Ordering Mother’s Day flower arrangements leads to one of the busiest holidays for florists. It also is an occasion when consumers expect orders to be delivered exactly as promised. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers tips to those sending gifts this Mother’s Day to help keep both mothers and wallets happy.
“Whether ordering flowers in person, online or over the phone, consumers should make sure they understand what they are buying, and give the florist complete information to ensure proper delivery,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.
Complaints in northern Illinois have increased to 533 from 321 or a 60-percent increase in the last 12 months. Inquiries are also up to 6,313 from 2,463 or a 155-percent increase; as more people are shifting to the internet for floral orders they are also doing their due diligence and researching online florists with the BBB first.
Pay careful attention to the options offered such as size of arrangement, color of flowers, color of vase, delivery in a box or vase, and inclusion of an enclosure or gift card.
"Another important point is to make sure that your order is clear and detailed. Review the guarantee on the site or with the salesperson. This will help alleviate your concerns about quality or delivery," states Bernas. “While you think you're ordering from a local florist, you may actually be on the phone with someone hundreds or thousands of miles away.”
The BBB offers the following tips to having a successful flower delivery this Mother’s Day:
Do your homework. Before ordering flowers, chocolates or any other gifts for Mother’s Day check out the company's Business Review at www.bbb.org in order to help prevent disappointment with the product or customer service.
Allow time for shipping. Check with the retailer or check the Web site to make sure that you have allowed enough time for delivery by your specified date. Make sure that this date is specified clearly and guaranteed when you order. If you order ahead of time, delivery and other charges may be less than a last minute order.
Have a back-up plan. Make sure you understand the store's guarantee. Find out how customer complaints are handled and what recourse you will have if the arrangement is not satisfactory.
Make sure the florist has your information. There are times when delivery instructions need to be confirmed or a delivery driver needs additional directions. Making sure the florist has a call-back phone number or your cell phone to help them make sure your mom gets what you expect.
For more information on shopping with companies you can trust, visit www.bbb.org
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Are You Surfing Facebook with a Secure Connection?
Back in February, Facebook introduced an optional security setting that allows you to surf Facebook more securely: by SSL / HTTPS. Having a connection with HTTPS in the browser as opposed to HTTP helps protect your password as it moves from your computer to the website’s server that you are accessing. This is just a reminder that if you have not already changed your settings to protect yourself, do so now.
How to change your setting:
While on Facebook, look at your URL address in the browser. If you see “http:” instead of “https:” you DO NOT have a secure session. It’s easy to change. Just go to Account (upper right) and click Account Settings. Then Account Security – click Change. Check box (secure browsing), click Save.
How to change your setting:
While on Facebook, look at your URL address in the browser. If you see “http:” instead of “https:” you DO NOT have a secure session. It’s easy to change. Just go to Account (upper right) and click Account Settings. Then Account Security – click Change. Check box (secure browsing), click Save.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Protect your identity — and your pocketbook.
Fighting identity theft means staying vigilant online and off. Protect your identity by taking the following steps from your Better Business Bureau:
• Monitor your financial accounts closely to more quickly detect suspicious activity.
• Make sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus software and be extremely selective when opening attachments or clicking on links in e-mails.
• Shop online through secure sites only and always confirm that the business is trustworthy before entering your credit or debit card number.
• Always shred sensitive documents - this includes personal financial information such as bank, credit card and Social Security numbers. This can be done at your BBB’s free shredding events; our next annual shredder event is:
Saturday, June 25, 2011
9:00am-2:00pm
United Center
1901 West Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60612
For more details on upcoming Shred Days in your area, visit www.chicagoshreds.com.
• Monitor your financial accounts closely to more quickly detect suspicious activity.
• Make sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus software and be extremely selective when opening attachments or clicking on links in e-mails.
• Shop online through secure sites only and always confirm that the business is trustworthy before entering your credit or debit card number.
• Always shred sensitive documents - this includes personal financial information such as bank, credit card and Social Security numbers. This can be done at your BBB’s free shredding events; our next annual shredder event is:
Saturday, June 25, 2011
9:00am-2:00pm
United Center
1901 West Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60612
For more details on upcoming Shred Days in your area, visit www.chicagoshreds.com.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Tips to Avoid Online Scammers
While it would be nice if all businesses and customers operated in a trustworthy and ethical fashion, the truth of the matter is, they don’t.
Your Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois is here to provide advice on how you can be a smart, educated consumer in the many facets of online scams and fraud – many of which share the same red flags.
• Get everything in writing and always read the fine print.
While it’s natural to want to avoid reading the fine print, it’s important that customers understand their rights. Whenever signing a contract, especially on the internet, your BBB recommends reading the fine print carefully.
• Never wire money to someone you don’t know.
Many scams bill victims by convincing them to wire money. The reasons for wiring money can vary and include mystery shopping, paying fees to win a lottery and — if the target is a small business owner—overpayment for goods or services. Scammers know it’s extremely difficult to track money sent via MoneyGram or Western Union. More troubling for victims is that it’s nearly impossible to get your money back. Even if you’ve been given a check to supposedly cover the amount you’re wiring, never send money to someone you don’t know personally.
• Know where to complain.
If you’ve been ripped off online, there are any number of organizations and government agencies that want to hear about it. You can file a complaint with:
• Your Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org
• The Federal Trade Commission and your Attorney General’s Office
• Always check businesses out with the BBB.
Research businesses you can trust at www.bbb.org and consider using the BBB’s FREE online service called eQuote to obtain estimates, proposals or general information from BBB Accredited Businesses.
Your Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois is here to provide advice on how you can be a smart, educated consumer in the many facets of online scams and fraud – many of which share the same red flags.
• Get everything in writing and always read the fine print.
While it’s natural to want to avoid reading the fine print, it’s important that customers understand their rights. Whenever signing a contract, especially on the internet, your BBB recommends reading the fine print carefully.
• Never wire money to someone you don’t know.
Many scams bill victims by convincing them to wire money. The reasons for wiring money can vary and include mystery shopping, paying fees to win a lottery and — if the target is a small business owner—overpayment for goods or services. Scammers know it’s extremely difficult to track money sent via MoneyGram or Western Union. More troubling for victims is that it’s nearly impossible to get your money back. Even if you’ve been given a check to supposedly cover the amount you’re wiring, never send money to someone you don’t know personally.
• Know where to complain.
If you’ve been ripped off online, there are any number of organizations and government agencies that want to hear about it. You can file a complaint with:
• Your Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org
• The Federal Trade Commission and your Attorney General’s Office
• Always check businesses out with the BBB.
Research businesses you can trust at www.bbb.org and consider using the BBB’s FREE online service called eQuote to obtain estimates, proposals or general information from BBB Accredited Businesses.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Walgreens to Acquire Drugstore.com
Walgreens announced that it will acquire Drugstore.com, a popular online retailer for a reported $409 million, according to TechCrunch.
Walgreens will also obtain other websites operated by Drugstore.com, including Beauty.com and SkinStore.com. The drugstore said it will maintain separate branding for each website.
Drugstore.com, which was founded in 1998, operates out of Bellevue, Washington, with more than 1,000 employees. Walgreens has promised it will maintain the corporate office after the merger. Drugstore.com registered more than $456 million in sales in 2010.
Walgreens will also obtain other websites operated by Drugstore.com, including Beauty.com and SkinStore.com. The drugstore said it will maintain separate branding for each website.
Drugstore.com, which was founded in 1998, operates out of Bellevue, Washington, with more than 1,000 employees. Walgreens has promised it will maintain the corporate office after the merger. Drugstore.com registered more than $456 million in sales in 2010.
Monday, March 14, 2011
After an Auto Collision: Informed Towing and Repair Information
Car accidents usually bring a load of stress, leaving motorists in need of immediate help. Accident victims who may not make informed decisions on their towing and repair services could face high up-front fees, improper repairs and extended lengths of time in which their vehicles were out of service while waiting for repairs.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Chicago and Northern Illinois has compiled the following tips to help drivers make informed decisions after an accident:
Towing:
• Call your insurance agent from the accident scene.
• Never give permission to a tow operator who arrives unsolicited to take your vehicle.
• Do not provide a tow truck operator with personal lien holder information.
• Ensure that the tow truck signage matches the name that you called and is identical to any documentation the tow truck operator provides.
• If the truck is not marked, ask for identification.
• If in doubt, call the company back to insure the operator is.
Repairs:
• Get recommendations. Talk to friends and family for recommendations. Ask your auto insurance agent, auto parts salesperson, or other business people you know.
• Check the repair shop's complaint records with the Consumer Protection Division and their Business Review your Better Business Bureau. The shop you select should have a good track record of resolving any complaints.
• Look for a mechanic with experience working on the same automobile model and make as yours. Seek out a mechanic with good credentials, updated knowledge and skill. Some shops display ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification, which indicates the mechanic has met basic standards in a specific technical area. You can also check for shops that participate in the AAA auto service program. But be careful. An ASE test or other certification is not an indication of ethics and integrity.
• Interview mechanics. Are they willing to answer your questions? Do they convey a positive, professional image? Ask if the technician or shop has experience working on the same model vehicle as yours.
Ask the shop for the names of customer references. Then call those references.
• Look for a shop with a clean and well maintained repair area.
• Do not pay in full until the repairs are complete.
For more information on finding auto repair companies you can trust, visit www.bbb.org
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Chicago and Northern Illinois has compiled the following tips to help drivers make informed decisions after an accident:
Towing:
• Call your insurance agent from the accident scene.
• Never give permission to a tow operator who arrives unsolicited to take your vehicle.
• Do not provide a tow truck operator with personal lien holder information.
• Ensure that the tow truck signage matches the name that you called and is identical to any documentation the tow truck operator provides.
• If the truck is not marked, ask for identification.
• If in doubt, call the company back to insure the operator is.
Repairs:
• Get recommendations. Talk to friends and family for recommendations. Ask your auto insurance agent, auto parts salesperson, or other business people you know.
• Check the repair shop's complaint records with the Consumer Protection Division and their Business Review your Better Business Bureau. The shop you select should have a good track record of resolving any complaints.
• Look for a mechanic with experience working on the same automobile model and make as yours. Seek out a mechanic with good credentials, updated knowledge and skill. Some shops display ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification, which indicates the mechanic has met basic standards in a specific technical area. You can also check for shops that participate in the AAA auto service program. But be careful. An ASE test or other certification is not an indication of ethics and integrity.
• Interview mechanics. Are they willing to answer your questions? Do they convey a positive, professional image? Ask if the technician or shop has experience working on the same model vehicle as yours.
Ask the shop for the names of customer references. Then call those references.
• Look for a shop with a clean and well maintained repair area.
• Do not pay in full until the repairs are complete.
For more information on finding auto repair companies you can trust, visit www.bbb.org
Monday, March 7, 2011
Tax Preparation Advice
Most Americans will get assistance from a professional tax preparer or tax software when filing their taxes this year. The Better Business Bureau encourages taxpayers to use caution when selecting tax preparation help or they may get hit with headaches and mounting fines and fees if the return isn’t correct or filed late.
• Ask around. Get referrals from friends and family on who they use and check the BBB Reliability Report on tax preparation services at www.bbb.org
• Look for credentials. Ideally, your tax preparer should either be a certified public accountant, a tax attorney or an enrolled agent. All three can represent you before the IRS in all matters, including an audit. Also, find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that holds its members to a code of ethics.
• Don’t fall for the promise of a big refund. Be wary of any tax preparation service that promises larger refunds than the competition, and avoid any tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the refund.
• Think about accessibility. Many tax preparation services only set up shop for the months leading up to April 18. In case the IRS finds errors, or in case of an audit, you might need to be able to contact your tax preparer throughout the year.
• Read the contract carefully. Read tax preparation service contracts closely to ensure you understand issues such as how much it is going to cost for the service, how the cost will be affected if preparation is more complicated and time consuming than expected and whether the tax preparer will represent you in case of an audit.
For more advice on finding professionals you can trust, visit www.bbb.org
• Ask around. Get referrals from friends and family on who they use and check the BBB Reliability Report on tax preparation services at www.bbb.org
• Look for credentials. Ideally, your tax preparer should either be a certified public accountant, a tax attorney or an enrolled agent. All three can represent you before the IRS in all matters, including an audit. Also, find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that holds its members to a code of ethics.
• Don’t fall for the promise of a big refund. Be wary of any tax preparation service that promises larger refunds than the competition, and avoid any tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the refund.
• Think about accessibility. Many tax preparation services only set up shop for the months leading up to April 18. In case the IRS finds errors, or in case of an audit, you might need to be able to contact your tax preparer throughout the year.
• Read the contract carefully. Read tax preparation service contracts closely to ensure you understand issues such as how much it is going to cost for the service, how the cost will be affected if preparation is more complicated and time consuming than expected and whether the tax preparer will represent you in case of an audit.
For more advice on finding professionals you can trust, visit www.bbb.org
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