At Canada AM we get hundreds of Consumer complaints every week. So do government agencies and the Better Business Bureau. They cover the entire spectrum from cars that don't start once they leave the lot, to leaky roofs to furniture that once delivered doesn't look anything like it did on the showroom floor.
The Better Business Bureau list of top ten offenders is good to know about so you will be extra cautious if you need a service in a high complaint area. Canada's BBB recently released stats on the top consumer complaints (BBB is a private, non-profit organization developed to monitor and report marketplace activities to the public) Problem areas include cell phones, furniture, roofing contractors, telephone/communications, auto dealers (surprisingly, new cars rank higher in the complaints department than used ones), movers, internet services, health clubs, internet shopping, natural gas companies. Here is a list of the top ten consumer complaint areas.
Top Consumer Complaints:
- 1. Cell phones
- 2. Furniture
- 3. Roofing Contractors
- 4. Telephone Services
- 5. Auto Dealers (New Cars)
- 6. Movers
- 7. Internet Services
- 8. Health Clubs
- 9. Internet Shopping
- 10. Natural Gas Companies
Source: Better Business Bureau
Canada Better Business Bureau complaints:
- Total Reports Requested: 3,067,564
- Total complaints processed: 29,412
Industry Complaints
| Business | # of complaints | # of complaints resolved | # of complaints still unresolved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell phone companies | 1,079 | 972 (90.1%) | 106 (9.8%) |
| Furniture retailers | 1,016 | 738 (72.6 %) | 238 (23.4%) |
| Roofing contractors | 886 | 292 (33%) | 571 (64.4%) |
| Telephone communications | 851 | 613 (72%) | 232 (27.3%) |
|
Auto dealers (new cars) | 834 | 679 (81.4%) | 154 (18.5%) |
| Auto dealers (used cars) | 395 | 270 (68.4%) | 117 (29.6%) |
| Movers | 659 | 387 (58.7%) | 260 (39.5%) |
| Internet services | 654 | 432 (66.1%) | 219 (33.5%) |
| Health clubs | 654 | 408 (62.4%) | 233(35.6%) |
| Internet shopping | 469 | 192 (40.9%) | 230 (49%) |
| Natural gas companies | 429 | 372 (86.7%) | 57 (13.3%) |
| Auto service, repair | 364 | 239 (65.7%) | 121 (33.2%) |
If you are planning to use a service or business you may want to search the BBB in your area. There is a function at the BBB website which allows you to search a business in your community to see if there are unresolved complaints against them.
If others are unhappy with a companies response to complaints - then you will want to stay clear of them. It's an easy and free way to make sure a business is reputable. You should also complain to the BBB yourself if you have a problem.
Never pay upfront, read contracts carefully and complain quickly and to government agencies as well as the BBB.
Calling the media won't hurt either.
To read the full PDF report from the Better Business Bureau, click here.
To visit the BBB website, click here.
Pat Foran
