Here's a game changer

[swrest]

http://csapp.800helpfla.com/cspublicapp/businesssearch/businesssearch.aspx

Tampa, FL - Consumer experts agree it is important to do your homework before doing business with anyone. One state agency just made it easier than ever to check a company's background.

Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently went online with its entire complaint database. That means instant access for anyone with a computer.

State investigator James Astuto said using the website takes just a few clicks of the key board to find out more about any company in Florida. "It shows 111 complaints. When you dig into it, it will break them down by year and how the company handled the complaint. Whether it was closed as 'satisfactory,' closed as 'mediation - successful' or the consumer was not satisfied even after the state got involved."

Astuto points out users will also be able to determine whether the business they are checking is registered to do business in Florida. "Which means they have certain credentials and standards to be registered."
The online database also serves as an informational tool for businesses. Owners can track complaints made against them and find out when their registration needs to be renewed.

You can reach the State of Florida Division of Consumer Servies website at 800HelpFla.com and click on the business license & complaint lookup link.

 

[Tony Shelton]

This is all fine and dandy as long as it is used as it is intended. And it won't be.

In my first year of business a prospective customer asked me for technical specs on our filters vs the filters they using at the time. I sent them the manufacturer's specs on the filters they were using AND the specs of our filters along with an explanation of the difference.

The contractor that held the account at that time intercepted our correspondence and took the data from HIS filters and turned them in to the state commission claiming that he was an ordinary citizen and was reporting that we were representing our filters using data that was false for our filters.

I got two or three cease and desist letters which I ignored for a while, then sent them an email showing that this "citizen" was the legal owner of my competition at which time they closed the case and sent him a warning letter.

If all that had made the internet it wouldn't matter what the outcome was, the accusation would make it to 1000 different places before the outcome was even decided.

Customer complaints is a consumer issue. The government needn't get involved in it.

Just my opinion.