Jan. 4, 2000
How'd you like an on- line rating --
a thumbs up or thumbs down --
for your dry cleaner,
your mechanic or
your favorite restaurant?
Now you have one.
As News Specialist Scott Light tells us, Utahns now have access to more than 14- thousand records on Utah businesses.
If everybody is selling something on the internet these days, the Better Business Bureau is giving something away-- it's filing cabinet.
Bureaus across the country, including Salt Lake City, are posting on the internet their reports on thousands of businesses.
The first thing the Bureau had to do though was create a standard system of rating businesses. Actually, it came up with three simple ratings: satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or no rating at all.
- Satisfactory- business responded to any customer complaints to the B.B.B.
Advertising meets Bureau standards.
- Unsatisfactory- business has a pattern of consumer related problems.
- No Rating- business has minor problems or hasn't been in business long enough to earn a rating.
Russ Behrmann/Pres., Utah Better Business Bureau: "It really should be a tool for consumers to know.. if they're comfortable doing business with this company or this other one.. I'd better be careful."
Consumers can actually put in keywords like 'auto mechanic.'
The BBB site will list the mechanics and shops on which it has a report.
We checked out Cottonwood Goodyear, which has a satisfactory rating.
Owner Chris Muirbrook says now with online records customer service is even more important.
Chris Muirbrook/Owner, Cottonwood Goodyear: "It's going to show customers that you are an honest business, you do run a reputable business and you're not out there ripping them off."
Behrmann: "With the internet, we're hoping to get more input from businesses and more input from consumers."
And don't think the Bureau itself won't benefit.
If the website is a hit, more businesses could shell out the money to be a member of Better Business Bureau.
The Bureau says as time goes on it hopes to add even more information on individual businesses.
The ratings apply to both Bureau members and non-members.
Find the link at:
www.bbb.org
