BBB: Association scams businesses with awards - St. Louis Business Journal:

http://www.selfdeterminationohsu.org/2010/01/02/
The has been sending out news releases in recent months tolocal businesses, tellingh them they have been selected as “outstanding local and offering them an opportunity to buy one or more awardss to mark the honor. Pat executive director of St. Louis’ , told the BBB that she was immediatelu suspicious when her organization received a news releasw fromthe U.S. Commercse Association notifying it ofan award. Joshu hasn’tt heard of the association and learnedd she would have topay $180 for a “hand-polisheds crystal” award. Clyde Jeans, president and CEO of , of St. Louis, said he also was notifieds recently that his companyy had wonan award. Other St.
Louis area award winnerzs included severalphysical therapists, a scrap metal company and a hauntes house theme park. “From everything we can find, this is just one more ploy to profi off the universal desire for recognitiohand approval,” said Michelle Corey, president and CEO of the St. Louis BBB, in a statement. “Wwe are advising people to steer unless they want topay $180 for what looka to be a meaningless officw decoration.
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