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A service provided to the Accredited Businesses of the BBB serving Southeast Louisiana.

Happy Mardi Gras!                                                  February 2010
In This Issue
500,000 Instances of Service
Finidng a Tax Preparer
Joining a Gym?
New Lottery Scam
BBB/Zephyrs Campaign
New Accredited Businesses
We Salute You

Quick Links...
Dear BBB Accredited Business,

Happy Mardi Gras!  We hope that you're having a wonderful Carnival season and enjoyed all the recent festivities that we've had in the city. This month, the BBB is looking back at all the activity of 2009 and providing a snapshot of what we've done for the businesses and consumers of Southeast Louisiana in the past year. 

Since tax season is upon us, we've included a tip on finding a trustworthy tax preparer, and since a lot of people put off their fitness resolutions until after Ash Wednesday, we've included tips on how to avoid problems when joining a gym or fitness facility. 

Recently, we were made aware of a scam using the BBB name to con people out of money in a phony lottery scam.  There is some information on that scam below.

Remember we are always available if you need us, or should any of your company information change. We wish you a Happy Mardi Gras and thank you for your support of the Better Business Bureau.

Dick Mitchell
President/CEO
BBB serving Southeast Louisiana
 
BBB Provides Over 500,000 Instances of Service in 2009
WDSU Channel 6

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has been proudly serving Southeast Louisiana including Houma and the Tri-Parish area since 1933. With support from nearly 4,000 Accredited Businesses, the BBB has fostered an ethical marketplace for consumers and businesses.

During 2009, the BBB Serving Southeast Louisiana provided more than 500,000 instances of services to businesses and consumers of Southeast Louisiana.

For full article click here.
 
Tips for Finding a Trustworthy Tax Preparer

IRS Forms
Most Americans will get assistance from a professional tax preparer or tax software when filing their taxes this year. 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.

For more information click here.
 
Joining a Gym?
Complaints to BBB reveal how to get fit while avoiding the pitfalls

treadmill

Complaints received by Better Business Bureau for fitness clubs have increased more than 90 percent in the last 5 years. According to a new analysis conducted by BBB, the most common complaints consumers have about fitness clubs focus on two related areas, contract disputes and billing issues.

This time of year many people are seeing and feeling the after-effects of those holiday parties and big meals and are resolving to join a gym and lose weight. The trends in complaints against fitness clubs tells us that consumers need to read the fine print on the contract before they sign, and keep a close eye on their bank statements to make sure they're not getting billed more than they should be.

For more informative tips on joining a gym or fitness club, click here.
 
New Lottery Scam Fraudulently Claims to Be From BBB

Better Business Bureau warns that a new scam is fraudulently using the organization's name in order to steal tens of thousands of dollars from victims who are led to believe they have won a lottery. So far, one victim has lost $80,000 to scammers posing as BBB employees. Several individuals have reported to BBB that they were contacted over the phone or via e-mail by someone claiming they were with the Better Business Bureau. They were told that they had won a lottery and that, in order to receive the prize, they must first wire money back to the scammers. 

For information on avoiding this scam, click here.
 
BBB / New Orleans Zephyrs Partnership Program Begins

Zephyrs logoThe BBB serving Southeast Louisiana is partnering with the New Orleans Zephyrs (a BBB Accredited Business) for an advertising partnership program.  We encourage all BBB Accredited Businesses to consider participating, if possible.

The partnership campaign will include the 2010 Baseball season and includes:

·Mention on our scoreboard and PA at all 72 games in front of an average crowd of 3,500 fans!

·Mention during our radio broadcasts for all 144 games
·Quarter page B&W Advertisement in every program for the entire year
·200 tickets to be used at any game(s) of your choice!
·30 tickets to Zephyr's Advertiser Appreciation Nights

The minimum investment is $1,000. Please contact Trey Shields at (504) 734-5155 x 266 or treys@zephyrsbaseball.com for more information regarding this program.
 
Welcome to New BBB Accredited Businesses - January 2010
WDSU Channel 6
The Better Business Bureau is proud to announce the following new BBB Accredited Businesses during December 2009. This means that these companies have agreed to uphold the BBB Standards of Trust, including advertising honestly, honoring promises, and being responsive to marketplace issues. 

Click here to view the BBB Standards for Trust.


Anytime Fitness

Archer Construction

Architectural Restoration & Construction Company, LLC

Black Cat Productions LLC

Blue Sky Electric LLC

Complete Roofing Repairs Concrete Placement Inc

Dalbert Poree General Repairs & Renovations

Delta Safety Systems, Inc.

DGM Properties, LLC

Disaster Pro, Inc.

Dunn Homes, LLC

E & L Construction & Real Estate, LLC

Eagle Eye Renovations & Construction, LLC

Elite Fashions

Fast Cut Tree Service

First Choice Gardening

Fit 4 Life Fitness Center

French Fountains A Gallery Of Ancient Garden Elements

French Quarter Renovations, LLC

G. L. Bean Electrical

Gulf Coast Gold & Silver, LLC

H. S. Cabano Concrete & Carpentry, LLP

Heritage Funeral Directors

Home Finamce Service, LLC

Home Finance Service, LLC

Hot Automotive

Humble A/C & Appliance Service, LLC

Hunter Trucking, LLC

Impastato Restaurant

J & R Concrete Pumping

La Dolce Vida - Men's & Women's Clothing Gallery

Magazine Pawn Shop

Mandala Concrete, LLC

Mardi Gras Beads & Designs

Mike's Train Shop & Hobby Center

Muller's Flooring Solutions, Inc

New Orleans East Tires, Inc.

Palmetto Enterprises, Inc.

R & P Landscaping

Ramjack Foundation Solutions of LA

Reliable Soil Company Inc

Royal Valet Service, LLC

Southeast Neuroscience Center

Stacy Marks Photography

Sun Ray Grill

The Titan Group, LLC

Top Notch Construction, LLC

White Star, Inc.


 
We Salute You
These companies are loyal and supportive BBB Accredited Businesses. They are representative of the many sizes and types of businesses that uphold the BBB Standards of Trust. Each has been randomly selected and the starting year of their BBB Accreditation is noted below.

Each BBB Accredited Business has committed to the BBB Standards for Trust.


                    We Salute You 2-2010
 
Please feel free to contact us if you find that this e-mail has been directed to an incorrect address, or if you need to change your company's contact information.
phone:  (504) 522-9363     fax:  (504) 524-9110     e-mail: info@neworleans.bbb.org