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| Car repair a big issue, launches national consumer campiagn |
Car repair shows up in the BBB's top ten list again in 2005. National campaign with the National Car Care Council and the BBB addresses consumer inquiries in a national campiagn
DuPont, WA (BBBVS) - "October is the ideal time for motorists to get their cars ready before winter strikes," the National Car Care Council reports, which is why April is deemed National Car Care Month. However, there's no cause for celebration in the car care industry.
Auto repair consistently places as one of the Better Business Bureau's most complained about and most inquired about industries. During our current reporting period of October 1999 to October 2002, we have received 30,339 inquiries and 1,222 complaints in the industry. In a proactive education effort, your BBB has joined forces with eighteen local auto repair shops to make "Self Defense for Car Expense" available at over 60 local libraries.
Information from the American Automobile Association, the Better Business Bureau and the Car Care Council (AAA, BBB, CCC); as well as, extensive interviews with auto repair shops, mechanics and industry experts has been compiled in order to create this program. This 55 minute consumer education video on auto repair is hosted by nationally syndicated talk show host, Mark Salem, and has received outstanding reviews from national reviewers:
"This tape is loaded with excellent advice to help the average car owner get his or her dollar's worth... lots of other useful tips are included along the way. Essential for all public libraries and strongly recommended for high school as well" - Randy Pittman, Video Librarian
"Tips covered by car repair entrepreneur and host, Mark Salem, include evaluating a repair shop, scheduling routine maintenance, and getting a fair estimate. Graphics are simple and clear in this handy consumer awareness guide." - Booklist
"Self Defense for Car Expense is not only an excellent how-to-shop-for-car-repairs video but also a great example of what any educational video should be: informative, accessible, enthusiastic, appealing, and entertaining" - Library Journal
"This tool gives the public necessary information to make this process easier and it's coming from a reliable source we all can trust - the BBB," - Zoe Noble, VP of Bel-Red Auto Repair
Self Defense For Car Expense teaches consumers how to:
find and evaluate an auto repair shop;
save money by performing regular maintenance;
obtain and compare estimates; and
describe the automobile's symptoms, NOT diagnose the repair.
The following local businesses have donated copies of this videotape to King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, and Timberland public libraries where they are available for free checkout:
Accutran, Bel Red Auto Rebuild, Budd and Company Inc., Casey's Car Care, Cottman Transmission, Foreign Auto Rebuild, Fosters Frame and Axle, Hi Line Auto Electric, Lacey Collision Center, Meridian Collision, Midas Auto Service Experts, Stroud's Auto Service Rebuild, Subarus Only Inc., Transmission Sales & Service, and Waterhouse Motors Inc.
"Customers that are better educated are choosing the good repair shops and getting better service. It-s win-win for both!" Doug Hinschberger, Strouds Auto Rebuild. These businesses are differentiated as businesses with integrity because they are helping raise industry standards through the promotion of consumer education and awareness. Libraries benefit by receiving the donated material, but in the end it's the consumer that benefits most by learning how to identify, evaluate, and locate quality businesses.
For information about the BBB Consumer Education Video Series, to find a library near you who carries a title, or to purchase your own video visit www.BBBvideo.com. Other BBB video titles include: Opportunists Knock, Know Fraud: don't be a victim, Buying a Recreational Vehicle, Who's Minding the Children: choosing quality child care, Corrective Eye Surgery: reading between the lines, Hiring a Home Contractor, Identity Theft, and Crash Course: what to know before and after a collision.
ABOUT THE BBB
The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization funded by BBB member companies. The mission of the BBB is to promote the highest ethical marketplace relationships through self-regulation, education and information. In 2005 the BBB received nearly 90 million requests for information. For more information on the services and products provided by the BBB, visit us at 1000 Station Drive, DuPont, WA 98327; or visit us online at www.thebbb.org or call us at 206-431-2227.
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Contact Information:
Donald Burkholder
425-641-5947
Kari Sherrodd
Communications Manager
Direct line: (206) 676-4162
E-mail: kari@thebbb.org
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