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Dec. 1, 2008
Max Freidlander, as told to Jacklyn C. Wadler: India Inkings
Mark Steyn: Whodunit!?
Nov. 28, 2008
Rabbi Ahron Rapps: An evil seed that didn't have to be
Melanie Phillips: Carpe diem --- or can we all relax now?
Nov. 26, 2008
Michael Feldberg: Meet the Orthodox Jew who laid groundwork for scientific development of ordnance that undergirds America's current world leadership
Andrea Simantov:
Shades of life
Nov. 25, 2008
The Jewish Ethicist
by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Getting Emotional For Influence
The Kosher Gourmet
by Ethel G. Hofman : Thanksiving feast!
Nov. 24, 2008
Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg: 'I just Became a grandchild!'
Barry Rubin: Don't flatter your enemies, protect your friends
Nov. 21, 2008
Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz: Money matters?
Caroline B. Glick:
Civilization walks the plank
Nov. 20, 2008
Rabbi Avi Shafran: Bronfman's blindness
The Kosher Gourmet
By Linda Gassenheimer: Portobellos add a hearty flavor to pasta with pesto
Nov, 19, 2008
The Jewish Ethicist
by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Spread the wealth? Jewish tradition and income equality
Elliot B. Gertel:
'Mad Men': Tackling prejudices or reinforcing them?
Nov, 18, 2008
Dr. Debby Schwarz Hirschhorn: The End of the Age of Reason
Jonathan Tobin: Does Barack + Bibi = Disaster?
Nov, 17, 2008
Rabbi Yonason Goldson: The End of the Age of Reason
Diana West: Gulling Americans into making terror legit?
Nov, 14, 2008
Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz: The Power of Spiritual Inertia
Caroline B. Glick: The perils ahead
Nov, 13, 2008
Stratfor Intelligence Briefing: How Bush and Obama together could change the Middle East dynamic
The Kosher Gourmet
by JeanMarie Brownson: Sweet and savory, crispy and meltingly tender bestilla
Nov, 12, 2008
The Jewish Ethicist
by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Tyrannical Co-Workers
Michael Doyle: High Court to consider today donated monuments that may have religious messages in public parks
Nov, 11, 2008
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Will Obama stop government officials considering institutionalizing financial jihad?
Jonathan Tobin: They Will Decide Their Own Fate
Nov, 10, 2008
Rabbi Avi Shafran: $8 billion, modern-day Tower of Babel being built?
Barry Rubin: A letter to the president-elect from a Middle East realist
Nov, 7, 2008
Rabbi Francis Nataf: Of Children and Immortality
Caroline B. Glick: Livni's Obama strategy
Nov, 6, 2008
Rabbi Yonason Goldson: How I tricked a classroom of apathetic students into grasping the fallacy of moral relativism
The Kosher Gourmet
By Gina Kim: Tips for making the perfect soup --- includes recipes
Nov, 5, 2008
The Jewish Ethicist
By Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Destitute Debtors
Bruce Weinstein: 'Religulos': Bad title,even worse movie
Nov, 4, 2008
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Treasury Dept. submits to Shariah law
Frida Ghitis: A surprise for Obama in the Middle East
Nov, 3, 2008
Jonathan Rosenblum: Who says Jews are Smart?
Jonathan Tobin:
Was He Wrong About Everything?
March 22, 2007
J-Rhythms with Avraham Rosenblum: JWR's cutting-edge music program showcasing performers -- singers, song writers, musicians, and bands -- who learn and live the Torah lifestyle (OUR NEWEST IGODCAST !)
Oct. 29, 2003
Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)
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Jewish World Review
Oct. 2, 2007
/ 20 Tishrei 5768
Better Business Bureau ramps up
By
Vicki Lee Parker
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT)
When you're about to hire someone - whether it's a roofer, car dealer or cleaning service - how do you check the business out?
If you're like most people, you ask friends for references. If you're technologically savvy, you could turn to Angie's list, Craigslist or Smartpockets.com.
What you might have forgotten is that old standby, the Better Business Bureau. Many people do. So the BBB introduces a $700,000 rebranding campaign this week.
Beverly Baskin, president of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina, said recommendations from friends and family work, but only to a point. Same with Web sites that let consumers rate businesses.
You should start your search with the BBB. Its rebranding campaign - including a new Web site, logo, book series and commercials during shows such as "CSI" and "Grey's Anatomy" - drives the point home. Its slogan: Start with trust.
If a company is accredited by the BBB, you can find out whether it is properly licensed, the government has taken action against it, or it has operated under another name and run into problems.
"We have files on 56,064 companies," said Baskin, whose office oversees 33 North Carolina counties.
Many people know they can register a complaint with the BBB, but few realize that their local BBB office will arbitrate disputes with car dealerships through the BBB Auto Line. Few know that the BBB checks the licenses and certifications of accredited members each year to make sure they are current.
"We went out on the street and found that people had a different perception of us," Baskin said. "They thought you just call and pay your money and become a member. They didn't know that you had to meet standards and that you have to maintain those standards and that we expel members who do not uphold those standards."
But the 95-year-old nonprofit organization is making changes to better compete online.
One is the new Web site. Under the old system, visitors had to know the region that the local BBB was in to find the Web site. Starting Oct. 8, you can go to the national site, BBB.org, type in your ZIP code and be linked to the local site. The site makes it easier to find a company's report, file a complaint and get consumer alerts and warnings.
The site also will include a monthly list of companies that have lost their BBB accreditation and the reason why.
BBB also will introduce the Better Business Bureau book series. The first three books, "Starting an eBay Business," "Buying a Franchise" and Buying a Home," will be on sale at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and Borders.
The rules for becoming an accredited BBB member remain the same. A company must be in business for at least a year, have the appropriate licenses and certifications and be registered with and maintain its files with the secretary of state. Businesses pay an annual fee, averaging $400, Baskin said.
She hopes the ad campaign will encourage people to check the BBB database before agreeing to work with a company.
"If they come to us first, they don't have to contact us later with a complaint," she said.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Vicki Lee Parker is a columnist for The News & Observer. Comment by clicking here.
Previously:
Two beeps, one item: Listen for overcharges
Recalls: What to do next
Do your homework before home repairs
To tip or skip it: Gratuity must be earned
Advice is free, if you look
Hire a cleaner who won't clean you out
Teach children smart money tips that will keep them busy all summer long
Warning: Don't trust the ATM
Reasons to beware of We Buy Homes
Too wise to fall for a scam
Untethering cell phone from carrier
Re-check your credit card rewards
Treasure might be buried in medical bills
Tax-time saving tip: Free filing is available
College money is waiting; don't procrastinate
Extended warranties rarely worthwhile
Too busy for tax planning? It'll cost you
© 2007, The News & Observer Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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