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05/14/2012
As temperatures start to warm up, bugs and other pests will attempt to seek shelter in homes and office buildings. Better Business Bureau reports an increase in inquiries for pest control services during the months of May, June and July. So when the pest control job gets too big for a flyswatter, mousetrap or do-it-yourself spray, it could be time to call in a professional.
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05/10/2012
Mother’s Day is on Sunday, and whether you are ordering flowers, shopping for custom jewelry, or arranging a special spa day, Better Business Bureau wants you to be a smart consumer.
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05/08/2012
Better Business Bureau Shred Day events resulted in 116,368 pounds of consumers’ confidential documents, computer parts and cardboard shredded and recycled. In addition, 10 boxes of old cell phones were recycled. Nearly 100,000 pounds of paper documents were safely disposed of by certified document destruction specialists in the following locations throughout Central Texas:
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05/03/2012
In an effort to increase awareness and educate consumers on their rights, Better Business Bureau and Southwest Movers Association have teamed up for National Moving Month. Every year, both BBB and SMA receive complaints from consumers who have fallen prey to dishonest and, often times, unlicensed moving companies. In the past year, BBB has received 176 complaints against movers with most complaints alleging damaged or lost goods and final prices being in excess of original estimates. And in a too-frequent situation, some rogue operators hold consumers’ belongings “hostage” and require a higher fee than was originally quoted.
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05/02/2012
It was advertised as the right car at the right price. Robert Munzer said funds were tight when he saw an advertisement for a base-model Kia Sorento for a great price at Capitol Kia in Austin. Not wanting to waste his time, Munzer sent an email to the dealership asking if it still had that particular vehicle in stock. The company emailed back that it was. However, when Munzer arrived on the lot, the salesman told him the vehicle had sold out, and showed him a similar, but more expensive, car.
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04/26/2012
Many brides dream of their wedding day for years. When it finally arrives, they want everything to be perfect, as this is a day they will remember forever. A good wedding photographer can immortalize a wedding in beautiful pictures that can be passed down for generations. Unfortunately, some brides are telling Better Business Bureau that Thanks for the Memories Wedding Photography has scarred the memory of their wedding day.
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04/26/2012
The Austin City Council is holding a public hearing today to consider a new ordinance which would put tighter restrictions on where payday and auto loan lenders can do business.
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04/25/2012
Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin’s first annual San Antonio regional Laws of Life Essay Contest concluded last night. Local fifth-through eighth-grade students were encouraged to write from the heart and express the core values, or laws of life, by which they live.
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04/24/2012
At an average cost of $8,000, funerals are one of the more expensive purchases made by consumers. During this emotionally charged time, when decisions must be made quickly, and often under great emotional stress, it can be easy to spend more than might be necessary. Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to take their time, ask a lot of questions and consider several providers before buying or paying for funeral services.
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04/20/2012
Nowadays, it is hard for consumers to go shopping without being bombarded with products advertised as “environmentally safe,” “degradable” and “ozone friendly,” but how does a consumer have confidence in a product or service advertising itself as “green?”
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04/17/2012
In the latest Consumer Sentinel Network report issued by the Federal Trade Commission, Texas ranks fifth in the nation for the most reported cases of identity theft per 100,000 residents. Out of 384 metropolitan areas nationwide, cities in Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin were ranked as follows:
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04/17/2012
Heavy rains and tornadoes have caused significant damage to Coastal Bend homes and businesses. The water and wind damage accompanying this week’s storms will force many consumers to seek help in repairing what was lost. Better Business Bureau urges all home and business owners to take precaution in cleaning up water damage and hiring contractors to help with the rebuilding process.
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04/09/2012
As the temperature continues to warm up, homeowners may consider hiring a lawn service to rejuvenate their lawn and take care of routine chores like lawn-mowing, landscaping and trimming. While hiring a lawn service or landscaper can ease the burdens of caring for a yard, Better Business Bureau advises consumers to get clear, written expectations for what services the company will provide for the agreed-upon fees.
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04/05/2012
With the growing popularity of e-books, scammers have found ways to capitalize on this new method of buying books. Some of these scams offer worthless material at a low price while others target authors or authorized publishers by pirating their books.
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04/03/2012
As the temperature slowly starts to climb and the Texas heat looms overhead, Better Business Bureau reminds consumers of the importance of having their air conditioner serviced. Waiting until the temperature has reached the 100-degree mark only to find out the AC is not working properly can lead to much frustration and wasted money.
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