Beware of Newest Form of False Security, it's not your locks this time

News flash-"BBB(Better Business Bureau) of the Southlandis no longer licensed to serve as a BBB." My lord, an instititution over 100 years old.

Part of a larger letter, this was sent to BBB accredited business's like Flam's Lock and Key and thousands of others last week continuing to explain it did not comply with several standards relating to accreditation, reporting on buinsesses and handling complaints.

This is yet another blow to the smart consumer that tries to check in earnest the reputation of of a company they want to hire because review sites like Yelp and Angies list also have flaws of which the consumer is not aware ( unless they own a business).

Yelp's computer system  has a filter system that hides and filters positive reviews that are often legitimate yet you will see over 200 reviews from clients that advertise with them. They claim to know what they are doing but I don't trust it, even through we have good ratings.

Angies list, also gives us and others shining reviews but the criteria upon which one consumer rates service might be different than mine or yours.Do you care that they arrived on time or smelled good or were affordable if you are not qualified to know if their work was honest and good?

So what is the take away from all of this? It is OK to have starting points but in the end getting word of mouth referrals and learning the required credentials is our responsibility. We even need to go a step further and ask them to email or fax their insurance certificates and licenses, a request any decent business would not only be proud to do but elated to know there are intelligent shoppers.

We must shop for trust and do our homework.

Yours in Security,
Vikki Flam