Consumer 6: Research Local Companies without leaving Your Home

Friday, July 21st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Finding a reputable company to hire takes time and effort. But if you have access to the Internet, that information is now at your fingertips 24-hours a day. A new on-line service can help you research local companies without leaving your home.

Maybe it's a home remodeling project or youâ€™re looking for a new car. Whatever you're shopping for, it's a good idea to check out several companies before you buy. "One of the things we've seen nationwide is that everyone has moved to the internet, not just us,â€ said the Better Business Bureauâ€™s Rick Brinkley.

Tulsaâ€™s Better Business Bureau is expanding its website. you can go there to read reports on hundreds of local companies. â€œYou can search a business by their name, by their telephone number by their address," Brinkley said.

If you have a problem with a local company, you can file a complaint on-line.
You can also do some comparison shopping. "You can also request from the B-B-B to have a quote from a better business bureau member on a new swimming pool, a new home loan, a mortgage, a car, whatever it may be,â€ Brinkley explained. â€œYou fill out the information, send it to us and then we take that information and give it to our members,â€ he continued. â€œThey can send you a quote back to you without you ever having to leave your home."

To test the service, Consumer 6 filled out a request for a used car. Consumer 6 reporter Diane White filled out the request form. It said B-B-B members would contact White within 7 to 10 days, however it didn't take that long. The next day she received half a dozen e-mails and calls from local dealers who said they had a car that matched most of her criteria.

Several dealers also said they like the B-B-B's new service, because it's another way for them to market their products. The B-B-B updates its website every day, so you can find the latest information before you buy.

To go to the Tulsa Better Business Bureauâ€™s website,click here.