Your BBB serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin recentlyearned five awards at the 2011 BBB International Assembly of Better Business

Bureaus in Seattle. The award—including overall operations, advertising review and the Marshall A.Mott Award—recognize multiple facets of Better Business Bureau work: communications,operations and business development.

“We are pleased to be recognized once again for the commitment to excellence in all areas of our work,” said Carrie A. Hurt, BBB President and CEO. “We are very proud of our staff and dedicated board for their demonstrated leadership and their continual effort to create value and trust in our community.”

BBBs were invited to submit entries based on special projects and were awarded for achieving outstanding results. With more than 120 BBB’s throughout the United States and Canada, only 15 Outstanding BBB Awards were presented. Your BBB was recognized for thefollowing achievements:

Marshall A. Mott AwardThe highest honor for a local Better Business Bureau, the Marshall A. Mott Award, recognizes outstanding overall communications in areas such as internal and externalcommunications, advertising and marketing campaigns. Your BBB won this award in 2009 and is proud to bring it back home to Texas.

Overall OperationsThe Overall Operations award highlights the success of a local BBB’s core services, including inquiry handling, complaint mediation and arbitration services, advertising review and dispute resolution. Your BBB excelled in these areas and demonstrated its ongoing commitment to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust in the community.

Outstanding Advertising Review – Single CaseThis award is given to a BBB that achieves exemplary results through an advertising challenge. Your BBB took a proactive approach with a San Antonio-based real estate investment company to demand the modification or removal of potentially deceptive statements from its website. After several months of resistance, the company finally agreed to make numerous modifications to its website, therefore eliminating consumer confusionabout the company’s products and services.

Business DevelopmentYour BBB was recognized for its excellence in business development along with strengthening our community of trustworthy businesses. Through the increased demandof BBB Accreditation among local businesses this year, our community has continued its efforts to create an ethical marketplace.

If you have questions about any of your BBB’s awards or would like to learn more about BBB, please call 512.445.4748.

Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo

Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco

November 2011

VOL

61 No. 11

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Your BBB Awarded Highest Honors at International Assembly

NewSeptemberAccreditedBusinesses

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AUSTIN01 Construction Services, LLCA Computer Repair StopAaron Thomison Construction,

LLCAB Service Co. LLCAC Scott ConstructionAccord ConstructionAir Zone Heating and Air

ConditioningAmerican Exteriors RoofingAndy Sams PhotographyAustin Counter TopsAustin Priority ElectricAustin Roof Repair Co.Austin Search Engine OptimizationBarnard Tire and WheelBlack Pearl BuildersBland Construction, LTDBucking Horse RemodelingCaddie Central, Inc.Cahill Contracting, LLCCahill Custom Construction, LLCCarpenter and Langford, PCCathy’s Cleaners & AlterationsCavalier Construction LLCCentral Texas Access ControlCharmed DesignsChildren’s Dentistry of KyleCustomized ADA HomesDeck Effects Concrete CoatingsDJ Morrison Custom Homes LLCDr. Donna L. McCainEco IrrigationElite Roofing & RestorationsEnvision Construction ServicesEscobar’s Auto & Equipment

RepairGD4 Test ServicesGeorgetown Ultimate Boot CampGordons Paint and Body ShopGray ElectricGreat Stuff, Inc.Hawken Hardwood FloorsHome Warranty AdministratorsIndependence Title CompanyK & A Construction, Inc.Keep It Digital, LLCKelco Construction & RestorationKid Spa AustinL&M Plumbing and Home

RemodelingLakeline Homes, IncLatham AutomotiveLaw Office of David MooreLaw Office of KGLeakmaster of Austin, LLCLeander Heating & Cooling LLCLike Father Like Son Remodeling

Lime EnergyLinda StanleyLocal Leads Now, LLCLone Star Air Duct Cleaning and

ChimneyMark Morales & AssociatesMartinez RoofingMDS AdvertisingMelissa JaneMeyerson Custom BuildersPara Driving AidsParadise Court Assisted LivingPatin Construction LLCProfessional Landscape SurveyorsReStorIt Construction Group, IncRon JaySharp PropaneSolluna Builders, LLCSouthern Demolition &

Environmental, L.L.C.Southersby Homes, L.L.C.Stewart Product LocatorsSunset Construction & ExcavationThe Law Office of Paul QuinziThe Print ShoppeTop-Notch Outdoor Power LLCTri-Star Custom ConstructionVernon Tuck ConstructionWebko, LLCWestlake Eye SpecialistsWhite & Measells LLPZinda & Davis, PLLC

CENTROPLEX/WACOAffordable BlindsDavid Coufal Insurance AgencyDead Sea CosmeticsGarner’s GardeningH.B. Sheppard Cen-Tex PropertiesJust Rentals, LLCMaster Roofing ServicesSolar TanTed Smith Law Group, PLLC

CORPUS CHRISTI/VICTORIAApex Pools & SpasAxis Demolition and ExcavatingBest Way Income Tax Bookkeeping

& InsuranceCoastal EcoJoel H. Thomas, Attorney at LawPappy’s General StorePest ProsService ElectricSouth Texas School FurnitureWard’s Sprinkler Service &

Landscape Lighting

PERMIAN BASINAlpine Medical CenterAnderson Grubbing ServiceAny Seasons Travel, Inc.Apache CorporationBig M Answering ServiceDavid Parrish ConstructionFirst Rate Mobile HomesGinos Glass & MirrorHarkey Family Funeral ServicesJ. Williams Management, Inc.Jimenez Law FirmJust Trucking, Inc.Lawrence L. Barber Jr, Attorney

at LawMetal Specialties, Inc.PCS Restoration Emergency Water

RemovalProfessional Carpet SystemsStandby Power Support SystemsSuperior ApplianceTalley-Reed Insurance AgencyUncle Dick’s GunsmithWayne Jones

SAN ANTONIO/LAREDO2 Women Cleaning ServicesA-1 Sports CenterABA Sierra AC & HeatingAllaround Pipe & Fence SupplyAmistad Physical Therapy, LLCAMP Electric Co.Ashley Furniture Home StoreAtomkaB.A.R. ConcreteBarrett Insurance AgencyBCI HomesBell Hydrogas, Inc.BLT FurnitureBollinger DrillingCathy’s SweetsCheryl E. Davis, DMD Family

DentistryChip Chick Windshield RepairClark Limousine ServiceCraig A. Lawrence, Attorney at

Law, P.C.Creative Colors Dye LLCCrowne Plaza Riverwalk HotelDel Prado and Del Prado PCDel Sol Contracting Company, LLCDNA Reference Lab IncEric R. Sandvig, Attorney at LawErnestos Auto SalesEucalyptus Tree ServiceEveryday ConstructionGB Contractors LLCGreen Vida CommoditiesHerbert H. Construction

Huff InnovationsLaw Office of

Eduardo JaimeLaw Office of Ronald PrinceLive Oak Pest Control, Inc.Live Oak Pool & Spa RepairMA Medical Service, LLCMargarita ManMission Gas CompanyNext Door PaintingPaint Shop 101Paradise Water Sports LLCPropane Depot, Inc.QuickBooksTexas.comR & A Restoration Contractors,

LLC.Richard’s Handyman ServiceRidgeback RoofingRiver City Federal Credit UnionSBarry Signature Homes, Inc.Sekula Sawmilling CompanySpiderman Tree TrimmingSusan Dumph, Attorney at LawTexas Size Shade LandscapesTexas Steel Buildings, Inc.The House DoctorThe Law Office of Mark C.

ThompsonThe Law Offices of Garcia,

Ramirez, Gonzales, and Pina, P.C.Treco Enterprises, Inc.Wireline Truck Fab, LP

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Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!

Keep Your Holiday Ads on BBB’s ‘Nice’ List this YearBBB Shows How to Avoid Common Advertising Mistakes

COVERT AUTO GROUP

CAGContinental Automotive Group

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner. During the next few weeks many businesses will advertise seasonal sales and specials to attract holiday shoppers. While most

ads are straightforward and provide helpful information to customers, BBB often receives complaints about misleading ads during this time of year. To help prevent this from happening to your business, BBB offers the following tips on how to advertise your holiday sales. “#1” or “TOP RATED” Use statements like “Top Rated” or “#1” only if they can be substantiated by facts or are validated by a neutral third party. Claims based on a company’s opinion are subjective and should be avoided. “FREE” Only advertise “Free” if you plan to offer an unconditional gift. If your customers have to purchase an item in order to receive the free gift, you must disclose the condition clearly and conspicuously along with the “Free” offer. Do not refer to the condition by placing an asterisk or symbol next to “Free.” Any offer must be temporary; otherwise, it becomes a continuous combination offer, which is not “Free.” “LOWEST PRICE” Avoid claims such as “Lowest Prices in Town” and “Our Prices Can’t Be Beat.” Prices for products and services fluctuate regularly, and it can be extremely difficult to claim with certainty that your prices are lower than all your competitors. If you advertise that you will “meet all competitors’ prices,” make sure the terms and conditions are easy to understand. Advertisers should be able to substantiate all claims, so be sure to avoid all unverifiable underselling claims. “ON SALE” or “SALE” A “Sale” is defined as a temporary reduction from the usual price of an item. If the sale price is offered for more

than 30 days, this becomes a regular price, and the item should not be advertised as “On Sale.” There should also be a clear end date to any sale. “SAVE UP TO” Price reduction claims like “Save Up To” should state both the minimum and maximum savings without a misleading emphasis on the maximum savings. Also, the number of items available at the maximum savings should comprise at least 10 percent of the items sold. “WHOLESALE” or “FACTORY DIRECT” Do not advertise “Wholesale” prices unless the price your customers pay is the same price you paid when you bought the merchandise for resale. Avoid using the phrase “Factory Direct” unless your merchandise is actually manufactured in factories you control or own. BBB reminds business owners that, while the primary responsibility for truthful advertising rests with you, BBB staff is here to help if you have questions related to your advertising. For more information, contact BBB at 512.445.4748 or consult BBB’s Code of Advertising online at centraltx.bbb.org/code.

O�cial variations of the Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC logo:

Better Business Bureau, Inc.1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

AUSTIN, TX

PERMIT NO. 60

BetterBusinessBureau Trust Talk | November 2011

Trust Talk is published by Better Business Bureau 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited Businesses in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited Businesses and subscribers. Because the matters contained in this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its function of improving the economic system through informed decision-making.

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Your BBB Awarded Highest Honors at International Assembly ...........................................................................................

New Accredited Businesses .…….…….........................................

Keep Your Holiday Ads on BBB’s ‘Nice’ List this Year .....

September Activity Report ....................….......................................

In September 2011, your BBB...Increased total Accredited Business locations to 10,633Provided customers with 127,999 BBB Business ReviewsHandled 1,877 disputesAssisted 1,992 people over the phoneHosted 418,255 website page viewsSent 761 Request a Quote customer referrals to Accredited Businesses

RevocationsBest Service Company: Unresolved complaint(s)

Done Write Foundation Repair: Unresolved complaints

Infinite Services: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

National Auditing: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

In September 2011, your BBB was mentioned 361 times by 36 local media outlets including…

Get news as it happens! Join BBB’s press release list at centraltx.bbb.org/press.

BBB Corporate Office1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

Contact BBB

P: F: @:

512.445.4748 512.445.2096info@centraltx.bbb.org

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