Your website is a very important tool to communicate to your customers about your business. At a minimum be sure your website has up-to-date accurate information such as your current phone number, address and price lists.

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Credit is a convenience; it allows you to charge a meal on your credit card, pay for an appliance with an installment plan, or take out a loan to buy a house. With credit you can make a purchase when you lack ready cash, and you can enjoy the purchase while you are paying for it.

However, when dining out at a fancy restaurant or spending the night away in a hotel, it’s important to take notice of what the banking industry calls an “authorization hold.”

The issue was first identified by BBB of Southern Arizona when a customer complained that a restaurant had put through a charge equal to his bill plus 20%, even though he had left the server’s tip in cash. Upon investigation, Dispute Resolution Specialist Micaela Clubb discovered that it’s a common practice.

Here’s how it works: Let’s say your restaurant bill comes to $100 and you give the server your credit card. When they run it through, they put an authorization hold on your account for $120, assuming you’re going to add a nice tip to the bill. But you leave the tip in cash on the table instead. Still, your bank or credit card company “holds” that $120 for a couple of days until the actual amount of your charge is processed…and that means you don’t have access to that $20. If you are close to your credit limit, it could mean a purchase is declined. If you used a debit card, it could mean a bounced check and overdrafts fees.

Now imagine it’s a hotel stay. You’ve checked in and given a credit card at the front desk. They put an authorization hold on your card for what they think your total bill will be (room charge, taxes, incidentals). If you are staying for several nights, this could amount to a lot of money that you no longer have access to; and when you are traveling, that can be a huge problem.

Credit card processors discourage vendors from doing these kinds of holds, but they are perfectly legitimate as long as the vendor notifies customers of the practice. BBB advises consumers to keep tabs on their credit and bank accounts online, especially when traveling, and read the fine print on hotel agreements. When dining, pay for your check and tip together with either credit or cash, but not both. And whenever possible, keep a “cushion” of available funds on credit cards by paying off the balance regularly.

A customer with a problem may be angry or irrational. Don’t take it personally. Take control and be professional in all dealings with the public. Follow these steps to keep customers happy and keep them coming back!

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Creating a disaster plan for your business is a great way to start the new year.

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It is almost here! 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of the BBB as an international organization, AND the 50th anniversary of the BBB of Vancouver Island.

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While most retailers love the holidays and the increased sales of the last quarter of each year, no one looks forward to the dreaded post-holiday gift returns. Make sure your return policies are simple and solid before tackling customer gift returns this holiday season.

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On behalf of the staff and board of directors of BBB Vancouver Island I wish you, your employees and your families the Happiest of Holidays this year.

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Whether you’re looking to make a switch or picking one for the first time, choosing a merchant processor is a very important decision and can be vital to the overall success of your business.

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Online banking is a great tool to help small businesses quickly and conveniently track financial information, as well as pay their bills and employees. However, data thieves are now targeting small business owners — and their employees — to get access to their online banking credentials and accounts so that they can make unauthorized money transfers.

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Whether you’re in the beginning stages of starting up your own business or looking to manage your current business’ credit more efficiently, it’s always important to stay on top of your finances.

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Customers expect that every business — large or small — that collects their sensitive personal information will protect it. Beyond customer expectations, there’s the law. Depending on your type of business and where your customers reside, your business may have to meet differing regulations on how best to protect the personal information you collect.

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BBB is cautioning businesses and consumers about an email that is purporting to come from BBB.

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The Grandparent Scam takes a scary new twist.

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Blogging is probably the simplest, most cost-effective way for business owners to heighten their business’ visibility on the web.

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We have received calls from two different consumers on two different possible phone scams.

Phone scam #1: Collections Court Action
In this instance the consumer received a threatening phone call from a man that claimed the consumer had a court action filed against him. The caller gave a legitimate sounding file number for the court action as proof. The caller claimed that the matter was in regards to a loan of $4000 in the consumer’s name that had not been paid. The caller told the consumer, in a rather aggressive tone, that he would be arrested if he did not pay the loan promptly as per the court action. The caller then proceeded to make a claim that for $250 and the consumers Social Insurance Number, that he could stop the warrant for arrest.

Protect Yourself: If you receive a similar call to this one please contact the BBB of Vancouver Island with additional information about the content of the call (250.386.6348) If you legitimately had a court action filed against you in regards to an unpaid loan, you would likely have been informed, prior to this phone call, about the matter. They key red flags that this is a scam include the aggressive approach of the caller, the threat that a warrant for arrest could be stopped with a payment, and the request for a Social Insurance Number.

If you are concerned for some reason that there is an unpaid loan out there in your name, it would be wise to check your credit report (with Equifax or TransUnion) to see if there are any unknown loans on your file. Besides informing the BBB it would also be wise for you to inform your local police and to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1 (888) 495-8501) to report a call such as this.


Phone scam #2: BBB Business to Consumer Complaint
Consumer received a phone call with very broken up reception from a person claiming to be a representative of the BBB. The supposed BBB representative stated that BC Hydro was filing a business to consumer complaint, against the consumer because they did not accept and pay for the delivery of a BC Hydro energy savings device that was ordered. The consumers had no recollection of every ordering such a product and had not denied the delivery of such a product. The caller was aggressive and persistent and eventually hung up after the consumer began asking for further information.

Protect Yourself: If you receive a similar call to this one please contact the BBB of Vancouver Island with additional information about the content of the call (250.386.6348). Note that the BBB does not process complaints from businesses against consumers. If a company has a problem with the delivery of a product and payment of a customer, the business will most likely take the matter to a debt collection agency or to court.

When it comes to investing money people need to use extreme caution, and really know what they are getting themselves into, especially if it involves investing in private companies

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One of the great services BBB provides both consumers and businesses is free dispute resolution.

What makes it great? Well, a complaint is often the result of a misunderstanding, one that often times becomes emotionally charged. At BBB we don't see always see complaints in a negative light. In fact we see conflicts as an opportunity for a business to turn a dissatisfied customer into a lifelong customer. And we make it our job at the BBB to try to help with this process.

Encouraging positive customer reviews is an excellent way to spread the word about your business. While disgruntled customers (a minority group for most companies) are the ones to most often rant and rave publically about your business, satisfied customers often forget to publically spread their feedback and positive comments. 

Sidney RCMP is warning Peninsula businesses to be aware of a fraudster possibly operating in the area

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