2015 annual report BBB SERVING SAN DIEGO, ORANGE AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES

unbiased and trusted

competitive edge

reputation

lead generation

a localtouch

unlock the value

Dear Accredited Business,

I am pleased to welcome you and

your local business to 2016! I hope

that this year brings you success,

growth and continued dedication

to integrity and ethics in our

marketplace.

Trust is a hot commodity these days.

Businesses must work harder and

harder to earn their customer’s

confidence and return business,

but luckily there is one sure way

of earning consumer trust from

the onslaught - BBB Accreditation.

In fact, according to a 2014 Nielsen

survey, 3 out of every 5 consumers

are likely to consult BBB prior to

making a purchase.

One great advantage of your

Accreditation is return on invest-

ment. At BBB, we go the distance to

ensure that your accreditation is not

only valuable to you, but also an in-

valuable part of your business plan.

A few ways we ensure you get re-

turn on your investment are through

traffic to our website, customer

retention by resolving consumer is-

sues, great SEO status, and exclusive

benefits specially designed to bring

more value to your company.

This year, you can get even more

value from your accreditation by

participating in BBB’s Rewards

Program. This program was

designed to incentivize BBB

Accredited Businesses to take full

advantage of all the benefits that

BBB Accreditation has to offer.

By using a benefit, not only are you

maximizing your membership,

you’ll be rewarded with a free gift!

We look forward to your sustained

success in 2016! It is our goal to help

our valued Accredited Businesses

reach as many people as possible,

and our benefits and services are a

great mechanism for you to con-

tinue maximizing the value of your

BBB Accreditation. We are so proud

of the work you do in our commu-

nity, and we know that, together,

we can continue to lead the way in

and grow the prevalence of ethical,

trustworthy business practices.

Sincerely,

Sheryl Reichert, President & CEO

BBB THANKS OUR 2015 MAJOR SPONSORS

diamondsponsors platinumsponsors

goldsponsors

BY THE NUMBERS (JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2015)

“Alexa, a reputed website ranking service, lists bbb.org as the 682th most powerful website in the USA.”

TOP 10 INQUIRIES

1. Internet Services 199,298

2. Loans 164,976

3. Credit – Debt Consolidation Services 124,668

4. Travel Clubs 110,205

5. Mortgage Brokers 104,443

6. Financial Services 102,860

7. Construction & Remodeling Services 88,803

8. Consumer Finance & Loan Companies 66,460

9. Skin Care 58,789

10. Plumbers 51,622

TOP 10 COMPLAINTS

1. Credit Reporting Agencies 4,172

2. Health Club 1,684

3. Skin Care 1,172

4. Credit - Debt Consolidation Services 668

5. Financial Services 584

6. Auto Dealers – New Cars 540

7. Consumer Finance & Loan Companie 477

8. Hospital & Medical Equipment & Supplies 380

9. Home Decor, Accessories & Gifts - Online Retailer 430

10. Internet Services 318

INSTANCES OF SERVICE

Business Review Requests (Web)4,383,625

BBB Online Seal Clicks176,410

Filed Complaints32,836

Arbitration Hearings 23

Request A Quotes Sent3,411

Number of Accredited Businesses7,242

Visits to BBB Website3,980,912

For every

18new members

1business was denied/

revoked BBB Accreditation

NOTICE: MEMBER CONSENT FOR THE USE OF ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

Pursuant to Section 20 of the California Corporations Code, Better Business Bureau Serving San Diego, Orange and Imperial Counties, Inc., requests that all Accredited Businesses consent to the use of electronic transmissions (such as e-mail, fax, or posting on a designated electronic message board accompanied by a notice to you of the posting, etc.) for all communications from BBB to Accredited Businesses, including but not limited to, notice of meetings, nomination procedures, and written ballots.

You may request that any transmission from BBB be provided or made available on paper or in nonelectric form. You may also withdraw your consent to receiving electronic transmissions from BBB at any time. To withdraw your consent or request a paper or nonelectric copy of a transmission please mail us a signed and dated request clearly revoking your consent or requesting a paper or nonelectric copy. The letter should contain the subject line: “Electronic Transmission Policy” and include sufficient contact information for us to honor your request. You will receive confirmation of your request by mail within thirty (30) days. If you have not received confirmation we did not receive your request. Please also allow thirty (30) days for your request to be honored.

Please write to us at: Better Business Bureau, Attn.: Legal Department, 4747 Viewridge Ave #200, San Diego, CA 92123.

UNLESS WE RECEIVE YOUR OBJECTION WE WILL ASSUME THAT YOU CONSENT TO OUR USE OF ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 20 OF THE CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS CODE). WE WILL ALSO ASSUME THAT ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS TO BBB FROM AN EMAIL ADDRESS OR FAX NUMBER ON RECORD WITH BBB FOR YOUR BUSINESS ARE COMMUNICATIONS SENT BY YOU OR AT YOUR DIRECTION. 

600,000 BBB Directories of Accredited Businesses distributed in 2015

204,852 Reviews on BBB 26 Accreditations Revoked by BBB

BY THE NUMBERS (JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2015)

READY TO LOG IN?Access everything from your Business Review activity to downloadable accreditation seals and more by using BBB’s Business Login page.

Follow these quick steps:1. Go to bbb.org/sdoc.

2. Click on the link in the top right corner of the homepage titled “Business Login.”

3. Enter in the email address you provided to us in the accreditation process.*

4. Enter your password.

5. To obtain a password, click on the “Click here to obtain a BBB Password” button. You will be prompted to enter your email, and your new password will be delivered straight to your inbox.

*Don’t know your email? No problem!

Call us at 858.637.6199 or email us at benefits@sdoc.bbb.org. We’ll get you set up.

CAPTURE MORE VALUE IN 5 EASY STEPS

For every

18new members

1business was denied/

revoked BBB Accreditation

1. BUSINESS CARDS Accredited Businesses are eligible for 500 free business cards with your company’s logo and contact information, every year.

Here’s how: Shoot us an email at benefits@sdoc.bbb.org to get started!

2. BBB SEALAdding the BBB Seal to your website will show a mark of trust and improve SEO.

3. CUSTOMER REVIEWSSend happy customers to BBB to write reviews about your company. They’ll be posted to your Business Review for other potential customers to view.

4. BBB-SPONSORED WEBSITESIncrease your online presence by letting BBB build your company a single page website.

5. REQUEST A QUOTE PROGRAMGet leads sent straight to your inbox. We make it easy for customers to find trusted businesses through our Request a Quote service.

HAVE QUESTIONS? Erin Levine is here to help you with anything you’ll need during the course of your accreditation. Ask her questions. Bounce ideas off her.

She can’t wait to hear from you!

858.637.6199

elevine@sdoc.bbb.org

TOP 5 BENEFITS TO GET THE BEST VALUE OUT OF YOUR ACCREDITATION

2015 HIGHLIGHTS

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THE 19TH ANNUAL GERRY WILSON GOLF CLASSIC

112 golfers hit it long in 2015 to support the 19th Annual Gerry Wilson Golf Classic raising over $32,000 to support BBB’s outreach efforts. As BBB’s only fundraiser of the year, donations support the Foundation’s mission to educate and

expand the ever-growing array of services provided to the community.

2015 TORCH AWARDS FOR MARKETPLACE ETHICS

Out of 29 entrants, 14 local companies were recognized for their commitment to ethical business conduct and integrity at this year’s Torch Award luncheon. Mission Federal Credit Union,

one of BBB’s Gold Circle members, recognizing 50 years of continuous accreditation, was honored with a Torch Award.

BBB B2B MIXERS BBB hosted three business-

to-business networking mixers for over 230 attendees

at 98 Bottles, Admiral Baker Clubhouse,

and Flagship Cruises California Spirit Yacht.

BBB STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM Thirteen students from seven different schools finished this

scholarship program reaching a record-setting 5,279 students in 2015. With sponsorship support from Wells Fargo,

BBB Foundation awarded three scholarships, totalling $5,000, to top presenters to further their educational goals.

BBB MILITARY LINE PROGRAM Attending over 20 events in San Diego, BBB Foundation

volunteers supported over 3,000 military service personnel and their families in 2015 through education and outreach in the

areas of financial literacy and consumer protection.

BBB DIRECTORY OF ACCREDITED BUSINESSES

Another successful year as over 600,000 directories

were delivered to single-family homes in San Diego county.

FAMOUS FACES This co-op advertising campaign grew in 2015,

with twelve participating companies and ever growing success. Famous Faces appeared in

2776 television spots throughout the year in support of BBB and their respective businesses.

FAMOUS VOICES Seven BBB Accredited Business participated

in this co-op advertising campaign, reaching thousands of radio listeners through

2,581 spots aired on over 25 stations in Southern California.

TORCH AWARD SCHOLARSHIPIn conjunction with the Torch Awards for Ethics,

BBB offers a cash scholarship to five local students who express the importance of ethics in the marketplace in

outstanding essays. With sponsorship from Sycuan, five essays were chosen out of 206 entrants,

to receive a total of $5,000 in scholarships.

TORCH AWARD SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

GERRY WILSON GOLF CLASSIC PLAYERS

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eBETTER BUSINESS BUREAU4747 VIEWRIDGE AVENUE, SUITE 200SAN DIEGO, CA 92123

858.637.6199 bbb.org

Presorted Std.U.S. Postage

P A I DSan Diego, CA

Permit No. 2686

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