Better Business Bureau Releases Mid-Year Report:
7,485 Complaints Filed Against Area Businesses in 2008

July 2, 2008

CHARLOTTE -- In the first half of 2008, consumers filed 7,485 complaints with The Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont against area businesses, compared to 6,743 complaints in the first half of 2007 - an 11% increase.

"The good news is that 83% of these complaints were closed satisfactorily, thanks to businesses and consumers who worked with the BBB to resolve their disputes," said Tom Bartholomy, President & CEO. The average length of time it took the BBB to close a complaint in 2008 was 17 days.

In the first half of 2008, The Better Business Bureau provided consumers with 218,209 free Reliability Reports on area businesses."The BBB encourages individuals to be savvy consumers and to make informed, pre-purchase decisions so that they do not become victims or contract with businesses that have a history of failing to address and resolve consumer complaints," said Bartholomy. "Consumers can obtainfree, instant Reliability Reports on businesses at www.bbb.org."

The top ten industries in the Southern Piedmont area with the most BBB complaints in the first half of 2008 are:

1) Auto Dealers - New cars
2) Magazine Sales - Door-to-door
3) Order Product Sales - Direct Marketing
4) Auto Repair Services
5) Internet Gaming
6) Auto Dealers - Used Cars
7) Furniture - Retail
8) Television, Cable, Satellite Service
9) Home Builders
10) Home Improvements

Lincoln County Businesses With Unanswered Complaints

Businesses that fail to respond to consumer complaints filed with the BBB are listed each month. A business is given at least three opportunities to respond before they are given an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB.

June 1-30, 2008

BBB Update: - Home Improvement Contractor, Sam Weir of Weir Builders, was arrested in Lincoln County on two charges: a misdemeanor charge of failing to perform work after being paid and a felony charge of obtaining property by false pretenses.  In addition, The BBB confirmed on June 5, 2008 that Mecklenburg County issued a warrant for Mr. Weir's arrest on a misdemeanor charge of failure to work after being paid. The BBB has now received 23 complaints filed against Mr. Weir.

Located in Charlotte, NC, The Better Business Bureau serves 20 counties in the Southern Piedmont of North and South Carolina. The BBB 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.

The Better Business Bureau provides consumers with objective advice, free business Reliability Reports, free charity Wise Giving Reports, and educational information to help them make informed, pre-purchase decisions. The BBB's mission is to promote and foster marketplace trust between consumers and businesses, by offering complaint and dispute resolutions support.

The Better Business Bureau has information you can trust. Consumers can call the BBB toll-free in NC and SC at 1-877-317-7236 or visit www.bbb.org to obtainfree Reliability Reports on businesses.

Consumers can find businesses they can trust in the BBB directory of Accredited Businesses at www.bbb.org.