CONTACT: Lisa Schiller, Media Relations
PHONE: 414- 847- 6055
FAX: 414-302- 0355
E-MAIL: lschiller@wisconsin.bbb.org
Milwaukee, Wis. – 2012 was a milestone year for the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau, which celebrated its 100 year anniversary.
“In 2012, we celebrated 100 years of providing trustworthy information to the public,” said Randall Hoth, Wisconsin BBB president/CEO. “We are thrilled to continue on our mission of advancing marketplace trust and setting high standards for fair and honest business behavior and assisting the public in so many ways.”
In 2012, consumers turned to the Wisconsin BBB more than 4.1 million times, the bulk of which came through the local BBB website. Requests for BBB reports on businesses and charities in Wisconsin rose to 1,705,909- up nearly 20 percent from 2011. The BBB fielded 22,436 telephone calls in 2012 and responded to 3,096 live chats.
The number of complaints opened with the Wisconsin BBB was 12,309. The BBB was able to obtain responses for 84 percent of the complaints filed with the BBB by consumers.
In addition, the Wisconsin BBB conducted 241 investigations and sent 54 press releases to the public including informational pieces, bad business alerts, and scams. This resulted in dozens of TV, radio and newspaper stories. The Wisconsin BBB also began posting regular, several-times-monthly blogs for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s online “Public Investigator” column.
In October, the Wisconsin BBB received two awards from the Council of Better Business Bureaus; an “Award of Excellence” in recognition of its dedication to BBB mission and celebration of Best Practices, and an “Honorable Mention” for its two month investigation on Double Up Promotions Charity Scam.
Monitoring of advertising remains an important function at the BBB, which had a 114 percent increase from last year, challenging 225 ads for questionable claims or noncompliance with BBB standards. The BBB requested substantiation of certain claims and, in some cases, asked the companies to modify their ads to eliminate false or misleading information.
Another important function of the BBB is consumer education, which occurs through media alerts, social media sites, trade shows, consumer newsletters and educational events, such as ShredFest – the BBB’s bi-annual free community shredding event held in Milwaukee, Appleton and Madison. In 2012, the Wisconsin BBB helped thousands of people avoid identity theft by collecting, shredding and recycling nearly 89,000 pounds of personal documents.
In addition, last year the BBB enhanced its Business Review for consumers by packing it with more information for the consumer, adding the ability to read complaint detail. Business Reviews continue to be easier than ever to access, since they are mobilized for smart phone access through m.bbb.org .
In October, the Wisconsin BBB honored six deserving businesses through the BBB Torch Awards and awarded four $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors who demonstrated high character ethics.
BBB services to the public are free. Consumers may obtain Business Reviews online at bbb.org or by calling 414-847-6000 (metro Milwaukee), 920-734-4352 (Northeast Wisconsin), 608-268-2221 (Southwest Wisconsin) or 800-273-1002 (elsewhere in the state). Consumers can also receive news alerts from the Wisconsin BBB by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook.
Top 10 Most Inquired About TOBs
Roofing Contractors – 56,842
Construction & Remodeling Services – 55,918
Heating & Air Conditioning – 39,955
Auto Repair & Service – 38,477
Home Builders – 29,025
Auto Dealers – Used Cars – 28,013
Home Improvements – 27,761
Plumbers – 25,801
Contractors – General – 24,575
Landscape Contractors – 24,403
Top 10 Most Complained About TOBs
Mail Order & Catalog Shopping – 614
Department Stores – 600
Auto Dealers – New Cars – 462
Ammunition & Reload Equipment & Supplies – 282
Auto Dealers – Used Cars – 250
Auto Repair & Service – 242
Building Materials – 212
Banks – 211
Collection Agencies – 196
Restaurants – 190
For more information or further inquiries, please contact the Wisconsin BBB at http://www.wisconsin.bbb.org or 414-847-6000 (metro Milwaukee), 920-734-4352 (Appleton), 608-268-2221 (Madison) or 1-800-273-1002 (elsewhere in Wisconsin).
About 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 http://www.bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for 114 local, independent BBBs across the United States and Canada, as well as home to its national programs on dispute resolution and industry self-regulation.
