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Di-rectors

MarketMonitorthe News for Better Business Bureau Accredited Businesses

INSIDE: 8 Tips for Avoiding a Vacation ScamEnhancing your BBB Business Review InfographicOn Our Radar B2B Discounts Spread The News◊ ◊

BBB Serving Greater Cleveland June 2015◊

McConnell Named BBB PresidentSue A. McConnell was chosen by BBB Serving Greater Cleveland’s Board of Directors to succeed David H. Weiss who retired in early June. Weiss successfully led the organization for 32 years and took it from a relatively modest operation to one of the top operations in the industry nationally.

McConnell, who most recently served as Sr. Vice President of BBB Serving Greater Cleveland, started her BBB career in Cleveland in 1981 and directed operations at BBBs in Akron, Cleveland, and Honolulu. Her extensive service to the BBB system earned McConnell the BBB’s prestigious “Meritorious Service Award” in 2009, the first and only time that award was given to a BBB staffer who was not a CEO.

“I am honored to carry on the rich tradition of this 102-year-old BBB,” said McConnell. “David Weiss’s leadership, coupled with the dedication of our board of directors and a talented staff who works tirelessly to promote our mission, places me in the enviable position of inheriting an organization that is financially sound and respected for its work in advancing an ethical marketplace.”

“The Executive Search Committee was very fortunate to have the ideal candidate for the position here in Cleveland,” said Ella Fong, Chair of the BBB Board. “Sue is respected by many in the local and national BBB system for her knowledge, experience, and strong ethical values. She will continue the legacy of integrity and professionalism that the BBB of Cleveland is known for and maintain BBB’s strong reputation as the ‘trusted’ agency for consumers to go to when seeking trustworthy suppliers and charities, or other assistance.”

Fun Runs May Leave no “Recourse”Color runs, foam runs, mud runs - even zombie runs - are fun events that attract runners of all ages. Some purport to benefit charities, while others are held just for enjoyment. Not all of these events, however, are winners. Some have abruptly gone out of business without providing refunds or changed venues making it difficult for registrants to participate.

Last Summer, a Utah-based company canceled its local “5K Foam Fest” and kept registration fees paid in advance. In May, the “Color 5 Mile” closed down after promoting 100 events across the country. The event promoter, Color 5 Mile LLC, claimed a June event was scheduled for Cleveland, but the site map showed the event would take place at Cleveland City Hall.

BBB offers these tips: • Do your research. Check out the company’s BBB Business Review and search online for additional

information before signing up.• Understand the terms and conditions. Many promoters have restricted refund policies .• Check the local venue. Contact the park or other venue to confirm that the event is scheduled.• Pay with a credit card. Charges made on a credit card can be disputed after a purchase, whereas

debit, cash, or wire transfer transactions cannot.• Keep documentation of your order. Print a copy of your online confirmation. • Check out the charity. Most fun runs are for-profit, but if the promoters claim a portion of the

proceeds will go to charity, check it out on give.org to make sure your donation is going to a trustworthy charity.

Service to the Community

Greater Cleveland BBB Activity Report From January - May 2015

Reports issued on companies/charities.................547,773

Customer complaints filed.............3,296

Online Accredited Business Directory listings viewed........................7,147,053

bbb.org/cleveland visits..............454,386

Advertising review cases initiated......135

The Short List

Questions to Avoid Duringan Interview

To reduce your risk of violating state or federal laws, these are some of the types of questions employers should avoid during a job interview:

What is your religion?

What is your political affiliation?

Are you married?

Have children?

How old are you?

Are you disabled?

Are you in debt?

Do you socially drink or smoke?

What is your medical history?

Are you a U.S. Citizen?

8 Tips for Avoiding a Vacation ScamAs you dream of summer fun, BBB is reminding consumers of vacation scams that can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. Whether it is by phone, email, or in an ad posted online, vacation rental scams come in all shapes and sizes. Often, scammers will lure in victims with images from real properties to make their scams appear legitimate. Vacation seekers searching for a rental in a desirable destination are tempted by the attractive rental that appears to be renting at a very low price. After contacting the “owner” (who is actually a scam artist), victims are told to put a “deposit” down on the rental. Typically, it is requested that the deposit be sent via wire transfer. When the vacationer arrives at the property, they find that it either does not exist, that the condition has been misrepresented, or that it was never available for rent in the first place. Efforts to get the deposit back usually fail.

BBB has tips for avoiding vacation scams:

• Don’t believe everything that you see. The site may have the logo or design of a legitimate hotel or booking site, but that can be easily copied from the real website. When searching for a trustworthy vacation rental, be sure to visit legitimate websites that are well-known.

• Get everything in writing. Before providing any form of payment, get everything in writing. Make sure all verbal agreements are also provided in writing. Review all terms and conditions, taxes and fees, and cancellation policies.

• Use secure payment method. Never pay upfront using a wire transfer or prepaid debit card for any vacation package or rental. Use a credit card or valid escrow service in case the charges need to be disputed.

• Verify reservations. Follow-up directly with the airline, rental car company, hotel and/or cruise line to confirm arrangements have actually been made to your specifications.

• Look out for fake contact info. Some consumers report calling the 1-800 number posted on a scam hotel booking site to confirm its legitimacy. Scammers simply impersonated the front desk of the hotel.

• Double check the URLs. Scammers pick URLs that look very similar to those of legitimate sites. Always be sure to double check the URL before making a purchase.

• Look for a secure connection. Make sure your personal information is being transmitted securely by ensuring the web address starts with “HTTPS” and has a lock icon.

• Watch for too-good-to-be-true deals. Be sure to comparison shop and be suspicious of a site that has prices significantly lower than those listed elsewhere.

On Our RadarClassic Moving Services/Matrix Movers - Using a Beachwood address, this moving service is generating complaints from unhappy consumers. Most complainants claim the company greatly increases the cost of the move after the truck is loaded even though a binding estimate was agreed upon. Consumers tell BBB they have to pay the additional fee, or lose their deposits and pay to have the truck unloaded. Some consumers have also experienced long delays in getting their items. BBB has received

8 complaints since February, 2015. The Beachwood address is a “virtual office” and BBB has determined the company has no registration with the Ohio Secretary of State or the

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). This business has also falsely claimed to have an “A+” rating from BBB. BBB has alerted PUCO as well as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety

Administration.

Follow Us On:

June 2015

Office DepotDiscounts up to 10% on many of your office needs, with special pricing on copying and printing. Go to bit.ly/bbbohdepo or call Jessica @ (216) 842-7514 for details.

FedEx Earn up to 26% discounts on shipping and office services with the FedEx Advantage Program. Free to enroll. Go to: advantagemember.visionary.com/6920/ to sign up. Passcode is 39HF6R (case sensitive).

Pre-Employment Background Reports Online criminal checks for $15.95 each. Other reports also discounted. Call IntelliCorp at (800) 539-3717.

Document Shredding All Ohio Secure Shred will shred documents on site for $25/month for one container. Also, one-time bulk purge for 10 cents/lb. $50 minimum. Call (330) 659-0840 or (888) 747-3394.

Some member discount programs generate revenue which BBB reinvests

into the organization’s operations.

B2B Discounts for BBB Accredited Businesses

UPCOMING WEBINAROctober 1, 2015

9:00 AM - 9:30 AMTax Tips for Business Owners:

A Question and Answer SessionPresented by: Steve Goodnough of

Turney Tax & Financial ServicesTo register, contact

Brigid@cleveland.bbb.org, call 216-623-9864 x206, or check your inbox for

registration email.

bbb.org/cleveland

®

Sign Up For Free BBB Scam Alerts!

Learn about scams within hours of when they break.

Text SCAMto 24587

There is no fee to sign up for BBB Scam Alerts, but your carrier’s text messaging

rates do apply.

Kudos!Enhancing your BBB Business Review

Update your BBB records and add photos and videos to your BBB Business Review.

Start by signing in to your BBB Business website. Go to bbb.org/cleveland and click on Business Login at the top.

Enter Your Email and Your BBB Password, then select Login to my BBB Business Account. If you have forgotten your password, or need to get one, use the links on the right.

From this page, you can choose options to update and enhance your BBB Business Review.

You can place up to 20 photos to display in your BBB Business Review. Click on Image to Upload to grab the photo from your computer. Give the image a Title and Caption. Check the box, then select Upload Image. BBB staff will review and publish.

Need help? Contact Brigid at Brigid@cleveland.bbb.org.

Bob Gallese, owner of BBB Accredited Business One Man

and a Hammer, was inducted into REMODELING magazine’s

Big50 at a ceremony held in May. REMODELING Big50 recognizes business owners for their excellence in business practices.

Is your business celebrating a milestone anniversary...or hosting a special event...opening a new location, perhaps? We will help you spread the news on Facebook and Twitter.

#1 Visit bbb.org/cleveland.

#2 Find the links at the bottom of the page to our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

#3 Like/follow us, then share your news with us.

We will spread the good word from there.

The Market MonitorBetter Business Bureau2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Fl.Cleveland, OH 44115-2408

The Market Monitor (ISSN 1085-5122). June 2015. Volume 11 No. 3. Published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October and December by the Better Business Bureau, Inc. 2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44115-2408, Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Market Monitor, 2800 Euclid Ave., 4th Fl, Cleveland, OH 44115-2408.

Periodicals Postage Paid

June 2015

BBB is ALL IN! PartnerShip® = Savings Through an agreement with PartnerShip®, Accredited Businesses can save on shipments - inbound, outbound, small, and large.

The BBB shipping program offers discounts on select FedEx® services including express packages, ground packages, and residential delivery, on both new and

existing FedEx® accounts. BBB Accredited Businesses will also save at least 70% on standard and guaranteed LTL freight shipments with UPS Freight, YRC Freight, Con-way Freight, and other reputable carriers, including

competitive pricing on truckload, expedited, and tradeshow shipments.

Check your email for complete details on the PartnerShip® program or contact Brigid Woodland at Brigid@cleveland.bbb.org.

BBB staff showing their support for Cleveland Cavaliers -a BBB Accredited Business.