Returning a Gift?—Better Business Bureau Tips for December

Stay Warm and Cozy with an Energy Efficiency Plan this Winter

With a challenging economy looming like the Grinch over this year’s holiday season, many people are looking for ways to save money through energy efficiency. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) offers a checklist for homeowners to safely prepare their homes for the cold winter months, and perhaps save a few dollars in the process.

According to the Energy Information Administration, home heating costs this winter are expected to rise by 10.2 percent for homeowners who rely on heating oil. Luckily, homeowners can fend off some of the rising energy costs by winterizing their home before the harshest weather takes hold. 

“With the unpredictability of Mother Nature, now is the time to prepare for the winter months ahead,” said Dana Badgerow, BBB President and CEO. “Taking the time to winterize your home gives you the peace of mind that you will not only save money, but be energy efficient as well.”

The following is a BBB home winterizing checklist to consult when preparing for the cold months ahead:

Furnace. Furnaces older than 15 years might be due for a replacement. For newer furnaces, BBB recommends making sure the furnace filter is clean, the thermostat is working properly and the pilot light is functioning. Homeowners can also hire an inspector to do the job and make sure the furnace is in safe working order.

Chimney. Before lighting up the fireplace, homeowners should have the chimney inspected for nests, debris and leaves. The BBB also recommends installing a screen over the chimney opening.

Gutters and ridge vents. Gutters should be cleaned to prevent any blockage that would cause rainwater to back up and freeze, making the gutters expand and crack. The ridge vents need to be cleaned as well in order to allow the house to "breathe" correctly. Otherwise, air could stagnate and create an unhealthy environment.

Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors.  The BBB recommends testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors frequently and installing fresh batteries on a regular basis. Homeowners should consider replacing smoke alarms older than 10 years.

Caulking and Weather Stripping. To prevent leaks, homeowners should inspect the caulking around windows and doors and check for cracking and peeling. In addition, the BBB recommends ensuring that doors and windows shut tightly and no cold air is coming in due to worn weather stripping.

Seasonal equipment. Homeowners won’t need their spring and summer equipment for a few months, so the BBB recommends draining the water from garden hoses and air conditioner pipes, and the gasoline from the lawnmower and other garden tools. It’s also time to pull out the snow shovels and plows and ensure they are in good repair.

Emergency kit. When a winter storm strikes, an emergency kit should have all essential materials in one handy place. An emergency kit should include flashlights, candles and matches, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food and a battery-powered radio. The BBB recommends creating the same emergency kit for the car as well, including a couple of thermal blankets

Keeping Your Pets Happy and Safe When Boarding Them this Holiday Season

As much as pet owners may want to take their furry or feathered friends with them wherever they go, sometimes finding a kennel or pet care service you can trust is necessary for holiday travel. That’s why the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) created a checklist to help pet owners choose a safe and reliable home-away-from-home for their pets.

Every year, the BBB receives hundreds of complaints from pet owners about kennels. To date, this year the BBB received more than 400 complaints regarding disputes over billing, and treatment of pets – which is up from the 273 complaints filed in 2010.  Some owners claimed to arrive at kennels to retrieve pets that were severely dehydrated and malnourished or rife with fleas, ticks, and even maggots.  Worst-case scenarios include pets that became extremely ill while boarding at poor facilities which resulted in lengthy stays at an animal hospital.

“Pets are often like family and the last thing we want to do is stress over their care during the holiday season,” said Dana Badgerow, BBB President and CEO. “Take a few moments to do your research and find a kennel you can trust so your time out of town will be more enjoyable for you and your pet.”

If you are looking for a reliable kennel, the BBB recommends the following checklist:

Check them out and get recommendations. Always check out the kennel with the BBB at www.bbb.org first to make sure they have a good track record for keeping customers satisfied. Also ask your friends, neighbors, veterinarian or local animal shelters for recommendations.

Make a visit. Personally visit the facilities you are considering before scheduling the boarding. Check for cleanliness and offensive odors, and note the overall appearance of the kennel and cages.

Ask lots of questions. If your pet is prone to running away, ask about steps the kennel has taken to make their facilities escape-proof. Inquire if your pet will come in contact with other animals. Some kennels let animals play together while others keep them separate at all times. Ask about the feeding schedule, water accessibility and frequency of – or fees related to – exercise. Also, ask about the hours for drop off and pick up and make sure you understand their billing policy. Finally, ask what happens in case of a medical emergency or other unexpected situation.

Trust your instincts. Note the friendliness of staff members and how they interact with the boarded pets. Ask about their background and experience. If your state requires inspections, look for the certificate on the wall and make sure the kennel is properly licensed. Make sure the facility requires that all entering pets have proof of immunization, and ask about their policies regarding flea and tick control.

BBB Tips for Avoiding Holiday Travel Headaches

The holidays are a time of cheer, but they can also be a time for battling traffic and bad weather on the road. Staying safe should be a top priority for all travelers, so the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) recommends taking a few precautions when hitting the highway this holiday season.

“Cars require extra upkeep during winter months to ensure driver safety,” said Dana Badgerow, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “Make sure you are well-equipped and know where to turn should the unexpected happen.”

The BBB recommends taking the following steps for safe driving this holiday season:

Create a car safety kit. Holiday driving often includes the threat of dangerous winter weather. Snow and ice lead to accidents, car troubles, long delays and road closures. You can prepare for bad weather by creating your own safety kit. Basics for the kit include blankets, flashlight with extra batteries, radio, first aid kit, jumper cables, non-perishable foods like granola bars and nuts, bottled water, an ice scraper and warm gloves.

Take the car in for a checkup. Breaking down on the side of the road can definitely put a damper on holiday spirits. If your car is due for a check up, take it in before making that long haul. At the very least, check the car’s fluid levels, wipers and tire pressure. Check the condition of your tires and, if you plan on driving through serious winter weather, consider getting snow tires. 

Take the BBB with you. When you’re away from home or in the midst of an emergency, it’s hard to know which businesses—such as tow trucks and locksmiths—you can trust. The good news is you can now rely on BBB Business Reviews, which have been optimized for smartphones, or the BBB iPhone App. for finding businesses you can trust when you’re away from your computer.

Start early and slow down. The best way to fight holiday traffic is to give yourself some extra time to make the trip, and don’t speed. Speeding leads to accidents, which slow traffic and cause bottlenecks. Also, if you’re caught speeding by law enforcement, that adds a delay and can put a crimp in your holiday spending.

Drop the distractions. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. When you’re behind the wheel, don’t text and drive, use a hands free headset when talking on the phone, and get someone else to fumble with the GPS.

BBB Advises Businesses on Tackling Holiday Gift Returns

While most retailers love the holidays and the increased sales in the final quarter of each year, no one looks forward to the dreaded post-holiday gift returns. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB)  advises businesses to make sure that their return policies are simple and solid before tackling customer gift returns this holiday season.

Most consumers are happy with return policies. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2010 Holiday Returns Survey, nearly nine out of 10 Americans (88.4 percent) say they find stores’ return policies to be fair. BBB President and CEO Dana Badgerow stated, “While it’s important that your return policy doesn’t hurt your business, it’s also critical that it doesn’t discourage or penalize your customers.”

The BBB recommends that businesses consider the following when creating, solidifying or simplifying their return policy:

Make sure the customer is aware of your policy. Display your return policies at the checkout counter and on your website. 

Make online returns easy. Lay out the return rules clearly. Explain who pays for the return shipping, where the customer sends the return, and any forms or mailing labels you want them to use.

Provide gift receipts. Six out of ten shoppers say they include a gift receipt when giving a gift, so be sure to offer one at the time of purchase.

Encourage customers to return the merchandise unused, unworn or unwrapped. Everyone likes getting merchandise in its original package and by encouraging customers to return goods this way, you increase your chances that the product can be resold.

Stay calm and helpful. The holidays can be a stressful time and making returns is usually not high on the customer’s list of fun things to do. When working with a customer, always go into the transaction with a smile. If their experience is good, they will likely come back again.

For more helpful tips, visit www.bbb.org.

The mission of the Better Business Bureau is to be the leader in building marketplace trust by promoting, through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, assist and protect the general public. Our hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the BBB at www.bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.