Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo

Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco

November 2012

VOL

62 No. 11

Don’t Leave Your Customers in the Dark this Black FridayBBB helps business owners avoid common advertising mistakes

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just a few weeks away, which means many businesses will start advertising seasonal sales and specials to attract holiday shoppers. While

most ads are straightforward and provide helpful information to consumers, BBB often receives complaints about misleading holiday sales ads. To help prevent miscommunication between you and your customers, BBB offers the following tips on how to clearly advertise your holiday sales.

“Free”Only advertise “free” if the offer is unconditional. If your customers have to purchase an item in order to receive the free gift, you must clearly disclose the condition. Do not refer to the condition by placing an asterisk or symbol next to “free.” Any offer must be temporary; otherwise, it becomes a continuous combination offer, which is not “free.”

“Save up to”Price reduction claims like “save up to” should state both the minimum and maximum savings without a misleading emphasis on the maximum savings. The number of items available at the maximum savings should comprise at least 10 percent of the items sold.

“Lowest price”Avoid claims such as “our prices can’t be beat” or “lowest prices in town.” Prices for products and services fluctuate regularly, and it can be extremely difficult to claim with certainty that your prices are lower than your competitors’ deals. If you advertise that you will “meet all competitors’ prices,” make sure the terms and conditions are easy to understand. Advertisers should be able to substantiate all claims and provide details upon request.

“On sale” or “sale”A “sale” is defined as a temporary reduction from the usual price of an item. If the sale price is offered for more than 30 days, this becomes the regular price, and the item should not be advertised as “on sale.” There should also be a clear end date to any sale.

“No. 1” or “top rated”Use statements like “No. 1” or “top rated” only if they can be substantiated by facts, or are validated by a neutral third party. BBB’s Code of Advertising suggests avoiding subjective claims based on a company’s opinion. “Wholesale” or “factory direct”Do not advertise “wholesale” prices unless the price your customers pay is the same price you paid when you bought the merchandise for resale. Avoid using the phrase “factory direct” unless your merchandise is actually manufactured in factories you control or own.

BBB reminds business owners that while the primary responsibility for truthful advertising rests with you, BBB staff is here to help if you have questions related to your advertising.

SALESALE

For more information, contact BBB at info@centraltx.bbb.org or consult BBB’s Code of Advertising online at centraltx.bbb.org/bbb-code-of-advertising.

NewSeptemberAccreditedBusinesses

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AUSTIN24/7 BrightStar Care3 Graces Skincare & SpaAbsolute Carpet CareAffordable Air Conditioning &

PlumbingAlen CorpAll Tune and LubeApple Roofing, Siding & GuttersArdent Home Repair LLCAuer Haus, LLCAustin Black Car ServiceAustin DetailingAustin Kitchen CompanyAustin Metro Window CleaningBass ConstructionBlackhaw Wealth ManagementBlue Marble Concrete DesignBlue Pacific PoolsBrother’s Remodel & Design LLPClassic TattoosComfort ConnectionComputer MedicCover 3Culture Technologies Inc.CW Designer Homes, Inc.Dave’s Ultimate AutomotiveDeco Window Fashions Inc.Detail Bookkeeping, IncorporatedDiego Brothers RoofingEagle’s Den SuitesElement Netwrx LLCEndeavor Real Estate GroupFairshare GoldFloor Coverings InternationalFour Paws Veterinary HospitalG P Equipment Co.Goldsmith Market ResearchH & R BlockHAFCO ServicesHardwood BargainsHindsite 20/20Horizon StaffingHoskins Electric Co.J & E CompanyJakes Superior Lawn & LandscapeJK Commercial CleaningJuan Gonzales Paint ContractorKleen MachineKothmann HomesLeo Gates and Associates IncLocal Magnet - Leadz LLCLuling DentalMaids and MooreMaldonado & Sons ConstructionMalone Diesel and AutomotiveMediMobileMelendrez TruckingOlgin’s Remodeling and ConstructionParadigm Contracting LLCPequeslandPJ’s Handyman ServicePlum FitPremiere Rebuilders

Red Design StudiosReed & Scardino, LLPReilly Realtors LLCRockville MotorsRodriguez Remodeling & Contracting

IncSavy Realty & Acquisition IncSchwartz Custom HomesShades of Gray DermagraphicsSilver Leaf Landscaping and

ConstructionSladek Real Estate IncStanton Wedding & FloralsThe AtticThe Daniel Law Firm PLLCThe Ding CompanyThe Green Plumber of Austin, LLCThe Law Office of Meredith

Troberman PLLCThrival School LLCTradeshow ExpressTrimbuilt Construction IncTTH RoofingUnited Allergy ServicesViola Street InnVista Solutions Group, LP

CENTROPLEX/WACOAdvanced TechniqueCandlelite Bookkeeping ServicesCounty Land TitlesCT ArmoredDunnam & Dunnam LLPEverclean Home & Business SolutionsGold Medal Property Management

LLCJernigan’s TaxidermyKirby Co of KilleenKitchen Encounters LLCMama’s Soul Catering & ConcessionsMi Phone Doctor USA, LLCOil City Iron WorksPolansky Sales and Service IncProfessional Building Maintenance

ServiceRandolph’s Service CenterSartin ConstructionStanley Chevrolet Buick Marlin

CORPUS CHRISTI/VICTORIA3C Tank Rentals LLCA & B CommunicationsBrace ToolC VAC LLCCDR Strainers & Filters, Inc.Coastal MasonryDan Morrow InvestigationsDennis Auto ServiceDias Construction CoEB Metal Buildings & ConstructionElliot TruckingGainco, Inc.Guyline Anchor ServiceIsland Pet Spa

J & B Pavelka, Inc.Joe Ortiz ConstructionKessling ServicesLaw Offices of Lance K. BruunLedwik Oilfield ServicesLone Star Lumber & Hardware,

L.L.C.Meyer Tax ServiceP & W Services IncParamount Foundation RepairPustka Electric ServiceRed Ewald Inc.Silver Sands Realty InternationalSin the SkinSublime HVAC ServicesTandem Homes, LLCTBC Commercial ConstructionThe ArmoryThe Dunes Condominiums

PERMIAN BASIN7M Fabrication Heating & Air

Conditioning, LLCA & JC Dirt ConstructionBudget Blinds of MidlandCustom Sound & SecurityD A Criswell Sales, Inc.Direct Bytes, LLCDo It Yourself Dog WashNetswork.usNurses Unlimited, Inc.Pink PerfectionRod Iron Rod LLCStanley Ford - AndrewsUnivar USA, Inc.West County Golf Cars

SAN ANTONIO/LAREDOA & S Appliances # 2A2A Auto SalesAbsolute Dance StudiosAlamo Area Virtual ToursAlamo Auto GlassAlamo Heights PediatricsAlamo Tactical, LLCAll Appliance PartsAll InAll Service Co.Arrow MechanicalAvanna’s Custom HomesBahia Business Solutions LLCBest Western Floresville InnBookkeeping by ValCD Tile LLCCenter For Personal & Relationship

GrowthCity Tree ServiceConcourse Motors Inc.Confidential Search Solutions, LLCCountry ConstructionElite Care Emergency CenterEmbrace Hospice, LLCFirefly Farm and Day SpaFoot Solutions

Fossil Creek Urgent Care Clinic

Franklin Apartment ManagementHackney Paving & ConstrucitonHartford RoofingHG Roofing RepairHill Country Memorial GardensHytek Builders LLCI-10 Auto AuctionInnovative Multimedia Group, LLCInterlex CommunicationsJ Duncanson RoofingJJ Flores RoofingJoseph A. Acker AgencyJust from the HeartKeep It Real TaxidermyKevin P. Burke Attorney at LawLaw Office of Diane MartinezLaw Office of Victor GonzalezMC Builders, LLCMedina County CollisionMetro Fire EquipmentMichael’s Naturopathic ProgramMission City VendingMr. Campos Heating and Air

ConditioningNana Betty’s KidsNG Wood ConceptsOcean 2 Ocean Development, LLCPatterson ConstructionPeoplexpress.comPletz Construction, LLCPremier Dental SeguinPro TrailerQuality Remodel Services & Quality

RemodelingRakowitz Engineering and

SurveryingRancho La Mission IncRichard de Leon Insurance Agency,

LLCRocco OriginalsRVMJ FirmSan Antonio Floor Finishers, Inc.Show and Tell UltrasoundSonrisas De Nino Pediatric DentistrySony’s Garage DoorStone Oak OrthodonticsStrategic Fire Solutions LLCSunset Imports IITexas Video ProductionThe Bernal Zubieta Group, LLCThe Center for Business ExcellenceThreat GuardTrans Parking ServicesTrue GraniteUppercase Design GroupVantage Pump & Compressor, Ltd.Varix Institute IncVentech Services, LLCVirginia E. Maurer, AttorneyX-Man Fire Alarm Protection

ServicesYounique Interior Designs LLC

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Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!

Accreditation Support This award highlighted the various ways your BBB creates value for BBB Accreditation.

Conciliation and ArbitrationYour BBB was recognized for outstanding work in resolving complaints through alternative dispute resolution. By working with local professional mediators, consumers and businesses resolved nearly 80 percent of complaints that entered into mediation. This work also strengthened the relationship between local businesses and their customers.

InvestigationAt the core of BBB’s mission is denouncing substandard marketplace behavior. Your BBB received an outstanding award for an investigation into a local coin dealer that generated numerous complaints by consumers who paid thousands of dollars for products they never received.

Technology/InternetWatchYourBuck.com, your BBB’s independent blog was recognized for its increasing role in informing the public on the latest scams and marketplace trends. Every month, thousands of consumers and businesses turn to this website for important information.

Business DevelopmentYour BBB was recognized for its excellence in business development, along with strengthening our community of trustworthy businesses. Through the increased demand of BBB Accreditation this year, your organization continued its vital role of maintaining high standards of trust in the marketplace.

OutreachYour BBB received an honorable mention for its series of monthly webinars geared towards local Accredited Businesses. The purpose is to educate businesses on ethical techniques to help them grow and thrive in a competitive marketplace, and maintain trust between the business community and consumers. Some popular topics included the advantages of using social media, how to handle consumer complaints and marketing 101.

To see a list of all past awards won

by your BBB, visit centraltx.bbb.org/bbb-awards-and-recognition.

Your BBB Awarded Highest Honors at 2012 International Assembly

BBB serving Central, Coastal Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin recently earned several awards at the 2012 International Assembly of Better Business Bureaus in Washington, D.C. The awards – including outstanding investigation, business development, accreditation support and alternative dispute resolution – recognize multiple facets of Better Business Bureau’s work in the community. This recognition is a testament

to businesses like yours, for committing to an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.

All 115 BBBs throughout the United States and Canada were invited to submit award entries based on outstanding BBB work in nearly a dozen award categories. Presidents and CEOs from other Better Business Bureaus sat as the panel of judges. In the end, your BBB was recognized for the following achievements:

Your local BBB staff at the 2012 International Assembly of Better Business Bureaus in Washington D.C.

Better Business Bureau, Inc.1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

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BetterBusinessBureau Trust Talk | November 2012

Trust Talk is published by Better Business Bureau 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited Businesses in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited Businesses and subscribers. Because the matters contained in this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its function of improving the economic system through informed decision-making.

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Don’t Leave Your Customers in the Dark this Black Friday........................................................................................................ New Accredited Businesses..…….……...........................................

Your BBB Awarded Highest Honors at 2012 International Assembly.............................................................................................................................

September Activity Report....................…...........................................

In September 2012, your BBB...Increased total Accredited Business locations to 11,534Provided customers with 168,286 BBB Business Reviews Handled 1,979 disputesAssisted 4,924 people over the phoneHosted 398,955 website page views Sent 2,345 Request A Quote referrals to Accredited Businesses

RevocationsLM Remodeling: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

Crossroads Utility Services: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

Shelton’s Pride A/C & Heating: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

In September 2012, your BBB was mentioned 354 times by 43 local media outlets including…

Get news as it happens! Join BBB’s press release list at: centraltx.bbb.org/press.

BBB Corporate Office1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

Contact BBB

P: F: @:

512.445.4748 512.445.2096info@centraltx.bbb.org

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