Online Auction Tips

Looking for a special item, a hot collectible or simply a good deal? An online auction may provide one means. But before you place that cyber-bid, consider how online auction houses work.


Online auction houses facilitate communications between would-be buyers and sellers. Sellers list their goods, and auctions are conducted using e-mail to send and receive bids. If you're the highest bidder, the seller will contact you via e-mail to arrange for payment and delivery.

Most sellers accept credit cards, or use a third-party escrow agent to collect your payment, the product you're buying and process delivery of each. But be cautious if the seller asks you to pay by check or money order. Some online sellers have put items up for auction, taken the highest bidder's money and never delivered the merchandise. What's more, consumers who paid by certified check or money order have had little recourse when it came to getting their money back.

The Better Business Bureau, along with the Federal Trade Commission, advises consumers who plan to bid in an online auction, to take the following precautions:

• Try to pay by credit card. If you don't get the merchandise, you can challenge the charges with your credit card issuer.

• Ask about using an escrow agent, or paying by COD. Most escrow services charge a fee, so you may want to consider this option only for larger purchases.

• Verify the seller's identity and check on their reputation. If you can't, consider this a red flag and avoid doing business with the seller. Some sellers may use a forged e-mail header, making it impossible to contact them if you need to.

• Ask how you'll get follow-up service, if you need it. Many sellers don't have the expertise or facilities to provide service for the goods they sell. Is this important to you?

• Avoid impulse bids and purchases. Online auctions may be enticing, but are you really getting the best price? Do some research on the product before bidding.

• Ask about return policies. Returning merchandise to an online seller may be difficult.

For more information about online auctions, visit http://www.bbb.org/.

Warning: Free Subway Gift Card Scam on Facebook

There is a scam floating around the web offering a free Subway gift card for just clicking on a 'Like' Facebook button. We just verified with Subway that is is in deed a scam and is not affiliated with Subway by any means. The URL for the fake site is: http://www.footlongspromotion.com/


Do not click on these buttons as it's likely the scammer would get your Facebook password. If you have clicked on these links, change your password right away!

Some tips for using eBay!

Our sister BBB in Fort Wayne put together an excellent article with tips and tricks for avoiding scams and other shady offers on eBay. Follow the link to check it out! It's a great read for anyone who uses the eBay marketplace.

eBay…A great tool for buying or selling (click to read article)

With great pagerank comes great responsibility.

Often times we are asked to delineate the benefits of BBB Accreditation. There are benefits that have always been true, but in the Internet age, there are some new and exciting strengths that the BBB is able to offer.


One of those is our strength in Google rankings. With a higher pagerank, people performing Google searches are more likely to find a relevant BBB Report as a highly placed result. This is something that benefits both business and consumer alike!

Our fellow BBB in South-East Texas has an excellent article they have written explaining and summarizing this benefit and how it works:

What do American Idol, Craigslist, ESPN, iTunes and MSN have in common with BBB?

They're some of the Web sites with a Google PageRank of 8 (out of 10).

Let us explain how great this is for you as a BBB Accredited Business.

Google's Web site states: "PageRank reflects our view of the importance of web pages by considering more than 500 million variables and 2 billion terms. Pages that we believe are important pages receive a higher PageRank and are more likely to appear at the top of the search results."

Read the full article here: http://southeasttexas.bbb.org/article/the-power-of-bbborg-19079

Have you considered BBB Accreditation?

Are you a company doing business in the Chicagoland area? If so, You should consider BBB Accreditation!

BBB Accreditation confirms your commitment to honest, ethical business practices!

Consumers prefer to do business with Companies They Can Trust!

To learn more about BBB Accreditation, or to apply for Accreditation, please complete the questionnaire at the following link: http://www.bbb.org/chicago/join

A Business Relations Representative will be in touch with you soon!

Free Business Seminar for Small Businesses

ENTREPRENEURS to connect with small business loans and important business RESOURCES, Thursday March 11

Today, the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the first in a series of four free business seminars offered throughout the year geared towards providing entrepreneurs with access to resources and financing.

The first seminar will be offered on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Olive Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave. at 5:30 p.m.

At the event, entrepreneurs can connect with nearly 30 government and non-profit agencies that assist small businesses. They can also connect with small business loan resources, financial incentives, learn about licensing or tax requirements and more. Three workshops will also be offered on how to write a business plan, how to financing your business, and business marketing.

“Anyone interested in starting a business today needs to know how to gain access to capital and put together a business plan," said Commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Norma I. Reyes. "Taking advantage of the resources that are available today is so critical, especially in this economy. These seminars connect people with agencies and programs that provide lending opportunities, assistance with business planning and information that will help a business owner get on the right track."

A local Chicago business owner will be the evenings keynote speaker, Mr. Joseph Caldwell of Tailorite Cleaners, who will share his business success story. Caldwell was the first African American contracted to clean the White Sox uniforms which he still services that contract. He currently owns 3 plants and has just turned all his equipment green, making him a “green business.” Caldwell is a staple in the community and is an advocate for small businesses; he serves as Chairman for Chatham Business Association, and serves as a member of the board of Seaway National Bank.

At the event, 15 entrepreneurs will graduate from the "Business Start –Up" program and presented with certificates. The Business Start -Up Certificate program, offered by BACP and City Colleges of Chicago, is a free program for entrepreneurs that offers a curriculum of classes that cover all the basics of starting or growing a business.

To encourage business growth and support entrepreneurs BACP offers business educational classes twice a week that are free and open to the public. The Business Workshop calendar and information on the Business Start-Up Certificate program is available online at www.cityofchicago.org/bacp

Business Works Seminars will be offered throughout the year:
Thursdays, 5:30 pm -9:00 pm

March 11, 2010
Olive Harvey College
10001 S. Woodlawn

June 17, 2010
Wright College
4300 N. Narragansett

August 19, 2010
West Side Technical Institute
2800 S. Western Ave

November 18, 2010
Malcolm X College
1900 W. Van Buren St.

Your BBB, a great place to find Trusted local businesses!

Many people who use the BBB think that our only, or primary service is to receive and work with consumer complaints.

However, did you know that the BBB is a great place to find a trustworthy business? At any given moment, the Chicago BBB offers extensive Rosters of BBB Accredited businesses. Each of these businesses has made a commitment to following the highest ethical marketplace standards, and each has passed a rigorous review process by The BBB, prior to being accepted into Accreditation. Furthermore, each business must maintain our standards in order to remain Accredited.

What this means to the consumer is an up to date list of trustworthy businesses, searchable in a number of ways, perfect for the discerning consumer looking to do their research prior to doing business with a company.

Looking for a reputable used car dealer? Start with Trust by clicking here!

Need a new furnace installed? Find a BBB Accredited HVAC company in your area!

Locked out of your home or car, and need to check a locksmith? You can even search for a reputable business on your mobile device at http://m.bbb.org

You can even narrow the results to find businesses nearest to you by zip code.

So remember, if you are looking for a business you can Trust, Start with Trust here, at your Chicago BBB!