BBB Says Be Wary Of Companies Offering Financial Assistance

DAYTON, OH – July 21, 2009 - Many local companies are desperate for ways to get new business. Seminars offering to help increase their bottomline are tempting. But, your Better Business Bureau is issuing an alert to warn you to be cautious when agreeing to attend seminars offering these services. In most cases, the presenters will use high-pressure sales pitches to promote products and services that are for sale.

One Dayton marketing company, who’s registered as a government vendor, recently received several e-mails about two free seminars at the Crowne Plaza Hotel put on by B2G Group, Inc., a company that would supposedly train businesses on how to gain federal contracts. The e-mails were followed up by four free tickets in the mail.

The president of the local marketing company attended one of the seminars in July, which was a full house, knowing there would be a high pressure sales effort. And, she was right. The presenters were selling a three-day training course, which normally sold for $4,995. But, if attendees signed up on the spot, they would get a group discount of $2,000. Many of her fellow attendees signed up at the end of the seminar for the company’s services without checking the company out. Fortunately, she left the seminar without handing over any cash only to learn from your BBB Web site the company had an F rating with your BBB in Orlando, FL.

Since attending the seminar, the local marketing company president has been called twice by a B2G Group saleman. The second time he called, she told him she knew his BBB rating and there was no way she would do business with a company that had an F rating. She hasn’t heard from him since.

John North, BBB president and CEO, says, "All of us in business are waiting for the economy to make an upward swing and we’re looking for ways to increase revenue streams. Unfortunately, some fall victim to operations that don’t have their customers best interests in mind. It’s important for area businesses to check out all of their vendors before doing business with them. And, you can Start With Trust by contacting your Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org or calling (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301."

BBB, the leader in advancing marketplace trust, is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability Reports^TM and charity BBB Wise Giving Reports^TM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 125 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than four million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.