Why Has Our Name Changed?
WINDSOR, ON - Washington has taken over the Canadian BBB system. Canadian BBBs did not get to vote on this. It was presented as a fait accompli. The LONDON BBB was one of the BBBs who worked behind the scenes to orchestrate the American take-over.
A number of Canadian BBBs who have consistently argued against American governance were “not accepted” by Washington. Windsor was one of the BBBs who argued for a Canadian system. So too, were the Hamilton BBB, the Quebec BBB and the Newfoundland BBB. Washington did not accept them either. Three other Canadian BBB’s, Regina, Winnipeg and Nova Scotia are on probation.
Windsor was incorporated in 1975. This local office is 36 years old. We will continue to service the public here. Companies who supported this local office continue to be Members here. As always, we encourage the public to do business with our Members.
Whether these companies wish to, instead, send their money to London or Washington is a future decision they will have to make. The Windsor office will always have much better information on the local marketplace, than an office located 165 km down Highway 401.
However, because of the politics, we are changing our name to Integritylink and our website is www.integritylink.ca. We will provide all the same services we always have. Our Board of Directors is drawn from our community, and remains the same. The same staff will process complaints, answer inquiries, recommend our Members…. nothing has changed here, other than the name and logo.
Q. I’ve been a local member for years. The London BBB has sent me a letter. Why?
A. They are poaching our Membership. You can judge for yourself if that is ethical behaviour.
Q. Does the London BBB have my information?
A. No. They do not have information on businesses in this area. Nor do they have the complaint history on any area business. The database belongs to us.
Q. Should my business become a member of the London BBB?
A. Since they do not have the complaint information from this area, you might become a member along with some companies you’d rather not be associated with. Remember, it takes years to develop customer complaint records. The London BBB has no company records on which to make prudent acceptance choices. The result could be that, you (who have a good record) have an equal membership with some fly-by-night operator with a bad reputation.
Q. Couldn’t the London BBB just take the information from the Windsor website?
A. Yes, they could. But how ethical is that?
Q. I am a consumer with a problem. To whom do I turn for help?
A. Nothing has changed for us (other than the name and logo). We will do everything we can, to help you with your problem. Our complaint services haven’t changed. The same staff will handle your problem, as before. We have the files on the local businesses, and we know the local marketplace. However please note that the London BBB does not have an office in Windsor to deal with Consumer Complaints. The office in London only sells BBB memberships in our area by mail.