You are here: Top Ten Inquiries and Complaints for April 2002 from the CCBBB

PRESS RELEASE

Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus

Ottawa (May 20) - Home improvement projects top the national consumer inquiry list for the month of April, according to the Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus. Last month five of the top 10 consumer inquiries to Better Business Bureau offices included roofing contractors, general contractors, paving companies, home builders, and landscaping services, says the Council President and CEO.

Monitoring and reporting on the inquiries provides a timely indicator of consumer spending interests through the requests for business information, educational material and reliability reports, says Whitelaw.

Consumers also responded with their share of complaints in April, particularly on computer sales and service. Complaints against new and used auto dealers along with auto repairs and service were also at the top of the monthly national complaint list.

This is the second month that the Council has released the list of consumer inquiries and complaints. Responses to the March report were immediate and requests for ongoing reports by media, business groups, financial institutions, and government departments, both federal and provincial resulted in the decision to continue distribution of the top 10 list, says Whitelaw. "We were told that the list provides an important insight into consumer thinking about their purchase plans and also their complaints". The inquiries provide a useful measurement about spending plans while the complaints signal areas for improved customer service.

The Council office in Ottawa prepares the report based on consumer inquiry and complaint information compiled by the 14 Canadian Better Business Bureaus located in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Windsor, London, Kitchener, Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and St. John’s.

During April the Bureaus answered 135,000 consumer inquiries, provided 85,000 reliability reports about specific businesses and services, and opened 1,850 written complaint files.

Top 10 inquiries for April 2002

1. Roofing Contractors
2. Auto Dealers New and Used
3. General Contractors
4. Moving and Storage
5. Paving Contractors
6. Work-at-Home Opportunities
7. Home Builders
8. Computer Sales and Service
9. Landscaping Contractors/Services
10. Utilities - Gas Companies

Top 10 complaints for April 2002

1. Computer Sales and Service
2. Auto Dealers New and Used
3. Home Furnishings
4. Auto Repair and Service
5. Mail Order Products
6. Moving and Storage
7. Home Remodelling
8. Department and Retail Stores
9. General Contractors
10. Work-at-Home Opportunities

The Better Business Bureau promotes and encourages the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence. Consumer information is available at the Council’s website ccbbb.ca.

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