Watch out for the twelve scams below and enjoy your holiday season scam-free this year!

Twelve Apps So Tempting: Don’t be tempted by apps that advertise for special “holiday deals.” The majority of these ask you to install the application and then proceed to steal your private information associated with your profile. A recent influx of Twitter ads have begun to appear this holiday season, leading users to fake sites “selling” gifts – and stealing your credit card number.

Eleven iPhones Infected: Fraudulent mobile apps are springing up more than ever, asking for access to your location and contacts – beware! Make sure you are checking the reviews of an application before you download it; many of these are sending premium-rate text messages without user knowledge.

Ten Online Lemons: Don’t get lured into buying products off of a site you don’t know is a legitimate business because of their advertising “good deals” this gift giving season. Many fake e-commerce sites are “selling” products and stealing your credit card information.

Nine Travelers Connecting: A recent hotel WiFi scam has become a major problem for many hotels across the country. When trying to access the Wifi, malicious pop up ads are invading guests computers and prompting them to download and install an application in order to connect. Unfortunately, this program downloads a virus to the user’s computer.

Eight Cans Of Spam: With so many emails circulating this time of year with holiday deals and steals, spam emails become even more prominent. Watch out for messages with links to “cheap” or “discounted” products – they may download a virus.

Seven Lucky Winners: Many shoppers are drawn to phony ads and contests during the holiday season in the hopes of saving money on gift shopping. But be careful as to what personal information you share when “entering” these contests – your info if often used for other purposes than you intended.

Six Video Chat Mistakes: We love talking to family this time of year, especially with video chat programs such as Skype where we can look at our cross country loved ones face to face. But this season, be careful who you talk to. We’ve seen a recent increase in scam chat messages, the most common being “LOL, is this your new profile pic?” By clicking on these links, scammers can infect your computer, blast the message out to your contacts and in some cases, even hold your personal files for ransom.

Five Gift Card Woes: Be wary of “purchasing” gift cards online, they aren’t always as valuable as you’ve paid for, if they even hold a value at all.

Four Smishing Scams: Savvy scammers have begun “smishing” or phishing via text messages. Often times, they will pretend to be a legitimate organization, such as your bank, and get you to reveal your personal information. Never send any important info over text and always call the organization to verify the validity of the message!

Three Virus Greetings: Make sure the sender of your latest e-card is a source you trust, like friends or family - many contain viruses that can ruin your computer. So while we love spreading holiday cheer, make sure you know the source!

Two Phony Want-Ads: Beware of classifieds, both online and in papers, magazines, etc. that ask for you to provide too much personal information or to wire money via Western Union. You never want to pay for an item before receiving it or pay for “applying” for a job.

And Donations To A Fake Charity: Because this is the time for giving, many fake charities pop up in desperate need of your generous donation. Over the last five years the “U.S. Navy Veterans Association” collected $2 million in donations from unassuming do-gooders, only to be exposed as a fraudulent charity.

BBB Appears on San Diego 6, Discusses Holiday Travel

12/10/2012

Posted on 12/10/2012 by
Sheryl Bilbrey, CEO of BBB San Diego, explains what to look out for if you are heading out of town this holiday season.

BBB Holiday Travel Tips

12/7/2012

Posted on 12/7/2012 by

The holidays are a time for joy and most of us take advantage of this season to spend more time with family. However, when traveling during the holidays to visit our parents, grandparents, cousins and more, we tend to lose some of that holiday cheer. Consumers get taken advantage of during this special time of year because most of us are in a hurry and looking forward to more exciting things than booking our flight, hotel and car accommodations. But beware! Below are some of the most popular scams the Better Business Bureau sees while holiday traveling and we want you to be educated!

Airline Scams

1. Make Sure Your Ticket is Legit: The ARC (Airline Reporting Corporation) received 82 reports in 2011 of customers who purchased airline tickets that ended up being fake; the total consumer loss ended up being close to $1 million. Scammers are creating fake global distribution systems (GDS) used by travel agents in order to collect your personal information. Your travel agent enters in your credit information, billing address, etc. into this system to reserve your flight, when in reality, it’s all a scam.

2. Increasing Your Airline Miles: We all love a good deal and one of the beauties of flying these days is the opportunity to sign up for a mileage reward program. However, beware of sites that claim they can help you increase your reward points with little to no work or payment needed. Scammers are generating phishing sites to collect your mileage program log-in info, which often contains your credit card number, address, email, etc., that are disguised as mileage account sites.

3. Free Tickets, Click Here! We see a drastic increase of scams during the holiday season when consumers are rushed to make travel plans and on a budget. Links spread through emails or social media pages direct consumers to pages where they enter in their personal information to get their “free tickets.” The most common of these sites directs consumers to a fake Southwest Airline page, which even bears the Southwest logo, and has customers complete lengthy surveys collecting information before they can receive their tickets.

Hotel Scams

1. Midnight Phone Calls: In the last few years we’ve received reports from both consumers and hotels regarding scammers calling hotel guests, through the hotel phone system, and posing as the front desk and requesting credit card information. Scammers tell you that the hotel’s computers have crashed, an audit is due within the hour and the guests credit card information has been lost; all calls reported have been between 2am-4am. They ask you to either come down to the lobby with your credit card or simply provide it over the phone, knowing fully that you are comfy in bed, groggy and most likely not willing to get up, hop in the elevator and head downstairs.

2. “Wrong Transaction” Emails: Another clever trick from scammers involves emailing hotel guests once they have completed their stay, notifying them of a “wrong transaction” that was discovered on their bill. The email will commonly include a “refund form” attachment that the customer needs to download, complete and email back. The problem here can occur in one of two ways: either you can submit your credit card information to a scam artist expecting money back or downloading the “refund form” can download malware onto your computer.

3. Hotel Vouchers: Consumers have been purchasing vouchers for heavily discounted hotel accommodations by credit card after receiving telemarketer phone calls or faxes. More often than not, the vouchers never arrive. Other times, the vouchers will arrive with the need to pay additional charges in order to book or secure travel dates. Either way, the accommodation “provider,” the hotel, has not authorized the use of any vouchers and is unaware of the program, deeming them fake.

Car Rental Scams

1. Beware of “Boosting”: While the car you want to rent seems like a good deal online, beware of rental companies that advertise at one price and then throw in extra fees when it’s time to pay. On average, airport car rental companies tacked on an additional 26 percent to you total bill than what was advertised online. When reserving your car, call the company and ask about any state sales taxes, local taxes, airport surcharges, licensing fees, etc. While many of these charges cannot be avoided, it’s better to be informed of them beforehand to soften the blow.

2. Don’t Double Up On Insurance: It happens every time you’re at the sales counter: the rep asks if you want the insurance coverage. Most times, the insurance they are offering you is something you are already covered for and the extra $30 a day is just another way to boost your bill. It’s important to remember that all coverages they offer are optional and companies cannot refuse to rent to you if you decline them.

3. Upgrade? Just Say No: When car rental companies run out of the car you reserved (which happens a lot with economy vehicles) they will usually offer you the option to upgrade. However, when they talk you into the upgrade and then charge you for it, it’s a scam. If they run out of the car you were promised, let them offer you the upgrade for free.

Consumers complain about San Diego car rental company

12/6/2012

Posted on 12/6/2012 by

The Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties is telling San Diego visitors and locals to be wary of a local car rental service with a recent influx of consumers complaints.

BBB Appears on Channel 10, Discusses Rent San Diego Properties

12/5/2012

Posted on 12/5/2012 by
BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey spoke to 10 News about F-rated rental housing company Rent San Diego Properties. See what she sad to say & what the government has to say about this company.

San Diego BBB congratulates the seven ethical recipients of the 2012 Torch Awards

12/5/2012

Posted on 12/5/2012 by

December 4^th, 2012 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – Seven lucky local companies received a Better Business Bureau (BBB) Torch Award this afternoon in recognition of their unmatched dedication to ethics and integrity in the San Diego marketplace.

The BBB’s Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics, now in its 15^th year, is a staple in the local business community – attracting attention from small and large businesses alike. The Torch Awards program celebrates not those businesses that have seen unfettered growth and success, but recognizes the businesses who maintain a strong connection and commitment to treating customers, employees, vendors and the community with respect, honesty and integrity.

The companies chosen by the BBB each year, and especially in 2012 don’t just post their mission statement and values in their brochure, but live by these ideals each day, upholding the standards by which they were founded.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the Torch Award winners and finalists this year,” said BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “It takes a good amount of time and dedication to prepare an entry for the Torch Awards, and each winner and finalist presented an outstanding binder this year. These are the companies that San Diegans should take note of; not only do they do excellent work in their respective industries, but they treat those connected to their business with the utmost respect, trust and gratitude.”

The BBB recognized seven companies this year. In the 1-4 employee category, On-Site Tech Support proved victorious, while in the 5-10 employee category, the winner was Dream Design Builders. In the 11-24 employee category, Reilly Financial Advisors took home a glass trophy, as did Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. and Coles Fine Flooring in the 25-99 employee category and the 100-249 employee category, respectively. Finally, in the 250-499 employee category, JW Floor Covering won a Torch Award as well as Pacific Safety Center in the Charity/Non-Profit category.

The process to enter into the BBB Torch Awards is extensive. Each business turns in a binder that contains information on how they conduct their business in terms of their employees, customers, vendors and the San Diego community. The awardees are chosen by independent judges who grade all entries on the company’s adherence to ethical business practices.

“It’s a true honor to be recognized,” said San Diego Country Credit Union, a 2011 winner in the 500+ employee category. “[BBB’s Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics is] an award that really means something.”

There’s buzz in the community year round about the prestigious Torch Award, so it’s never too early to start thinking of next year’s entry. Accredited and non-Accredited Businesses are welcome to submit entries, and the BBB is here to help, offering workshops from March until July of 2013. If you are interested in learning how your company can be a Torch Award winner in 2013, please contact Director of Sponsorship and Special Events Shelley Bradley at sbradley@sandiego.bbb.org.

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Rachel Newman

Public Relation and Marketing Coordinator

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

Say Cheese! Promoting Your Business on Instagram

12/3/2012

Posted on 12/3/2012 by

1) Show Us Your Logo: It’s important for a reason! Your logo is what makes your company distinguishable from your competitors and easy to associate with– show it off! By taking pictures of your logo in creative or unusual ways, like someone writing on a branded notepad in a meeting, shopping with a recyclable branded bag at the local farmers market, or even wearing a branded hat at a sporting event, you’re giving your audience a more relatable way to connect with your business.

2) Who Runs The Show? Posting photos of employees in the workplace is another way to humanize your business. By showing your employees doing what they do, whether that’s installing solar panels, in meetings with clients, selling products at a register or hand-stitching a suit, it automatically makes your company seem more accessible and available. Putting a face to the name of your company builds trust, and trust generates sales.

3) Behind The Scenes: Getting ready for an event is hard work, but it does present a great opportunity to show off behind-the-scenes pictures to your consumers. Filming a commercial? Conducting a photo shoot? Opening your doors for a banquet? Give your customers insight into the planning process – these are exciting moments many people will never experience. By making them feel special and as if they are there with you, it will bond the consumer with your brand and make them feel invested in the success of your events!

4) Sell, Sell, Sell: If you create or sell a product, share it! Get creative though – a picture of a t-shirt folded on a counter won’t entice your audience to click through the rest of your content and share with their friends. Is your business service oriented? Show off some of the equipment and supplies that play a role in your service. For example, fitness trainers can show off their favorite workout routine or photographers can share their favorite lens. By posting a variety of content, you exhibit to consumers that you have something for everyone!

5) Planes, Trains & Automobiles: We all have to travel for work at some point or another – why not share your trip with consumers? By showing people the places you go, it creates a feel of intimacy, almost like between friends. Even if it’s just a picture from a lunch-break walk or celebrity sighting, you will connect with your audience on another level!

BBB Appears on San Diego Living

11/30/2012

Posted on 11/30/2012 by
President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on San Diego Living to discuss just what the BBB does and does not do, and how exactly we're helping our community.

Reserve Your Seat At The Table; Attend The BBB Torch Awards

11/30/2012

Posted on 11/30/2012 by

While you may be anxiously watching the days dwindle down towards the end of the year, we at the San Diego BBB are counting down the mere hours until we celebrate trust, honesty and integrity at this year’s 15^th Annual BBB Torch Awards. The holidays are a time for giving, and we cannot wait to honor our community’s businesses who continually maintain a solid commitment to conducting their practices in an ethical fashion. With so many reasons to attend and just a few days left before the event, we want to make sure you have no excuses to be a Grinch and miss out on this incredible occasion!

Hosted at the beautiful Town & Country in Mission Valley, this year’s Torch Awards will be a statement of elegance and sophistication, accompanied by a three-course meal and good conversation. If you are looking to network with the top executives in San Diego and end 2012 with a bang, this is the place to be – the opportunity the mingle and pick the brains of the best in our local marketplace is unmatched. As if that wasn’t enough, we will be having Paralympic gold medalist Oz Sanchez as the event’s keynote speaker; his motivational story of triumph over tragedy is one that is sure to inspire everyone in attendance.

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, there’s one component of the Torch Awards everyone can appreciate. We will be celebrating the business men and women of our future by awarding five scholarships to local high school juniors and seniors who have written excellent essays on the importance of ethics in the marketplace. Help us congratulate them!

What is the best part about the 2012 Torch Awards? You can come on the day of the event and purchase your ticket – no previous reservation needed. If you would, however, like you or your business to sponsor a table and receive acknowledgement and recognition, please contact Shelley Bradley; there still are plenty of opportunities available!

So as we wave goodbye to 2012 and look towards the new year, consider your business’ resolutions and how you would like to start 2013. We all contribute to our community’s marketplace and the San Diego Better Business Bureau is hoping that you choose to do so ethically, responsibly and with integrity. Get a head start today by attending the 15^th Annual Torch Awards next Tuesday, December 4^th and celebrating local businesses. We hope to see you there!

BBB Discusses Charity Scams on KPBS

11/28/2012

Posted on 11/28/2012 by
President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey gives KPBS Evening Edition tips for avoiding charity scams.

Guest Blog: Earthquakes Shake Up Your Plumbing

11/28/2012

Posted on 11/28/2012 by

Earthquakes:Your Plumbing Before and After the Shake Up

Most everyone can recall their first earthquake, especially if they didn't grow up in California. Ask your friends about their first earthquake and most likely they'll get nostalgic while describing where they were, who they were with, and if they were excited or scared. We have numerous resources with information on earthquake preparedness kits and earthquake safety drills. From school age to adulthood, we have been told what to do before and after an earthquake.But what about our plumbing?

A few quick steps taken before and after an earthquake could prevent our homes' plumbing from causing floods and fire, and illuminate the signs pointing towards unseen problems such as slab leaks or sewer backups. Do you know what to look for?

Before an earthquake:

-Know where all of your shut-off valves are located. Being able to locate each of your shut-off valves (including gas, water and individual appliance shut-offs)quickly could save money and prevent further destruction.

-Check the earthquake straps on your water heater. Properly installed earthquake straps will keep your water heater tethered to the wall preventing it from falling and bursting during an earthquake. Since conventional water heaters hold and heat water at all times, if they burst you could be looking at 30-150 gallons of water flooding your home depending on your tank size.

-Check the gas line to your furnace. It should be a hard pipe coming out of the furnace and connected to the shut-off valve with a gas flex connector. This is mandatory for all new installations. However, if your home or business has not been updated in five years or more it is recommended to have it checked,ensuring it is up to current California Mechanical Code.

-Consider having a plumber install an earthquake shut-off valve, also known as a natural gas seismic shut-off valve. When an earthquake of sufficient magnitude happens at your home, the device automatically shuts off your gas service.

After an earthquake:

-If you are on a slab foundation, be aware of temperature changes within areas of your flooring. If you feel “hot spots” or see water pooling, it may be an indication of a broken pipe in the foundation. Check your water meter during a time when no water is being used; if it is still spinning or changes after a period of time, there could be a subterranean leak.

-Earthquakes can cause sewer lines to collapse. Depending on the severity and location of the break, it may take some time to notice. Be aware of any sewer smells or slow drains. If you believe there may be a break, call a plumber who can locate it for repair with a sewer camera inspection.

-Your main water and main gas shut-off valves are essential in containing possible floods and fires during an earthquake. When you are able to safely turn these off, you can cut the water and gas flow coming into your home. If your pipes break, you can have peace of mind knowing your home and lives are not in danger of flooding and fire damage. Check that all shut-offs have been turned off as soon as possible.

-Earthquakes cannot be adequately predicted or prevented. But that does not mean we have to remain helpless as the damage unfolds. There are small actions that can alleviate the devastation of Mother Nature’s inevitable events. Taking a little time before and after an earthquake to thoroughly check your home's plumbing systems will allow you to take care of what really matters, your family's safety.

Article courtesy of Bill Howe. Howe is the President the Bill Howe Family of Companies. The San Diego plumbing,heating, cooling, restoration and flood services company has been offering residential and commercial services since 1980. Bill Howe is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the 2011 National Contractor of the Year by the National Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association and Delta Faucet Co. He has also been named the 2011 Most Admired CEO by the San Diego Business Journal and most recently he’s been named the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Leader of the Year.

Enhance Your Content Marketing with SlideShare

11/27/2012

Posted on 11/27/2012 by

In an age where we can tweet, share videos & photos and build our professional network with a click of a button, it’s a wonder that social media marketing platforms continue to emerge. While the possibilities are endless, history shows the most successful and engaging mediums so far have been those that are straight-to-the-point, easy to find and entertainingly creative. Many of us have spent countless hours creating, editing and perfecting presentations for our bosses, clients and peers and now with SlideShare, you can use these as preassembled marketing tools to generate leads online and connect with potential consumers in a way unlike any other.

SlideShare is a social networking site that allows users to upload presentations in PDF, video or PowerPoint slideshow forms and then permits others to share, comment on and rate the posts. By combining the use of text and photos in a customized and creative way, it is becoming an increasingly popular way to share content in a variety of forms. Even better: the site allows you to embed and share uploaded content on virtually every other social networking site, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Getting Started

How can you start your own SlideShare account? Sign up for a free account here and first create your company profile; you can add a picture, company logo and links to your website and social media pages. If you decide to take things one step further, you can sign up for a SlideShare PRO account and have better control of the branding, analytics, removal of ads and customize lead generation on your profile page. These PRO accounts make it easier to track visitors, favorites and shares of your content and give insight into which types of presentations are a hit with your audience, allowing you to customize your content marketing plan accordingly. Either way, after creating your profile, all you have to do is upload your material!

What is Effective?

When using SlideShare, it is important to look at your content marketing goals as you would with any other site: who are you trying to target, will your audience find this engaging and will this lead to a sale? When starting out with your account, begin with a brochure or highlight an important product - address what your customers need to know about your company in order to feel comfortable. You can also address a common problem in your industry and offer a series of solution slides. As long as you are solving problems for consumers, you are establishing yourself as an authority and gaining the trust of your market.

Like any other social media platform, the only way to build a following and emerge on top of your competitors is to offer valuable content that your audience will find useful and compelling – something that your audience wants to share with their own networks and keep coming back to because of its relevance. If you’ve already done the work, why not share it?

Guest Blog: My First Solo Ride

11/21/2012

Posted on 11/21/2012 by

I grew up riding on the back of my dad's Harley-Davidson. Sure, I always thought about riding myself, but life always seemed to get in the way. I attended the U.S. Air Force Academy where riding motorcycles was forbidden, and after that was stationed in Germany, where autobahns seemed daunting for a first time rider. While serving overseas, I found myself getting married, traveling the world with my husband, and ultimately becoming pregnant with our now 8 year old son. In the several years that followed, it felt as if I was always either nursing a newborn or pregnant with another. However, when my youngest child turned 2 years old, I finally had the opportunity to follow through on my life-long ambition to get on a bike.

After signing up for a local class, I learned the basics of riding through a combination of classroom time and two days of riding in a vacant parking lot.

Along with the confidence gained from actually getting on a bike outside of the classroom environment, I discovered the bonding that occurs when you ride with others. I have an everlasting appreciation for those involved in my classroom experience from the instructors to the group of other new riders in my class. On my first group ride led by the San Diego Ladies of HOG, I felt a strong connection to them after only being on the road for a few hours. And even just pulling out of the garage with my husband on our respective Harley’s and going out to a favorite restaurant is heightened by the thrill of getting there and back on our bikes.

On my 35th birthday, shortly after passing my class, I took my first solo ride (pictured below). It felt like a world I thought I had always known had opened up to me in a whole new way. Since then, I have experienced many other riding firsts. First ride on the freeway. First ride to work. And even my first ride in the rain. But what I’m looking the most forward to now is getting on my own bike and going on my first ride with my dad!

Article courtesy of Jen Miller, Motor Clothes Manager at San Diego Harley Davidson.

Consumer Alert: Don't Let A Gray Cloud Settle Over Your Black Friday

11/21/2012

Posted on 11/21/2012 by

Traditionally seen as the beginning of the holiday shopping season, Black Friday has become a staple in the minds of retailers and consumers looking for the best bargains and deals. Beginning in the early 1960’s, retailers began to offer promotional deals the day after Thanksgiving to kick off the busiest shopping months of the year. Named for its reputation as the day on which retailers turn a profit, or are “in the black,” Black Friday is often looked at as an indicator of the economic state of shoppers and what they view as disposable income at years end. In 2011, approximately 226 million shoppers rose from their beds early the day following Thanksgiving and spent an average of $398.62; with retailers and economists predicting the most optimistic spending numbers since the beginning of the recession, your San Diego Better Business Bureau wants you to shop informed, find the best deals and make the most out of your holiday season this year!

Cyber Monday: Your Alternative to Black Friday

Retailers began to notice a growing trend among their shoppers in 2003 and 2004: many consumers were simply too busy Thanksgiving weekend to put down their turkeys, wave goodbye to visiting family members and head to the mall. Instead, they would sit down at their computers the Monday following Thanksgiving (after the dishes were done & the leftovers were put away) and shop online for the bargains they had missed. Thus Cyber Monday was born; in 2005, retailers began to advertise bargains, deals and promotions specifically tailored for their online shoppers on the Monday immediately following the holiday. As of 2011, Cyber Monday shopping had increased to $96 billion dollars (a 12% increase from 2010) and 2012 forecasts looks even stronger.

Why the Increase in Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping?

With technology constantly evolving and changing the name of the shopping game drastically every year, there are countless reasons behind the increase in both online and in store sales (besides economic conditions.) Some of our top picks are below:

Mobile Bargain Hunters: Everyone these days either owns or has access to a cell phone, tablet, iPad, etc. Consumers are now seeing these devices as research tools to ease their holiday shopping. Mobile bargain hunting (scouring the web for the best deals, comparing multiple sites & their prices and even comparing in-store bargains to online promotions) rose from 5.6% in 2010 to 14.3% in 2011 and the number is only expected to rise even more this 2012 holiday shopping season.

Mobile Sales: Once consumers bargain hunt on their mobile devices, a growing number are staying on these devices to make their purchases as well. Mobile sales rose from 3.2% in 2010 to 9.8% in 2011 and due to the current widespread use of iPhones, iPads, Droids, Kindle Fires, etc. mobile sales are forecasted to easily double last year’s number this holiday season.

Social Networking: Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more are proving to be a valuable tool for many retailers. These outlets generate conversations on everything from tips on deals, how to avoid rushes, out of stock items, & parking and waiting times and can also lead to online sales for retailers advertising their products on the social media page.

Tips for Shopping:

With so many advertisements flooding our televisions, radios, computers all claiming to be the best deal this Black Friday & Cyber Monday, how should you know you’re getting the most bang for your buck? Your San Diego Better Business Bureau has a few holiday tips for you below to make sure you have the best season yet:

Check Out Print Ads: Your newspaper will be stuffed like your Thanksgiving turkey with ads this Black Friday. As the number one source for deals, coupons, discounts and promotions, check out your local newspaper for the inside scoop on where to shop.

Do Your Research: A bad product is a bad deal no matter how cheap it is. Know what you want and be informed of its normal price range before you shop on Black Friday.

Know Store Policies: Stores tend to change some of their policies on Black Friday purchases. Look for “restocking fees”, shorter return/exchange deadlines, receipt requirements, etc. and use these to determine where to buy.

Early Bird Discounts: Many stores will offer early bird discounts for shoppers between 5am-11am. The only catch with these deals is that there are no “rain checks” for the products: when they run out, you are out of luck. Route your shopping trip based on priorities when shopping time-sensitive deals.

Tracking Your Business with Google Analytics

11/19/2012

Posted on 11/19/2012 by

If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

With tools like Google Analytics, this mantra has become severely outdated. Now that we have the ability to track the successes and failures of virtually everything we publish on the web, every business has the tools available to build a stronger online presence.

For those not familiar with Google Analytics, it is a free service that monitors how many people are visiting your webpage, if a post is being read once the reader is on the page, how long they are staying and where they are coming from. For such a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of your website, blog, social media page, etc. it is pretty remarkable that yes, Google Analytics is completely free.

In case you’re not convinced yet, below are a few of the metrics Google Analytics provides that your BBB finds the most useful:

1. Audience: One of the best statistics this feature provides is the number of unique visitors to your page. (Unique visitors are the individual people that visit your site.) This also lets you know the amount of page views per visit of each unique visitor. These numbers are important for your business because it can show you which postings drew the largest audience and how many different pages within your site were seen by each unique visitor.

2. Average Time on Page: This feature expresses the average amount of time a visitor spent on each page of your site. This shows you how engaging each of your posts or pages truly are to your audience; more time spent on the page=more interesting to the viewer. In addition, this also tracks what your visitors did after visiting each page: whether they bought one of your products, clicked through to another post or left your site completely.

3. Traffic Sources: With modern technology, we are able to advertise our company on multiple platforms within seconds, simply with the click of the mouse. Traffic sources lets you see where your audience is coming from: whether by way of an email they received with the URL to your site, a post on one of your social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) or even from search engines such as Google & Bing. This function can let you know which means of advertising is most effective and where/ how you tend to get the most draw.

The ease with which you can sign up for Google Analytics is equally amazing. All you need is a Gmail account (also 100% free) and ability to access the Google Analytics homepage. From there, you simply enter your website’s URL and begin tracking!

By using this free tool properly, your BBB guarantees that you will be able to tailor and perfect your web presence and customer outreach. By seeing what is the most effective for your audience, you will have no problem growing the success of your business.

BBB Appears on KUSI, Discusses Layaway Scams

11/16/2012

Posted on 11/16/2012 by
BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on KUSI this morning to discuss layaway scams and tips. Watch the video for more information!

BBB, SDG&E Warn Customers About Payment Scam

11/15/2012

Posted on 11/15/2012 by

Imposters targeting SDG&E customers in Hispanic neighborhoods

SAN DIEGO, November 7, 2012 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of an ongoing wire fraud that has been targeting SDG&E customers in Hispanic neighborhoods. Reports indicate that individuals are misrepresenting themselves as utility employee by calling customers and threatening to turn off electric and gas service if an immediate payment is not made. Customers are instructed to purchase a pre-pay credit card, and are directed to another phone number where information is then obtained from the card and the cash value is then removed.

SDG&E wants to warn individuals and businesses of this fraud in an effort to prevent them from becoming potential victims. The company assures customers that SDG&E does not proactively contact them and ask for credit card information over the phone.

SDG&E customers should not provide any financial information by phone unless they have initiated the conversation. If customers receive a phone call that makes them feel uncomfortable, and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call SDG&E directly at 1-800-411-7343.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 850,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

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Guest Blog: 4 Reasons I Love Credit Unions

11/14/2012

Posted on 11/14/2012 by

It’s been said that Gen Y and Z really aren’t familiar with what a credit union is. And, to be honest, before I started working at one, I had no idea (and didn’t think I needed to know) about the credit union difference. So I want to make sure that you do know.

There are plenty of great reasons that being a member of a credit union is cool that don’t even involve money.

I know from my essay writing in college that you can’t just make a statement about how you feel without telling people why—so, here’s why I love credit unions:

1) When you open an account, you aren’t just putting money into a financial institution, you actually become a member of the credit union. Key word: Member. You are part owner of the credit union. That’s why we care so much about you! We are all in this together, and your success is what’s important to us.

2) There’s a difference with credit union customers, whom we call members. They know that credit union was created by members, to serve members, and that philosophy has never changed. So members are very loyal to their credit unions, and are always telling their friends and family members to join. (Here at Mission Fed, the number one way we get new members is because someone referred them to us.)

3) If you’ve visited a business and received cold, robot-like service, you know how horrible it feels. At credit unions, because we want our members to be happy, we do our best to provide personalized, caring service. We want you to enjoy visiting our branches, giving us a call or browsing our website.

4) Unlike banks which are for-profit, credit unions are not-for-profit. That means any earnings are put back into the credit union so that we can offer our members lower loan rates, lower fees and new products. We won’t try to sell you products that you don’t need or that won’t be beneficial to you—we’re here to help you throughout your life, from your first savings account, maybe even as a child, to your first home to retirement. A little research will show that this isn’t true for all types of financial institutions, who have to turn a profit for stockholders.

So you can rest assured that as a member (or soon-to-be-member), you are with an organization that is more than just a financial institution. It’s a company that cares about you and your financial well-being. And we want you to be successful, whatever your definition of success may be!

Where have you seen the Credit Union Difference lately?

Article courtesy of Heidi Donahue of Mission Federal Credit Union. For more information on Mission Federal Credit Union, please visit http://www.missionfed.com.

BBB Appears on KUSI, Discusses Military Scams

11/13/2012

Posted on 11/13/2012 by
BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on KUSI last Friday to discuss scams that affect our U.S Military. Watch her interview now!

Savvy Shopping This Holiday Season: Layaway Tips

11/9/2012

Posted on 11/9/2012 by

‘Tis the season to shop savvy! While the current state of the economy has many of us preparing for the holiday season on a budget, your BBB has some advice for those of you preparing to use an increasingly common way to purchase: layaway. Even those it’s been around for decades, consumers are leaning towards layaway options more than ever and there a few key points you should be aware of before participating.

Buying items on layaway is different from putting them on a credit card because the buyer isn’t charged interest on the purchase and can’t take the item home until it is paid off. When purchasing items on layaway, the buyer must typically make a down payment of 10 to 20 percent and pay a service fee for the store to hold the item for them. Once it is paid off, the customer can take the items home.

For those retailers that do not have a layaway system in place, many third-party businesses have emerged, acting as an intermediary and setting up payment plans between buyers and sellers. In such a case, customers make periodic payments to the third-party layaway service provider. Once the item is fully paid for, the third party will buy the item from the retailer and ship it to the customer.

So where should you shop layaway for your loved ones this season? Below are three retailers with the cheapest and most convenient layaway programs for your holiday shopping:

1. Kmart: With most items available for layaway both online and in store, shoppers pay $0 in upfront fees until November 17^th and a down payment of $15 or 10% (whatever is greater) for an eight week program. Remember, though, that payments are non-refundable and must be made every two weeks until the full eight week program is completed.

2. Toys R Us: All items are eligible for layaway in store only. A down payment of 20% is required with a $5 upfront fee mandatory at the start of the program. There also is a $10 cancellation fee with final payments due by December 16^th.

3. Walmart: Toys, electronics, small appliances, jewelry and select sporting goods are available in store only with a down payment of $10 and an upfront fee of $5 (which is refunded upon full payment.) Final payments are due by December 14^th with no fee charged for cancelled orders.

Regardless of where you decide to shop layaway this season, the BBB always recommends that you read the fine print, ask questions to retail associates (that’s what they’re there for!) and call your local BBB if you have any questions about the legitimacy or rules of the program. Here’s a checklist of questions every savvy shopper should ask before buying any items on layaway this year:

• How much time do I have to pay off the item?

• When are the payments due?

• How much do I have to put down?

• Are there any storage or service plan fees?

• What happens if I miss a payment? Are there penalties? Does the item return to inventory?

• Can I get a refund or store credit if I no longer want the item after making a few payments?

Guest Blog: Getting Connected on Social Media

11/8/2012

Posted on 11/8/2012 by

In the fast-evolving world of the Internet, things come and go. As far as ranking factors go, social media mentions and reputation have gone from irrelevant to important. Links have been the undisputed leader when it comes to determining search ranks, but social shares and reputation are slowly encroaching into that territory.

Since 2011, it has been clear that search engines are now incorporating social signals into how they rank sites. This was made overtly obvious by Google's Panda update, which specifically revealed that Google is now considering social media into its search results.

Having a strong social media presence is no longer just an option, but is an essential part of the way webmasters and site owners market their sites, products and services. What's more, the line separating SEO and social is no longer existent.

Here are the best practices of using social media for better social reputation and better chances at being shared.

1. Be genuine and participate for real. Allot some time every day going over your social network accounts. This could be as little as 15 minutes per day on Facebook. This is to make sure that you can field all questions and attend to queries and concerns. This will also help you build personal relationships with your customers so that you would get an idea of the kind of content they are looking for. This will also help you engage your customers more effectively, so when you send out a link to your blog post, they will be more receptive to it and more likely to share it with their friends.

2. Do not just use your social networking properties as a way to distribute your blog posts. While it is recommended to post your blog entries as status updates on your page or put up a link on Twitter, your connections will get turned off if you do not have anything else to say.

3. Promote your Facebook page or Twitter account. It never hurts to ask your customers to add your social networking properties as their contacts. It could be as simple as asking them to like you on Facebook, or putting up signs around the store or posters in your neighborhood. You could also e-mail your customer list and inform them about your Facebook page or Twitter account.

4. Make sure that you tell them how they are going to benefit from connecting with you. Offer discounts to your Facebook fans, or perhaps run a contest. A product giveaway, for example, would be the easiest way to build more likes to your page. Be creative in making them interested in adding you up and making it worth their while.

5. Update your fans and followers at least twice a day. After a while, you will get to see which content is popular with your customers and which are not. Give them more of the things they like and avoid what they don't like.

6. Understand that social media is not a one-way street. You would not be able to control what people say about you on social media, but you can always try to see if you can capture the conversation and turn it to your advantage. For example, if somebody complains on Facebook about the sloppy service they got from you, then be sure to be there to respond to the person and get their concerns addressed.

7. Partner with other pages and businesses. Scout for possible partnerships with other local business owners that are not in direct competition with you. Try to see how you could work together to give a virtual recommendation for each other.

8. Do an offline event. Make sure to have an offline event. It could be a store launch, a product launch or a simple store visit. You could set up photo booths or get a photographer to go around during the event. Post the pictures and tag or mention the people in the pictures.

9. Do not forget consistently producing valuable, educational and entertaining content. There is simply no substitute for having a steady stream of valuable content that you could share on your Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. This will build your reputation as a reliable source of information among your customers. Your customers would naturally share your articles and blog posts if they think that their friends could use them.

Article courtesy of Chris Barnwell of Search Engine Optimization, Inc., an innovative SEO firm that has operated out of San Diego for the last 15 years. For more information on Search Engine Optimization Inc., please visit www.seoinc.com.

Don't Fall For These Election Day Scams

11/6/2012

Posted on 11/6/2012 by
During the election, you may be asked for personal information, whether by phone, email or in person. Sheryl Bilbrey, Better Business Bureau President and CEO, has tips to avoid being scammed into giving away too much information.

In Case You Missed It: November 1st B2B Networking Mixer

11/5/2012

Posted on 11/5/2012 by

With the sun setting and a view overlooking the park, our latest B2B mixer proved to be yet another successful evening set against the backdrop of the beautiful California Center for the Arts in Escondido. With the networking event accompanied by food and drinks, business men and women were able to socialize, mingle and discuss their businesses all on a stunning outdoor patio last Thursday, November 1^st.

As usual, all BBB Accredited Businesses were able to attend free of charge thanks to our mixer underwriters, Aflac and Modern Postcard. Non-accredited Businesses were also given the opportunity to attend for a fee of $25; all proceeds received from the evening go towards the BBB Foundation. Cool Roof Systems and Retriever Payment Systems were also sponsors of the event and each had a table at the mixer, allowing attendees to chat with company representatives and learn more about their services.

Each of the approximately 60 guests were entered into a raffle for beautiful pairs of pearl earrings thanks to our mixer underwriters and were encouraged to work the room and link up with as many new faces as possible! Attendees were also encouraged to visit and participate in the center’s Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities, free of charge, following the mixer.

B2B Mixers are a great place for business professionals of all industries to socialize and get to know their colleagues from all over San Diego and imperial counties. While all Accredited Businesses are encouraged to attend as a benefit of their membership, the opportunity for Non-Accredited Businesses to support the most ethical businesses in our community, as well as network and learn about the benefits of accreditation is truly one that should not be missed in future months. We do ask that Non-Accredited Businesses have a rating of a B or higher to attend in order to ensure that we have the most ethical companies from our community present.

Overall, attendants of the mixer enjoyed the networking, food & drinks and more thanks to the California Center for the Arts and our sponsors! We hope to see you out at our January mixer; please contact Jenna Sorrell for any additional information or to sign up to attend. All information regarding B2B Mixers and other San Diego BBB events can be found here. For all event photos, please visit the San Diego BBB’s Facebook page!

You're Invited! Top 10 Reasons Not To Miss The BBB Torch Awards

11/2/2012

Posted on 11/2/2012 by

The snow may not be falling over San Diego, but the winter arrives nonetheless. And with it, it brings slightly cooler weather, college bowl games and the BBB Torch Awards.

At the San Diego BBB, we are thrilled to be hosting out 15^th Annual BBB Torch Awards in our Centennial year – that’s two milestones for the price of one! The BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics, to be held at the Town & Country in Mission Valley on December 4^th, is an annual awards program that spotlights businesses who maintain a solid commitment to conducting their practices in an ethical fashion.

Winners of a BBB Torch Award have an unprecedented opportunity for public recognition and well-deserved visibility in the marketplace, and attended of the event have an unprecedented opportunity to make great connections with top executives, enjoy a great meal and support the community. Below, we have highlighted the top ten reasons why you would be a Grinch to miss out on this year’s Torch Awards:

1. Network with top executives from San Diego businesses: Year after year the awards prove to be an invaluable opportunity for networking with the top executives from top-notch businesses in our community.

2. Dine like royalty. Enjoy a delicious 3-course meal with your tablemates during the luncheon; accompany your good conversation with great food! (Did someone say red velvet cake?)

3. Keynote Speaker Oz Sanchez. After suffering spinal cord injuries and paralysis following a motorcycle accident that ended his highly successful military career, Sanchez overcame adversity and became a decorated Paralympic athlete in the sports of hand cycling & Triathlon. Come listen to his inspirational story at the awards as the keynote speaker.

4. Get involved! Don’t wait to make it a 2013 resolution – start today! By attending the 2012 BBB Torch Awards, you are taking a more active stance in your local marketplace and supporting businesses that practice ethical standards of business.

5. Celebrate ethics in our local marketplace! This is what is at the heart of the BBB; the Torch Awards are truly the place we can recognize those businesses that embody our mission!

6. Support the BBB Foundation. By attending the 2012 Torch Awards, you are supporting the BBB Foundation, a 501(c)3, and allowing us to continue protecting, informing and distributing resources to better the welfare of local consumers and our community.

7. Become a sponsor; show off your ethical business. By sponsoring the 2012 BBB Torch Awards, your company will receive recognition at the ceremony, acknowledgement in the program and you’ll be demonstrating your commitment to ethics and integrity in the marketplace! For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Shelley Bradley.

8. Thank Our Partners. Without our Torch Scholarship Sponsor Sycuan Casino and our Ethics Partner SDG&E, this event would not be what it is today. Help us in thanking these two businesses by attending the awards!

9. Town & Country Mission Valley. The setting for our 2012 Torch Awards will not go unappreciated; the Town & Country is beautifully elegant and is the perfect backdrop for such a special ceremony!

10. Peer into the future of integrity. The luncheon also serves to award our Annual Torch Awards Scholarship to five high school students who have written outstanding essays on “The Importance of Ethics and Integrity in our Community.” Come congratulate the businessmen and women of our future!

If you would like to celebrate ethics, support local businesses and hear more about the incredible life of Oz Sanchez, this is an event you will not want to miss. For more information on how to attend the 2012 San Diego BBB Torch Awards, please visit our website at www.sandiego.bbb.org. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this event and showing your commitment to ethics, please contact Shelley Bradley at SBradley@bbbsandiego.org.

Guest Blog: Dust is the Slow Computer Killer

10/31/2012

Posted on 10/31/2012 by

What Business Owners Should Know About a Recurrent Threat to Their Computers and Networks.

Symptoms:

-Common symptoms you will experience when your computer needs cleaning are:

-The computer initially runs fast when started but then suddenly slows down

-General slowness and degraded performance
-Unexpected shutdown

-Freezing and lagging response times

-Launching applications takes much longer than normal

The Problem:

Dust is the slow, silent computer killer. Since most computers are located close to the ground, and every computer has one or several fans for cooling the internal electronic components (such as the processor, RAM and hard drives), there are environmental conditions present that attract dust and dirt particles. These unwelcome intruders congest the air flow within the fan, the grills, and heat sink (the metal, layered piece sitting on top of the processor and the small fan). Gradually, the accumulation of dust and particles on these components builds up, impairing the proper air ventilation that is necessary to keep the computer running optimally.

This is one of the reasons why new computers are fast and older computers become slower (you can see an example of this performance degradation when new programs are installed on old computers). In addition to running disk tools such as Defrag, etc., in order to keep your computer at its peak performance, I cannot emphasize emphatically enough the importance of keeping your systems as clear of dust and debris as possible.

Solution:

Dust needs to be removed periodically from your computers. Purchase a can of compressed air (any brand will do) and open the side cover of your Computer or Server to access the components that need to be sprayed with the compressed air to eliminate the dust.

Steps:

1. Start by shutting your computer down (power it off.) CLICK-START, then SHUTDOWN

2. Disconnect all cables from your computer. Make sure to take note of how everything is connected so you can reassemble it again after you are finished cleaning it.

3. Place your computer on a flat table top with the lid facing up so that you can open the case. There may be screws located on the back of the case, so you may need a Phillips screw driver to unscrew and open it.

4. Before touching any electronic component, make sure you ground yourself by touching the metal part of the case or by wearing an antistatic band.

5. Once the case is exposed you will see dust bunnies that can easily be removed with your hand or simply blow it out with the pressurized air can.

6. Make sure to blow out the front an back grills and look for the fans inside your computer, as there may be several. Make sure to blow out all the fans and especially the heat sink, which gets overlooked as it is below the small fan. Do not forget to also clear the power supply fan (this is the one inside the metal box and near the place where you plug the power cord.)

7. Once you have eliminated all the dust inside your computer you can go ahead and close the case, connect the cables back to it, and start your computer. If the computer had not been maintained and there was air flow limitation, you will immediately see better performance resulting from your cleaning efforts .

Article courtesy of Antonio de la Cerda, with contributions by Kevin Kramer of VNet Professionals Inc., a San Diego IT support and managed services company. For more on VNet Professionals, please visit www.vnetpros.com.

BBB Appears on CW, discusses Autumn Scams

10/31/2012

Posted on 10/31/2012 by
BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on San Diego 6 yesterday to discuss ID theft, disaster scams and how to be a smart consumer on Halloween. Check out the video for some BBB tips!

Hurricane Sandy Charity Scams

10/30/2012

Posted on 10/30/2012 by

This week brought with it a hurricane that ravaged the east coast. From New England to the Carolinas, thousands of Americans have been displaced as a result of flooding and high winds.

While the worst seems to be over for our friends across the country, your BBB warns that now is generally the time that us west coasters should put our guard up.

Natural disasters bring out the generosity in all of us; we want to help those in need in whatever capacity we can, and that usually means opening our wallets. Scammers anticipate that generosity, and, after a natural disaster, gear up to prey on the consumers who would like to help those in need of assistance.

Be on the lookout in the next few weeks for solicitations from charities attempting to pull at your heartstrings. Helping one another is certainly a honorable thing to do, but your BBB advises consumers to adhere to the following tips when giving to natural disaster charities:

Don't let the charity choose you. You may receive calls or visits from door-to-door solicitors who claim to be supporting a charity which directly benefits the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Your BBB cannot verify whether there solicitations are legitimate or not, but we do advise consumers to do their own research when it comes to charity giving.

Don't fall prey to high-pressure tactics. If you feel pressured to give at all, that should be a red flag. Legitimate charities may encourage consumers to give, but it should end there.

No money under the mat! You may come home to find a letter from a charity soliciting donations. Claiming convenience, they will request that you donate to their cause simply by leaving money in the provided envelope under your front door mat. A request of this nature should be a red flag to consumers.

Check the BBB first. If you'd like to donate to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy, do your research first. Your BBB is an excellent resource for charity giving. We have reports on hundreds of organizations. Check out our charity giving page at www.give.org.

When it comes to donating to charity, we refer you to our mantra: "give, but give wisely." If you have questions about the validity of a charity or want more information about charity scams, visit bbb.org or call us at 858.496.2131.

Generating More Email Sign Ups

10/29/2012

Posted on 10/29/2012 by

Whether your business is large or small, email advertising is, and has been for years, the number one producer of return on investment for marketers. The trick to perfecting the effectiveness of email marketing is in generating not only a large database to assimilate your information, but acquiring the contact information of someone who has at least a mild interest in what you do and wants to learn more.

However, long gone is the time when it was simply enough to have someone open and read your emails; the opportunity to diversify your content based on consumer preferences is now a necessity in order to convert company trust into a sale.

The easiest way to do so: list building.

Strategically speaking, by segmenting your email marketing and list building, your company’s message will get to the right people at the right time. Below are the top tactics for list building today:

Feature with Content – After engaging your audience with high quality, educational content, you will want to promote your list sign up in a visible, easy to reach area. Many WordPress theme frameworks today are allowing what they call “feature boxes.” These “feature boxes” make it easy to place a sign up box either at the end of your blog post or top of your page. Placing your email offer where people are reading and enjoy your content improves uptake.

Content Partner Share – One of the best ways to entice email subscribers today is to offer long format content that tackles one subject in depth that your target clients find appealing. Once this content is produced, reach out to other businesses that could potentially benefit from assimilating this material and allow them to promote your content by way of a special co-branded sign-up landing page.

Thank you suggestions - Once someone signs up to receive your offer its good form to redirect them to a “thank you” page that gives them assurance that all is well, what to expect next and other details. Consider partnering with three or four other “high quality” content producers that you would recommend to your readers and suggest subscriptions to these partners on your thank you page. If each of the partners involved performs this action you’ll see more subscribers by way of referral.

Advertise – If you begin to see success and high conversion rates due to your email marketing, you may want to start advertising your content, blog, eBook, etc. As long as you have some idea of what an email subscriber means long term to your business, this will allow you to effectively capture more subscribers and in turn, more profit. Facebook Promoted Posts and solo purchased ads in newsletters related to your market are two of the most effective ways currently to advertise content.

Endorsement Swaps - One of the most powerful ways to quickly add subscribers is for another list owner, one that has built trust with their subscribers, to send a mailing endorsing your content. This is a tactic that takes time as its best done with partners that you have established a very trusting relationship with either by way of reputation in your industry or by directly working together on other projects.

BBB Consumer Alerts: Identity Theft

10/25/2012

Posted on 10/25/2012 by

Identity theft is one of the most common forms of theft in the United States today, effecting millions of citizens. A thief needs only your name, address, phone number, birth date and social security number, and with that they can drain your bank account, destroy your credit rating or even give you a criminal record. Any or all of this information can be taken from your mailbox, home, business, car or computer. That’s why your BBB wants to make sure you know how to protect yourself against identity theft.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your information safe:

Shred all documents that list personal information. This includes bank statements, government papers, order forms and magazines. Anything that has key information about you, your home and your credit information could potentially be used against you.

Keep little personal information in your wallet. If your wallet was to be stolen or lost, you want to make sure there isn’t any extra information in there for someone else to find. Having minimal personal information makes it less of a threat when your wallet goes missing.

Notify the bank & cancel cards immediately if lost or stolen. The minute you realize your card is not with you, call the bank. Even if you misplaced it, it’s better to call and freeze the account instead of letting a thief empty out your account while you look around.

Never leave mail in the mailbox for a prolonged period of time. Some identity thieves have been known to rummage through people’s mail in search of information. Check your mail and bring it inside as soon as possible. If you are planning on leaving town ask a neighbor to check your mail, or put a hold on delivery for that period of time.

Have important checks mailed to your workplace or the bank. Important checks should not be mailed to an unsecure mailbox. A thief could easily take it out and try to cash it for themselves.

Pay attention to missing bills. If you realize a bill you should have received has yet to come in, check with the billing company. Your billing address could have been changed by a thief, so you want to make sure they’re not racking up debt while you wonder why the bills late.

Don’t leave receipts lying around. Receipts have crucial information and could be an identity thief’s jackpot. After paying at a restaurant or store, make sure your receipt is not easily obtainable for someone to snatch unnoticed.

Monitor your bank records and credit closely. Never skim your bank records. Look over in detail and make sure there’s nothing on there you do not recognize.

Make sure your workplace is secure. When working for a business, you need to provide them with your information. Ask about the security surrounding this information: who has access to it, who they give it to, how they will dispose of it and what safety measures are in place.

Stay on top of the latest scams. Always check with your BBB if you feel something is off, and we’ll let you know if there is a history of scamming involved.

To summarize, the simplest way to prevent identity theft is to limit the amount of information you give out, be aware of who you’re giving the information out to and monitor your financial records. Do these things and make sure that you are the only one in charge of your life.

BBB Appears on CBS 8, Discusses Election Scams

10/25/2012

Posted on 10/25/2012 by
Have you received a phone call saying your utility bills would be paid in exchange for your presidential vote? Or what about an offer for a free cruise?

Sheryl Bilbrey, President and CEO of the San Diego BBB, joined the News 8 Morning Show with a warning on these election scams. Find out all the details in the above video.

Guest Blog: SEO 101: Social Media and Search Rankings

10/23/2012

Posted on 10/23/2012 by

Links might be the cornerstone of the Web and it has become one of the most important ranking factors for many search engines. A link is a vote that is considered by major search engines to determine a site's authority and relevance. Over time, however, links have been abused. Some sites buy and sell links, while other block links to help counter spam.

With the decreased trustworthiness of links, search engines have to find a way to keep on getting signals of authority, usefulness and relevance from other sources. Included in these sources are social shares. When somebody likes your page, or shares it on their Facebook, Twitter and other social media or bookmarking sites, search engines see this as a vote, similar to links.

So how does social media influence search rankings? This is done in two ways:

Social shares. Social shares take many forms depending on the platform you are using. It is the “likes” on Facebook, “shares” on Twitter, and “pins” on Pinterest. More than the number, however, social shares from quality pages, accounts and profiles are much more valuable.

Even so, getting shared on social media and social bookmarking sites help your pages get ranked higher.

Social reputation. Your social reputation is how your brand or company is perceived and followed on social media. To understand social reputation, you need to liken it to links.

Search engines do not treat all links equally. There are links that give more link juice than others.

Remember that a link from CNN is much more valuable than a link from a lesser known site. This works the same way with social media, as well. If your blog post is shared on Twitter by an account that has a high page rank, it would get more benefits by having it shared by a new Twitter account.

A small study reported in MediaBistro sums it all up:

Shares from 100 Google+ followers resulted in a 14.63% increase ranking.

300 +1 votes resulted in a 9.44% increase in ranking.

Facebook activity increased ranking by 6.9%

Twitter activity increased ranking by 2.88%

A control website that did not receive any social media activity did not have any changes in the rank in Google search.

Even with the small sample sites, this study shows that social media really does help you get higher rankings in Google.

Participate in social sharing sites. Create profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networking and bookmarking sites that your customers use.

This would allow you to connect with your customers and allow you to do some great customer service when they need it. The biggest plus, however, comes from already having a captured audience. Let's say that you have worked on building your Facebook page and has a sizable number of likers on the platform. Each time that you have something to share, you can just post it on your Facebook page and it will be shown to your customers and friends. Because these people are already interested in what you have to say, they will be more likely to click on your update. If they like it, they may share it with their friends.

This will help you hit two birds with a single stone. Not only are you getting more social shares, but you are also building your social reputation.

With social media being easy to manipulate, a lot of webmasters and site owners are using fake accounts to help simulate activity on their social media profiles. While this may be helpful in the short term, it will be a waste of time in the long run. Not only do fake accounts have very low social reputations and very low levels of activity, but these fake accounts also do not give you the right amount of social shares. Even if these accounts share your content, they do not have a quality network of real friends that could in turn share these with their own friends.

Using Emotion To Connect With Employees

10/23/2012

Posted on 10/23/2012 by

Emotion is powerful tool.

You rarely see an advertisement that recommends buying a certain type of shampoo because it is 30% cheaper than its counterparts, and gives hair 15% more bounce. No, instead, you see a woman happily running through a field with hair that anyone can infer is, in fact, 15% bouncier.

It isn’t just good advertisements that play off the emotions of their target audience. Politicians do the same (though obviously with a different angle than bouncy hair), as do teachers, public speakers and any salesman worth his salt. Emotion is the cornerstone of any effective persuasion, and yet, in a professional setting, bosses often throw nothing but the facts at employees, and are surprised when they don’t see the expected results.

It makes sense. Employees should always hear you loud and clear, but regardless of whether they are nodding in agreement while you speak, they may not be hearing your cut and dry explanation of a task or project. Why is this? Because human are wired to feel, not think. This is often the reason why employers are encouraged to motivate their employees, not simply instruct them.

If, as an employer, you can tap into the feelings of your employee, getting them to not only understand what you’re thinking, but feel where you are coming from, you will undoubtedly find much more success in the workplace.

Here are a few BBB tips on how to achieve this:

Smile. It seems almost too obvious to mention, but appearing happy while speaking to your employee will make your conversation more pleasant, thus more memorable. Maintaining eye contact will also ensure that you are holding the attention of whomever you are speaking to.

Don’t speak – even if just for a moment. Appearing professional and in command is about much more than the words you speak. Your body language, if less than confident, will give you away. Avoid rocking, looking down and fidgeting while speaking to an employee; these actions make you look less confident, and take away from your connection with your employee.

Be a story teller. Whether what you are telling your employees is life-changing or just a laundry list of important tasks, make sure what you are saying is more memorable than it is clinical. If you can grab the attention of your employees before you launch into your diatribe, you will have a much better opportunity to truly engage with them.

Recap. Make sure before the conversation ends that you have gotten across all of the salient points to your employees. That most likely means that you will have to go over them a second or third time. Repetition is the best way of evoking memory.

Guest Blog: The "Cloud" And What You Should Know About It

10/19/2012

Posted on 10/19/2012 by

The "cloud" refers to any computer-related service that is hosted remotely and accessed via the Internet, as opposed to a system that physically exists in the user's location. That is called an "on-premises" system. Cloud systems can be "public clouds or "private clouds. The public cloud (or simply "cloud") refers to any application or resource that is available via the Internet, to any user who has authorization to access those resources. Those users may be from many different companies or enterprises. Google, NetSuite and Salesforce are examples of widely-used cloud software.

Private clouds are usually also accessible via the Internet, but they are almost always available to only the members or customers or vendors of one specific company or organization. They are sometimes referred to as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and are built to give all the staff of an organization access to important resources and tools, and to provide everyone with a consistent user interface and menu. Many private clouds also allow customers access to trading or account information via a customer portal.

Private clouds are of great interest because they allow on-premises software (i.e. software not written in a web-based programming language) to exist in the cloud, servicing the needs of a single organization, with many of the benefits of "true" cloud software. For instance, if your company has a legacy database that was written specifically for you, you can have it hosted on a private cloud.

So, how and why does the "cloud" benefit an organization? We'll cover the pros and cons of cloud computing in future blogs.

Article courtesy of Doug Deane, President & Founder of DSD Business Systems. Contac them at 800-627-9032, or by email at DougD@DSDinc.com.

BBB Appears on San Diego 6, Weighs in on Election Scams

10/16/2012

Posted on 10/16/2012 by
BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey says not everyone collecting money for a campaign is being honest. Vote "no" on these election scams!

Guest Blog: 4 Tips for Conversion Rate Optimization

10/12/2012

Posted on 10/12/2012 by

Properly optimizing your site for search engine algorithms brings traffic, but that’s only half the battle.

Once your site has increased traffic, you want it to turn into conversions. Whether visitors buy a product, sign up for a newsletter, or download a brochure, they are converting, and that’s exactly what you want. After all, you don’t set up a jewelry store just for people to look at the pretty things. You want at least some of those visitors to make a purchase.

This is where conversion rate optimization (CRO) comes into play. Here are a few tips to increase the conversions on your site.

1. Keep up with good content and a professional look.

As with all other facets of online life, make sure your site has rich, well-written content. Use active language that piques viewer interest, and keep it concise. Make sure all the links on your pages work. Explore effective design elements, which include everything from typeface to layout to color scheme. All important information should be visible above the fold, because many web viewers won’t bother to scroll down to find your vital contact form or call to action.

2. Present your call to action.

Your call to action is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a component that tells people what they should do. This is usually presented as a graphic or a button but can also be included in the body content. A call to action tells a visitor to do something, but gives them an incentive and desire to do so with use of language, color, and strategic location.

For example, a boldly colored button located near the top of the page on the left or right side that complements your site’s branding but stands out and reads, “Sign up now for a free 30-day trial” is vastly more effective than a text link at the bottom of the page that says, “Sign up now.”

3. Include offers through your site.

It’s easy for users to skim a page and miss the content you want them to see. If you have something important to share (a 20 percent off coupon or a free brochure) embed it on every page. Make sure it’s included in the shopping cart page as well to give shoppers added assurance as they’re checking out.

4. Use reviews and testimonials to gain authority.

People are much more likely to act on information that has been conveyed by an expert or a third-party user. Presenting client and customer testimonials adds credibility to your product and shows that you’ve got nothing to hide. According to iPerceptions, customers are 63% more likely to make a purchase from a site that features user reviews.

Conversion rate optimization is all about testing and finding what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Article contributed by a staff member of Best Rank, Inc. For more information about Best Rank, Inc., visit their website.

Gas Scams Increase As Prices Rise

10/8/2012

Posted on 10/8/2012 by

Has the price of gas got you glum? Feeling fleeced at the pump? We know the feeling!

Gas prices have reached all-time highs in San Diego County, rising to an average $4.72 per gallon. What’s more, gas in certain areas of San Diego is priced well over five dollars per gallon. The reasons for the gas price increase vary from fire-damaged refineries to contaminated supplies in Kern County, but one thing is certain, California State is seeing dramatic increases in the cost of fuel.

Just like holiday cons or tax return scams, gas scams need not be a constant worry for the average consumer. When gas prices are stable, if not somewhat high, scams are infrequent, but when gas prices are on the rise, consumers should be aware that scammers will be looking for the opportunity to pull the wool over their eyes.

As San Diegans look for ways to save a few bucks on fuel, your BBB warns that the incidences of scams will rise with fuel costs. Watch out for this slew of scams:

You’re A Winner! This take on a lottery scam is, by all accounts, a real loser. Consumers have reported receiving postcards, letters and emails informing them that they were one of the lucky, chosen-few to receive free gas or a voucher for discounted fuel. The catch? The consumer must pay for handling fees. Send five dollars and your personal information to the scammer to receive your prize.

Don’t fall for this one. Surrendering your hard-earned money and risking the security of your private, financial information is not worth the reward. Remember the old adage “If it sounds too good to be true…”

An Additive To Solve Your Problems. Rising gas prices always bring with them the promise of a quick fix. Gas saving products, devices and additives seem to flood the market with each increase. Consumers should be aware that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has done an exhaustive test of gas-saving devices and hasn’t identified any that significantly improve gas mileage. The EPA’s testing has found that while most products are harmless, some can cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions and increase the chances of actual engine damage.

Listen to the experts on this one. It’s tempting to believe that a simple device or product will be able to save you tons of dollars, but it’s unlikely. Avoid doing real damage to your car and ignore the quick fix advertisements.

Petrol Pilfering. BBB warns that consumers should also be on the lookout for gas thieves. Rising gas prices bring out skimmers who siphon gas from your car. Though despicable, scammers can easily find kits on the internet and pull off the heist, leaving the victim relatively unaware.

While it is difficult to find a fool-proof solution to gas siphoning, the BBB recommends consumers park their car in a safe and trusted location. Consumers should attempt to garage their car when possible.

Gas prices will hopefully go down in the near future, but until then the BBB suggests consumers adhere to the following tips:

Stay within the speed limit. Gas mileage tends to decrease rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and stops. Drivers can improve gas mileage up to five percent around town if they avoid jerky starts and stops. This means accelerating slowly when starting from a dead stop and avoiding pushing the pedal down more than one-quarter of the way; this allows the carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

Use overdrive gears and cruise controls. Cruise control and overdrive gears improve fuel economy when driving on the highway.

Remove excess weight from the trunk. An extra 100 pounds can reduce a typical car’s fuel economy by up to two percent.

Keep the car properly maintained. The engine should be tuned, tires inflated and aligned, the oil changed on schedule and the air filters should be checked and replaced regularly. Replacing clogged filters can increase gas mileage up to 10 percent.

Guest Blog: Finding a Trusted Wine Cellar Builder

10/3/2012

Posted on 10/3/2012 by

The first quality to look for in a wine cellar builder is experience. An experienced wine cellar builder will have demonstrated expertise in designing and building quality wine cellars over a long period of time with a track record of satisfied customers. Ask to see photos of cellars or testimonials from satisfied clients. By seeing the depth and quality of their work, you’ll know that your cellar will be constructed with care and expertise.

Post-It Note Tricks - BBB Appears on NBC San Diego To Explain

10/1/2012

Posted on 10/1/2012 by
How many people do you know with the first initial "J"? Misleading advertisers are hoping the answer to that is several. A not-so-new scam is making its return to your mailbox, and BBB appears on NBC San Diego to explain.

Right To Know! Privacy Policies Maintain Transparency Online

9/27/2012

Posted on 9/27/2012 by

California has no shortage of laws that baffle the mind. Throw a football on a beach in Los Angeles, and you could be paying fines like a pro footballer who catches a touchdown pass and high-fives the majority of the front row. Leave Christmas lights up past February, and you could face a $250 fine for being an eyesore on your block.

For all the myriad laws that make headlines for their sheer absurdity, there are an equal number of regulations that deserve some of that lime light. Take, for instance, California’s Online Privacy Policy Act. The law was enacted to protect consumers from having their information used and distributed without their knowledge or approval.

In effect since 2004, the OPPA states that all businesses that operate a commercial website and collect personally identifying information must include a privacy policy on their website that is both distinct and conspicuously placed. By “conspicuously placed,” we mean that the policy must be easy for consumers to find, and not, as many companies have done, buried under low-trafficked pages.

Not sure if you are a company that collects personally identifying information online? We can clear the air. You need a privacy policy if you collect any of the following:

First/Last Name

Address

Phone Number

Social Security Number

Date of Birth

Height

Weight

While this is a California law, it is certainly not limited to California businesses. The OPPA is applicable to any business that has a website that can be viewed by California residents. That being said, many states in the US have similar laws in place to protect their residents and businesses as well.

A privacy policy is crucial to remaining transparent to consumers in an online marketplace. Consumers have a right to know what of their information is being shared, and how a business is planning to use it.

At the BBB, we believe that businesses have a duty to report just that to consumers. We will not accredit a business that is required to have a privacy policy and does not. We are here to help businesses develop a proper privacy policy and add it to their website. To view an example of a privacy policy, click here. To learn more about the BBB and Accreditation, visit BBB.org or call us at 858.496.2131.

BBB Scam Alert! Tech Support Phone Scam Nabs Your Money & Info

9/24/2012

Posted on 9/24/2012 by

Let’s do a warm up. Someone knocks on your door and claims to be from Microsoft, Dell or another reputable company. They ask to take a look around your house and check your computer for a possible virus. What would you say?

A. Yes, come on in.
B. No, thanks.
C. I would say nothing, because I would not have answered my door for a stranger.

I'll accept B or C as correct responses. Easy right?

Now, let's try a question with a little higher difficulty: Your phone rings. It's someone who claims to be from Dell or Microsoft. They need you to grant them remote access to your computer so they can check for viruses. Now, what do you say?

A. Sure. That sounds legitimate.
B. I'll have to call back and check with Microsoft's customer service on my own.
C. Click

Yes, the sound of the phone hanging up is an excellent option in this situation, but choice B of checking directly with the company is also accepted.

We call this the tech-support phone scam. It targets the elderly, who stereotypically have the weakest grasp on electronics and technology. This scam has been increasing in frequency lately, and instances have been reported
across the nation.

While the end game of scammers varies, one aspect holds true- no matter what a con artist is looking for, this scam is financially damaging to all victims.

Most often, it’s reported the scammer asks for $100 up-front to help you fix the "problem" (which coincidentally, does not exist). Paying the fee, naturally leaves you out a hundred bucks, but also can leave victims vulnerable to having their private and financial information stolen by scammers if they provided credit card or banking numbers in order to pay for the "service."

Once granted remote access to victims' computers, it's also been reported that scammers may install mock antivirus software that later will detect fake malware that can cost consumers a pretty penny to remove.

Another tactic is for scammers to install software while remotely connected to your computer that will scan your computer to hijack your passwords and personal information. This obviously can be the most damaging scam of all, as consumers never want their financial information in the wrong hands.

Want to avoid this scam? Here's what to do:

Just hang up. Mom and Miss Manners may tell you differently, but if you receive a solicitation call that seems suspicious, just end the call. Abruptly or politely, just don't let a scammer waste your time or minutes. If you'd like to put your number on the national Do Not Call registry, please visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.

Always do your research. Never take the word of someone who has called you out of the blue. If you believe the call you receive is from a legitimate source, then take the time to hang up and call back on your accord. This one simple act can save your time, money and one giant headache.

Report the scam to your BBB. Your BBB is here to help you. If you believe you were the victim of this scam, contact us and we can help you with next steps or recourse, if it's available. We can also use your experience to help others who may be faced with the same problems.

For more information about the tech support phone scam, visit us online at BBB.org or call us 858.496.2131.

Guest Blog: Commonly Misdiagnosed Car Problems

9/19/2012

Posted on 9/19/2012 by
Some people who have been driving cars for years attempt to diagnose their vehicle problems without first consulting an experienced mechanic. When it comes to car problems, everything is not always what it seems. An issue that appears to be cut and dry could wind up being something completely different. That is why it is always a good idea to have a professional mechanic check your car when you feel there may be a problem.

One of the most commonly misdiagnosed car problems is when a car pulls to the left or the right while driving. The first thing that occurs to most people is that the car is out of alignment. It can be expensive to get an alignment, but it can be much cheaper to make sure that all of your tires have enough air. If your car pulls to the right, then you could have an alignment problem, or your right front tire may be low on air.

If you put your key in the ignition and your car struggles to start, then the very first thing that pops into most people's heads is a dead or dying battery. Before you run out and have a new battery installed, you should have a mechanic check your alternator first. Sometimes, the symptoms of what appears to be a dying battery are actually a dying alternator. After the alternator is installed, be sure to have your battery charged.

Most cars today come standard with an air conditioning unit. Most mechanics will tell you that you should run your air conditioner in the winter every once in a while to keep the refrigerant flowing. When the air conditioning does not work in the spring, most car owners automatically have the refrigerant replaced. But your problem may be a leak in your cooling system. If you have a leak, then putting in new refrigerant is a waste of money. Have the cooling system checked for leaks before you spend money on refrigerant.

Cars are extremely complicated machines that have a lot of moving parts. They also have a long list of computerized parts that regulate the functions of the vehicle. When something goes wrong with your car, it can sometimes be easy to make a mistake diagnosing the problem. To avoid wasting money on an incorrectly diagnosed car problem, you should always have your car looked at by an experienced and trained mechanic.

Tony works at an automotive company called http://cashforcarssandiego.com. He deals with cars on a regular basis, and has a lot of experience on the subject.

BBB On San Diego 6, Discusses Credit Card Debt In College

9/18/2012

Posted on 9/18/2012 by
President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey stopped by San Diego 6 this morning to talk about credit card companies targeting college students. She gives tips on how students can stay out of debt and if you need a credit card, how to choose the right one.

President's Blog: Securing Your Online Privacy

9/13/2012

Posted on 9/13/2012 by Sheryl Bilbrey

The internet is ever-present in all of our lives, both in a business and personal sense.

The prevalent use of the internet among consumers almost necessitates its use by small business owners. And why not? It’s a free way of engaging and attracting new consumers, while retaining past customers and encouraging referrals.

Social media has the power to bring in new clients at very little cost to the business. Owning your own website, your places on sites like Google, Bing and Yahoo, creates a space where you can challenge your competitors and make your business known to the virtual world. At the BBB, we can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and of course, through our website and countless claimed pages.

An online presence, as I’ve said before, is crucial to modern business success. However, the more entrenched we become in online business operations, the less privacy we are able to maintain for our business. Cookies and data tracking systems make it nearly impossible to escape the glaring eye of the internet with your business’ privacy still intact.

And yes, while you might feel like hiding at times when you read about Facebook’s face recognition programs or Google’s new tracking system, there are some easy ways to protect your business from being without shelter in our present privacy struggles.

Arm yourself with knowledge. If there is one thing that is pivotal, it’s to be aware of the problem. Stay up to date on recent privacy law news. Knowing that there is a problem with help you attempt to shore up any of the holes in your business’ online confidentiality policies.

Go to battle with a plan. There are several ways that small businesses can fight back against the tyranny of the social media giants. First, adjust your online privacy settings through your browser. You can choose whether or not to allow cookies. Second, consider using an online company that will put in place tools and services that allow companies to decide when and how their information is shared. While a service such as that does come with a price tag, if your business relies on maintaining its privacy, it may be worth it.

Charge into Privacy Policies. It can’t be said enough. Your company should have a privacy policy on your website, and you should never release personal information about your business on another site without first reading and understanding their privacy policy. It may just seem like confusing ‘legalese,’ but the information found in privacy policies and seals can help you decide whether or not your information will be safe and secure on a particular website.

So, there should be no more hiding from the internet, and especially no more blindly wading through its pages. Online privacy is an ongoing issue that requires constant attention from small business owners. Walk softly and carry a big knowledge of privacy law and policies, and you can’t go wrong.

For more information about privacy online or assistance in securing your internet presence, contact your BBB online at bbb.org or by phone at 858.637.6199.

Aviso especial a dueños de casa en California que no conocen Ingles.

9/10/2012

Posted on 9/10/2012 by

Aviso especial a dueños de casa en California que no conocen Ingles.

En revisando investigaciones y casos manejadas por el Departamento de Bienes y Raíces de California, es claro que defraudadores que hablan español están focalizando y aprovechando de los dueños de casa en las comunidades de California por tomando de ventaja en la cultura de confianza entre la comunidad, vendiendo esperanza falsa, usando verdades medias o mentiras enteras, y violando la ley de California y los Estados Unidos prohibiendo la colección de dinero en avanzado por la modificación de préstamo y trabajo en relación alivio de préstamo de hogar.

Hay varios abusos y violaciones en la ley en el área de rescate de juicio hipotecario siendo cometida por estafadores hablando español (como la corrupta organización que promete a victimas que son dueños de hogar una litigación costando $10,000 por cada dueño de hogar que puede sacar las victimas de su préstamo de hogar). Para estar claro, unos de estos estafadores están engañando en ofreciendo pleito o bancarrota como métodos garantizados en quedando te con tu hogar para atraer pagos de dinero.

Como este es un tipo de fraude en varias comunidades hispanas en California, esta advertencia especial a sido escrita y esta entendida para dar te pocos consejos básicos para ayudar protegerte de estafas.

1. Cualquier persona puede anunciar en la televisión, radio, periódico, revista o internet.

Con excepciones raras, las reclamaciones de personas y empresa que anuncian no están verificadas para veracidad, honestidad o conformidad a la ley, y no hay ningún cribado a los que ponen ese anuncio.

Con eso, un anuncio en cualquiera manera de comunicación no es una garantiza en algo legal o honesto.

Estafadores tienen dinero para poner anuncios convincente y profesionales (unos apareciendo como anuncio de noticias) y documentos de mercadeo, todo con la intención en convenciendo te a que le des a ellos tu dinero o propiedad.

2. Sólo porque alguien habla a español y puede compartir el mismo o un fondo similar con usted, no significa que usted puede o debe confiar en ellos.

Los estafadores son expertos en fraude y ganando su confianza, dándoles información falsa en creer en ellos y la falsa esperanza y encuentra que venden, y utilizarán su antecedente igual o similar y la capacidad de hablar en su idioma como herramientas para convencerte a parte con su dinero o propiedad.

Sencillamente, comprobar, verificar y verificar nuevamente antes de su confianza.

3. Nunca pague en efectivo, o el cable metálico a quien le ofrece alivio de préstamo.

Muchas víctimas latinas de fraude han informado de que pagaron el préstamo y ejecución hipotecaria defraudadores de rescate en efectivo o había cableado efectivo a los conspiradores.

Con excepciones muy limitadas, pagos en efectivo y efectivo que ha sido conectado, no puede ser recuperado.

Y pagos en efectivo puro suelen proporcionan fiscales con poco o nada en el camino de comprobante de pago.

4. No pagar a nadie para préstamo o servicios de socorro de una ejecución hipotecaria antes de su finalización de la obra quería hacer por usted.

Lo importante, asesoramiento personalizado gratuito de vivienda agencias certificadas por el Departamento de vivienda y desarrollo urbano de los Estados Unidos está disponible llamando al 1 888 995-4673.

Orientación gratuita está disponible en línea en www.hopenow.com.

5. Nunca transfiera o firme su hogar a cualquier tercero o cualquier otra persona que afirma que tal una lata de transferencia o le ayudará a reparar su crédito o mantenerlo en su casa.

Los estafadores a menudo recomendará que transferir su propiedad o título a ellos, o animo a realizar sus pagos de préstamo directamente a ellos.

Se trata de que "banderas rojas" de fraude.

6. Asegúrese de que recibe y estrechamente leer la versión en español de la siguiente alerta al consumidor publicada por el Departamento de bienes y raíces de California:

Alerta al consumidor: Lo que puede hacer para protegerse de conseguir estafada en Bienes y Raíces y Estafas de Alivio de Préstamo de la casa.

Esa alerta tiene una lista más completa de consejos y pasos que puede tomar para evitar ser estafado, incluyendo maneras que usted puede comprobar si la persona que se ofrece a ayudarle es calificada y debidamente autorizada en el estado de California (o, alternativamente, bajo una orden de cesar y abstenerse de realizar servicios) y cómo debe y puede mirar su fondo disciplinaria (si existe) y su reputación en la comunidad para hacer lo que ellos dicen puede hacer para ayudarle.

Mientras esta "atención especial" pretende poner de relieve alguno de las maneras que los defraudadores de habla hispana específicamente están explotando a los propietarios hispanos y que le de convertirse en su próxima víctima, algunos de los consejos adicionales para detectar y evitar una estafa de alerta del departamento anterior se repiten aquí:

Evitar cualquier persona que o negocio que:

1. Hace promesas audaces y garantías para detener una ejecución hipotecaria, no importa lo que sus circunstancias.

2. Prometa tener un programa para permitirte quedar en tu casa.

3. Dice que deje de ponerse en contacto con su prestamista, técnico, familiares, abogado o consejero de su préstamo hipotecario de la vivienda.

4. Le anima a transferir la casa a él o ellos y les arrendarlo y comprarlo con el tiempo.

5. Te presiona a “actuar ahora”, o firmar documentos con espacios blancos que no entiendes o no has tenido tiempo para leer.

6. Pida que tu les des “poder notarial/ poder de abogado” para que ellos pueden actuar de su parte.

7. Dice que todos, o casi todos, de sus clientes han obtenido alivio hipotecario exitoso.

Recuerda que si algo parece ser demasiado bueno para ser verdad, probablemente es.

Si has sido, o crees que has sido, una víctima de un estafador por favor inmediatamente contacta el Departamento de Bienes y Raíces en www.dre.ca.gov , donde hay un translación Español disponible. También puede llamar al departamentos’ centro de llamadas Español al 213-576-6878, o su unidad de Actividades de Prestas Hipotecarias al 916-227-0770.

Guest Blog: How To Leverage Your Time For Greater Efficiency and Bigger Profits

9/7/2012

Posted on 9/7/2012 by

By Nicole Munoz

Are you swamped with work? Everyone from business owners to managers to team members struggle to get everything done during their day. An endless stream of tasks can stack up leaving projects undone, customers forgotten, and vital marketing on the back burner.

Business owners are particularly strapped for time. Keeping all the balls bouncing in your business can gobble up hours and days while sometimes resulting in disappointing returns.

Here are three simple ways to easily leverage your time for greater efficiencies and better results. You will find you work fewer hours, enjoy less stress, and create higher profits for your firm all while getting much more accomplished.

1. Use an online calendar to schedule your time. I've found free Google Calendar works well. This lets you and others you chose see your schedule and modify it even on the run. Rather than dealing with work and activities as they crop up, do your best to plan your entire week in advance. This lets you be proactive. You will notice your time is better used and outcomes are more favorable.

2. Give your team members ways to better manage their time. You will see major improvements when you teach members how to use your online calendar. Also show them how to use pre-written answers to common questions customers frequently email about. Show team members how to customize email subject lines so specific emails can be found quickly later on.

Teach your employees to ask how can I help you, to get to the point, and focus on action. Also teach them to always bring a solution with the problem. Workers should take the initiative to devise solutions on their own.

3. Leverage your time by delegating. While it may be tempting to follow the adage "If you want it done right, do it yourself," you don't want to run yourself ragged trying to do all the work others could accomplish for you.

As a business owner you need to keep track of all of your daily activities and anything that can be delegated should be. Document your processes and how you do things to make it easy to hand the job over to an assistant.

Remember, if you can pay someone $10 an hour to do something, you are earning $10 an hour.

Using these three simple, inexpensive strategies can help you get far more accomplished during your day. You will be working smarter without working harder.

Nicole Munoz is a marketing consultant and frequent speaker. She specializes in helping businesses develop a complete marketing system. See Nicole online at www.StartRankingNow.com and www.NicoleMunoz.com.

BBB Appears on San Diego 6, Discusses Charity Scams

9/5/2012

Posted on 9/5/2012 by
In the wake of natural disasters such as Hurricane Isaac, San Diegans want to help by donating to charity. But beware, President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appears on San Diego 6 to share tips to avoid being scammed by phony organizations.

Your BBB Appears on San Diego 6, discusses iPhone5 Scams

8/30/2012

Posted on 8/30/2012 by
The iPhone 5 is rumored to be released soon... but if you think you can get it early, think again. BBB President/CEO discusses the laundry list of iPhone scams circulating the internet, as well as users' cell phones.

Guest Blog: Can I File Bankruptcy? Passing the Means Test

8/29/2012

Posted on 8/29/2012 by
If you are buried in debt, tired of all the debt collector phone calls, and don’t see any way out, you may be considering bankruptcy. But can you file? In 2005, the bankruptcy laws underwent sweeping changes in an effort to curtail what lawmakers perceived as abusive bankruptcies by high income earners who had the ability to repay their debts. The changes created the bankruptcy “Means Test,” which you must pass in order to file bankruptcy. For straight bankruptcy under Chapter 7, you must pass the test in order to file. For repayment bankruptcy under Chapter 13, the test determines how much of your unsecured debt (credit card debt, medical bills, and the like) you have to repay to your creditors.

The Means Test compares your household income to the median income (in your state) for a household of your size. If you are married, your household income includes your spouse’s income, unless you are physically separated. If your household income is below or equal to the median, you pass. If your household income is above the median, then you have to take the second part of the test, which involves an 8-page formula that starts with your income and applies certain allowable expenses based on IRS standards to see if you have any leftover disposable cash in your budget. If you do, then you may be required to file a Chapter 13 repayment bankruptcy and repay your debts to the extent you are able.

If your income is above median, you can still pass the Means Test if you have a large mortgage payment, car payment, or other expense that is allowed as an additional deduction. But the higher your income goes, the more difficult it will be to pass. For above-median income earners, the only way to know for sure if you pass is to have an attorney review your income information and documentation and apply the 8-page formula.

The median income for Means Test purposes is based on your average income over the six months prior to filing bankruptcy. For example, if you file in July, the Means Test period will be January 1st through June 30th. In some cases, it may be advantageous to time your bankruptcy filing so that the Means Test works in you favor. For example, if you were recently laid off, waiting a few months before you file can lower your average income, making it more likely that you will pass.

There is an important exception to the Means Test. If the majority of your debt is business related, the test does not apply. Exercise caution in utilizing this exception if you are an above-median income earner, since good faith is always a consideration in bankruptcy cases. A bankruptcy trustee could always make a bad faith objection and ask that the Court apply your current income if your current income and expenses leave you with disposable cash left over in your monthly budget.

Article courtesy of Mark Aalam. Mark Aalam is a bankruptcy attorney and owner of Bankruptcy Legal Center in San Diego, California.

Can You Trust A Recent Grad With Your Social Media? This Yo-Pro Says Yes.

8/28/2012

Posted on 8/28/2012 by

By Rachel Newman

I was recently the object of “all-in-good-fun” office prodding, when a coworker of mine uncovered an article that argued that companies should never entrust their social media to a 23-year old (READ HERE).

She jokingly reasoned that this article only barely applied to me because I will be 24-years old within a few days, but there were some veiled threats to send this article to the higher-ups. Ha. Ha.

Though it was only sent as a joke, I read the author’s argument and couldn’t help but to agree with most of the ideas (Point of reference: I tend to be a knitting, Mash-watching old soul). Crotchety as I am, though, there is a problem with this blanket generalization, if we all listen to the middle-aged author who reasons no one in their early-twenties can be trusted, I’m out of a job.

So here are a few ideas about managing your social media that won’t cost any of us youngsters our jobs, but might make your company’s brand and messaging more secure as well as help to make you and your 23-year old staffers a little wiser.

Just Because Our Hands Are On the Steering Wheel, Doesn’t Mean You Shouldn’t Have A Spare Key. I’m not going to pretend that stereotypes aren’t almost always derivative of the truth: we, of my generation, can be flighty and, at times, unreliable. If you hire a cousin of a friend of a friend, who just graduated from college and is willing to work cheap, then you shouldn’t be surprised when that recent grad decides to move suddenly and without proper notice. Make sure you know the passwords, logins and procedures for operating your social media, so that if you’re left in the dust of a young, flighty employee, you aren’t also out in the digital cold.

Don’t let your social media become an autocracy. Giving us control over something that we understand and operate well, in no way dictates that your level of involvement and control should diminish. Stand over your social media expert, learn from them, participate in the process with them, watch them like a hawk (if that’s your style).

Nobody drives well blind-folded. You wouldn’t buy a brand-new luxury car and then give the keys to your unlicensed 14 year old, would you? Think of your brand like a new car and your new social media hire like an unlicensed driver. No communications professional is going to be successful without the proper training and education. Take the time to explain to new hires your company’s values, mission and voice before you give them the keys to drive. **You should be especially wary of those controlling your messaging.

Even though I believe that I am the exception to this stereotype (whether earnestly or not), I know that my bosses wouldn’t have done their due diligence, if they hadn’t done all of the above.

Social media is an important tool in every business’ marketing arsenal. You shouldn’t just release the hounds on your unsuspecting customers. Hiring quality employees, producing quality material and getting quality ROI should always be your marketing goal. Whether you believe you can achieve this with the assistance of a 23-year old employee or a 50-year old employee is your call as a business owner, but you should always be aware of the strengths and limitations of your staff.

Consumer Alert: Is Your Daily Deal What You're Bargaining For?

8/24/2012

Posted on 8/24/2012 by

I have an embarrassing problem.

No, it’s nothing medical; rather, it’s economical: Insomuch that I love a good deal, and who doesn’t, right? Getting 50% of your purchase can leave you with a high unmatched by anything I’ve ever experienced.

And it’s for that reason, that my inbox overfloweth with consumer deal and discount emails. So what’s so embarrassing about that? I don’t use a single one of them. Twelve dollars for a kayak excursion? I’ll pass. A four dollar dinner for two? Maybe next time. I’m not sure why I keep signing up for new services, but that’s a story for a different time.

I’ve discovered in the last few months that many consumers are just like me, but with one clear exception. They, too, are impulsively signing up for new daily deal sites, but unlike me, they are actually purchasing items from these companies.

Daily deal sites have cropped up in massive numbers online. Many of these sites provide low-prices and little hassle to consumers, but like most industries your BBB has noticed through recent complaints that many of these bargain sites are turning out to cost consumers a higher price than anticipated, as they may not receive what they paid for or find hidden fees and agendas in their so-called “deals.”

Just since January, your BBB has received nearly 10,000 inquiries into coupon service companies, with 550 of those inquiries being from four local San Diego companies. Your BBB has also received 370 consumer complaints, nationwide – a marked spike from 2011.

One of the worst offenders is Phoenix-based website Liberty Discount Club. With over 600 complaints filed against them in the last three years, consumers report that most often they have issues with the product or service provided to them by the F-rated company.

Locally, edailyquest.com has racked up four complaints just between 2011 and when they ceased operations in the spring of 2012. The complaint they received were in regard to refund and exchange policies. Consumers reported buying a coupon for a business, only to find out that said-company had gone out of business. Edailyquest.com was not responsive to the BBB, resolving only one of their four consumer complaints.

The bottom line? If you regularly use daily deal websites to get local discounts, your BBB suggests you do the following:

· Always go to your BBB first. We are a resource for all consumers for all pre-purchase questions and research. By checking our website first, you will be better educated and prepared to confidently choose an ethical company that believes in treating customers with respect and integrity.

· Read the fine print. Many daily deal sites offer money-back guarantees or they explicitly do not. They must review their policies with their customers, and if they don’t, it should be a red flag.

· Don’t be satisfied with the substandard. If you are not happy with the merchandise or service you receive, then seek to get your money back from the website or merchant. If you can’t reach either entity, file a complaint with your BBB.

For more information about daily deal websites or to learn more about the BBB’s Accredited Business Deals & Discounts program, visit sandiego.bbb.org or call 858.496.2131.

Guest Blog: Auto detailing can keep you out of the hospital and on the go

8/22/2012

Posted on 8/22/2012 by

It’s amazing how often people take for granted the cleanliness of their automobiles. Did you know that your car could be a health hazard? Germs and bacteria lurk there, just like in your home; but it is just simply too often taken for granted. And the problem is compounded by the fact that though both kids and pets can be affected by the germs and bacteria, they can also be responsible for spreading them. Interior auto detailing is important because of the bits and pieces of food, food wrappers and empty drink containers left behind. A report done last year at Queen Mary University in London found that 42 percent of people dine while driving. The research also reported that nine times more germs could be found on the steering wheel of your car than on a public toilet seat. How does that grab you? And what about some 700 bugs that can be harmful and which inhabit the interior of your automobile. This is a wakeup call.

Keeping the interior of your car vacuumed and the panels and door seals wiped down is important to maintaining its cleanliness as well as its value. It will also contribute to keeping you healthy. Keep your dash and console clean and check your air vents. Check your windows and your mirrors for good vision and wipe down your visors, which can accumulate a lot of dust; doing these things on a regular basis can greatly contribute to better health and safety practices. In San Diego, interior detail is often neglected because of the attention to the maintenance of the exterior of the automobile. But the two should go hand-in-hand. Dr Ron Cutler is the director of biomedical science at Queen Mary University and he says 'A car is the perfect place for germs to breed, especially if you eat in it and leave litter or uneaten food around. To avoid potential health risks it would be wise to regularly clean your car inside and out.'

Keeping the interior of your car clean makes a lot of sense and is especially important if you have children or pets. Check on conditioners and fabric protectants. Talk to a good auto detailer that will come to your home. It’s not just about health; it is also about maintaining the value of your automobile. When you think about it, you realize that this is something that might call for a bit more attention. People spend a lot of time in their cars. That’s why it’s wise to keep them clean, comfortable and fresh. Interior detailing, as needed, will contribute to that.

Article courtesy of Joe Seals, owner of So-Cal Mobile Auto Detail, SoCal Oil Star and So-Cal Auto Spa. For more information, visit their website at www.thesocalway.com.

Guest Blog: All you need to know about social media security you learned from your mother.

8/20/2012

Posted on 8/20/2012 by

What was that thing your mother used to tell you to do? Before you became a teenager and you suddenly lost the ability to hear on the same frequency she was speaking? Don’t remember?

“Watch where you’re walking – you’ll track dirt all over and I just had the carpet cleaned”

Where have you been?

Did you know that every time you visit a website you are leaving footprints? Your IP address, date and time of visit, your domain name, what browser and operating system you use, and the exact pages visited are all traceable. When aggregated, they create a profile that can be socially engineered to lead back to your office. Anti-virus software and firewalls don’t mask your IP address over the internet.

You think you can just sweep that under the rug and it solves everything?

So much publicly shared information is available about you on social networking sites. When you add the key features of your name, mug, date of birth and hometown to the mix of retrievable information it may seem like the only answer to blurring the footprints in the sand would be to create an anonymous profile. But anonymous profiles leave the same tracks – they just require filling in a few blanks. Anonymous profiles and other measures to retain anonymity create their own path and create a suspicious-looking picture to cyber analysts in law enforcement and intelligence communities.

What can you do about it?

Don’t delete your profiles just yet. It’s just as easy for someone else to recreate your profile on a social media site, use your name and try to link up with your friends/colleagues/clients, as you. So go ahead, keep your LinkedIn and Facebook accounts – just think before you post. When you’re at work be conscientious of the trail you are leaving behind with your employer’s domain name stamped all over it.

Article courtesy of Sherry Simburger, Vice President of Client Relations at Taranet Inc. Visit their website for more information.

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Guest Blog: The Lowdown on Shakedown ADA Lawsuits

8/16/2012

Posted on 8/16/2012 by

Several times each week, I get a phone call from a California business or property owner who has been hit with an ADA compliance lawsuit.

In just the past few years, over 14,000 such lawsuits have been filed in our state. It’s a lottery that no business owner wants to win. There are attorneys and serial plaintiffs who file hundreds of accessibility related lawsuits, usually targeting smaller businesses. Why? Because they are betting on the targeted business owner not having the time, money and legal team necessary to litigate. And they are banking on that business owner choosing instead to pay them several thousands of dollars to withdraw the suit.

Many people consider these so-called “shakedown lawsuits” to be the equivalent of legalized extortion. They say the lawyers and serial plaintiffs are motivated by greed, not by a sincere desire to improve access for people with disabilities. According to an investigative report published by News10, “California has 40 percent of the nation's ADA lawsuits, but only 12 percent of the country's disabled population.”

On the state level, in May 2012 Senate Bill 1186 was passed. As reported in LegalNewsline.com:

Senate Bill 1186 would ban "demand for money" letters. In these letters, lawyers often order businesses to pay a set amount, plus their exorbitant legal fees, in exchange for dropping the case.

SB 1186 also would require attorneys to send a notice letter, listing any alleged construction-related violations, at least 30 days before filing a lawsuit.

In addition, the measure would require landlords to disclose whether their buildings or properties are state certified and in compliance with ADA laws.

But many people also believe that making our businesses and public properties accessible to all Americans is the right thing to do. And, given that the US Census reports over 19% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population—54 million people—have disabilities, ADA compliance makes good business sense.

Even Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, R-Rocklin, who introduced two measures to counter the tide of ADA lawsuits noted, about 98 percent of California businesses are out of compliance with state and/or federal disability access laws. This, despite the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) having been the law of the land for over 20 years.

What can you, as a business owner or property owner, do? How can you protect yourself from being sued?

Making your business and property compliant with ADA laws is the ideal protection from accessibility lawsuits. This might mean hiring a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) licensed by the State of California to perform a comprehensive survey of your property. It could also necessitate purchasing and installing the correct California disabled parking signs, Braille signs, any required ramps, as well as making restrooms wheelchair accessible. Not to mention documenting, documenting, documenting. Just in case you do wind up in court.

Like it or not, so-called “shakedown lawsuits” are a real feature of the California business landscape. Why count only on good luck to protect you from being hit with an ADA related lawsuit? Committing to making your business and property ADA compliant is an investment, as well as the law.

David Boyne is the ecommerce manager of STOPSignsAndMore.com, a third-generation family-owned California sign company.

CASp:

http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/programCert/casp.aspx

http://www.legalnewsline.com/news/236315-calif.-bill-targeting-ada-lawsuits-passes-senate

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7655664

http://www.callawyer.com/clstory.cfm?eid=919801

http://www.adaabuse.com/

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb10-ff13.html

New Google Algorithm Could Shake Up Search Results

8/14/2012

Posted on 8/14/2012 by

Brace yourselves. Google’s algorithm has, once again, changed.

These new changes could affect website owners that are using copyrighted material without permission. The new algorithm will seek out those websites with that have received a valid removal notice, but will not sniff out all websites that have pirated material.

The consequence?

If you have a removal notice for material on your website that you’re currently ignoring, you may find yourself showing up much later in Google's search results.

To find out more about Google’s algorithm changes and how it will affect your company, visit the e-Commerce Times website.

Friday Feature Presentation: BBB Accredited Business Job Listings

8/3/2012

Posted on 8/3/2012 by

It’s not easy out there for the unemployed.

It’s bad enough not to have a steady paycheck or benefits, but, at times, it can seem that everywhere you turn is another obstacle. As one of the primary sources for job hunters, Craigslist can deliver on some great opportunities, but unfortunately it can also deliver money-draining, ID-stealing scams.

Your BBB hears from consumers constantly who have fallen victim to job hunter scams, and so in an effort to connect consumers who are looking for a good job at a good company with businesses who care about ethics and integrity, your BBB began the BBB Accredited Business Job Listings program.

Now, through the BBB website consumers can search for jobs with Accredited Businesses who have proven through the BBB’s rigorous application and renewal processes that they care about trust and integrity, first and foremost. Just as it is with the diversity of the BBB’s Accredited Businesses, the jobs listed through the website cover a vast array of industries. From mechanics and landscapers, to salespeople and administrative jobs, your BBB has jobs for all experience levels spanning across the county.

So what are you waiting for? Pass along the word to your friends, family, strangers passing by you! You can even try it out yourself. The BBB Job Listings are available now!

Guest Blog: Hasta La Vista Arco

8/2/2012

Posted on 8/2/2012 by

The high costs of fixing fuel economy.

Thinking of buying a small car to save on fuel costs? Well, we all get that-but did you know that a small car may end up costing you hundreds more in insurance costs? Investigating before you leap into that state of bliss known as fuel efficient transportation makes more than financial sense. Here’s why.

There’s a mismatch in vehicle bumper heights, especially in the case of collisions between smaller vehicles and high profile vehicles-like SUV’s.

The difference between bumper height on an Cadillac Escalade, Ford F-250 a pickup and a Honda Civic or similar small car can be as much as foot and a half! The importance of this becomes clear when you realize that the protection built into cars today depends on activation of sensors housed in the front and rear bumpers. The structures designed to absorb the forces of a crash may never be affected inasmuch as they are simply below the point of impact.

Frontal crashes cause expensive repairs and a disproportionate number of total losses in smaller vehicles because the sensors in the front areas of cars are causes for increased severity of damage and repair costs,

The way cars are manufactured today includes the placement of sensors and computerized components in the front areas of cars. It’s simply less expensive to make them this way, but it is more expensive to repair them. Given the severity of damage done to a small cars front structure in a collision it is inevitable that the delicate sensors and onboard computers will need to be replaced, reset, etc. This can take more time than other kinds of body repair since the nature of these repairs is electronic, requiring synergistic procedures and subsequent testing.

Considering the foregoing, it only makes sense to get an insurance quote on the vehicle your’re considering as part of your buying decision. And while you’re at it, visit the National Transportation Safety (NTSB) website and check out the results of their collision studies.

So now thanks for plowing through a rather technical discussion. If you’ve gotten this far, you have a more sound basis for thinking about your next car purchase and what It may cost you.

Addendum: Recently we were contacted by Channel 10 News to supply some commentary for a consumer segment on the higher cost of insuring smaller cars these days (Watch the video now). No one spends a lot of time thinking on these things until an accident happens and it occurred to me that we in the collision industry know a lot about issues that affect the driving public, which are rather scantily covered in the general press. It can be of significant benefit to know beforehand that your car is more expensive to insure because statistics say it's going to suffer more severe damage in the case of a collision. See you down the road!

Questions? Email me at sandra@elitecustomauto.com

Guest Blog: Painting the Interior of Your Home

8/1/2012

Posted on 8/1/2012 by

Today we have so many different choices when it comes to painting. Where do you start? Well, it depends. Let's start with interior painting. Gone are the days of Navajo White and flat finishes. Now we have over 1700 different colors to choose from in a variety of different finishes.

We still have flat finishes, which are mainly used on ceilings. Then we can choose from low-sheen, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss or gloss finishes. Typically, the lower sheens are made for your walls in the common areas like your living room and bedrooms; while the higher sheens are generally for areas where there will be water, i.e., bathrooms, laundry room and kitchen. Also your doors and trim moldings are painted with the higher sheens.

Now that we have our sheens down, it's time to move onto colors. With 1,700 different colors to choose from sometimes it can be a bit over whelming. What I recommend to my customers is to pick out a few colors that you think will work in your home then go to the paint store and purchase some samples. Paint stores usually have sample size cans so you can apply a small area of your wall to see how the colors are going to look in your house. Now just because a color looked good in your friend’s house doesn't mean it's going to work in your home! Things like lighting and the color of your floors and furniture will all have to be taken into account when selecting the right color for your home.

Okay, we've selected the color; we know what sheen we're going to use, now it's time to paint right? Well not so quick, the first and most important step in a paint job is the preparation. Are there nail holes to fill, cracks to repair? These things should be taken care of before you even think about dipping your paint brush into the can. Next you want to make sure that your floors, cabinets and items you're not painting are covered and protected. I recommend light weight visqueen. It's easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Remove all of your cover plates from your electrical outlets and cover the switches and outlets with tape. Wow! Who thought it would be this much work!

You are now you are ready to paint. Chances are you'll be using brushes and rollers to apply the paint. You want to make sure that the brushes and rollers you are going to use are of good quality and that goes for the paint as well. The better quality paints will cover much better and are also easier to work with; plus by using quality paint your end product will look much nicer.

If you are changing colors you'll want to apply two coats of paint so you get a uniform finish. You should give the first coat at least four hours to dry before applying the 2nd coat of paint. If you are going to use more than two gallons of paint make sure you mix then cans (from the same color or course) together before applying them. This is called "boxing the paint". Sometimes two different cans of paint of the same color may be slightly different, so by boxing the paint together you'll be sure to have the same color when painting your room.

There you have it! Hopefully, with this information you'll have fun with your next painting project. I have over 27 years of experience painting in San Diego and I really do enjoy what I am doing. With the right attitude and the proper materials you should have fun with your next painting project.

Article courtesy of Don Martin, of Mr. D's Painting.

Email Phishing Scam Hijacks BBB Name, Again!

7/31/2012

Posted on 7/31/2012 by

A new scam using the BBB name popped up this morning, and has been received by consumers and businesses across the U.S. and Canada…including many BBB offices!

How the Scam Works:

Two versions of the email have been received. One claims to be following up on a complaint filed with BBB, the other is asking for updated contact information “as a service to BBB Accredited Businesses.”

Both are good fakes – they use correct grammar and follow formats often used by BBB, so they look quite realistic. Both refer the recipient to an online form, and the address appears to be that of a local BBB. However, if you hover your mouse over the web address (the part that begins with http), you can see that the real address is not BBB at all. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK! The link actually takes you to a rogue website that downloads a Trojan virus on your computer.

BBB is working with a professional deactivation service to take down the websites that are spreading the malware, and we have reported the incident to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Consumers are urged to delete suspicious emails and keep their anti-virus software up-to-date at all times.

Example of the Phishing Email:

Check out a screen shot of a sample phishing email. The text is below:

Thank you for supporting your Better Business Bureau (BBB).

As a service to BBB Accredited Businesses, we try to ensure that the information we provide to potential customers is as accurate as possible. In order for us to provide the correct information to the public, we ask that you review the information that we have on file for your company.

We encourage you to use our ONLINE FORM to provide us with this updated information. The URL below will take you directly to this form on our website:

[LINK REMOVED]
(UserID: 882600422 Password: mcvn34JDF3r54f)

You may also complete the form on the reverse side of this letter and mail to PO Box 1000; DuPont, WA; 98327; or fax to (206)436-5496.

Please look carefully at your telephone and fax numbers on this sheet, and let us know any and all numbers used for your business (including 800, 900, rollover, and remote call forwarding). Our automated system is driven by telephone/fax numbers, so having accurate information is critical for consumers to find information about your business easily.

Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to receiving this updated information.

Sincerely,

Accreditation Services

Same Scam, Different Event As Olympics Draw Out Lottery Cons

7/31/2012

Posted on 7/31/2012 by

By Rachel Newman

There’s nothing like a big event to draw out scammers.

When it comes to a large or sold-out event, usually, your BBB is the first to warn you about ticket scams and scalper danger, as these are the types of scams that are most prevalent for sporting and music events. The Olympic Games, an event of international scope, doesn’t pose the same threats as a sold out Kenny Chesney concert, though.

This summer, with all eyes on London and high hopes for Team USA, your BBB is warning consumers to be wary of online scams that use Olympic-themed ploys to lure victims.

The Olympics is more tied to the Internet than ever before. Consumers can watch live from their computers, chat out the games through social media and enter legitimate contests online, as well. This connection through our online world, though, has given con artists the ability to take advantage of consumers through a number of online scams.

These scams mostly come in the form of spam messages, usually offering either a lottery or sweepstakes promotion. They can offer cash, prizes or even trips to the Olympics. They also often cite the names of large companies as backers or sponsors of the scam (ahem *promotion). McAfee reported last Friday that it had collected messages that referenced brands such as Coca Cola, Microsoft and Nokia.

While the terms of the scam appear different, and probably more appealing to many consumers to who are quite interested in the Olympics, the goal is unchanged. Scammers are using these spam emails to phish for consumer information or to trick consumers into paying into their scam.

According to ZDnet, victims have reported being asked to pay processing fees or transfer charges in order to cash in on the lottery that they have supposedly won. Scammers may ask for your bank routing number, or Driver’s License in order to complete the transaction.

Consumers should always exercise caution when dealing with lottery and sweepstakes claims, and keep in mind that all foreign lotteries are illegal in the United States.

In addition, if consumers are concerned about an email offer they received or have any questions, they can contact the San Diego BBB at 858.496.2131 or visit the BBB website.

BBB Rings Bell At New York Stock Exchange

7/30/2012

Posted on 7/30/2012 by

Delta Airlines, the New York Yankees, Macy’s, Walmart, Travelers Insurance, Union Pacific and MS Society - what do all of these companies have in common with your BBB? We are all bell ringers this July.

Last Friday at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), BBB CEOs from across the country gathered to ring the closing bell. An honor bestowed upon the organization in commemoration of their 100th Anniversary.

NYSE Euronext, as a leading global operator of financial markets, represents one-third of the world’s equities. Their respect of the BBB organization is (pardon our pun) resounding, and is a heartening reinforcement of the BBB’s 100 year old mission.

Present at Friday’s ceremony was San Diego BBB CEO Sheryl Bilbrey (pictured below, in center). As one of the lucky who stood on the platform above the floor of NYSE, Bilbrey remarked:

“It’s an honor to have the BBB Centennial recognized by the New York Stock Exchange and NYSE Euronext. For 100 years, the BBB organization has worked to ensure businesses and consumers are protected in our marketplace, and it is the goal of every BBB across the country that we continue to do the same for the next 100 years. Being present for the ringing of the closing bell last week was an excellent way to celebrate that dedication.”

The bell ringing was certainly a landmark in a year that has proven to be remarkable for the San Diego BBB on a local, regional and, now, national scope.

Watch the video of your BBB ringing the closing bell at NYSE above. To view all photos, visit the BBB Facebook page.

ABOUT THE BBB:

For 100 years, Better Business Bureau has been helping consumers find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2011, consumers turned to BBB more than 100 million times for Business Reviews on more than 4 million companies and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 115 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation. BBB Metro New York was founded in 1922 by the New York Stock Exchange to fight investment fraud, a mission that continues today.

San Diego BBB Mediation Services Sees New Partnership, Renewed Focus

7/20/2012

Posted on 7/20/2012 by

July 20, 2012 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – San Diego BBB is pleased to announce that a new partnership in their Dispute Resolution services with professional mediator Arthur L. Shingler III, Esq. has given the organization new focus and passion.

The Law & Mediation Office of Arthur L. Shingler III, Esq. will be assisting the BBB with their already on-going mediation services. The guidance and expertise that Shingler will provide is welcomed by the organization as they are always looking for new ways to ensure fair and objective transactions between businesses and consumers.

Mediation is part of the BBB Dispute Resolution services, and it is a next step a consumer can take when they feel the normal complaint process is not working. Mediation, while non-binding, involves both the consumer and business sharing their side of the story with an objective third-party representative, who then makes a decision on the case at hand.

“At one time or another everyone has been in a disagreement with someone else,” said BBB President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “When you’re a customer and you have a disagreement with a business, the place to turn for help is the BBB. Our Dispute Resolution services are top-notch, and work each day to try to make them even more exceptional at helping both consumers and businesses.

When a mediation works it is a win-win situation, where both people are able to walk away happy with the outcome. This helps make sure everyone is happy instead of having a winner and a loser, like you would in a court of law.

The best news of all is that this service is offered to consumers of BBB Accredited businesses totally free of charge through the generous support of our partners: the National Conflict Resolution Center and the Law & Mediation Office of Arthur L. Shingler III, Esq.

For more information please contact:

Better Business Bureau
Michael W. Sedio
(858) 427-1121
msedio@sandiego.bbb.org
www.bbb.org

National Conflict Resolution Center
(619) 238-2400
info@ncrconline.com
www.ncrconline.com

The Law & Mediation Office of Arthur L. Shingler III, Esq.
(858) 952-0384
administrator@law-mediation.com
www.law-mediation.com

The non-profit organization Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties opened in 1921, and is San Diego’s largest county-wide business membership organization with more than 6,300 accredited businesses and charities. The BBB promotes business ethics through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and helps consumers with free pre purchase information and consumer protection advice, including business reviews on more than 101,000 local companies. Before buying decisions are made, consumers are encouraged to phone the BBB's free 24 hour Consumer Helpline at (858) 496 2131 or (800) 600 7050, or visit the website at bbb.org, to obtain free pre-purchase information and a list of BBB accredited businesses by type of industry.

###

Rachel Newman

Public Relation and Marketing Coordinator

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

In Case You Missed It: July 12th B2B Networking Mixer

7/20/2012

Posted on 7/20/2012 by

By Andy Ramos

Despite a few scattered rain clouds, our latest BBB B2B Mixer on July 12^th was another successful event. The Beer Garden at Gordon Biersch and Brewery made a lovely backdrop for an evening complete with food, drinks and intermingling with some of San Diego’s like-minded business professionals.

This Mixer, like all others, was provided to all BBB Accredited Businesses free of charge thanks to the dedicated support of our Mixer Sponsors, Modern Postcard and Aflac. For non-accredited business there is a small fee of $25, and all proceeds help fund the BBB Foundation. These companies show up at the mixers not only to provide you with free food and drinks, but to exhibit how they can help your business. At the next mixer you attend, be sure to stop by their tables and chat with them about how their products and services can help your business flourish!

Over 100 businessmen and women made their way down to the Gordon Biersch Beer Garden, located in Mission Valley, on the evening of Thursday July 12^th. Guests appreciated the opportunity to link up with only the most ethical businesses in San Diego and even had a chance to win some exciting raffle prizes courtesy of our mixer sponsors, Aflac and Envision Personalized Health!

B2B Mixers gives business professionals the opportunity to mix and mingle with prominent business people from all over San Diego and Imperial Counties. Like always, we encourage everyone to attend and give all companies, accredited and non-accredited alike, a chance to network with the professionals that surround them.

If you are currently a non-accredited company, you have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of accreditation from business owners who personally profit from the advantages your BBB has provided them. We do ask that each non-accredited company must have at least a B rating with the BBB in order to attend to ensure we are supporting only the most ethical businesses in our community. The majority of our guests at these bi-monthly mixers are accredited, so you are sure to meet representatives from businesses with our seal of approval. Look for the BBB logo on their nametag to distinguish who the Accredited Business members are at our next event.

These bi-monthly mixers are an excellent opportunity for your company to take an active and tangible role in the community. When you get out into the community and meet people you will boost your reputation and possibly gather new leads. Plus, that face-to-face personal connection could make the difference between you and your competitor.

Overall the July 12th networking mixer at Gordon Biersch was again a great accomplishment, we would like to thank all of our event sponsors and guests who attended. For more information on B2B Mixers and other San Diego BBB events click here . Be sure to visit our website at bbb.org for more information or contact Andy Ramos at aramos@sandiego.bbb.org to sign up for the next mixer! For all event photos, check out our San Diego BBB’s Facebook page!

Guest Blog: Bee Removal Companies Can Create Risk For Homeowners

7/11/2012

Posted on 7/11/2012 by

San Diego, CA – Springtime marks the beginning of honeybee swarming season in Southern California. During bee season, these stinging insects will withdraw from their inactivity of winter and begin to collect pollen and search for ideal nesting territories as they create new bee colonies. Consequently, bee infestations often occur at residential homes and commercial structures by bees that have found the location as a suitable nesting ground.

A common reaction for property owners with a bee infestation is to consult with a business that specializes in bee eradication. Often these companies are small businesses with inadequate licensing or insurance coverage performing accident-prone work on private property.

As exemplified in relevant situations last year, numerous homeowners in San Diego County were left responsible for structural damage and/or medical bills from mishaps that occurred during a bee removal service from an unlicensed, uninsured company.

In California, the state requires a license for any individual applying pesticides, rodenticides, or allied chemicals for the purpose of eliminating pests or organisms.

Ben Hoy, a bee removal specialist from Pro Pacific Bee Removal , said, “If a company is uninsured then it is not possible to obtain licensing from the state and vice versa.”

Legally, homeowners are potentially liable for injuries sustained by a worker not covered by worker’s compensation insurance. Homeowners face significant financial loss and risk of worker injury when they hire illegitimate contractors.

Recently, the Contractors State License Board set up a sting operation program, titled “California Blitz”, around seven different counties in the state of California. The operation led to 110 arrests and Notices to Appear in criminal court with misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license.

Homeowners are encouraged to verify licenses of pest control applicators at pestboard.ca.gov/license.

Avoid Comic-Con Cons: Use These BBB Tips!

7/11/2012

Posted on 7/11/2012 by

As Comic-Con rolls into San Diego, attendees will want to watch out for possible scams. Sheryl Bilbrey from the Better Business Bureau has tips to protect yourself.

CONSUMER ALERT! Users At Risk Of Losing Internet

7/5/2012

Posted on 7/5/2012 by

Take a deep breath and try not to panic.

Your computer may be one of over 500,000 devices infected with a virus, but we have good news, we’ve got the scoop on an easy way to fix it right at home.

You may not have heard, as we only caught wind of it recently, but the FBI, NASA-OIG and Estonian police arrested several cyber criminals last November in relation to what we now know as “Operation Ghost Click.”

Their crime? Well, first let’s start with some vocabulary that we wish we would have had before reading the FBI press release (let’s just say we put our Google Search Toolbar to good use).

DNS is a domain name system. Here’s the gist: Think of it as a huge Google. It takes in the information you provide and then sends it out to the corresponding IP addresses.

DNS Changer is a virus that infects users’ computers and alters the way information is delivered.

Internet Systems Consortium is a non-profit organization out of Delaware that creates software that supports the infrastructure of the Internet.

Okay, back to the crime at hand. These cybercriminals, who call themselves, Rove Digital, distributed a series of viruses, variously known as TDSS, Alureon, TidServ and TDL4 viruses, which are DNS changing viruses.

Once a computer is infected, Rove Digital would alter DNS settings thus pointing users to malicious and fake DNS at data centers in Estonia and several cities in the United States.

The real problem here? The malicious DNS would look no different to users, leaving them none the wiser. According to the DNS Changer Working Group (DCWG), “The malicious DNS servers would give fake, malicious answers, altering user searches, and promoting fake and dangerous products. Because every web search starts with DNS, the malware showed users an altered version of the Internet.”

Luckily, after the FBI made the arrests, they, with the help of Internet Systems Consortium, set up replacement DNS servers that would supersede the harm done by Rove Digital. Unfortunately these safe servers are due to expire, by court order, on July 9^th.

This doesn’t leave consumers much time to fix a problem they may not have known existed.

So here’s what you do! First go here to see if you have even been infected. If you have been infected, go to the DCWG website to learn how to fix your computer before July 9^th.

For more information, contact your San Diego BBB at bbb.org or by telephone at 858.496.2131.

San Diego BBB Appears on Channel 6, Discusses Job Hunter Scams

7/2/2012

Posted on 7/2/2012 by
If you're looking for a job, you may want to double check that job you're applying for, especially if you're asked about money up front. President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey has some tips to avoid being scammed.

For a scam-free job hunt, check out the BBB's new Accredited Business Job Listings!

BBB, A 2012 Best Place to Work in San Diego

6/27/2012

Posted on 6/27/2012 by

Better Business Bureau of San Diego & Imperial Counties Chosen as one of the 2012 Best Places to Work in San Diego

June 27, 2012 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – Better Business Bureau of San Diego and Imperial Counties was recently named as one of the 2012 Best Places to Work in San Diego.

This county-wide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in San Diego, benefiting the county's economy, workforce and businesses. The 2012 Best Places to Work in San Diego list is made up of 85 companies. The rankings of the Best Places to Work in San Diego will be unveiled at an awards ceremony and in a special publication in mid-August.

“It’s a great honor to be chosen for the 2012 Best Places to Work in San Diego list. We work diligently at the BBB to ensure that not only local consumers and businesses are treated ethically and with the best of intentions, but that our employees are, as well,” said President and CEO Sheryl Bilbrey. “This is indeed a total staff accomplishment and speaks volumes for the organizational culture that each of our employees work to foster every day. We have a “family first” philosophy at the BBB, and we have learned to treat each other as family, to support and protect, to nurture and encourage. I am among the many here who enjoy coming to work with a fantastic group of people who seek to improve themselves and their community every single day.”

Fitting is it that the Better Business Bureau be chosen for such an honor as they are also in the midst of their Centennial year as an organization. Established in 1912, the BBB has flourished over the past 100 years for one reason alone: ethics. Founded on trust, the organization believes that each and every business should treat customers, employees and competitors with respect and integrity.

This belief is what makes the Better Business Bureau just as relevant in 2012 as it was in 1912.

To be considered for participation in the Best Places to Work in San Diego list, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

- Be a publicly or privately held business

- Be a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity

- Have a facility in San Diego County

- Have a minimum of 15 full-time or part-time employees working in San Diego

- Must be in business a minimum of one year

Companies from across the county entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work in San Diego. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings. Best Companies Group evaluated the data collected from the participating companies and used its expertise to determine the final rankings.

The annual list of the Best Places to Work in San Diego is brought to you by the San Diego Business Journal, Best Companies Group and our sponsors Kaiser Permanente, Moss Adams, Silvergate Bank and Mr. Copy. For more information on the Best Places to Work in San Diego program, visit www.BestPlacesToWorkSD.com.

###

Rachel Newman

Public Relation and Marketing Coordinator

Better Business Bureau, San Diego

(858) 637-6199

Rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org

BBB Appears on Channel 6, Discusses Vacation Scams

6/25/2012

Posted on 6/25/2012 by
If you're thinking about renting a vacation property this summer, you'll want to be aware of possible scams. President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey from the San Diego Better Business Bureau has some tips to protect yourself from being ripped off. For more information, read last month's Vacation Rental blog.

Guest Blog: Are driverless cars an inevitable part of our future roadways?

6/20/2012

Posted on 6/20/2012 by

As car technology advances, the stakes can increase as well. At least that’s what experts say about driverless cars -- a new type of vehicle programmed to operate without a human driver. Google, Audi, and Volvo have all taken turns in developing what experts say are the future of our roadways: automated vehicles operated by a computer, not a human.

As technology progresses and we get closer to the reality of self-driving cars, the thought of safety arises. Surprisingly, according to press reports, driverless cars have been tested extensively, in many conditions, and they are said to be safer than ordinary vehicles equipped with human passengers since driver error is eliminated.

That’s the good news.

And, if driverless cars make it to mainstream – as experts predict they will in as little as ten to fifteen years – car accidents, traffic fatalities, speeding tickets, the cost of insurance, and traffic jams would become a thing of the past. Even drunk driving can be safely eliminated with automated vehicles.

The promise of driverless cars may be near our reach, but until then, car accidents in San Diego still happen every day. That’s the bad news. And since automated vehicle technology can be up to fifteen years away, there’s a lot to do in terms of keeping safe today.

Until then: practice better driving habits

Our personal injury attorneys in San Diego have compiled the top 3 essential driving habits that should be employed by every driver on our roads today. Consider the following tips as you head out on your next driving adventure. For more information on better driving and accident prevention, visit our blog at http://SeriousAccidents.com/blog.

#3: Don’t drive drunk. Period.

Even though most drivers know that drunk driving is against the law, many injury accidents and even wrongful death collisions occur every day in San Diego due to intoxicated drivers getting behind the wheel. There are many options that still allow partygoers to have a good time including prepaid cab rides and designated drivers. You can also help by being a responsible host and reporting potentially drunk drivers. The message is simple: save your life and the life of others and do not drink and drive.

#2: Posted traffic signs aren’t just roadway art -- they can save your life

Here’s a tip that deserves its own reminder no matter how palpable: pay attention to posted traffic signage. This includes signage like ‘one way’ designations, yield, stop, railroad crossing, slippery surface, no turn on red, and construction zone signage. Posted traffic signs can help you avoid a car accident when followed properly. It may be a given, but it bears repeating: pay attention and render to all posted placards and traffic signage.

#1: Don’t fiddle with distractions: stay focused on the road

Our vehicles have transformed into their very own entertainment zones with radio, DVD, navigation, and even Facebook and Wi-Fi connectivity. Today, our vehicles are savvier than ever and appeal to a large mass of technology-enabled people. But despite the comfort creatures that technology advancement can bring, a vehicle should not be confused for an entertainment zone after all. In fact, all distractions should be kept to a minimum. Try to use one to two select devices at a time such as a radio and GPS device or a Bluetooth-enabled call and navigation and so on.

About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC

As specialists in car accident injury, the law firm is dedicated to helping injured people collect maximum financial recovery. A car accident injury resulting from a DUI can be a complex case and our law firm can answer your legal questions for free. Call us now at 1-800-655-6585 for your free legal evaluation

Making Our Mark: In Case You Missed It...BBB Golf Classic

6/18/2012

Posted on 6/18/2012 by

Celebrating 100 years of Ethics and Eagles: Golfers Swing for Charity at the 16^th Annual Gerry Wilson Golf Classic

CHECK OUT PICTURES FROM THE CLASSIC NOW!

As the sun rose over the beautiful La Costa Resort and Spa, eager golfers made their way onto the carts and off to the course for the shotgun start. BBB Staff and golfers alike were all set for a day of sun, fun and holes in one for the 16th Annual Gerry Wilson Golf Classic.

Check-in began at 10 a.m. with plenty of time to warm up on the putting green and driving range. Players enjoyed a delicious steak sandwich for lunch provided by our generous lunch sponsors Sycuan Casino before starting the tournament.

This year’s Gerry Wilson Golf Classic hosted just over 100 golfers for a day of golf, games, dinner and a silent auction. Golfers traveled the course through the heat of the day, and were greeted at each hole by a new sponsor who treated golfers to games, BBB trivia or drinks. Keeping with tradition, we hosted our 8^th Annual Wacky Slacks contest as a tribute to our former fun-loving CEO Gerry Wilson who was known for wearing outrages trousers on the greens. The ladies from the Sycuan Casino, who were awarded “Best Overall Theme/Wackiest Outfit,” were all “decked out” sporting some very wacky slacks that donned decks of playing cards.

Other memorable sponsors were Eagle Graphics, Coastal Payroll Services and Health Saving Associates Insurance Services. Health Saving Associates encouraged golfers to take a break from their day and participate in some fun activities like a photo op with an oversized inflatable bottle of beer! See the pictures now!

After the last ball was sunk, the golfers gathered for the BBB’s silent auction where they bid on items generously donated by members of the San Diego Community. The golfers attempted to score great pieces like a four-pack of tickets to a Padres game, a round of golf for four and even an Apple Ipad, before they joined BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey for a sit-down dinner and awards ceremony.

When all was said and done, the BBB staff and golfers celebrated another successful Golf Classic. The BBB would like to thank all who participated in the 16^thyear of the Gerry Wilson Golf Classic and the BBB’s gracious sponsors.

Tee Sponsors: Bank of Southern California, Coastal Payroll Services, Eagles Graphics, Health Savings Associates insurance Services, Holiday Travel of America, University of California, San Diego and eLiveLife.com

Eagle Tee Sponsors: BMW South County, Walter Anderson Nursery, Encore Capital Group

Lunch Sponsor:

Putting Challenge Sponsor:

Hat Sponsor:

Golf Cart Sponsor:

Beverage Cart Sponsors:

Friday Feature Presentation: Are You Mixing Things Up?

6/14/2012

Posted on 6/14/2012 by

By Andy Ramos

We have all experienced that chance meeting where everything clicks and we come away with a brilliant, but random contact, however that’s not the norm. BBB B2B Mixers offer creative locations where high-level business CEOs and Executives can network and find opportunities to flourish in our ever-changing economy. These events are an excellent opportunity for your company to take an active and tangible role in the community.

Not ready to join in on the fun? Here are 5 reasons why face-to-face networking is valuable to you and your business.

1. Face to face is memorable: Potential clients are more likely to remember you if reach out in person as opposed to online. Emails don’t always make a lasting impression. The power of personally connecting and human interaction accelerates relationship building. In 10 minutes you can learn more about someone, and they about you, in person than in six months online. Finding common ground comes from having a conversation or discussion on the phone or in person and that face-to-face, personal connection could make the difference between you and your competitor!

2. Opportunities: Networking is an important way to develop contacts that you might not be able to meet by cold calling. If you can develop a personal relationship with prospects before you pick up the phone to call them, they are more likely to be receptive to a meeting. Face to face networking also gives you the opportunity to try out your people and customer service skills. When you’re talking with others you can tell what works. You can read their expressions and body language to see what they’re thinking. When you network you learn a lot about your delivery and can tweak that to your advantage.

3. Cost-Effective: Unlike many advertising tactics, networking costs very little. BBB B2B networking mixers are free for accredited businesses, and only $25 for non-accredited businesses which is great for beginners and startup companies.

4. Email is impersonal: People prefer to talk to real live people rather than a computer. They prefer to hear voice than to read an email. It’s the reason no one likes automated phone calls. They prefer personalized pitches to impersonal online marketing. People also tend to trust you better when they can see your face and hear your voice. They like to look you in the eye and make sure you’re trustworthy.

5. Advice: We rely on our networks and peers to advise us and keep us on track, and we give back to our networks in return. The better your network the more knowledge you can tap into. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, networking might save you from making poor business decisions. Networking with your peers can help you improve your skills and can offer you invaluable ideas to use in your job.

For more information about BBB B2B Mixers or to sign up for the July 12^th mixer at Gordon Biersch in Mission Valley, please visit our website at bbb.org or contact Andy Ramos at aramos@sandiego.bbb.org.

Guest Blog: Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling - Aging In Place

6/14/2012

Posted on 6/14/2012 by

As we get older, lifestyle and health changes often present challenges making it difficult for you to stay in and enjoy your home. Aging in Place Remodel Design may be the solution for you or your loved one.

Aging in Place Remodeling combines principles of design, functionality, safety, and comfort to help you achieve the independence you desire. It utilizes a variety of products to enhance the livability of your home and accommodate occupants in all stages of life. Aging in Place Design caters to your needs and creates a one-of-a-kind bathroom just for you.

Some examples of Aging in Place Remodeling may include:

Low-Threshold Showers:
Remove the old tub and replace with a more convenient and safe showering environment. The shower can be equipped with options such as seats, grab bars, and hand held shower systems. Hand held shower systems provide flexibility during showering.

Step-in Tubs:
If you prefer bathing over showering, a step-in tub may be the perfect choice for you. Eliminate the struggle of getting up, out, and over the tub. Just open the door, step in, sit down, fill the tub with water, and enjoy the bath you deserve. Options include massage jets, gentle spa treatment, or soaking. In-line heaters maintain the water at a comfortable temperature.

Grab Bars:
Grab bars are designed to help maintain balance, lessen fatigue while standing, and hold some weight while maneuvering. You can feel secure knowing you have something to grab in case of a slip or fall. One should not use towel bars as railings, as these are not designed to support much weight. Grab bar products offered today do not have the institutional look they once did. They come in a variety of styles, finishes, and colors to tie in with your home decor.

Comfort Height Toilets:
Comfort height toilets are about 2″ taller than a standard toilet. Feel safe and comfortable with a higher seat.

Lighting Upgrades:
Brighten your world while increasing the safety and comfort in your home. Upgrading from standard lighting to LED reproduces the look of a warm, sunny day, eliminating shadow lines. Motion sensor lighting automatically turns on as you enter a room. Get cozy on those cold mornings by using a heater fan light. In the evenings, keep your bathroom well-lit using a product such as the NuTone LunAura with blue LED edge-glow nightlight. This will give you increased safety and ease of navigation for nighttime tasks, while allowing you to return to restful sleep.

Article courtesy of Natalie Keithly of Ideal Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric. For more information about this company, visit their website.

Friday Feature Presentation: BBB Request A Quote

6/8/2012

Posted on 6/8/2012 by

By Valerie Simson

I recently purchased an irregularly shaped poster so uniquely-sized, in fact, that most stores don’t carry frames in its particular dimensions. Not being one who casually pins prints to the walls, but fed up with the lack of service at my neighborhood, big-box art supply store, I turned to the BBB Request a Quote Program for my framing needs.

The Request a Quote program is one of your BBB’s simplest and most efficient consumer tools. Available exclusively to Accredited Businesses, the program offers consumers the ability to quickly reach out to businesses to request a quote or estimate on a service, more information about a product, a bid on a project, and much more.

In my case, I typed a quick description of the frame I needed, my budget, and submitted it to several Accredited Businesses who provide framing services. This saved me several phone calls and special trips to those stores.

Not sure where to start? The quote seeking process can be mastered in four easy steps. To get started, click the “Use Request a Quote” button, located on the home page of sandiego.bbb.org:

1. You’ll arrive at the Request a Quote form, where you’ll be prompted to enter a description of your request, whether the request is for residential or commercial purposes, preferred method of contact, and best time to be reached.

2. To narrow down your search, you’ll need to enter a zip code and how close to the zip code you’d like the businesses to be located. This is also where you select the type of business you’d like to contact. For example, if you need to hire a painting contractor, you may type in that phrase, or use key words, such as “paint” or “contractor.”

3. You’ll see a list of businesses that meet the criteria you input in the previous step. Not sure about a business? You may click the business name to view their Business Review in a separate window. Once you’ve decided who you want to contact, check the box next to the business name—a copy of your request will be sent to each business you select.

4. When you’re ready, hit “Click Here to Contact Selected Businesses” and your quote will be submitted to the BBB for review, after which it’ll be forwarded to your selections.

Once the business(es) receives your quote, all further communication will be between you, the consumer, and the business. For this reason, the BBB suggests selecting at least three businesses when possible. This will give you some options to compare. Also, businesses aren’t required to respond to quote requests, so multiple selections ensure a higher chance of receiving a business response.

For Accredited Businesses looking to expand awareness of their enrollment in the Request a Quote program, the BBB provides additional places for consumers to submit requests. First, any Accredited Business enrolled in the program will have a Request a Quote link on their business review that allows people to contact them directly.

Also, Accredited Businesses may now add the new Request a Quote Button to their websites. Accessible through the Business Login Page, the button is a special HTML code that links to the business’ unique Request a Quote form.

The next time you need a job or a service performed, or have questions about a product, be sure to check out the Request a Quote program.

If you have any questions about the program and other consumer tools, please call (858) 496-2131 or email info@sandiego.bbb.org. For businesses interested in enrolling in Request a Quote and other Accredited Business benefits, please call (858) 637-6199 or email vsimson@sandiego.bbb.org.

Guest Blog: Automated Human Resource Software for Managing Day-to-Day Employee Performance

6/7/2012

Posted on 6/7/2012 by

Employee performance has changed significantly with the emergence of automated human resource management software. Applications, such as time and attendance software, enable organizations to improve workforce management and encourage employees to focus on efficiency and productivity. In addition, they help enhance employee performance by making employees accountable for their work.

There are numerous resources and tools available for organizations looking to improve employee performance; however, when it comes to tracking and managing day-to-day performance, few are as effective as automated time tracking solutions. Below are a few reasons why.

Automated Reporting and Quick Access to Employee Productivity Data

The traditional style of employee management usually means documenting employee time and attendance records on paper, then manually processing the data. An automated system enables organizations to operate in a paper-less environment and effectively crunch data within seconds. This not only saves organizations valuable time, but also ensures a higher level of accuracy because it eliminates any manually-made errors.

Automated applications have the ability to track, store and process data pertaining to various aspects of employee management. One example is employee management software that is supported by a web-based time clock. In addition to recording employee time and attendance information, this software can also process data to create customized reports on employee productivity. More importantly, the web-based functionality allows managers to access these reports from any part of the world via the Internet. Human resource managers and shop floor supervisors have access to any and all data pertaining to employee performance with just a click of the mouse. This makes employee evaluations and project allocation much easier.

Forecasting Features to Help Reduce Operational Costs

An additional benefit of automated employee management is that reports can be created to help identify the performers from the slackers. Some human resource management software feature the ability to create forecasts based on production data. These forecasts help HR managers and business owners reduce operating costs by pointing out inefficiencies in key areas of employee productivity and production procedures.

Ascertain Employee Capacity and Ability

If given a chance, employees usually have the ability to enhance their skills and demonstrate better quality of work. Good employees will often try to excel in areas that are not directly part of their job description. Employee management software allows managers to identify and reward such potential. This, in turn, enhances overall productivity of the company as well as the skill level of hard-working employees.

Better HR Management with Comprehensive Record-Keeping

The comprehensive structure of automated management and time tracking applications has the ability to record information relating to each and every aspect of employee management. In addition to company and personal data, the software can record data on employee qualifications, experience and other relevant credentials. Furthermore, it records and processes data related to employee productivity such as overtime, tardiness, vacations and absences. An HR manager can access years of data related to employee performance to better evaluate and suggest corrective measures.

Foster a Professional Work Environment

The use of a web based time clock equipped with automated HR systems for employee management promotes a professional work environment among employees, making the HR manager’s job easier. Customized reports on employee productivity highlight achievers, which fosters a feeling of appreciation and helps promote a healthy, competitive work culture. The use of automated employee management software also helps eliminate preferential treatment and partiality resulting in better human resource management. This further produces happy employees and a healthy work environment.

The business world has seen a phenomenal rise in the use of employee management tools like time and attendance software. This is due, in large part, to its ability to offer effective employee management, boost organizational productivity, improve employee performance, increase profits and enforce accountability in the workplace. The good news is such technology is not going anywhere and is not only accessible, but affordable as well.

Article courtesy of Chad Buckmaster of uAttend. For more information about uAttend, visit their website.

Making Our Mark: In Case You Missed It...May B2B Mixer

6/4/2012

Posted on 6/4/2012 by

Top business professionals from all over the San Diego County joined us for a night of networking, food and a little bit of rock and roll on the evening of May 10^th. Nearly 90 businessmen and women made their way down to the legendary Belly Up Tavern located in sunny Solana Beach for another successful bi-monthly networking mixer. Guests appreciated the delicious appetizers provided by the Belly Up’s talented chefs, an opportunity to link up with only the most ethical businesses in San Diego and even had a chance to show their inner rock star with our fun photo booth complete with guitars, shades and even a glittery microphone.

Thanks to the support of this year’s Mixer Program Underwriters; Aflac and Modern Postcard your San Diego BBB B2B Mixers are free of charge for all of our accredited business with an optional donation to the BBB Foundation Program. For non-accredited business there is a small fee of $25. Be sure to stop by Aflac and Modern Postcard’s booths during one of our next mixers to find out how they can help you and your business grow!

If you are currently a non-accredited company, you have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of accreditation from business owners who personally profit from the advantages your BBB has provided them. We do ask that each non accredited company must have at least a B rating with the BBB in order to attend to ensure we are supporting only the most ethical businesses in San Diego. The majority of our guests at our bi-monthly mixers are accredited, so you are sure to meet representatives from businesses with our seal of approval. Accredited Business members can be distinguished at our B2B mixers by having the BBB logo on their nametag.

Why should you attend B2B Mixers? These events are an excellent opportunity for your company to take an active and tangible role in the community. When you get out into the community and meet people you will boost your reputation and might even gather new leads. Plus, that face-to-face personal connection could make the difference between you and your competitor.

Overall the May10th networking mixer at the Belly Up Tavern was again a huge success and a rocking good time for all of our attendees. For more information on B2B Mixers and other San Diego BBB events click here . Mark your calendars; we are hosting yet another memorable night of networking July 12^th. Be sure to visit our website at bbb.org for more information or contact Andy Ramos at aramos@sandiego.bbb.org.

Consumer Alert: Ficticious Vacation Homes Pop Up In San Diego

5/31/2012

Posted on 5/31/2012 by

By Valerie Simson

With summer fast approaching, many consumers will turn to the web to commence their search for summer vacation rentals.

Generally, vacation rentals are an excellent alternative to hotels, especially if you’re traveling in a large group or would like more space than a hotel room may accommodate. But it’s important to understand there are risks that come with searching for and committing to a property you find online.

While many consumers may be tempted to select the cheapest option or the most well-written rental description, there are several important factors to consider when signing away your money.

Recently, your Better Business Bureau has seen an onslaught of online vacation rental offerings that simply don't exist. These scam artists post descriptions of beautiful rentals, and then tell you that they must check your credit before showing you the property, or, in some cases, ask you to wire money and then disappear.

Before booking your next summer rental, arm yourself with the following tips to ensure you’re protecting your money and your travel plans:

1. Use reputable sites: Your best bet is to avoid sites such as Craigslist, where posts aren’t vetted prior to publishing on the site. VRBO and Homeaway are good, but be sure you know the customer review policies for each site before allowing reviews to persuade your decision.

2. Do your research: Google the renter’s phone number, name, and additional contact or identifying information they provide. Google the address of the property in question, and if possible, use the satellite feature to confirm the place exists. Copy chunks of the property description into a search engine as well—rental scammers will often reproduce a real listing onto their fake rental sites.

3. Has this property been used in a previous scam? Rental listings are constantly added and removed, but if a consumer has been burned by a scam, chances are they’ve aired their grievances somewhere on the internet. Search names and addresses on websites such as scamwarners.com, scam.com, or fraudwatchers.org to find warnings and reviews.

4. Ask a lot of questions: A true scammer will avoid most of your questions and will be unwilling to set your mind at ease. If the listing says the property has an ocean view, find out how far the beach is via foot. Ocean view doesn’t necessarily mean “ocean adjacent.” Additionally, asking questions through email is great proof of correspondence in case the rental provided less than you expected or were promised.

5. Never send money without viewing the agreement: Be sure to confirm that whatever you’ve been given to sign is the agreement or contract in its entirety. Read the fine print—if you’re concerned your travel plans may be interrupted, check to see if the agreement includes a cancellation policy or partial refund.

6. Be wary of wire transfers: As scamwarners.com points out, Western Union and MoneyGram transactions are typically for use between people you know and trust. These transfers may be collected almost anywhere in the world and with little to no identification. They’re also nearly impossible to trace once the recipient has received your money. Try to use your credit card for more protection.

These tips just skim the surface of smart vacation rental practices, but if you’re more aware of the risks, you’re less likely to become a victim. And remember, as cliché as it sounds, trust your gut instinct. If the listing sounds too good to be true, or if you feel cause for alarm at any point in your search, move along to the next property.

For more tips and advice on vacation rentals and scams, call your BBB at (858) 496-2131 or visit bbb.org.

Guest Blog: Motorization Brings Technology to Your Fingertips

5/30/2012

Posted on 5/30/2012 by

Remote controlled blinds are becoming more and more popular each year. If you like the convenience of pushing a button to open your garage door, just think of what it can do for the window coverings in your home. Adding a motor can be an easy and affordable solution for multiple window openings and hard-to-reach locations.

What makes it so easy to operate your shades with a touch of a button? A handy remote control or an optional wall switch is all it takes. Some remote controls can operate up to five different channels which will usually be enough for your entire home or office. There are two different types: the first is infrared, which is as simple as pointing and clicking the button on the device. The second is the radio remote control shade. It operates on a radio frequency and can be controlled from any location in your home just like the garage door opener. Although more expensive, the radio remote will allow you to operate all the shades at the same time which adds convenience. Remote-controlled blinds operate on batteries or they can be hard wired. The blinds have a receiver made of a motorized tubular design located at the top panel or head rail of the blinds. Pointing the remote control to the infrared sensor of the receiver will operate the window blinds.

The convenience of motorization allows you to set the controls to raise or lower the shades at any given time during the day. You can press the control to open and close the slats and move them at different angles to control the light. It can keep the heat at bay during the day and save you money on your energy bills. Not stopping home after work? No problem. Program your window coverings to close at a certain time in the evening. Another great feature is how quiet the motors have become and since they are cord free, there are no issues with children or pets.

Article Courtesy of Linda Dietz, owner of Eco Tint & Shade.

Friday Feature Presentation: Advertise Through The BBB Website

5/25/2012

Posted on 5/25/2012 by

By Andy Ramos

Looking to expand your advertising efforts and target your customers? Increase your Accredited Business's exposure to the highly qualified consumers visiting bbb.org. The BBB Online Sponsorship Program provides exclusive placement of your business logo, banner and video commercial throughout our highly trafficked website.

The BBB Online Sponsorship Program not only offers targeted ad placement on the accredited business search page, ensuring your ads are seen by the consumers searching for your type of business, but also displays one sponsor video or ad at a time, eliminating any competing ads! For example if a consumer searches for a plumbing business, a plumbing sponsor and related video content will automatically be displayed.

Each Online Sponsorship includes:

Guaranteed Minimum 5,000 Yearly Impressions

Targeted ad placement on the Business Search Page

Homepage Logo - (112 x 50) Featured placement on bbb.org - Home Page and Video Page

Right Rail Banner - (146 x 180) Premium placement on bbb.org - Business Search pages, News Center, and Video Page

Optional Video Commercial. Your personal video commercial is played before BBB educational video content. Don't have a commercial? The BBB will create a video commercial for you in order to successfully reach your targeted audience around popular video content. Contact a BBB Online Sponsorship Representative for assistance.

Monthly Statistics Report. Every month, receive your individual advertising statistics report, allowing you to track the success of your sponsorship.

What is the cost to participate in the BBB Online Sponsorship Program?

We offer a variety of available pricing options that can be customized to meet your financial needs. Contact Revel Stark for more information at Revel@bbbonlineservices.com. Pay $1500 for a 12-Month Sponsorship or save $300, when you pay the full year upfront ($1200).

For more information please visit bbb.org or contact Garrett Martin at garrett@bbbonlineservices.com.

Guest Blog: Small Claims Courts See Change

5/23/2012

Posted on 5/23/2012 by

In recognition of the “justice gap,” for Californians with “minor” but still substantial claims in dollars and cents, the legislature increased the limit of small claims jurisdiction to $10,000.00 starting January 1, 2012. Studies have shown that there’s been a tremendous lack of affordable legal representation for people who fall in between the old $7,500.00 small claims limit and the larger superior court claim amount, for damages under $25,000.00.

In comments to the bill’s analysis urging its passage, proponents cited studies which show and which were confirmed by California’s Judicial Council, “that it is nearly impossible to find representation for cases involving less than $25,000 in damages. For individuals with damages between $7,500 and $25,000 justice is difficult to come by.”

While the change might not go far enough for some people, the increase means that people do not have to choose between filing an expensive superior court action or giving up $2,500.00, just to have their day in court.

The increase in the small claims limit came at a good time for a Los Angeles woman, and former attorney, Heather Peters. Ms. Peters had decided to opt out of a class action lawsuit against Honda in a case which alleged Honda had misled consumers about the potential fuel economy of Civic hybrid cars. Instead of receiving what would have been a token sum of money from a proposed class action settlement, Ms. Peters was awarded $9,867.00, by the small claims court on February 1, 2012.

By way of comparison, the proposed class-action settlement would have gotten Ms. Peters damages somewhere in the range of $100 to $200 and a $1,000 credit toward the purchase of a new car. If everyone had opted out of the class action litigation and been successful in their claim against Honda, the total award against Honda would have run into the billions rather than the millions of dollars and individual owners would have recovered a substantially greater share of the settlement for not getting the promised fuel economy.

With the larger cap on small claims matters the savvy consumer would be well advised to take a closer look at any notices informing them they are part of a proposed class action lawsuit. Opting out, might be the next “in” thing to do as “small claims” just got bigger.

Guest Blog courtesy of Richard L. Fahey, of Lieb & Lieb. For more information visit their website.

Making Our Mark: Tacky Scam Artists Take On Pinterest

5/21/2012

Posted on 5/21/2012 by

By Rachel Newman

Pinterest is one of the fastest growing social media websites of the year. It’s not too much of a stretch to call it the Internet’s “it-thing.”

Consumers use the website like a virtual pin-board, sharing and commenting on topics from food & wine to weddings and fashion, just to name a few.

Users have joined the website in droves, and, as we’ve seen before, where consumers go, scam artists are sure to follow. Yesterday, McAfee, the security software maker, released a blog which outlined new money-making tactics scam artists are using to trick consumers.

McAfee reported that scam toolkits have become widely available on message boards across the internet. These toolkits are nearly foolproof and require very little programming knowledge to execute.

The first scam asks Pinterest users to unlock a webpage by pinning to their account. Once they do, the webpage redirects to Amazon under the scammer’s ID, thus earning them money from Amazon through the online-referral marketing program. As of now, this scam has not proven damaging for consumers.

Another scam affects those using Pinterest from their smart phones. Users who repin pornographic photos will begin a cycle of expensive phone calls that show up on their wireless bills.

The above scams are only a sampling of the burgeoning scammer and spammer market that Pinterest promises that it is quickly addressing. Here are a few of the BBB Golden Rules for online safety:

Be suspicious. You can’t be too careful online, and BBB says that if you don’t know where a link leads, don’t click on it.

Use caution when giving out personal information on the internet. Use software to keep information safe, and only give out your information if you trust the company. Check the BBB Business Review before buying from a company of which you have no direct knowledge.

Back up your information. Viruses can affect just your email, but, too often, they spread throughout your entire computer. While buying a new computer can be painful, losing pictures, documents and music can hurt even more. Once a month, once a week, even once a day, take the time to back up information that you can’t live without.

For more information about staying safe online, read the BBBlog on hackers, scams and viruses.

Consumer Alert: Prom-Goers Formally Scammed

5/11/2012

Posted on 5/11/2012 by

By Rachel Newman

Whether it is prom, a wedding, or another formal gathering, chances are if you are pulling on a satin gown and strapping your feet into 5-inch heels, you are heading for a special night.

A recent study by Visa reported that, on average, parents with teens will spend upwards of $300 on the dress alone in 2012, which has risen dramatically in just a year. As families look for ways to cut their spending, many have taken to the Internet for some discounted, overseas shopping.

And why not? The prices are lower, it’s delivered to your doorstep and if you know you’re size, nothing can go wrong, right? Wrong. Special Occasion dress scams are on the rise and run the gamut from non-delivery of product, to false advertising, to poorly made or sized.

Worst of all, because these purchases are made overseas, there is very little recourse for the consumer. Often times, the victim is simply out the hundreds of dollars they paid and must start again from scratch.

To avoid a disaster on your upcoming special day, follow these BBB tips:

Choose Actual Over Virtual. While it can be tempting to order designer dresses at half the price online, there are inherent risks in doing so. Your BBB recommends looking for similarly-priced gowns in dress shops in your community.

Compare Prices. Not all shopping websites are created equal. Make sure you do enough research to understand the mean price for the item for which you are looking. If you are well informed, it’s unlikely you will be oversold or fall victim to “too good to be true” offers.

Know Your Back-Up Plan. It is even more crucial when you are shopping online to read and understand the exchange and return policies of the business from which you are buying.

Call Customer Service Before You Buy. If you can’t get ahold of a real person at a company, that is generally a red flag. If you are considering buying a dress online, give the company’s customer service department a call and go over with them their return, exchange and delivery policies.

Check With BBB First. We have a myriad of reports on online companies, but even if the company you are considering isn’t listed on our website, we can give you advice and industry tips to help you make a decision.

For more information about the BBB and online shopping tips, visit BBB.org or give us a call 858.496.2131.

Guest Blog: Springtime Bees & the Role of the Honey Bee

5/9/2012

Posted on 5/9/2012 by

Pink Lady Indian Hawthorne
“Excuse me…can’t you see I’m buzzy working?”

The Bee-ginning Part I
Springtime is a buzzzy time for bees with all the garden flowers and native plants in bloom, you’re sure to see many honey bees about their buzzziness of collecting nectar and pollen. OK, I’ll stop with the buzzing but first, let me say, that although many kinds of bees grace the springtime flowers, it’s the honey bee, this multi-task worker who is number one in the game of pollination.

“Mmmm, tasty!” Bees visit 10 flowers per minute!
Juicy Red Apple Ice Plant

Honey Bee Pollination and Nectar —
If you were to place a vase of fresh flowers by an open window, eventually the sweet smelling flowers would be found out by a bee scout. After she’s gorged herself on nectar she would return with several family members to check out this new food source. How did the bee communicate to the other bees where to find this lovely meal, which just happened to be waiting for her? Like some of us humans who like to “work” off a meal by walking, the bee, after filling up on nectar, does a dance. This dance is the “language of the bees.”

Basking in pollen from the Hottentot Fig Ice Plant

The Round Dance

May I Have This Dance?
Do you prefer the “round” or the “tail-wagging” dance? The “round dance” is performed when the source of nectar is close by. This dance stimulates the other bees to search only in the surrounding area of the hive but it doesn’t actually tell them which direction to look. The moves of the round dance involve dropping some of the nectar the bee gorged itself on and then going around and around in a circle, both clockwise and counterclockwise. It does this until it has disgorged all the nectar and soon the other bees catch on to where the food source is and fly out to find the vase of flowers.

Tail-wagging Dance

The “tail-wagging dance” is to locate a distant food source. This dance tells the other bees where to find the food in relation to the sun. Check out these dance moves: First, after gorging on nectar from afar, the bee disgorges a drop of nectar back at the hive then proceeds to dance in a figure eight. When the bee stops and flies in a straight line, it’s telling the other bees the direction to fly in order to reach the new nectar. For example, a straight line at an angle to the left of the sun tells the bees the new food source is about 120° in relation to the sun.

Tasty, Sweet-Smelling Lavender

Childhood Memories of Bees
In taking portraits of these industrious workers I recalled childhood days of hunting bees. At that time, instead of a camera, I used a glass jar with a metal lid that had holes poked into it so the bees could breathe once I got them home — not something I would recommend today. It seemed like a good idea and a way to view these creatures up close and personal; now I realize I had not only displaced the bees from their homes but from doing their appointed job of pollinating and collecting nectar for the hive, not to mention the risk of getting stung!

Honey with Homemade Bread – Yum!

I have a new respect for the honey bee (sometimes spelled honeybee) and the role bees play in pollination; the way they communicate with their tail-wagging and round dances; the intricate designs of the honeycomb; and how honey bees store pollen in little sacks which they carry back to the hive; and most of all, this wonderful, golden, sweet liquid, they make for themselves and we humans to enjoy.

Gathering Nectar on Red Apple Ice Plant

The Bee – End (of part I)

Coming soon —- “Careers changes in the life of the honey bee and the job of the drone.” “The benefits of honey.” “The History of Beekeeping.” “What types of flowers are bees attracted to?” Hint, hint…..notice the flowers in the photos. “How to keep bees from choosing your casa for their casa” and “What to do if you have a hive in your home.”

Article, Photos and Art by Donna Walker of Hearts Pest Management.

Honey Bee and/or Honeybee References:
Farb, Peter and the Editors of Time-Life Books, The Insects, Life Nature Library (Second Edition), Time-Life Books Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, 1977.
Dandant & Sons, Inc., The Hive and the Honey Bee, Revised Edition, Publishers of the American Bee Journal, Bookcrafters, Chelsea, Michigan, 2000

BBB Appears on Fox 5, Discusses Auto Loan Modification

5/1/2012

Posted on 5/1/2012 by

San Diego BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on Fox 5 San Diego to discuss F-rated company Auto Debt Consultants' recent FTC lawsuit.

Guest Blog: Green Trends in the HVAC Industry

4/26/2012

Posted on 4/26/2012 by

Going green is a big trend in America today, and the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning industry has embraced this new movement enthusiastically. There are a great variety of ways that you can make your house more energy efficient with new technology that has become popular in the past few years. While some of these upgrades might seem expensive, all of them will save you money in the long run and reduce your carbon footprint.

High-Efficiency Furnaces

Gas furnaces you can buy today can have an AFUE rating of 97 percent, which means that 97 percent of the fuel burned in your furnace goes to heat your house. This incredible efficiency is possible because of some key features in the design of the furnace itself. These furnaces have sealed combustion, in which the air flow to the combustion chamber is carefully controlled and the exhaust heat can be recaptured to heat air as well. A high efficiency furnace will also have two stage gas values, so your furnace is no longer just ‘on’ or ‘off’. If your house only needs to be heated a little, your furnace can go on a low setting to bring your home to the desired temperature. If there is a sudden burst of cold outside, you furnace can switch to the high heat setting so that you can get the warmth you need. This allows for optimal efficiency no matter what the temperature.

Programmable Thermostats

To go with your new furnace, a programmable thermostat will give you unprecedented control over the temperature and energy consumption in your house. This new type of thermostat can be programmed to keep your house at different temperatures during different times of day, so you won’t waste energy heating or cooling your house when everyone is at work or school. Tied with a zone control system, you can also heat each zone of your house individually to completely customize your home comfort. For instance, if you have a rarely used guest room, you can keep the temperature low in that area and only turn the temperature up when it is necessary. Turning down your thermostat even for part of the day can lead to big energy savings, and a programmable thermostat makes it very easy to monitor and control your home’s temperature.

Heat Pumps

The technology for heat pumps is very old, but it only recently has become popular as an energy efficient home heating and cooling solution. An air source heat pump runs on electricity, and it moves heat from the outside to your home’s interior instead of generating it through combustion. The heating efficiency of these devices is amazing, with a range of 150 – 300 percent, which means that they produce up to 3 times as much heat energy as the amount of electricity they use. Heat pumps and air conditioners made today use R-410A refrigerant, which doesn’t have ozone depleting hydrochloro-fluorocarbons. Unlike older heat pumps, these new, more energy efficient devices have a minimal impact on the environment.

Other types of green equipment that have become increasingly popular today are geothermal heat pumps and solar powered heating and cooling systems. These upgrades are more expensive to make to your home and extensive installation, but they are good choices for people willing to make an investment in greening their house. Any upgrade to your heating and cooling system is almost certainly going to improvement the energy efficiency of your home as HVAC technology continues to improve.

This information is provided by HVAC contractor Cal-West Air Conditioning, who provides heating and air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repair to the San Diego, California metropolitan area.

Making Our Mark: Is It Time For You To Be Pinterested?

4/23/2012

Posted on 4/23/2012 by

By Rachel Newman

Are you in the cloud? No, not the “cloud” program that ensures your information is stored outside of your hard drive. I’m referring to that cloudy feeling each business owner and social media manager is familiar with when you have taken on more than you can handle.

New social networking sites crop up each day. Some fall by the wayside, but others pick up steam and come barreling through our offices and inboxes. How do we know which to participate in? Which will be worthwhile for our business? Which can increase revenue and awareness? It can be hard for a business to decide.

The latest social media site to bloom into an “it-thing” is Pinterest, a website that mimics an actual pin board, allowing its subscribers to pin articles and photos to their pages and share with their followers. While the benefits of this service for a business may not be evident at first, consider the how quickly a photo of your product could travel, pushing throngs of new consumers to your website.

Sounds enticing, right? Before you jump on this bandwagon though, ask yourself “do I have the time and resources to devote to this?” Pintrest, just like every other social media site, requires constant attention and updates, and when your page goes without that attention, you can actually do more harm to your business than if your profile never existed at all.

Here are some things to consider if you’re pinterested in this endeavor:

Ladies or Gentlemen? Pinterest is a website that is primarily dominated by women users. If your demographic falls heavily on the male side, then this website may not be worth your time.

B2B or B2C? Pinterest is far easier to use and utilize if you are business that caters to consumers and not to other businesses. B2B business can still do well and generate interest in their company on Pinterest, but will probably have to invest more time and energy into the website.

Product or Service? Because Pinterest is fueled by photos, design and visual articles, companies that are selling a product and not a service will have a much easier time integrating Pinterest into their online marketing strategies.

Industry? Are you in any one of these industries – fashion, cooking, crafting, event? If you are, then it is almost a no brainer that you should join Pintrest. If you find yourself outside of the obvious, ask if you are willing to go above and beyond what you do and sell to make a name for yourself on the site.

Businesses that consider Pinterest an opportunity to brand their company, expand on their mission and use their voice will be successful. Take, for example, a home remodeling company who uses Pinterest to share DIY ideas and photos. This doesn’t directly sell their service, but it creates awareness and further brands their company as a helpful visionary in the industry.

Pinterest’s ability to drive new consumers to website they would have otherwise never seen is vast. The opportunities to grow your business are endless, but it takes time and creativity. BBB says approach, but approach cautiously. For more information about social media opportunities, visit the San Diego BBB website. Follow your BBB on Twitter, and like them on Facebook.

Guest Blog: I Want a Green Card, Now What?

4/19/2012

Posted on 4/19/2012 by

Many people contact our immigration law firm, wanting to apply for a green card (also known as permanent residency). Some are well-versed in immigration law and know the exact category, while others just know they want a green card.

To obtain permanent residency in the U.S. there must be a basis for obtaining permanent residency authorized by Congress. Moreover, the beneficiary will usually require a petitioner. This petitioner is usually an employer or family member.

Family Based Green Card
A common method of obtaining a green card is through a family member that is already a US Citizen petitioning for the intending immigrant. This can include a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. In some situations a person who is only a permanent resident may also petition for the immigrant. There is no annual quota for the number of immigrant visas issued to immediate relatives (spouses and children under 21) of US Citizens, but the other categories are subject to annual limits per category and per country. Sometimes the backlog can take many years before an immigrant visa becomes available. For more information on current processing times, look at the current visa bulletin. http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html

Employment Based Green Card
Another way to obtain US permanent residency is for an employer to petition for the worker. The first step is that the employer must show that there are no qualified US workers who are willing and able to do the job at the offered wage (which must equal or exceed the prevailing wage). This is accomplished by a test of the labor market, and then the petition is submitted to DOL for review if the employer does not find a willing, able, and qualified US worker. The next step is the employer submits an application to USCIS showing that the foreign worker has the required qualifications and the employer has the ability to pay the worker. Then the worker must wait for a current priority date based on the current visa bulletin (again subject to category and country numerical limitations). Finally, the worker can adjust status to a permanent resident.

Investment Based Green Card
A wealthy foreign national can also obtain permanent residency in the U.S. residency through an investment in the EB-5 program. This means investing at least $500,000 (or $1,000,000 if not in a rural or targeted employment Area) and creating 10 new jobs for US workers. The investor can either start their own business, expand an existing business, or invest through a Regional Center that takes care of the job creation requirements for them.

Other Options
There are a few other paths to permanent residency such as obtaining a National Interest Waiver or showing the foreign national is an Alien of Extraordinary Ability. There are also options for certain Religious Workers and Asylum seekers to potentially obtain permanent residency as well.

Hopefully, this provides you with a rough overview of the different avenues that one might take to immigrate to the United States. Frequently people can qualify in several different categories and sometimes the best choice is not becoming a permanent resident at all.

Article Courtesy of Jason Feldman, Attorney at Law, of Feldman & Feldman.

BBB Appears of San Diego 6, Discusses Ticket Scams

4/17/2012

Posted on 4/17/2012 by
"If it's too good to be true, it probably is.' That's true for even tickets, whether for a concert or sporting event. The Better Business Bureau's Sheryl Bilbrey has tips on how to protect yourself.

BBB Appears of San Diego 6, Discusses Ticket Scams

4/17/2012

Making Our Mark: Checking References With Facebook

4/16/2012

Posted on 4/16/2012 by

Asking for the voluntary surrender of a potential hire’s Facebook password is a growing trend among businesses and hiring managers. Facebook has created a world that has the ability to give businesses a glimpse at what a candidate is like behind their resume, and to achieve this, companies are putting the pressure on employees to fork over the 5-10 digit key to their privacy.

Sounds like a great idea, right? Wrong.

Facebook is pushing back on businesses who are trying to gain access to potential hires personal pages, calling it an invasion of privacy, and threatening to take legal action. A spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, likened the request to view hires Facebook pages to a business requesting to open the mail of their employees (an act that is obviously against the law).

Has your business used Facebook as a reference before hiring an applicant? What other resources do you rely on? Google? LinkedIn? Personal and professional references?

Guest Blog: Tips for making your paver patio look its best

4/12/2012

Posted on 4/12/2012 by

A properly installed paver patio can outlast most other types of outdoor patios. If the paver patio is properly maintained which doesn’t take much effort, it will continue to look its best for a really long time. I often hear my potential clients comment about a paver patio they had seen in shambles. Usually their descriptions talk of weeds taking over the joints, substantial settling, and the border pavers or edges were shifting and sinking. All of these are symptoms of either improper installation or lack of upkeep with the patio. I will save improper installation for another post; here I’m going to share some simple maintenance tips I’ve learned from 10 years of experience installing pavers.

Simple Maintenance Tips

1. Keep the patio clean – Although this doesn’t do much in the way of keeping a patio structurally sound, it’s the easiest thing you can do to keep your patio looking its best. There is no need to use any harsh chemicals. Just a garden hose, some diluted dish soap and a deck brush for those tuff stains. Be careful when washing the patio off not to wash out sand between the pavers. The sand between pavers, AKA the joint sand, is part of what keeps your pavers locked together. I also wouldn’t recommend using a pressure washer unless you plan to refill all the joints once you’re done. However, If you have some stubborn stains or just an overall very dirty patio you may have to use a pressure washer. Just remember to sweep in new joint sand when finished. You can get joint sand from most home improvement and patio stores. We use Quickrete All-Purpose Sand.

2. Keep sand in those joints - A paver patio is a flexible surface that stays together due to the interlock of all the stones together. Sand, lodged in the joints, creates friction and helps achieve interlock. We recommend that you keep your joints full using Quickrete All-Purpose Sand. How full is full? Good question; be sure to keep the sand in the joints down approximately 1/8” from the top of the paver or from the lowest edge of the paver whichever is lower. Sand over this mark will just find its way to the surface and get tracked into the house.

3. Keep those edges contained – The pavers around the edge rely on the edge restraint and neighboring soil/sod to keep fill materials beneath the pavers from washing out. If there is no soil up against the pavers these fill materials beneath the pavers (usually sand) will find their way out causing settlement.

Advanced Maintenance Tips

1. Seal those pavers – This isn’t something you want to do on your own. If done incorrectly, it can be costly to have it fixed and re-done. Sealing pavers will help enhance the colors in the pavers, minimize weed growth in the joints, prevent sand loss or erosion, and give stain protection. Make sure and tell your contractor you want a Joint Stabilizing Sealer. This type of sealer has additives which hardens the joint sand making it difficult for weeds to grow and sand to wash out.

2. Polymeric Sand – Polymeric sand has a hardening agent mixed with the sand that sets up and hardens when it gets wet. This option is a substitute for sealing pavers. If you don’t like the sheen sealer gives your pavers, you can use polymeric sand to get all the same benefits as sealer except for color enhancement and stain protection. Remember, you can’t do both; either sealer or polymeric sand.

If you follow these few tips your paver patio will last a very long time and look great for years to come.

About the Author: This article is courtesy of Mark Rhodus (Twitter @TwoBrosBrick) of Two Brothers Brick Paving a paver patio company.

Consumer Alert: Sell-Out Crowds Draw Scam Artists

3/30/2012

Posted on 3/30/2012 by

By Rachel Newman

Few things are more frustrating than planning to see a concert, go to a sports event, catch a movie and find that everyone else has already beat you to it.

The sell-out crowds are always exciting when you are among them, but if you are stuck on the wrong side of Ticketmaster, chances are you will be looking for a new way to see your favorite band, team or action star. This is the time that so many consumers will take to the internet to try to get a good deal on tickets.

With two sold-out, Southern California events this month, the San Diego Padres Opening Day and the Coachella Music Festival, your BBB warns consumers to exercise caution as they attempt to find resale tickets.

Keep your cool and your cash with these money-saving tips:

Do your research. Before you start your resale search, know the approximate prices of tickets. This will help you figure out if an offer is a good deal or far too low to be legitimate. If you find a reseller that seems a bit low in their pricing, don’t be tempted, just move along. Remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Avoid Craigslist. It may be a convenient and somewhat cheaper place to find tickets, but it is riddled with scammers. You will undoubtedly pay a high price on websites like StubHub, but its far better to pay a little more for tickets that are guaranteed to be real than to be scammed at a lower price.
If you do decide to use Craigslist to find your resale tickets:

o Avoid postings that don’t list a phone number.

o Always attempt to meet in person in a public place.

o Do not pay with cash.

Use a credit card, when possible. Credit card purchases are tracked and will provide a recourse for you if in fact you do buy fake tickets. Though it isn’t always possible to use a credit card, you should look for that option.

For more information about ticket scams and keeping your financial information safe, visit bbb.org or call our free consumer line at 858.496.2131.

Guest Blog: 90-Day Fraud Alerts

3/29/2012

Posted on 3/29/2012 by

If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft or know that you are a victim of identity theft, the first step you should take is to place a 90-Day Fraud Alert on all three of your credit reports. To place a fraud alert you can contact the Credit Reporting Agencies’ (CRAs) automated telephone system – Experian (888) 397-3742, Equifax (800) 525-6285, and TransUnion (800) 680-7289. A common concern that’s come to our attention is if providing your Social Security number (SSN) through these automated telephone systems is safe? The answer is yes. In order for the CRAs to successfully place the alert, you will need to provide them with your SSN.

There is another way you can place a fraud alert and that is by writing to the CRAs. To place a 90-Day Fraud Alert via writing you will have to send in your written request along with copies of the following identification documents: copy of your state ID or Driver’s License card, a copy of your Social Security card, and a copy of a bill or statement that reflects the same name and address that appears on your state identification card. To place the fraud alert via writing, you should write to:

Experian Inc. - PO Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013

Equifax Inc. - PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374

TransUnion LLC - PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834

Please do not send envelopes with Personal Identifying Information via regular mail. You should always send such correspondence via Certified Mail Return Receipt. Now, if neither the automated system nor the written request appeal to you, you can place the alerts by visiting the websites of each of the CRAs: www.experian.com, www.equifax.com, and www.transunion.com.

Once you have successfully placed the fraud alerts, allow 7-14 business days in order to receive written confirmation of the alert. Each CRA will send you a letter confirming the alerts and give you the opportunity to order a free copy of your credit report. Please be sure to read the entire letter.

If you have any questions regarding Fraud Alerts or identity theft, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at (888) 400-5530.

____________________________

Gabby Beltran

Identity Theft Resource Center

President's Blog: Building A Reputation Of Trust

3/29/2012

Posted on 3/29/2012 by Sheryl Bilbrey

As you all know, the BBB provides a number of services and benefits to our Accredited Businesses. The BBB Marketing Program offers exclusive, low-cost options for our members in areas of advertising that include television, radio, newspaper, magazine and online. We also have a lead-generation program that pushes consumers directly to Accredited Businesses.

Of all of the BBB’s programs and services, however, it is the organization’s reputation that benefits our Accredited Businesses the most. The BBB Torch is synonymous in the community with ethics and integrity. By using our logo in your marketing, you are instantly aligning your business with our reputation.

At the BBB, we believe unequivocally in the power of trust and an untarnished reputation. By adhering to our Standards for Trust and using our logo, you are taking that important first step in creating your own reputation in the marketplace.

I urge you, though, don’t just stop there. Here are a few tips to strengthen your reputation in the San Diego marketplace:

· Make a voice heard in the community. You can attend mixers, offer your services as a speaker at local events, or sponsor a little league team. It doesn’t matter as much what you do, but that you are doing something about which you are passionate. Don’t offer to speak to a group unless you are a competent public speaker and passionate about the topic. The bottom line is that if your business can make a positive impression and impact on your community, consumers will feel connected to your brand.

· Take control of the information about your company that is already online. Whether you have a website or a social media presence, chances are that information about your business is online anyway. Check Google, Yahoo, Bing and the BBB website to verify that the information about your business is correct, and then, if allowed by the website, claim your place of business. Claiming your place allows you to enhance the page with photos and videos as well as gather information about the consumers who visit your page. Click here to learn how to enhance your BBB Business Review.

· Tackle social media head-on. Join the conversation online and I guarantee you won’t regret it. Start small by choosing just one site to join. Whether you choose Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or Google Plus, make sure that you stay engaged. Ask questions, post photos and ask your current customers (through email or otherwise) to like or follow you. In no time, you will be reaching more consumers, building your brand and strengthening your voice. You may even find that you have fun with it too.

· Make your voice heard in the online community. If you don’t have the capability to create your own website, the next best thing you can do for your company is get your name and information on the websites of others. Guest blogging is a great vehicle for a company that doesn’t have the ability to host their own blog, but still wants to be an authority in their industry in the online community. Your BBB has a guest blog that appears each Wednesday on the BBB website. Take advantage of the opportunity to advertise your business and expertise for free. If you are interested in guest blogging, contact Rachel Newman at rnewman@sandiego.bbb.org for more information.

So take these tips to the waves of the internet and the streets of our community, and you will surely find your company’s reputation heightened as a result. For more information about the benefits offered by the BBB to Accredited Businesses, visit www.sandiego.bbb.org/.

Making Our Mark: Choosing The Right Social Media For Your Company

3/29/2012

Posted on 3/29/2012 by

By Rachel Newman

It’s practically all you hear these days. When asking for marketing advice, what suggestion do you hear far and away the most?

If you answered forehead tattoos or sandwich boards, there is a dunce cap with your name on it, but if you answered join social media, go straight to the head of the class. I’ve read it. I’ve said it. I doubted it. I’ve lived by it.

Social media is free, densely populated and unbelievably popular in most demographics. Its downfall? Where it is effective, it is also immensely time consuming, and if you are a small business owner, you don’t need anyone to tell you how valuable your time is.

So if you want to participate, but can’t afford to hire anyone or devote your life’s work to building up your followers, what do you do? The answer is simple: Figure out what you want to use social media for and then choose the right platform.

Here is the BBB’s Guide To Recognizing Your Social:

You May Be A Twitterer If…

Your company’s marketing is tethered to provided links and information to customers. Twitter is mostly a platform for sharing links to blogs, websites, and news and business information.

Your company utilizes a business-to-business strategy. Studies have shown that Twitter is far better for B2B businesses, and that B2C businesses struggle to connect with their customers in the same way.

Your company values promotions, like coupons or giveaways, and contests. According to SocialBakers, a social media analytics company, the large B2C brands that have the most success on Twitter are those who run contests or tempt followers with giveaways and promotions.

You May Be A Facebooker If…

Your company utilizes a business to consumer strategy. Similar to the way that Twitter supports B2B businesses, such is true of Facebook with B2C businesses. Logic would suggest that this is because of Facebook’s personal pages and emphasis on strong personal connections between users.

Your company wants to show or offer its services on your social media. Facebook offers users the opportunity to use and create “apps” which they can add to their pages. The BBB has a “Search For An Business or Charity” app which allows users to search without leaving Facebook.

You are more interested in offering a visual experience to your fans and followers. Successful Facebook pages often rely on photos and videos, not links, to attract new fans and conversation.

For more information about using social media, visit BBB.org. To connect with the BBB, visit us on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Friday Feature Presentation: Shed Some Light On The Torch Awards

3/29/2012

Posted on 3/29/2012 by

By Andy Ramos

Want your 2012 Torch Awards entry to stand out from the rest? Looking for some assistance in putting your award winning entry together? Look no further, your BBB’s Andrea McNelis is here to help guide you through the challenging entry process. We understand that the Torch entry process can be time-consuming but were here to supply you with the tools you need to succeed!

Join us at one of our free, hour-long to learn how your company can take home that trophy at this year’s Torch Awards ceremony.

Your BBB conducts free workshops to guide attendees step by step through the 2012 Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics entry process. At these small and intimate workshops, Andrea offer ideas on how to properly complete the entry form, review the 2012 judging criteria, share her past experiences, and present winning entries from years past for review, ensuring your 2012 entry is the best it can be! Whether you’re entering for the first time or are a Torch Award veteran, these workshops can help improve your chances of winning the award and gaining public recognition as an ethical business in the marketplace.

Katie S. from Hanna Plumbing states, “Thanks so much for your time and patience today. I found the workshop to be of great value as it provided me with the necessary information I needed to proceed. The examples and step by step power point made this project a much less daunting task. Thanks again!”

Workshop dates for 2012 are March 7^th, March 20^th, April 11^th, April 26^th, May 15^th, and May 23^rd and are held at the BBB offices from noon to 1pm. Attending a workshop is always free and lunch will be served.

What are the Torch Awards?
The BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics is an annual awards program to gain public recognition for businesses and organizations that maintain a solid commitment to ethical business practices. Every winner and finalist of a BBB Torch Award has an unprecedented opportunity for public recognition and well-deserved visibility. The Torch Awards promotes not only the importance of ethical business practices, but the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure that our marketplace remains fair and honorable. The Torch Awards are open to all businesses and organizations that service San Diego and/or Imperial County. BBB Accreditation is not a requirement, however all nominees must be in good standing with the BBB.

Other than gaining public recognition for being an ethical business in the San Diego marketplace, winning a Torch award comes with numerous benefits. Winners and finalists receive a special Torch Awards Winner or Finalist logo to be used on any/all marketing pieces. Winners and finalists are included in a promotional piece given to all luncheon attendees (400+), special ads in Union-Tribune and San Diego Business Journal, which are emailed to 6,000 ABs and 3,250 area consumers. As a winner you may also have the opportunity to appear on San Diego BBB’s homepage and on Channel 6’s “San Diego Living” live TV show. Winners and finalists are announced in a special ad in BBB’s Yellow Pages (hand-delivered to over 300,000 single family homes in San Diego!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn first-hand how to best prepare your company’s entry! For more information about Torch Award workshops, award entries or registration, please contact your BBB’s Andy Ramos at (858) 637-6199 or aramos@sandiego.bbb.org.

Remember, it's never too early to start your award winning entry. In fact, the BBB recommends starting in early 2012 to have the best chance at producing a quality entry.

Good Luck from all of us at your BBB!

Friday Feature Presentation: BBB B2B Mixers

3/29/2012

Posted on 3/29/2012 by

By Andy Ramos

No matter the size of your business, networking is crucial to continuing success. It's imperative in today’s competitive marketplace that people know who you are, and the more face to face recognition the better!

Your BBB offers complimentary B2B Networking Mixers every other month at various locations and gives business professionals the opportunity to socialize and network with prominent business people from all over San Diego and Imperial Counties. Like always, we encourage everyone to attend and give all companies, accredited and non-accredited alike, a chance to network with the professionals that surround them.

Why should you attend B2B Mixers? These events are an excellent opportunity for your company to take an active and tangible role in the community. When you get out into the community and meet people you will boost your reputation and even gather new leads. Plus, that face-to-face personal connection could make the difference between you and your competitor and can help grow your business through association with other business owners.

2012 Mixers will be held on the following dates and are from 4:00-6:00pm. May 10, July 12, September 6, and November 1^st. Come get to know other BBB Accredited Businesses, and grow your business too!

If you are currently a non-accredited company, you have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of accreditation from business owners who personally profit from the advantages your BBB has provided them. The majority of our guests at our bi-monthly mixers are accredited, so you are sure to meet representatives from businesses with our seal of approval. Accredited Business members can be distinguished at our B2B mixers by having the BBB logo on their nametag.

Thanks to the support of this year’s Mixer Program Underwriters; Aflac and Modern Postcard your San Diego BBB B2B Mixers are free of charge for all of our accredited business with an optional donation to the BBB Foundation Program. For non-accredited business there is a small fee of $25. Be sure to visit with Aflac and Modern Postcard during one of our next mixers to find out how they can help you and your business!

Our past bi-monthly mixer on January 12, at the Fleetwood Lounge was a huge success, to say the least, linking over 100 top business professionals and hopefully helped to build long lasting relationships.

Our next B2B Mixer will be held on May 10 at the famous Belly Up Tavern located in sunny Solana Beach, we are hoping to see a great turnout. For more information about B2B Mixers or to RSVP for our May event, visit our website at bbb.org or email Andy Ramos at aramos@sandiego.bbb.org.

Consumer Alert: How The Internet Was Won

3/29/2012

Posted on 3/29/2012 by

I’ve heard a lot lately that the internet is to our modern world what the Wild West was to Americans centuries ago.

In some ways, it’s hard to imagine because all I can see is John Wayne or Davy Crocket wading through binary code or trampling wires as they ride their horses through some sort of Matrix-esque land. When I shove those thoughts aside though, I can see the similarities. Both worlds offer a vast landscape of mostly uncharted territory, hiding villains we have yet to even imagine.

Whereas the Wild West had Angel Eyes, Calvera, and the many other black cowboy hat-clad men, the internet has slimier creatures: the spoofers and phishers.

They are all terrifying in their own right. All menacing as a villain should be. Most of the fright consumers feel in the face of these internet predators is caused by not understanding how to identify and take down these scoundrels.

Here are the differences between the two, and how you can defeat them without all of the mess of a midday duel.

Phishing Scams: A phishing attack is used in order to coerce the victims into releasing personal and financial information. Phishing employs many methods including fake emails (which are quite common), Facebook messages, text messages, etc.

A common phishing tactic is sending an urgent message to victims asking them to login to their account to fix a mistake. When they click the given link, they are led to a fake website and upon entering their password and account information, they have subsequently and unknowingly given it to a phisher.

How can you take down a phishing villain? Always keep your guard up! If you receive a threatening or ominous email, question how or why a business would have lost your password or account information. When it doubt, call the business directly, and go to the website directly to see if there are any alerts on the homepage. Never click on the links provided in an email.

Spoofing Scams: Spoofing can often be utilized by anyone attempting a phishing attack. Spoofing is the act of mimicking or copycatting the email address of a business. A spoofer will then send emails to the victims asking them urgently to download a file. The file is often a virus or malware that will infect your computer and often continue the chain of spoofing emails to your entire contact list.

The main difference between phishing and spoofing is that while phishing attacks are attempts to gain your personal and financial information, purely spoofing attacks, though, often aim only to infect your computer with malware.

The spoofing scam’s kryptonite? A hefty dose of cynicism. It may seem likely that a friend would be sending you a greeting card around the holidays, but make sure you give them a call or send an instant message just to be certain. Always verify that the sender intended to send you the message.

Good luck to you! May these revelations be all you need to bring civility to your little piece of the internet. For more information about online safety, visit BBB.org or call 858.496.2131.

Guest Blog: San Diego students realize the dangers of drunk driving through ‘virtual death experience’

3/28/2012

Posted on 3/28/2012 by

Many people learn through their mistakes – but it’s often through mistakes where lessons are learned the hardest. But what if you could make a mistake – virtually – and learn from the experience without the burden of any negative consequence?

Students at San Diego Mesa College have gotten to do just that after the San Diego Police and Fire Departments held a mock DUI arrest and virtual death after students underwent a simulated drunken drive. The initiative is due in part to the 13,000 deaths related to DUIs every year.

Interested students watched with their jaws dropped as the San Diego Fire Department gave a live demonstration of the Jaws of Life, a spectacular hydraulic rescue tool that cuts, rams, busts, and wields doors open after a catastrophic drunk driving accident occurs and an injured person must be rescued.

“I thought it was really interesting, it made me realize a lot,” said Sophomore Alba Islas.

The demonstration, however, was not without its more poignant moments as Monica Zech, a Public Information Officer in El Cajon, spoke to students about her accident which was caused by reckless driving. After the accident, Zech underwent a $65,000 surgery to help her become mobile again.

“I really don’t drink but it’s still good to see and be aware of these things,” said Sophomore Caroline Andrade.

SDPD asked students to undergo a field sobriety test and handcuffed students after they engaged in the mock DUI arrest.

In addition to the dangers of drunk driving, students learned about traffic violations and ticketing.

“I’m here to let them have an idea of what we do,” said Officer Gabriel Espiritu. “I wanted them to undergo what the impaired driver does.”

Officer Amalia Sidhu added: “I’m helping to bring awareness of what alcohol does to the body.”

Teen driving & DUIs

Not every student is fortunate enough to undergo simulated drunk driving initiatives – but parents can help reduce DUIs in their household by enforcing their own “rules and regulations” for their teen and/or young adult drivers. Start by downloading your free parent/teen driving contract and outline the rules for reckless and drunk driving. Then, consider the following suggestions as you write your contract:

Consequences clearly defined

Discuss the consequences if a negative event occurs: speeding or traffic violations, accidents, or damaging a vehicle.

Contract length

There will be a time when your teen will finally have to be responsible for their driving on their own, without intervention from parents. Make sure to determine how long the contract will last; you may consider keeping the contract valid until your new driver exists his teenage years.

An open-door policy in asking for help

Teens will be teens, so if a mistake does happen, and underage drinking occurs, allow your teen an opportunity to call you when s/he needs to. Discuss consequences later; let your teen know you have an open-door policy if s/he runs into a troubling situation. It’s better to invite your teen to call you if an emergency presents itself rather than risk a car accident.

About the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC

Guest Blog: How to Save Time and Money by Going Green in Your Backyard

3/22/2012

Posted on 3/22/2012 by

Do you want to go green in your yard...

...while still maintaining an aesthetic that is worthy of your neighbor’s envy?

There are ways to turn your outdoor surroundings into lush, picturesque settings without damaging the environment. Whether you want to spruce up your garden, do simple yard work or entertain guests, there are environmentally friendly steps you can take to tread more lightly in nature.

The Benefits of a Green Yard

Going green in your own yard can be a rewarding experience for many reasons. When you make certain eco friendly choices, you decrease the amount of pollutants in your surroundings. Imagine no longer having to worry about exposing yourself or your loved ones to harmful chemicals.

There are countless ways to improve the environment indoors, and outdoor solutions are becoming more and more prevalent. Most tasks are easy to accomplish. It doesn’t require much more than a willingness to respect the environment.

By making eco-conscious choices, you can save thousands of dollars every year. Cutting energy consumption and reducing water use are good ways to lower your daily costs.

How to Get Greener Pastures

One of the most central pieces in the ecology puzzle is grass. Grass is the most irrigated crop in the country and covers over 45 million acres of land in the U.S. alone.

Additionally, using a lawnmower to maintain a yard full of grass produces the same amount of pollution as driving 15 miles. The best way to reduce the amount of water and maintenance needed for lawn care is to install synthetic turf.

Artificial grass is ideal for creating a greener environment in your yard. Choosing this alternative can save you money as well as time. It can also improve the visual appeal of your yard. Whether you want to install artificial turf in an area that is difficult to maintain, or you want to cover an entire yard, you can benefit from this option.

Some advantages to using synthetic grass are:

it requires little maintenance
it is more user friendly
it is attractive year round
it does not need regular watering
it does not necessitate harmful fertilization

Treat Your Yard to a Water-Conserving Makeover

Water runoff is one of the biggest threats to the environment and can cause substantial erosion of river beds. Installing permeable pavers can effectively manage water runoff. These specially-designed stones allow water to filter through to the underlying soil. The self-draining action promotes the saturation of rainwater into the earth.

Some permeable paving systems collect the drained water in a basin. The rainwater rushes around the pavers at a rapid rate. Once the water is captured, it is cleaned by a sanitation system. Pollutants are removed, and the water is released back into the ground. The water may be directed to various areas of the yard, but it may also be stored for re-purposing.

Permeable paving stones protect the environment by:

reducing the amount of storm water runoff
decreasing the likelihood of rivers and streams flooding
preventing erosion
protecting the quality of the water supply
energizing existing ground water
minimizing the amount of water used

Another way to conserve water and prevent runoff is to install a rain barrel in your yard. Rain barrels are inexpensive and can be placed in various locations.

These vessels capture rainwater, so you can reuse it to irrigate your garden, plants or lawn. Harvesting rainwater can save gallons of wasted water every month, which means it will be friendly on your budget as well.

Shrink a Large Carbon Footprint With Small Steps

One of the simplest ways to improve the environment is to create a greener atmosphere. Planting more wildflowers, shrubs and trees can make a notable difference.

Purchase plants that are native to your region in order to decrease the amount of maintenance needed. To lessen the expanse of your lawn, consider planting a garden. Gardens are not only environmentally friendly, they provide a healthy alternative to consuming chemically-altered foods.

If you choose to install artificial grass, you will not need to use fertilizer. However, gardens need nourishment as well. Many people use synthetic fertilizers which can create a buildup of toxic chemicals. A safe and healthy alternative to chemically-based fertilizers is compost.

Numerous items can be used as compost, including yard trimmings. With composting, you can preserve your health as well as reduce the amount of trash you throw away every week.

Many lawns and gardens require the use of pesticides. These chemicals seep into the soil and damage water supplies. You can avoid contamination by using organic pesticides or predators found in nature.

Lacewing flies and ladybugs are ideal for natural pest control. By eliminating the amount of toxic pesticides you use, you not only safeguard the water, you protect the air around you.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

In many cases, the green methods you use indoors can be used outdoors as well. You may be so familiar with the concept of reducing, reusing and recycling...you repeat it in your sleep. However, you may not have considered the power this mantra can pack for your yard.

When it comes to reducing, energy depletion is a key element. To reduce your energy use, consider installing solar lights throughout your yard. Replacing your current lights with their solar counterparts allows you to enjoy your yard at night by using energy from the sun. This can save you money on electricity costs as well as minimize your energy consumption.

You can significantly lower carbon emissions by using a gas grill instead of a charcoal one. If you cannot part with your charcoal grill, consider using all-natural coals. You can also use a chimney starter and eliminate the need for chemically-based lighter fluid. Additionally, keeping your grill and lid away from your lawn will protect the grass from heat damage.

Reusing and recycling consists of taking old items and making them functional again. Not only can you recycle things like yard waste or paper products, you can purchase recycled goods. Many people are discovering the benefits of using reconditioned patio furniture.

These products typically are durable and easy to clean. Recycling and reusing considerably cuts down the amount of waste entering landfills each year.

If you want to create an outdoor environment that is safe for you, your family and your pets...

Consider these Questions:

1. Do you have hard to manage regions in your yard that may benefit from synthetic turf?
2. Are there sections in your yard that may need permeable pavers?
3. Do you have gutter runoff that can benefit from rain barrels?
4. Is there room for a vegetable or herb garden?
5. Have you been overusing fertilizers and pesticides?
6. Have you considered the best ways to reduce, reuse and recycle?

It is possible to fully enjoy your yard without disturbing the delicate balance of nature. Install It Direct can provide you with an array of eco friendly solutions.

Article courtesy of Luke Whittaker of Intall-It-Direct.

Sign up today for a free estimate, or join our mailing list to receive helpful tips. With very little effort, you can relax in environmentally safe surroundings that will turn your neighbors’ eyes as green as your yard.

Sheryl Bilbrey Appears on San Diego 6, Discusses Pay Day Loans

3/20/2012

Posted on 3/20/2012 by
In this tough economy, some consumers are desperate for cash. Buy payday loans may actually get you in deeper debt. Better Business Bureau CEO Sheryl Bilbray joins us to explain.

Making Our Mark: Student Ambassador Program Shines On High School Stars

3/19/2012

Posted on 3/19/2012 by

Young consumers are often an easy target for scam artists due to their high disposable income. In order to educate these young adults, your BBB created the Student Ambassador Program, which strives to teach high school students to be proactive in their marketplace research, and to identify and protect themselves from scams and fraud.

While most high school educational programs are structured around an expert who spouts facts and statistics to a younger audience, the BBB Student Ambassador Program trains high school age students to be marketplace "experts," who, in turn, educate their peers.

Since the Student Ambassador Program began in 2006, it has reached thousands of young consumers from all over the San Diego County. In early January of this year, the Better Business Bureau Foundation (BBB) sent out invitations to high school juniors or seniors to participate in the 2012 BBB Student Ambassador Program.

With a record breaking 42 students from approximately 19 different high schools in the program this year, we are hoping to reach the highest number of young adults in the program's history.

After the students were chosen, they each received two hours of training on the educational information that they are asked to share. After training, the student ambassadors were able to work individually or in pairs to develop and deliver their presentation to a small peer group. Each student ambassador or team is then required to give at least one presentation a month between the months of March and May.

Although the Student Ambassador Program does provide deserving students with a scholarship incentive for the greatest number of students presented to (first place $2500, second place $1500, or third place $1000), the main purpose of the program is to bring information about scams and frauds to the entry-level consumer.

The BBB hopes the Student Ambassador Program will empower young consumers to make wise financial decisions and teach them to become savvy consumers in the marketplace.

Every student who participates in the program will receive a certificate upon completion, designating them an official Student Ambassador of the Better Business Bureau and recognizing their contribution of volunteer time toward marketplace ethics.

A recognition event will be held in late May 2012 to award certificates and scholarships. Not only is this a fun experience for young adults, your community will benefit from the value of this important and relevant education.

For more information about the Student Ambassador Program, visit bbb.org or email Andy Ramos at aramos@sandiego.bbb.org.

Guest Blog: When & How To Buy Auto Parts Online

3/15/2012

Posted on 3/15/2012 by

When your car breaks down and you take it to the mechanic or dealership, most people purchase the replacement parts from them. They don’t think they have any other options. The truth is they do. People can buy the parts from another source, and then bring them in to get installed by the professionals, or install the parts themselves.

A lot of times the store where you can buy the part yourself is where the mechanic also buys it. So, you have to pay for the same part after the mechanic marks it up. To save money, it is best to cut out the middleman and pay for the part yourself. Let the mechanic make money on the labor, not the part.

With the downturn in the economy, people are now fixing their old cars instead of buying new ones. Thus, the number of people buying auto parts for themselves is increasing every year. The “Do It Yourselfers” and the “Do It for Me” shoppers are now controlling the market. Sharper companies realize this and are selling directly to the car owner.

This method of getting auto parts can save you a good amount of money, but the thought of buying your own car parts can be daunting. How many of you have bought auto parts on your own before? Odds are not too many. Now, how many of you have bought auto parts online? Odds are even fewer. When purchasing auto parts online, you need to do some research. Here are the most important aspects to check before getting auto parts online.

Diagnosis
The first thing you need to do is find out what is really wrong with your car. You do not want to go online and buy a part that you don’t even really need. The best thing to do is to take it to a certified mechanic and have them diagnose the car.

Price Comparison
After the mechanic gives you a quote and tells you what parts you need, tell him you will think about it. Then go home and see if you can find the same parts cheaper online. Mostly likely you will be able to. The same exact AC Compressor that the dealer or mechanic was trying to sell to you for $750 to $800, can probably be found for $350. To save even more money, call around and see what shop will give you a free quote before taking it in to get diagnosed.

Now that you have figured out what is wrong with your car and what prices you should be paying, let’s go over what you should look for in an online auto parts company.

Warranty
What kind of warranty does the part come with? Some online auto part companies provide free warranties, while other companies charge. Does the warranty cover shipping? In the case the part does go bad, will the company pay for the shipping of the defective part back to them and the new one to you? What do you have to do to make sure you do not void the warranty? In a lot of cases, companies have certain steps you need to take during installation to make sure the part was installed properly. You need to make sure you follow the steps when you’re installing, or inform the mechanic working on the vehicle.

Customer Service
How good is the company’s customer service? Sometimes the best price is not always the best purchase. The online store that has the best price may offer you that price because they cut back in other areas. One such area could be customer service. Before you place an order for a part, make sure you look into their customer service. Does the website have a phone number, so you can call them in case you need assistance throughout the process? I know this sounds ridiculous, but you would be surprised by the amount of times you can’t find a number on a website. Is the customer service office located in America, or has it been outsourced? Unlike other industries, with car parts you need to deal with people who know your car.

Reputation
Just like any company you do business with, you want to make sure the online auto parts store is reputable. The fact that an online company is not a brick-and-motor store, which you can walk into and check out with your own eyes can make this process more difficult. The best way to make sure you are dealing with a legitimate company is to check the company’s reputation online. Are they a member of the Better Business Bureau? If they are, what is their rating? What are their ratings on other review websites? There are many websites which review online merchants. Look into their reviews and see what past customers have to say.

Shipping
Some auto parts can weigh a lot, which means you might have to pay a hefty load to ship it. Though, this is no reason to not buy online. A lot of companies do provide free shipping, but make sure to read over the shipping details. Do they ship free to where you live? How much money do you have to pay before the company offers free shipping? What method is the free shipping, ie Overnight, Ground, etc.? Do you have to be there to sign for the package?

Safety
No matter how much we know a company or trust it, we can’t help but feel a little hesitant when entering credit card information. If you are worried, look over the website. See what the company does to protect you from credit card theft.

Ask Questions
When purchasing auto parts you can never ask too many questions. Contact the company with any questions you have. If they are a reputable company they will get back to quickly with an answer.

Provide Information
Remember that the company can only sell you a part based on the information you give them. Make sure you have all the correct information when looking for a part. You would be surprised by how many different parts there are for a specific car. The basics are knowing your make, model, and year, but sometimes companies need to know more. Such as, your engine size, your VIN number, the original manufacturer part number of the part, and/or the production date of your vehicle down to the exact month. The more information you have the more likely you are to get the right part.

Like anything new, buying auto parts online can seem a bit intimidating, but as long as you follow the basic steps listed above you will be better than fine. You will save money, and get your car back on the road quickly. Hopefully this answered any questions you might have had in regards to purchasing auto parts, as well as anything else online.

Article Courtesy of Brad Paugh, Marketing Specialist, BuyAutoParts.com. Visit their website for more information about buying auto parts.

BBB Appears Twice On San Diego 6 For Consumer Protection Week

3/13/2012

Posted on 3/13/2012 by

BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on the San Diego 6 twice during National Consumer Protection week to share tips on how consumers can protect themselves from scams and bad business practices. View both videos now!

Guest Blog: 90-Day Fraud Alerts

3/7/2012

Posted on 3/7/2012 by

Experian Inc. - PO Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013

Equifax Inc. - PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374

TransUnion LLC - PO Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834

If you have any questions regarding Fraud Alerts or identity theft, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at (888) 400-5530.

____________________________

Gabby Beltran

Identity Theft Resource Center

Guest Blog: 6 Reasons to Include Pay Per Click in Your Marketing Mix

3/6/2012

Posted on 3/6/2012 by

Looking for an effective marketing channel to drive qualified prospects to your website?

Pay Per Click (PPC) marketing – including Google AdWords, Bing (Microsoft adCenter) and Yahoo Search – may be just what you’re looking for.

Here are 6 reasons why PPC should be an integral part of your marketing mix.

1. Targeted – PPC is one of the few marketing channels that gives you the power to reach prospects at the exact moment they’re looking for your products and services.

2. Accountable – Unlike other marketing channels where advertisers are left “hoping” or “assuming” they’re getting business, PPC is 100% accountable. You can log in at any time to view detailed reports on what’s working and what isn’t.

3. Flexible – Systems like Google AdWords enable you to target prospects based on geography, language, time of day and much more. Best of all, you can make adjustments at any time and turn your program on or off whenever you’d like.

4. Efficient – Unlike TV, radio and other channels where you pay regardless of the prospect’s interest or action, with PPC you’re only charged when someone clicks on your ads.

5. Scalable – Because Google has the majority of search engine market share we always recommend starting your campaigns there. Once you’ve refined strategies and learned how to drive targeted, profitable traffic to your site you can expand to other geographic areas, search engines and display networks.

6. Lightning Fast – Many other advertising and marketing channels require days, weeks or months to get a new campaign up and running. With PPC, you can literally have your ads in front of prospects in minutes.

Based on all of these benefits, many marketers feel that PPC is a dream come true.

Keep in mind that it’s important not to confuse simplicity with effectiveness. Take the time to follow best practices when setting up your campaigns and ad groups. Or, better yet, hire a professional who can set your campaigns up correctly from the start to increase the probability of success. An effective pay per click consultant or company will pay for themselves many times over by making your campaigns more profitable and effective.

John Spencer, Senior Vice President

DMR Direct

2493 Newport Avenue

Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007

Direct – 760-943-6205

Email – john.spencer@dmrdirect.com

Web – www.dmrdirect.com

National Consumer Protection Week – 7 Days, 7 Tips, 1 Smart Consumer

3/5/2012

Posted on 3/5/2012 by

BBB is offering savvy consumers seven important tips to celebrate the 14th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Sign-up here to receive a BBB tip a day on the latest consumer topics.

NCPW is March 4-10, and government organizations and nonprofits across the country are offering consumers a wealth of tips and information from federal and state governments and non-profit partner organizations. BBB goes the extra mile in encouraging every consumer to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed purchase decisions.

NCPW.gov offers consumers a wide selection of free materials to learn how to protect their privacy, stay safe online, manage their money, avoid identity theft, understand mortgages and steer clear of frauds and scams.

BBB will be participating in numerous speaking engagements, community events and media appearances across the nation and we would love for you to join us! Get our “savvy consumer” tips here.

For more consumer news you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/news.

About BBB
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau® is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports_® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visit http://www.bbb.org for more information.

A Few Simple Rules For Hiring The Best Employees

2/28/2012

Posted on 2/28/2012 by Sheryl Bilbrey

Losing a good employee is tough on an organization. You often lose not only their expertise, but you also lose a personality that contributed to your business’ culture. It’s true that it can be hard to replace your best employees, but I find that new hires can present a company with an opportunity to improve all aspects of their office.

Each time we are tasked with this undertaking, I always begin by asking myself a few questions. What do we, as an organization, want and need in a new hire? What qualities will they need to have the ability to do the work? What qualities will this person need to have the passion to do the work? What is our office culture and how would a new person fit?

Here’s the truth of the matter: In my opinion, for most (definitely not all, but most) positions, qualified applicants are a dime a dozen: the quality that makes someone the best candidate is usually something they can offer your business that no one else can. No, not a penchant for bringing coffee in for the entire office or a vacation home they don’t mind sharing. I’m talking more about the ability to encourage your office to reach for an even higher level of success, or a passion for your business’ mission.

Here are some tips for finding a diamond in the rough:

Look in your own backyard. Most companies look to promote internally before they release a new job to public listings, but I encourage you to not just send out a company-wide email, but actively look within your own company for a replacement. With internal hires, you already know that they fit in at your office, and with the right grooming that person will often surpass your expectations.

Ask the right questions. Once your interviews begin, make sure you ask the right questions of your candidates. It may be tempting to ask the tried and true (Where do you see yourself? Are you a team player?), but I suggest you try something new. For instance, ask “How do you define professional success?” Asking broad questions allows candidates more freedom, and often times their opinions on their personal future and professional likes and dislikes will be revealed without your prodding or leading.

Don’t dig your heels in. We all want to find the “perfect” candidate. “Sally would be great if she just knew a little more about excel or had a little more customer service experience.” Dismissing an otherwise great candidate because they don’t possess one skill is a mistake. The best candidates can be taught, and often taught quickly. Hiring and mentoring a candidate with exceeding potential can also be good for your company as it often fosters loyalty.

Go with your gut. You may want to have a few people in on the interview who can provide you with valuable feedback, but that doesn’t mean that you must 100% agree with them. Follow your instincts.

Follow these tips and you will undoubtedly find an employee that complements your staff and business’ mission. For more information, go to BBB.org.

Making Our Mark: Putting Your Trust in Online Reviews

2/27/2012

Posted on 2/27/2012 by

Mom said it best: “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” and when it comes to online customer reviews, those are words we should all keep in mind. In this age of information, we are all conditioned to be skeptical of what we read and see on the internet.

We look upon a three-headed dog with the appropriate suspicion and turn down our noses at large cash prizes for our participation in a survey, but we still feign disbelief when we find out that a consumer review that we based our dining or vacationing choice upon is untrue.

According to Time Magazine, anywhere between 10-30% of online customer reviews are fake. And why not? Business owners can hire freelance writers (for next to nothing) to write positive reviews for their services, and just as often, can hire those same writers to write negative reviews for their competitors.

So how can we wade through the false and the fake and find the answers we’re looking for? Try these BBB tips for getting the most out of online reviews:

Skepticism is good. For the foreseeable future, the internet’s reliability isn’t going to change much. While companies like Yelp, Trip Advisor and Amazon work on ways to seek out and remove fake reviews, keep your guard up and use reputable websites like BBB.org to aid in your decision making.

Don’t put all of your faith in what “John S. from Dallas, TX” said. Consider a consumer review to be just a small piece of the puzzle when you are making a purchasing decision. Ask friends and family their opinions, and always check BBB.org for objective and unbiased reports on both Accredited and Non-Accredited Businesses.

You aren’t a fortune teller. Despite what you may tell yourself, for the most part you can’t tell whether a review is true or false. According to research conducted at Cornell University, test subjects had only about 50% accuracy rate when they were tasked with determining whether a review was true or false, making consumers more akin to a Magic 8 Ball than a psychic.

For more information about the BBB or to check out a business or charity, visit our website.

Guest Blog: Why Your Business Should Be Promoting Wellness

2/22/2012

Posted on 2/22/2012 by

Several studies indicate that Americans typically spend 47 hours or more a week at the office. Those hours - added to the outside responsibilities of family, friends and other life activities - leave most workers stressed out, tired and probably under performing on all levels. Being a busy career woman myself, I learned early on that my overall wellbeing was vital to my personal success, and found that taking care of myself and encouraging those around me to do the same, led to a stronger and more profitable business environment.

This prompted me to start a corporate initiative program at Bellus Academy to assist organizations with the welfare of their employees (undeniably an organization’s most valuable asset) designed to help restore life balance and increase productivity on all levels.

Wellness programs are managed corporate programs that assist and support employees in establishing healthier lifestyles. Such programs can vary greatly in their offering even among companies within the same industry. One common theme I found when starting my Wellness Program is that most organizations related wellbeing with their employees’ physical health. A common misconception, as one’s overall wellbeing and optimal health also should include spiritual wellness, emotional wellness, social wellness, mental wellness, and intellectual wellness.

Employees whose companies have embraced wellness benefits experience multiple benefits, including:

A reduction of stress

An increase of loyalty and longevity

An improved camaraderie among their co-workers

A reduction of sickness and having to use sick leave

An improved work performance

An increase in responsibility

A decrease in their healthcare expenses

Corporate wellness programs not only benefit your employees, the organization as a whole can also reap many benefits. Some examples of how an organization as whole can benefit:

Reducing absenteeism because healthy employees spend less time away from work due to illness.

Lowering healthcare costs that consume corporate profits and employee checks.

Increasing productivity by reducing employees’ levels of stress, depression, injury, or illness.

Reducing injuries because healthy employees with lower risk factors are at a lower risk for injury than those unhealthy employees with more risk factors.

The improvement of employee morale and retention by incorporating a company sponsored workplace wellness program to send a message to employees that management values their wellbeing inside and outside of the workplace.

It is my belief that a corporate wellness program serves a purpose to not only the employee but also to the organization. A healthy employee is a present, productive, and functioning employee.

Lynelle lynch

President and Owner of Bellus Academy

To learn more about the Bellus Wellness Program visit www.bellusacademy.edu

Consumer Alert: Keep Scammers At Bay With A Mystifying Password

2/16/2012

Posted on 2/16/2012 by

By Rachel Newman

If you asked much of America’s youth to balance a checkbook, they might stare at you like you had just asked a question in Mandarin. Balancing a checkbook, sending a letter through the USPS, even simple phone calls have become passé in the information age. Most of our activities can now be done on the internet: online banking, email, social media, video chats.

While it may not always be on the forefront of your mind, each of these websites has personal information stored about you in its system. Whether it is a social security or bank routing number or a list of your closest friends and their addresses, that information is dangerous when not protected properly. What is standing between you and a con-artist looking for his/her next payday? Well, it’s only about 6-10 characters.

A good password is crucial to protecting your privacy online, and yet the passwords some consumers create are simple and easy to guess. Wondering if you might be among those with a password that is doing little to protect your personal information? Here’s a test. Raise your hand if you password is among this list, generated by Splashdata, which reveals the 10 most common (Read: easy to guess) passwords.

1. password	6. monkey
2. 123456	7. 1234567
3.12345678	8. letmein
4. qwerty	9. trustno1
5. abc123	10. dragon

If you have used or are using one or more of the above, you aren’t alone, but you probably aren’t safe either. If you feel like taking another swing at creating the ultimate password, check out these tips to ensure the scammers will stay locked out of your account.

Random punctuation will make your password harder to crack. Instead of using passwords like “supportive” or “intercom,” try “s#pport*ve” or interc@m.

Adhere to the license plate rule. Choose your favorite phrase, and then try to turn it into a seven or eight character vanity plate. For instance, “Start With Trust” might become “gow/trst,” or “Crime never pays” could turn into “crmnvr$$.”

UTFLOEW: Use the first letter of each word. Think of an uncommon phrase and then take the first letter of each word to create a password that is nearly impossible to crack. “I took the road less traveled” becomes “ittrlt.”

Try deliberately misspelling words. Changing around the letter order of words in your password makes it much harder for a con-artist to crack.

So take to cyberspace and start stumping those scammers. For more information about how to create an uncrackable password, visit BBB.org.

Guest Blog: 4 Critical Questions to Ask a Potential GPS Fleet Management Provider

2/15/2012

Posted on 2/15/2012 by

With the proliferation of GPS tracking technology, many business are being solicited by dozens of providers of these services. There are four major items you should consider before moving forward with a solution:

1. Does the product really meet your needs? Many systems offer bells and whistles that may or may not be relevant to your business. Avoid buying a solution with lots of “neat” features if you are paying a premium and will rarely use them.

2. Is the company a direct provider or just a reseller of someone else’s product? Being a reseller isn’t a bad thing, but just make sure that they will provide support for the product. Often times resellers do not offer support because they just focus on sales. If the system’s actual provider doesn’t provide sufficient support, you will be left with a lot of headaches while trying to figure out who will resolve your problems.

3. How long as the company been around? Avoid “fly-by-night” providers that just started operations within the past 1-3 years. If they can’t demonstrate that they will be around for the long term, keep looking for other providers. You also do not want a company that is trying to get to a financial breakeven point in this economy. A new provider may eventually go out of business because they can’t generate the sales they need to reach breakeven due to a difficult economy.

4. Can they provide references? The rule of thumb is that you should speak with someone that has a company similar in size to your own and has been using the system for over 1 year. If you have a small company, speak to another small company to determine if they help or ignore them. If you have a large company, speak with another large company to determine if the provider has the resources to meet your needs.

Article Courtesy of Yukon Palmer of FieldLogix.

SCAM ALERT: BBB Warns Of Whitney Houston Hoax

2/14/2012

Posted on 2/14/2012 by

Whitney Houston’s Death Triggers New Facebook and Twitter Scams

Tuesday, February 14th 2012 (SAN DIEGO, CA) – The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to beware of a new scam regarding the superstar’s recent passing. Whenever a celebrity dies, scam artists waste no time exploiting the news to sucker people into clicking on malicious links. Cybercriminals are preying on the public’s fascination of the recent tragedy to gain access to private information.

Since the news came out of Houston’s death, Twitter and Facebook have been bombarded with responses to the tragedy, creating a perfect target for cybercriminals to access personal information from unknowing victims.

One popular Twitter scam disguises itself under “RIP Whitney Houston” clicking on the link in the rigged Twitter post takes people to a blog dedicated to Houston's career, but the blog automatically redirects them to a Web page offering different Whitney Houston wallpapers.

Downloading wallpaper then triggers yet another offer to download Whitney Houston ringtones, and, no matter what you do, the devious Web page eventually takes you to a survey site that asks for your cellphone number.

On Facebook, a wall post with the subject "I cried watching this video. RIP Whitney Houston," followed by a link to what promises to be a YouTube video is in fact a link that leads to several other websites until you reach a similar survey site.

To protect yourself from Whitney Houston hoaxes and other ones that are sure to come, the BBB asks you to follow these simple rules.

Don’t click on the links. Use your mouse to hover over the links provided in any website and you will see they do not lead to the website in question.

Never download anything that looks suspicious. Even if it comes from a friend on Facebook or Twitter, this will keep your personal information safe.

Keep the BBB in the know. Send your BBB information about any new scams so we can further investigate!

Make sure your anti-virus software is updated. Besides basic common sense, it will be your strongest line of defense in combating rigged websites and malicious software.

For more information about scams and other cyber security issues, visit BBB.org or call 858.496.2131.

As a trusted brand, the BBB is often a target of scams and attacks. Please rest assured that we are doing everything in our power, to stop the culprits of this attack. Please continue to send your scams to info@sandiego.bbb.org, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call your BBB at 858.496.2131.

Guest Blog: Could The Right Time To Travel To Hawaii Be Now?

2/8/2012

Posted on 2/8/2012 by

People are always asking when is the best weather in Hawaii? My answer, everyday! The truth is the weather is gorgeous 12 months out of the year. It does tend to be rainier in December and January on certain parts of the islands. However, you cannot go wrong with the beautiful warmth and intermittent rain showers that produce unbelievable rainbows.

As for traveling during the less crowded times we recommend September-December and the Month of May (Avoiding Holidays). Prices are cheaper, and there are less people traveling due to children being back to school. This time period is considered off season so it’s a great time of year to snag a good deal.

Speaking of good deals, last minute offers are on the rise. So many fantastic deals if you are flexible. Tip of the Day: If you avoid Flying on a Fri, Sat, Sun you will save money on airfare.

Mahalo

Article Courtesy of Jenifer Snyder

Jenifer@SaveOnAloha.com

Direct Line: 800-728-3668

http://www.SaveOnAloha.com

Celebrate the BBB Centennial - Advertise in the UT

2/8/2012

Posted on 2/8/2012 by

Union Tribune Special! BBB Centennial Celebration Section - Deadline: February 13^th

Wish your BBB a Happy 100th Birthday and advertise your Accreditation to approximately 750,000 San Diegans!

The UT San Diego will publish a special BBB Centennial Celebration section on Sunday March 4th. Additional copies of this section will be distributed at the BBB Centennial Super Mixer on Wednesday March 7th and throughout the rest of the year.

How does it work?
The BBB has pre-negotiated special rates and added value for you in this special section. As a participant, you buy the advertising you want directly from our media partners. Each section has been formatted to carry the BBB brand message reinforcing our accredited business' commitment to ethics in the marketplace. The BBB framework helps consumers decide who gets their business.

Who can participate?
Any BBB Accredited Business in good standing can participate in this special section.

This special offer has 5 levels of participation:

• Full page: 10"x21.5"

Price: $11,094-Black&White/$12,758.10-Color

• Junior page: 10"x15"

Price: $7,740-Black&White/$8,901-Color

• Half page: 10"x10.75"

Price: $5,547-Black&White/$6,379.05-Color

• Quarter page: 4.92"x"10.75

Price: $2,773.50-Black&White/$3,189.53-Color

• Eighth page: 6.61"x4"

Price: $1,376-Black&White/$1,582.40-Color

• Sixteenth page: 3.22"x4"

Price: $688-Black&White/$791.21-Color

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to promote your business, sign up now!

For more information or to sign up please contact Jeff Rankin at 619-293-1576 or jeff.rankin@utsandiego.com

Celebrate the BBB Centennial - Advertise in Special UT Section

2/8/2012

Posted on 2/8/2012 by
By Andy Ramos Wish your BBB a Happy 100th Birthday and advertise your Accreditation to approximately 750,000 San Diegans! The UT San Diego will publish a special BBB Centennial Celebration section on Sunday March 4th. Additional copies of this section will be distributed at the BBB Centennial Super Mixer on Wednesday March 7th and throughout the rest of the year. How does it work? The BBB has pre-negotiated special rates and added value for you in this special section. As a participant, you buy the advertising you want directly from our media partners. Each section has been formatted to carry the BBB brand message reinforcing our accredited business' commitment to ethics in the marketplace. The BBB framework helps consumers decide who gets their business. Who can participate? Any BBB Accredited Business in good standing can participate in this special section. This special offer has 5 levels of participation: • Full page: 10"x21.5" Price: $11,094-Black&White/$12,758.10-Color • Junior page: 10"x15" Price: $7,740-Black&White/$8,901-Color • Half page: 10"x10.75" Price: $5,547-Black&White/$6,379.05-Color • Quarter page: 4.92"x"10.75 Price: $2,773.50-Black&White/$3,189.53-Color • Eighth page: 6.61"x4" Price: $1,376-Black&White/$1,582.40-Color • Sixteenth page: 3.22"x4" Price: $688-Black&White/$791.21-Color Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to promote your business, sign up now! For more information or to sign up please contact Jeff Rankin at 619-293-1576 or jeff.rankin@utsandiego.com

BBB Appears On San Diego 6 To Discuss Valentine's Day Scams

2/6/2012

Posted on 2/6/2012 by
BBB President/CEO Sheryl Bilbrey appeared on San Diego 6 this morning to discuss Valentine's Day scams that should be on the forefront of consumers' minds.

Don't Let Scammers Break Your Heart, Your Achy-Breaky Heart

It’s a day of love and romance. Couples will spend the day reminding their counterparts of how much they mean to them, and scammers will spend the day trying to take advantage of the love and romance that is shared on February 14^th.

Scam artists know the right buttons to push on Valentine’s Day. From the e-card viruses to ordering flowers online, consumers have to be extra cautious, but scam artists are the only culprits of broken hearts on Valentine’s Day: legitimate businesses can cause heart ache too.

Follow these BBB tips to stay smitten on this day of love and joy:

Click with Caution. Before you open an e-card wishing you a happy V-Day, verify that it came from a reliable source. If you receive any suspicious looking emails, do not open them, and immediately delete the email. If you click on a link that is unreliable, run a virus scan on your computer and change your passwords for your personal accounts.

Finding your one true love…shouldn’t come at the cost of your personal information. If you are single on Valentine’s Day, it may be tempting to join an online dating site, but make sure that you verify the legitimacy of the site before you fork over your billing and personal info. Check the BBB website to find reviews on dating services.

Don’t put your complete faith in flower shops. While most flower shops will do their best to deliver your bouquets on time, with the onslaught of orders they receive in the first few weeks of February, it is likely there will be a few screw ups. Take that into account when you order your blossoms and set the delivery for a few days early.

We hope you have a happy and scam-free Valentine’s Day! For more information about flower delivery and dating services, visit your BBB.

Consumer Alert: Don't Get Bowled Over By Super Bowl Advertising

2/2/2012

Posted on 2/2/2012 by

With Super Bowl Sunday approaching, many of us are making last-minute runs to the grocery store for a little more salsa, or are shoring up our plans to hit the local bar, all under the guise of seeing who proves victorious: Eli or Tom.

The real reason we plan parties and clear our schedules on this particular Sunday each year? Many will agree that the commercials are just as big of a draw, if not bigger than the NFC/AFC showdown.

Companies from all walks – sodas to cars to websites to pharmaceuticals – pay out of the nose (often upwards of $100,000 per second) to have their commercial shown during the Super Bowl. And for good reason as the Super Bowl is one of the most watched television events of the year.

Who wouldn’t want to see Matthew Broderick reprise his role as Ferris Bueller, or see a 4 year old Darth Vader turn a car on using the “force?” The advertisements shown during the Super Bowl are arguably the best and most entertaining of the year, but should we have our guard up as consumers when we watch them?

Your BBB says yes! Super Bowl commercials are akin to watching mini-movies. They are dynamic and original, but unlike movies, have one distinct objective: to persuade you to buy a product. Here are some tips that shouldn’t squelch your enthusiasm, but help you get through Super Bowl Sunday without buying a new Lexus or a lifetime supply of Pepsi.

Remember You’re A Target. The commercials are funny and entertaining, yes, but remember that it was designed to make you feel a part of the group. Don’t get bowled over by a relatable advertisement.

Don’t Buy Into The Buy-In. Enjoy it, but always question the commercial. A good ad can make a consumer feel lesser for not owning a product, but asking yourself important questions before you feel that way can save you time and money. Ask, “Does the music or sound in the commercial make it more appealing?” and “Is this something that will really make me happier?”

Disregard Shiny Objects. Celebrity endorsements can make a product seem special or better than other like-products. When you feel attracted to a particular product for no particular reason, ask yourself the above questions!

Enjoy But Do Your Research. If you saw an amazing commercial and now feel like you cannot live without a product, that’s understandable. Make sure you do your research though. Always check out the business or service on BBB.org first. We can help you make smart purchasing decisions.

Most of all, enjoy a day of football, food and very funny commercials. Everyone at the BBB will be doing the same!