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Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥˜Not all about handshakesÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™: Tips to finding trustworthy businesses in B.C.

A business can be stripped of accreditation for not responding to complaints
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(Better Business Bureau Logo)

Just because the guy down the road has a contractor decal on his truck and says heÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™ll cut you a deal doesnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t mean you should accept his services.

Finding the right business for the job doesnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t have to be a challenge.

Media and Communications Specialist with the Better Business Bureau Aaron Guillen said they do the hard work for you of making sure a business has a good reputation.

The BBB gives accreditation to businesses, like a stamp of approval, that they are operating with the clients top of mind.

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥œJust because you donÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t have it doesnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t necessarily mean youÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re a bad business, but with that, itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s a great way to let other consumers know that you are a trusted business, that you abide by a code of ethics that is really regulated not only across Canada but also in the United States.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥

Guillen noted that accreditation isnÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™t a pay-to-play scenario, but rather a business agreeing to be held accountable by consumers.

Businesses looking for the official seal must meet the code of ethics requirements. Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥œSome of them are very simple, as you have to be operating for more than six months as a business. You have to state how much youÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re bringing in for revenue, talk about how big your team is, and then it goes from those basic things to, are you properly advertising the services that you offer to your clients, are you hiding any bad reviews that clients have given to youÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¦ are you letting consumers know that you can be a trusted source?Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥

The process of receiving accreditation can take up to six months.

So, how does one find a reputable business?

The BBB has the full list of accredited businesses on its website, but Guillen said there are other things to consider.

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥œSome really quick tips IÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™d like to share - getting every single detail that you are expecting in a written contract. ItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s not all about the handshakes, about the phone callsÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¦ What expectations do you have of this business and are those expectations on paper or are there going to be extra fees when you end up paying at the end of the day?Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥

Guillen noted that getting other references can be helpful.

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥œItÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s as easy as asking the owner for someone else who has had a similar experience as yours to ask them if they were on time, how the whole process was like, what the payment process was like. If youÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™re not happy with that answer, then shop around and get a couple of estimates from competitors.Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥

Still, having issues with an accredited business? You can file a complaint with the BBB.

Guillan said no business can be accredited if they have unanswered complaints and the accreditation is put under review if the business fails to respond to new complaints.

READ MORE: Peachland seniors out thousands of dollars after contractor allegedly no-shows

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brittany.webster@blackpress.ca

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Brittany Webster

About the Author: Brittany Webster

I am a video journalist based in Kelowna and capturing life in the Okanagan
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