Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo

Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco

October 2012

VOL

62 No. 10

Avoid Misleading Customers with Energy Saving AdsBBB Reminds Businesses to Avoid Exaggerated Product Performance Claims

As BBB Accredited Businesses, your company commits to uphold high standards of ethical marketplace behavior, including advertising honestly. Recently, the Federal Trade

Commission issued warning letters to several companies across the country regarding energy savings claims made in online advertisements. BBB encourages you to review the following FTC and BBB advertising guidelines to ensure all claims are substantiated and truthful:

Energy savings claims must be backed by scientific evidence. Product claims of energy savings, performance, safety, results, etc. should be based on recent and competent scientific, engineering or other objective data.

Be specific about the type of savings consumers can expect. There is a difference between total home energy savings and heating and cooling savings. Heating and cooling expenses may account for less than half of a home energy bill. Thus, a 15 percent reduction in a home’s heating and cooling costs does not mean the homeowner will save 15 percent on his or her entire energy bill. If you claim consumers will achieve a specified percentage of energy savings, you should state clearly whether you are referring to heating and cooling savings or savings on a home energy bill. Be prepared to substantiate all claims. The primary responsibility for truthful and non-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers should be prepared to substantiate any claims or offers made before publication or broadcast.

Be careful when making “up to” claims. A recent FTC study shows many consumers interpret claims that products will save “up to” a specified amount of energy to mean that almost all consumers are likely to get the specified savings. To avoid confusion, clearly disclose the results consumers are likely to get. For example, if you say that consumers will save “up to” a specified percentage in savings, your substantiation should prove that almost all consumers are likely to get that percentage in savings.

Be realistic when selecting home characteristics for modeling. Many factors affect the savings homeowners achieve by using energy efficient products, including a home’s location, size, insulation and existing windows. If you use energy modeling software to determine the savings consumers will get from your products, avoid choosing characteristics that produce inflated results. Clearly and prominently disclose any assumptions. If your substantiation shows that consumers will get a specified amount or percentage of savings only under certain circumstances, disclose those circumstances clearly and prominently near the claim. Disclosures in small, difficult-to-read type may not be enough to clarify a savings claim.

If you have a question regarding the nature of a future advertisement, please contact BBB at info@centraltx.bbb.org. BBB’s Code of Advertising is available at www.bbb.org/us/bbb-code-of-advertising.

NewAugustAccreditedBusinesses

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AUSTIN11X Tree Care Services1-888-WOW-1DAY! Painting1st Rate FixturesABC Pools N Extreme OutdoorsAccel CompressionAcro Technologies IncAcute Financial Group, LLCAllsides Roofing & ConstructionAlphabet Alley Learning CenterAnimal Wellness HospitalAria Consulting Management Group

IncATX Asphalt PavingAustin Area Plumbing and Drain

CleaningAustin Home & Yard LLCAustin ShadeWorksAustin Urban Veterinary Center,

PLLCAustin Web & DesignAvery’s Lawn Care & LandscapeBernies ConcreteBest Agents in TexasBullet TowingBVX OperatingCapital Cladding and Waterproofing

LLCCapital UnderwritingCapstone Capital Partners, LLCCatering with a TwistChuy’s ConcreteConquest Consulting, LLCCustom CarpentryD&R and Sons Construction LLCDavid B Frank-Attorney & Counselor

at LawDesa Hinds PavingDone Deal Errand ServiceEco Shield Pest ControlExecutive Investigations LLCFriend of a Friend CateringGeorge B. Butts, AttorneyGH MasonryGladys’ SeafoodGoldwasser Real EstateGood Guys Tree ServicesGrandview Muffler, Inc.Gulf Coast Windows & Energy

Products IncHacienda Del LagoHands N HarmonyHeads Up Cleaning ServicesHeavenly HandymanInvestingAnswers.comInVision Optical/Eyeglasspeople.comIronOne Technologies LLCJ Byron Custom HomesJM ApplianceLaw Office of Rolando RamosLive Oak Furniture RepairLlano Hill Country PlumbingLupton Irrigation CompanyMartin Mobility LLC

Master’s Touch Roofing & Remodeling Moksha Yoga on the Square

Mustang Plumbing, Inc.Newman’s Body ShopNorth Loop Sign & Graphics ShopOscar’s Dependable Home RepairParadigm GlassPeggy’s Playhouse Childcare CenterPink PerfectionPride of TexasProfessional PharmacyRave Property ManagementRhonda’s BookkeepingSolis PaintingStephen A. Mitchell, Attorney at LawThe Austin Real Estate TeamThe Fragrant GardenTino’s RemodelingTPTL Financial LLCTru Blu Pool Service

CENTROPLEX/WACOAll-Tex Cylinder Heads IncAntler Chickz TaxidermyAny Lab Test NowB Battreal ConstructionBooker’s Pet HotelCentexAirCub’s Den Daycare / Learning CenterExit Homevets RealtyGils Payless & RemodelingHernandez Flooring ContractorsIndustrial Rigging Service of Central

Texas, Inc.Joanis Family ProcessingMagness Imaging SuppliesMocalMTTS Granite & MarbleOutdoor JanitorialOutlaw’s Body ShopProfessional RoofingTime Is Money Medical Legal

ConsultantTony’s Residential Door and Window

ServiceUniversity Rentals

CORPUS CHRISTI/VICTORIAABS Drug Testing LLCAgape Oilfield Rental, LLCAJ’s ServicesAlbert Rivera Insurance AgencyAll Seasons Heating & Air

ConditioningBandas Law FirmBee Center for Dentistry, PLLCBradleys’ IncCheshire Oaks LLCCoastal InteriorsCoastal Pools & SpasDeming Pediatrics, PLLCDenny Bales DiamondsDIR RentalDM InvestigationsETL Properties LLCFloyd CliftonFreer Deer CampGeonixHagaman Bookkeeping and Tax

John “JC” Justice Insurance AgencyKingsville Hose RepairKiwi Handyman ServicesLaw Office of Thomas J. BarryLone Star Property InspectorsMain Flower & Gift ShopMason Air SystemsMitchell’s Home RepairO.J. Rental, Inc.Outlaw Safety & Compliance, LLCPort Lavaca Veterinary Clinc, Inc.Rockport PediatricsSchroeder HallSea Academy IncSouth Texas Custom HomesSouth Texas Green EnergySouth Texas Implement Co.Speedy’s Termite & Pest ControlTEAMS Construction LLCThe Snapka Law FirmTriple H Field Services LLCWestern Specialized SvcYour Sign Company

PERMIAN BASINA & M ConcreteAV Workshop ProductionsEdco Fire & Safety, Inc.Jose Santiago TruckingPhillips RemodelingPrescription ShopPuerro Inc.Remax Southwest RealtyT & D Construction ServicesTom Jones Enterprises, Inc.

SAN ANTONIO/LAREDOA & M FoundationsA-MAC ConsultingAR Plumbing Supply IncCarrizo Springs LodgeLaw Offices of Grady L. Roberts Jr.NationWide Energy GroupPBA Property Management CorpABGJR Investments LLCAble & Ready Notary SvcAbsolute PlumbingAccuAero LLCAce Welding and Trailer Co.Affordable RentalsAlamo City Steamers & FlooringAll-In-One Interior & ExteriorASAP Plumbing Service #2B & R PavingBeautiful Changes SpaBetter Home ImprovementsBig Tex Electric CompanyBluebonnet Chrysler DodgeBrady Lawn and LandscapeBridgehead IT, Inc.CastleRock Development, Inc.CertaPro Painters of NE San AntonioCheapo SignsChrissy’s Dance AcademyClean Air Heating & Air ConditioningConcrete SolutionsCreative Trophies

Croft & Hicks Private Investigations & Security

Design with SnapDinesman CPADiverse Speech Therapy Solutions

LLCEpic PoolsExtreme Electric LTD CoFDZ PhotographyFoster CM Group Inc.Fredericksburg Gutter SolutionsGalo Equipment & Construction LLCHeartland RestorationHildreth Investigations, L.L.P.Hometown Pest Termite ControlimporTEXport-Manufacturers

Representatives & Industrial Procurement Solutions

In the Irons Equestrian CenterJanysek ConstructionJudy Luckenbach Interior DesignJulie K. Wiedner CPA PCKrause Septic SystemsLa Hacienda De Los BarriosLaser Legend, LLCLaw Office of Ron H. MataLincoln Heights Animal HospitalLindastreasurebox.comLos Barrios Mexican RestaurantMachinery Auctioneers of Texas, LLCMaverick Remodelers LLCMcDonald SignsMiracle Works Granite & MarbleML Superior Maintenance LLCMy Texas PINational Tenant NetworkOlde England’s Lion & Rose at Castle

HillsOnce Upon A Time PhotographyOSHAdvisors Consulting &

InspectionsParamount Taekwondo CenterParker and Sons PlumbingPawCarePrecise Home InspectionsPrism Data Systems IncQuality Construction and

Restoration, LLCReliance Residential RealtyReliance Tax & InsuranceRock Air A/C & HeatingRockport RattlerRogers Roofing and RemodelingSimek Custom HomesStar Collision Repair, LLCSurface Well ControlTech-Energy CompanyTexas Custom ExteriorsThomas Stone and Materials, LLCTrue OpportunitiesTurn Key Remodel and RepairsUnconditional Love InternationalUpFront Carpet CareWelco Construction

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Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!

Free shredding and recycling services will be available at all locations or until the shred trucks reach capacity - limit of two boxes per vehicle. Monetary donations benefiting BBB Education Foundation will be accepted.

BBB Shred Day events in April helped consumers and businesses shred 50 tons of personal paper documents and recycle 14,437 pounds of computer parts and 1,971 pounds of cardboard.

CORPUS CHRISTI Location: KIII - TV Studios 5002 S. Padre Island Drive

Recycling available: Cell phones

ODESSSA Location: Complex Community Federal Credit Union 4900 E. 52nd Street

Recycling available: Cardboard, Cell phones and Computer parts

SAN ANTONIOLocation: AT&T Center 1 AT&T ParkwayRecycling available: Cardboard, Cell phones and Computer parts

AUSTIN Location: Dell’s Round Rock Campus 2401 Greenlawn Boulevard, Bldg. #8

Recycling available: Cardboard, Cell phones and Computer parts

BBB Shred Day is an opportunity for local consumers and businesses to help prevent identity theft through free on-site document shredding, as

well as cardboard, cell phone and computer recycling.

*The first 500 cars will receive a free Shred Day goodie bag!

Join BBB for FREE On-Site Document Shredding this Month!

For more information visit: centraltx.bbb.org/shred

BBB Shred Day 2012

KILLEEN Location: First National Bank Texas 2201 Trimmier Road

Recycling available: Cardboard, Cell phones and Computer parts

DATE: Saturday, October 20th TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

DATE: Saturday, October 27th TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Thank You BBB Shredding Partners!

Thank You BBB Shred Day Media Partners!

Thank You BBB Shred Day Sponsors!

Thank You BBB Shred Day Partners!Thank You BBB Shred Day Partners!

Better Business Bureau, Inc.1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

AUSTIN, TX

PERMIT NO. 60

BetterBusinessBureau Trust Talk | October 2012

Trust Talk is published by Better Business Bureau 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited Businesses in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited Businesses and subscribers. Because the matters contained in this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its function of improving the economic system through informed decision-making.

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Avoid Misleading Customers with Energy Savings Ads..... New Accredited Businesses..…….……...........................................

BBB Fall Shred Day 2012................................................................

August Activity Report.............................…...........................................

In August 2012, your BBB...Increased total Accredited Business locations to 11,435Provided customers with 188,514 BBB Business Reviews Handled 2,269 disputesAssisted 5,995 people over the phoneHosted 457,509 website page views Sent 1,313 Request A Quote referrals to Accredited Businesses

RevocationsCMF Energy Management Group of Texas: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

Duran Concrete: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

M & M Super Moving, Ltd.: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

Pam’s Resale Boutique: Failure to respond to one or more customer complaints filed with BBB

In August 2012, your BBB was mentioned 408 times by 52 local media outlets including…

Get news as it happens! Join BBB’s press release list at: centraltx.bbb.org/press.

BBB Corporate Office1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

Contact BBB

P: F: @:

512.445.4748 512.445.2096info@centraltx.bbb.org

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