The Value of Accreditation

Associating your business with the National Consumer Protection Bureau is a sign to potential customers that you are committed to treating them fairly. Accreditation with a consumer advocacy group such as NCPB can be what sets apart your business from your competitors.

Official accreditation is our most powerful tool for letting consumers know which businesses they can trust. Accreditation tells consumers a member business is a reputable, trustworthy company that cares about providing excellent customer service. For consumers that do online research to make informed buying decisions, NCPB accreditation indicates a respect for service and satisfaction that stands out from competition. It gives consumers confidence.

When you apply for accreditation with NCPB, we conduct due diligence to confirm your company meets our Gold Standard Code of Ethics so that consumers can continue to trust our endorsement. Upon successfully completing our due diligence process, we will award accreditation to your business. Accredited members are authorized to use the NCPB name and logo to promote their dedication to reliable service.

NCPB attracts consumers who prefer to hire accredited companies they can trust, making our website an easy and effective tool for generating more business. What’s more valuable than that?

The Importance of Feedback

Feedback can be one of the greatest assets a business has for attracting more customers, or it can be one of the most harmful in driving them away. This is not necessarily dependent on whether the feedback is positive or negative, but how a business chooses to use the feedback they receive. Here are three simple rules a business can follow to use feedback to its advantage.

Collect your feedback. It is important to note that feedback is inevitable. All businesses receive feedback based on their performance, whether it is good or bad. Customers will always have an opinion about how they were treated and although systematically collecting these opinions isn’t always easy to do, it is crucial for any business to have an organized database of feedback from customers that are willing to take the time to share their experience. By providing a forum where customers can be heard, you indicate to them that you are listening and that you care about satisfying them. Essentially, you allow them to build your business by sharing their feedback.

Don’t avoid negative feedback. Feedback may not always be positive, but it is always useful. Nobody likes to receive negative feedback, but it is unavoidable and can be more helpful in the long term than positive reinforcement. The key is to use your negative feedback in a positive way. When you get a complaint from a customer, do what you must to make sure that you never hear that complaint again. If you listen and improve, you’ll begin to collect more positive comments that you can use to your advantage. This is known as “course correction”, and it is the best strategy for guiding your business to its most effective level. Potential customers like to know that if they do have a complaint, it will be resolved and showing them that you’ve resolved previous customer complaints will instill confidence.

Use your positive feedback. If you treat your customers well and genuinely aim to conduct fair business, you should let people know. Customers are more than happy to reward a good business with their positive feedback, and an organized forum for collecting and displaying this feedback is the best way to promote yourself. It is one thing to tell potential customers that you are reliable, trustworthy and honest but quite another for your previous customers to say this for you. Real feedback gives the customer a chance to imagine what it will actually be like to work with you and if it’s positive, they will know they are going to have a good experience. Displaying positive feedback from customers you have actually worked with is genuine and the best way to market your business.

The National Consumer Protection bureau helps businesses systematically collect customer feedback and utilize that information to build their business. We work with our members to collect and display reviews that genuinely reflect customers’ experiences and insights about the business’ performance. Consumers can trust our members, knowing that the feedback they read has been verified. Start collecting with us today.

Business Ratings

The NCPB star-rating system is a quick and easy way to measure a company's performance in the marketplace.

Our two-fold rating system provides customers with comprehensive information, allowing them to select the company that best meets their needs.

Firstly, we provide a quantitative, star-based rating that customers can use to quickly evaluate businesses.
Unlike other organizations that only track complaints, our system tracks both positive and negative feedback so that larger companies and smaller ones are on a level playing field. Rating stars are earned by positive and negative points. Events carry different point levels, but all points are weighted equally in the computation of the percentage leading to the star score.

Secondly, we provide qualitative feedback through customer reviews and NCPB verified references, which are displayed on member profiles.

These reviews and references give prospective consumers a complete sense of what working with that business will really be like. We verify feedback for members to make sure that it is fair and accurate.

To achieve a 5-star rating with NCPB, a business must:

• Be invited to join NCPB through its solid reputation
• Pass NCPB’s background check to become accredited
• Agree to uphold NCPB’s Gold Standard Code of Ethics
• Have positive feedback from previous customers

Less than 10% of the over 14 million businesses in the NCPB database nationally hold a 5-star rating.

Member Spotlight: Fast-Tek On-Site Computer Services

Fast-Tek On-Site Computer Services is one of the latest businesses to become accredited with us. Their decision to become NCPB accredited and adhere to our Gold Standard Code of Ethics shows a commitment to customer service and satisfaction and we are proud to recommend this business to consumers.

Fast-Tek On-Site Computer Services serves the Northern Somerset and Morris Counties areas of New Jersey as the leading on-site and call-in remote diagnostic computer service company. Fast-Tek specializes in virus, worm and spyware removal, DSL and cable modem setup, wireless networking, data back-up and recovery, web development, consulting and more.

Owner Harold Grossnickle has over 30 years of experience in the computer and service industry and his team is ready to provide emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Fast-Tek On-Site Computer Services is a perfect solution for anyone that uses a computer, whether at home or in business. Some benefits that members enjoy include same day, weekend, or holiday service calls, same day repairs, zero travel charges, affordable website design and support, free internet security/virus protection.

The staff is highly trained and committed to professional service at affordable rates. Fast-Tek knows that dealing with computer problems can be frustrating and accessing your data can be crucial, which is why their help desk and remote support is available anytime.

Don’t wait to protect your data and begin enjoying the benefits of Fast-Teks’ knowledgeable and helpful staff. To learn more, visit their member profile here.

Becoming A Member of NCPB

Starting a membership with the National Consumer Protection Bureau is quick and easy.

Applications are accepted by phone or online. To apply by phone, call toll-free (877) 414-6272 to speak with a representative. When calling, please have basic company information such as primary contact name, address, phone, e-mail and website.

To apply online, go to www.natcpb.org and click “Join Today!” You will be prompted to fill out a web form with basic company information, such as primary contact name, address, phone, e-mail and website.

After receiving your membership application, we will conduct due diligence. Provided you pass this process, you will become an accredited member. Accreditation allows members the use of NCPB’s accreditation logo to indicate their commitment to customer service and satisfaction.

Members receive a star rating and a profile on natcpb.org. The profile includes descriptions of the services offered, contact information, as well as ratings and customer reviews, all of which inform consumers and assist them in making purchasing decisions.

For these services, NCPB member dues are $49 per month, or save 15% by prepaying the annual dues of $495.

Not sure if NCPB is beneficial for your business? We offer a no obligation 30-Day Free Trial to allow businesses to try our system before making a commitment. The 30-Day Free Trial does not require financial information to get started. After the trial period, you have the option to convert your business profile to a paid membership or opt out.

Go to natcpb.org and click “Join Today!” or “30 Day Free Trial” to get started.

JAZ Press Wins Consumers Choice Award

The National Consumer Protection Bureau is proud to present The Consumers’ Choice Award to an accredited business that has shown outstanding commitment to customer service and received positive feedback reviews within a rolling 180-day period.

This award serves as a notification to consumers that this is a business they can trust.

For over 21 years, JAZ Press has been dedicated to providing its clients with well-designed and expertly crafted prints. Located in Norristown, PA, they have become an integral part of their community. They value their customers’ time and budget parameters and understand the demands that come with running a business.

JAZ Press works with various types of clientele; from big businesses to small family-run operations and they offer great deals on logo design and promotional printing for stationery, labels, booklets, posters and more. You name it and they’ll put your logo on it. As a “one-stop-shop”, they have established expertise in design, proofing and color matching and can be counted on for reliable shipping, volume pricing and quick turn-around.

Ever since owner George Parnes signed up with NCPB, more customers have been informed about the great work his business does. Regarding becoming a member, he shares, “so many people go online and want some sort of confidence that they are going to come here and get the work done. [Being NCPB accredited] will just give people confidence in us, so we don’t have to spend time building that confidence. We can go right to what they are trying to do and understand that and supply the goods and services they are requiring for their business.”

Over the last two decades JAZ Press has proven that they understand the needs and concerns of their customers and do everything they can to make sure that their prints will be remembered. “Customers expect quality,” George said. “They are expecting quality and I always treat people fairly, so they are expecting a good bang for their buck.”

At JAZ Press, you are not just an order number. Their emphasis on personal customer interaction and their ability to satisfy clients of all sizes with a range of services sets them apart from competitors. Who is better to handle your promotional needs than a printer that understands first-hand what it takes to run a successful business?

The NCPB Gold Standard Code of Ethics

The National Consumer Protection Bureau aims to connect consumers with the most trustworthy businesses across the country through online research. We ensure customer satisfaction by requiring every accredited member to adhere to our Gold Standard Code of Ethics. By doing so, customers conducting online research know they can trust member businesses associated with our name and logo.

We expect member businesses to take the Gold Standard of Ethics very seriously and to respond to consumer complaints in a timely manner, treat customers fairly, keep their word, deliver on promises they make to customers and maintain a positive track record with customers and government agencies.

Accredited businesses must maintain any applicable licenses and bonding requirements for the industry, stay free of an unusual amount of complaints with government agencies, maintain a satisfactory NCPB rating, abide by agreements made with customers whether verbal or written, remain truthful in advertising and use our name and logo in accordance with our policies.

By requiring NCPB accredited businesses to maintain this Gold Standard of Ethics, we ensure that associating your business with NCPB will make it stand out to consumers. Our research shows that 94% of consumers prefer to do business with a company that is highly rated by the NCPB. Don’t hesitate to show potential customers that you take service seriously by meeting our Gold Standard Code of Ethics.

To learn more about the NCPB Gold Standard Code of Ethics, visit our guidelines page here.

To become a member and enjoy the benefits of NCPB accreditation, sign up here.

How To Avoid Credit Card Scams

We see it all the time. Credit card companies offering low or no interest rates, unbeatable deals on APR, or even free money, but more often than not these companies just take your information (and your money) and don’t deliver on what they promise. Here are some tips on how to keep yourself safe from these credit card scams:

1.       ALWAYS read the “terms and conditions”: I know, it’s a pain to sort through all of the legal mumbo-jumbo in these documents, but this is the easiest and most vital way of protecting yourself from scams. You should always make sure to look over anything you sign and if it is difficult to understand, consider having a lawyer look it over.

2.      You can’t win a lottery you didn’t enter: If anybody offers you money for free, run the other way. Nobody wants to just give money away so if a company offers you cash for your personal or financial information, they are likely trying to steal from you. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.

3.      Protect your money: Never send your financial information to anyone you don’t trust and always check your banking statements. It is important to only bank online from secure networks and computers and to always shred old statements and expired credit cards. The easiest way to protect yourself from fraud is to pay close attention to your banking history.

4.      Be vigilant: You should always be on the lookout for scammers since they can come in any form. Always be careful, and if you’re going to hire somebody or pay them with your credit card, make sure you can trust them.

There are plenty of people out there who will promise you anything to get a hold of your credit card information. The National Consumer Protection Bureau keeps an eye on businesses and all of our members are required to adhere to our Gold Standard Code of Ethics. We ensure that you can trust our accredited members and that they won’t take advantage of your information.

Who has tried to rip you off recently?

Member Spotlight: SunScape Fashion

SunScape Fashion recently became accredited with us. Their decision to become NCPB accredited and adhere to our Gold Standard Code of Ethics shows a commitment to customer service and satisfaction and we are proud to recommend this business to consumers.

SunScape Fashion offers extra protective umbrellas and sunglasses, which are much more effective at blocking UV rays than standard versions. Their website has comparison pricing, as well as additional information about staying safe outdoors.

Sunscape Fashion’s commitment to keeping people healthy and their honest business practices were recognized by the National Association of Professional Women, when they awarded the founder, Sandra Duval, with their “Woman of the Year in Small Businesses” award in 2011.

Located in Mesa, AZ, this online retailer’s products are doctor recommended and guaranteed to protect you as effectively as advertised. Their NCPB consumer feedback indicates that their customers are consistently satisfied with their experiences and love their purchases.

If you want to protect yourself from potentially harmful UV rays, and look good doing it, check out SunScape Fashion.

To contact SunScape Fashion and view their customer feedback, click here and visit their NCPB member profile.

Member Spotlight: Home Evolution

Home Evolution is a recent business to become accredited with us. Their decision to become NCPB accredited and adhere to our Gold Standard Code of Ethics shows a commitment to customer service and satisfaction and we are proud to recommend this business to consumers.

For over seven years, Home Evolution has offered homeowners unparalleled exterior remodeling services. As experts in roofing, siding, painting and windows, they guarantee protection from extreme weather and maximum energy efficiency while maintaining a great appearance for your home.

Home Evolution is a one-stop remodeler, offering customers a wide range of services. They can install and repair roofs, paint any size exterior, replace and fix damaged siding and install beautiful, energy-saving windows.

By specializing in residential properties only, Home Evolution can provide clients with the dedication they deserve. Their “One Job at a Time” policy allows them to focus their full attention on the needs of their customers. To absolutely guarantee satisfaction, Home Evolution offers their own workmanship warranty and they never add any hidden or un-agreed upon charges.

Locally owned and operated in the Capital Region of New York, Home Evolution consistently leaves clients impressed with their reliability and the affordability of their work. By purchasing products and materials directly from the manufacturer, they are able to provide reasonable prices. They even offer to compile a free estimate.

To find out more about Home Evolutions and their accreditation, visit their member profile here.

How To Avoid Online "Phishing" Scams

For the most part, the internet has become an incredible source for consumers, allowing them to network with each other, compare prices and do research on who they can trust with their business. Sometimes, however, the internet can foster many of the business practices that consumers hope to avoid.

Recently, a growing number of people have had their Facebook accounts hacked by “businesses” that hope to access their social network. These hijackers take over somebody’s profile and advertise products and services, posing as that person. This way, they have not only hacked your profile but are advertising more scams to the friends in your network.

This scam is nothing new and has been a threat to online consumers for years. It is known as “phishing”, and hackers often get the information they need about online profiles by asking for log-ins and passwords in return for freebies that are never received. Phishing is one of many ways for hackers to take your information and use it to make a quick buck.

A spokesman for Facebook recently said the website thwarts over 500,000 hacking attempts per day and with this number growing, it is more important than ever to protect your online information. The easiest way to avoid these scams is to ensure that you are doing business and sharing your information with reputable companies only. The NCPB works to find the businesses that consumers can trust, not only with their information but with their confidence that the job will get done.

Click here to visit our homepage and “Check out a business”.

What NCPB Can Do For Your Business

The National Consumer Protection Bureau is a consumer advocacy group that provides potential customers with a resource to research companies before making buying decisions. Businesses that apply for membership with NCPB receive accreditation upon passing NCPB’s due diligence process. Members maintain a profile on NCPB’s website to collect customer feedback and resolve complaints.

The National Consumer Protection Bureau (NCPB) offers businesses an array of services, all of which are designed to attract selective customers. Our mission is to connect our expansive customer network with member businesses that have a proven commitment to service and satisfaction.

First and foremost, member businesses enjoy NCPB Accreditation which indicates that they adhere to our Gold Standard of Ethics and have a reputation for integrity and trustworthy practices. Members are authorized to use NCPB’s accreditation logo to show potential customers that they have been vetted by a third-party and are committed to providing the best possible service, giving consumers the confidence they seek when making purchasing decisions.

Our business ratings are an easy way for consumers that do online research to see that they can trust our members. A combination of qualitative and quantitative reviews gives consumers a comprehensive sense of which businesses value trustworthy service the most. Our online database of feedback is available to members 24/7 and instantly facilitates their ability to help customers and keep them satisfied.

NCPB verifies reviews to ensure that member profiles remain free of any unsubstantiated complaints. Member businesses have the opportunity to address customer complaints privately, allowing the company to apply NCPB’s ethics and best practices for working with customers to resolve disputes. We actively seek customer reviews to enhance our members’ online presence.

Members have the opportunity to achieve the NCPB Consumers’ Choice Award, a commendation awarded to businesses that receive 20 positive customer reviews within a 180-day rolling period. This award is a great way of showing customers that you value their business.

To learn about the benefits NCPB membership can provide your business, visit “For Business” on the NCPB web site.  

Watch the member testimonial below and see what NCPB has done for him:

Keep Your Home Cool This Summer For Less

The hot summer months mean backyard barbeques, trips to the pool and ice cream cones galore, but they can also mean sky-rocketing energy costs and a struggle to keep your home at a tolerable temperature. Here are some tips for keeping your house cool and your energy costs down:

1.      Insulate it all: The best way to ensure energy efficiency is to make sure your heating and cooling system is well-insulated, along with your attic, roof and siding. If it has been a while since your last insulation upgrade, consider getting a home assessment from a contractor.

2.      Keep the cool in: This might seem simple but keeping your windows and doors closed with shades drawn will keep your cool air in and block direct sunlight. However, not all windows are created equal. Some are better at keeping your conditioned air in and the hot air out and in the long run, it is worth it to consider having new windows installed.

3.      Vent the heat: With a kitchen and bathroom vent, you can get rid of all that heat and steam you create in the shower and on the stove. If you don’t already have them, make sure you have them installed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

4.      Protect your central air: It is important that you maintain your central air-conditioning unit. Having it checked for efficiency every summer will let you know when it’s time to consider a replacement.

5.      Upgrade your lighting: Incandescent and halogen lights create more heat than you’d think. Investing in compact fluorescent bulbs or even LED fixtures can ultimately save you money on cooling costs.

Having a contractor look over your home could help you save money on energy this summer and for years in the future. Visit www.natcpb.org and look through our consumer feedback to find the contractor that’s best for you.

Who else has tips for keeping cool this summer?

Member Spotlight: Eastern Connection Movers Company

Eastern Connection Movers is one of the latest businesses to become accredited with us. Their decision to become NCPB accredited and adhere to our Gold Standard Code of Ethics shows a commitment to customer service and satisfaction and we are proud to recommend this business to consumers.

This award-winning moving company ensures customer satisfaction by taking the utmost care to protect their clients’ property while working efficiently and professionally. Protecting floors from scratches and footprints, blanket wrapping all banisters, railings and furniture to prevent damage and shrink wrapping all bedding and fabric are just some of the standard policies that Eastern Connection Movers employs in every project to guarantee your belongings are protected and you have the best move ever.

Since 1987, they have been a family owned and operated professional moving company and eight employees have at least ten years of experience in the business. They are fully licensed and have insurance liability coverage. Eastern Connection knows that moving can be extremely stressful for their clients, which is why you can trust them to do everything they can to make it as easy for you as possible.

Eastern Connection works with commercial and residential clients of all sizes, moving them locally, across the country or to another part of the globe. No job is too big or too small.

By utilizing a one-of-a-kind, low-riding moving truck and focusing on great customer service, Eastern Connection Movers has risen above competitors to become a premier moving company throughout the East Coast and Midwest. Their corporate offices, located on Calvin Road in Upper Darby, PA, have won Philadelphia Magazine’s award for Best Mover in the Philadelphia Region twice. Local or long distance, these guys are the go-to East Coast moving crew.

To learn more about how to contact Eastern Connection Movers and review their customer feedback, click here and visit their NCPB member profile.

Connect With Us!

The NCPB is always doing new and exciting things to help consumers find reliable businesses and with these new ways to connect with us, it's easier than ever to keep up.

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NCPB Sweepstakes Winner Wins $1,000!

Jena Dietrich of Berwyn, Pennsylvania has won the NCPB Sweepstakes! This prize drawing is how we like to reward consumers that submit feedback on the NCPB website.

When Jena Dietrich wrote a business review on natcpb.org she may have been hoping to win our sweepstakes, but mostly she wanted to recognize a job well done by her waterproofing contractor. “I actually had a great experience and they did such a great job,” she said. “I threw my customer feedback in there, hoping for the best and here I am.”

Jena visited our homepage, entered her information, told us about her experience with the business and the next thing she knew, she was holding a check for $1,000!

“I went on the NCPB website and entered my customer feedback very easily… It feels fantastic. I have never won anything in my life, so this is just a thrill. I’m so, so, so excited and just appreciative.”

How will Jena be spending the cash?

“I have three kids, and they have lots of plans for the money. We might splurge a little, have a fun night out.”

Congratulations to Jena and thanks for your feedback!

The National Consumer Protection Bureau gives entrants the chance to win $1,000 or an iPad2. Just take a few minutes to submit customer feedback on a business and your name will automatically be entered in our drawing. Watch her full interview below:

Value Dry Waterproofing Wins Consumers' Choice Award

We are proud to announce that Value Dry, one of the country's premier waterproofing companies, has been awarded the NCPB Consumers' Choice Award. We give this award to buisnesses that maintain excellent customer feedback on our site to let consumers know who they can trust. Here's why consumers believe Value Dry deserves this award:

Value Dry is committed to helping homeowners and commercial property owners turn their water-logged basements into comfortable, usable spaces. Through an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and reliability, they have become the premier waterproofing company in the Mid-Atlantic, New England and Mid-West regions of the country and the NCPB is proud to have them as an accredited member.

The confidence that Value Dry has in its employees and methods is reflected in the comprehensive warranties they offer. They will personally resolve any issues a customer may come across with the products or equipment they install and they offer an unparalleled lifetime warranty against water seepage of treated areas on most solutions, which is transferable to the next home owner.

Value Dry brings the customer the best of both the national and local business worlds. Their vast resources allow them to access cutting-edge technology and practices to provide the best possible waterproofing, while their rigorous training program guarantees all local offices are as reliable as the national headquarters.

With these business practices in mind, it was no surprise to see the incredible amount of positive feedback that Value Dry has received on our website. This company proves that if you are committed to satisfying your customers, they will take the time to help you build your business.

Visit Value Dry's website here and look no further for your waterproofing needs!

Does Your Bank Abuse Your Trust?

Ever overdraw your bank account without even realizing it was empty? How about getting billed for overdraft fees you didn't know existed? These are common complaints that consumers have regarding debit card banking and it's a prime example of  unscrupulous business practices.
The New York Times recently ran an editorial about the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and its failure to require banks to accurately inform their customers about how these overdraft fees work. Although the CFPB has been forcing banks to get their clients consent for these programs since 2010, people have been complaining about all the paper work they must go through to fully understand their banks' policy regarding these fees.
It's great for a business to get their customers' permission for every service, but not when they keep the specifics a mystery. Transparent policies are something that should be required of all businesses and it's never acceptable for a business to try to confuse its customers out of their money.
If you've had any experience with these poorly explained overdraft policies, or any other non-transparent business policies, leave a comment.
To read the full article, More Debit Card Follies and Abuses, click here.

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