Your BBB of Southwest Missouri saw an increase in activity in 2007.
There were nearly 90,000 inquiries on companies in the southwest Missouri area in 2007 which is a 72 percent increase over 2006 which had more than 65,000 inquiries. Nearly 92 percent of these inquiries were made by consumers visiting our newly branded Web site, www.bbb.org which went live in October 2007.
The top 15 industries which received inquiries in 2007 are:
1. Roofing Contractors
2. Tour Operators & Promoters
3. Work-At-Home Companies
4. Contractors-General
5. Timeshare Companies
6. Siding Contractors
7. Insurance
8. Travel Agencies & Bureaus
9. Travel Club Memberships
10. Real Estate
11. Used Auto/Car Dealers
12. Home Improvements
13. Windows-Installation/Service
14. Kennels
15. Auto Repair & Service
Complaints are on the rise as well. In 2007 BBB processed more than 3,100 complaints, a 68 percent increase over 2006 which had more than 2,1000 complaints processed. BBB of Southwest Missouri processed more than $6.5 million worth of complaints in 2007.
The top 15 industries which received complaints in 2007 were:
1. Travel Club Memberships
2. Sound Systems & Equipment
3. Tour Operators & Promoters
4. Western Apparel
5. Timeshare Companies
6. Vacation Certificates & Vouchers
7. Satellite Equipment & Supplies
8. Auto Repair & Service
9. Rubbish/Garbage Removal
10. Roofing Contractors
11. New Auto/Car Dealers
12. Motels
13. Used Auto/Car Dealers
14. Insurance
15. Computers-Supplies & Parts
These complaints are reported mainly on non-BBB Accredited Businesses. In 2007, only 456 of the more than 3,100 complaints were reported against BBB Accredited Businesses in the 24 county service area of BBB of Southwest Missouri.
"It's clear that a BBB Accredited Business is a company one would want to do business with," said Judy Mills, president/CEO of BBB of Southwest Missouri. "When you start with us, you start with trust."
This increase of business is due to the new branding initiative BBB launched in October 2007. The new brand brought a cleaner, more recognizable logo, a new tag line, "Start With Trust" and a new streamlined Web site.
BBB compiles reports on both BBB Accredited Businesses and non-BBB Accredited Businesses. To check these reports, or to learn about becoming a BBB Accredited Business start with www.bbb.org or call 417-862-4222.