October Naming Names– 2006: Monthly Local Better Business Bureau Hit Parade

Naming Names is not about revenge or vindictiveness, it is about accountability. The BBB enforces membership standards and holds area businesses accountable for their actions.

Naming Names is a monthly release of the complaint handling activities of TheLocalBBB from the previous month. All complaints that have closed out in TheLocalBBB’s previous month’s timeframe are utilized to compile this monthly Naming Names.

What warrants companies named in this release? Those companies that 1) don’t answer complaints brought to their attention by the BBB, 2) have a complaint closed disputed, which means that, despite attention to the complaint, the company did not resolve the issue, 3) are unable to be found and have mail returned to the BBB as undeliverable, 4) have had an unusual volume of complaints for the month that, as a result, drove its industry to the top ten (whether they resolved the complaints or not).

TOP TEN COMPLAINT INDUSTRIES

1.AUTOS-NEW take the number one slot with all but two complaints closed resolved. Spokane KIA of Spokane, WA. did not answer a complaint brought to its attention by the bureau,and Sunnyside Honda of Sunnyside, WA. has a complaint closed disputed.

Complaints for this category mainly concerned service, sales practices, advertising and repair issues.

2. MAGAZINE SALES make it to the number two spot due to the high volume of complaints received by two magazine fulfillment houses in Montana: U.S. Magazine Service of Lolo, MT, and America’s Choice Reader Service of Great Falls, MT. Both of these businesses have satisfactorily resolved all of its complaints. Complaints for this category mostly concerned billing and sales issues.

3. CONSTRUCTION/BUILDING & REMODELING CONTRACTORS top the number three slot in Naming Names. Neil’s Construction of Spokane, WA. had two unanswered complaints. (NOTE: This contractor states that he will not answer any BBB complaints forwarded to his attention.) Honey Dew Enterprises of Richland, WA. and Alexander’s Construction of Spokane, WA. each had an unanswered complaint, and K & E McCoy Construction of Seeley Lake, MT had a disputed complaint. Complaints for this category mainly concerned contract, repair and billing/refund issues.

4. AUTOS-USED top the number four slot this month. C & L Auto Plaza of Richland, WA. had an unanswered complaint, and East Sprague Motors and RV’s, Inc. had mail returned to the BBB as undeliverable. Complaints for this category mostly concerned billing, sales practices, and guarantees on repairs.

5. CELL PHONES take the number five slot this month. Driving this category to the top ten once again is Alltel with headquarters in Little Rock, AR. This company had one unanswered complaint amidst other complaints it resolved. Complaints for this category mostly concerned contract, service and billing issues.

6. LANDSCAPERS take the number six slot. Royal Landscaping and Gardening of Yakima, WA. had an unanswered complaint and Deerbrook Site Services of Belgrade, MT. had a complaint closed disputed. Complaints for this category concerned service and contract issues.

7. COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND SERVICES make it to the number seven slot. CTL Software of Spokane, WA. has been generating complaints at the bureau due to delivery issues and has an unsatisfactory record with the bureau due to a pattern surrounding these issues. NOTE: We strongly suggest that you file dual complaints against this company with the WA State Attorney General’s Office as well as the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Spokane PC Team of Spokane, WA. had a complaint closed unpursuable. Seems this company has gone out of business. Complaints for this category mainly concerned delivery, product, and refund issues.

8. REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT takes the number eight slot. Watson Management Company, Inc. of Spokane, WA. had an unanswered complaint, as did Zanco Properties of Liberty Lake, WA. Complaints for this category mostly concerned refund of deposits, customer service, and sales practice issues.

9. CONCRETE CONTRACTORS take the number nine spot with more businesses having unanswered complaints than any other category we’ve seen in Naming Names to date. Why? This industry is seeing a huge amount of business, with great amounts of concrete being exported, so business is in demand, which can backlash on the individual consumer with regards to more attentive customer service and promptness with meeting deadlines on smaller projects. While all of these dynamics figure in, we still hold those businesses that don’t answer complaints accountable for their lack of follow through. Accent Curbing/RTL Landscaping of Pasco, WA. had two unanswered complaints in October. Briggs Architectural Concrete of Oldtown, ID., Thompson Concrete of Sandpoint, ID. and Apple Valley Concrete of Airway Heights, WA. each had an unanswered complaint with the BBB. Complaints for this category concerned service, refund and billing issues. NOTE: If you have an unresolved issue concerning a concrete contractor, we strongly suggest that you file dual complaints with TheLocalBBB as well as your state Attorney General’s office.

10. RETAIL FURNITURE takes the number ten slot this month. Furniture Supercenter of Spokane, WA. had an unanswered complaint. Bob Crutcher Fine Art Furniture of Kettle Falls, WA. and Sheri’s Home Interiors of Priest River, ID. each had a complaint closed unable to be delivered. It has been brought to our attention that each of these companies are out of business. Complaints for this category mostly concerned product, delivery and refund issues.

LINK TO TheLocalBBB’s NON-RESPONDER LIST: http://www.thelocalbbb.com/nonresponder.html

BBB MEMBERSHIP REVOCATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, 2006:

We are happy to report that there are no revocations for the month of October.

CLEARING THE AIR If any company on this list ever responds to the BBB’s Naming Names list wanting to "clear the air," we’ll let you know about it in the next release of Naming Names.

The Better Business Bureau
Serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho & Montana

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TheLocalBBB News Contacts:
Zan Deery, Communications/Investigations

email: [email protected]
voice: (509) 232-0534 or (800) 248-2356

Phone Numbers for Publication: BBB–(509) 455- 4200 or (800) 356-1007
Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho & Montana · 508 W. 6th Avenue Suite 401 · Spokane · WA · 99204