CHICAGO, IL-January 24, 2012 - Inquiries for
Business Reviews to the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern
Illinois (BBB) jumped by over 16-percent in 2011, a sign consumers are taking the
initiative to investigate companies before doing business with them.
“We are very pleased the BBB has become a greater
resource for consumers who are following our advice to check out free BBB
Business Reviews before signing a contract or making a purchase,” says Steve J.
Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.
“If consumers would consistently do this simple first step, there would be
fewer upset and dissatisfied shoppers.”
The total number of inquiries fielded by the BBB in
2011 was 4,482,760, a marked increased over the 3,853,476 in 2010. Visits to
the BBB website, www.bbb.org/chicago,
increased by 40-percent.
“The reason for the inquiry increases,” explained
Bernas, “is the intensive education campaign the BBB has sponsored through its
use of billboards, radio, print, online advertising and public events.”
Complaints
to the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago
and Northern Illinois dropped by nearly 5,000
in 2011 compared to the 55,528 handled in 2010.
The
top 10 types of businesses receiving complaints for northern Illinois in 2011 were: Department Stores,
Financial Services, Insurance Companies, Auto
Repair & Services, New Car Auto Dealers, Airlines, Collection Agencies,
Retail Florists, Used Car Auto Dealers, and Restaurants.
Consumers
seeking Free BBB Business Reviews can visit our website at www.bbb.org
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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose
of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help
resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and
arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and
charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit
organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before
making a purchase or donation.