Little Rock, AR – November 30, 2009 – Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers and businesses about a company that calls themselves ‘Better Business Guide, Inc’ that is calling businesses in Arkansas to solicit advertising on vinyl phone book covers. The company is currently calling on businesses in Russellville, AR. The Better Business Bureau of Arkansas wants the public to know that such solicitations are not coming from any element of the BBB System.
It was reported to the BBB that, even when questioned, the Better Business Guide claimed to be associated with the Better Business Bureau. “The association tactics are most likely part of a possible scam leveraging the trusted nature of the BBB name to entice businesses to purchase goods and services they believe to be from a trusted source,” said Janet Robb, BBB President/CEO. “Anyone receiving this type of solicitation call should verify the source before entering into any business transactions.”
The company is purporting to be selling advertising space on vinyl phone book covers. The ads they are selling are 2 x 2 inches or 2 x 3 inches. The company has also falsely claimed to have purchased radio advertising time, from a local Russellville radio station, to highlight the participating businesses for a period of two weeks.
The company in question, ‘Better Business Guide’, is located in Florence, Kentucky. The complete address is: 7312 Dixie Highway Florence, KY 41042 This company currently has an ‘F’ rating with the BBB. This rating is primarily a result of the ‘Better Business Guide, Inc’ failing to respond to customer complaints. Other instances of complaints have been listed as well. For a complete report on this company, log on to www.bbb.org; Key in 41042 for the ZIP Code; click on “Check out a Business or Charity”; Key in the name ‘Better Business Guide’; click on search. This will bring up the company name. From here you can click on ‘View Report’ to see the company rating.
About the Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau of Arkansas BBB, the leader in advancing marketplace trust, is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is a difference in viewpoints. The organization is also a recognized leader in developing and administering self-regulation programs for the business community, and, with respect to the advertising industry, does that through a joint venture in conjunction with National Advertising Review Council partners. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 124 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than four million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.