For years, the Better Business Bureau has rated companies on how they treat consumers. It's one of the best tools available to shoppers who want to check out a company's complaint record.

But the ratings are limited to "satisfactory" and "unsatisfactory." That pass or fail system doesn't always tell the whole story.

So later this year, BBBs in St. Louis and across the country will launch a new grading system. It will rate businesses on letter grades from "A" to "F."

"According to all of our studies, this is what consumers want," says Michelle Corey, president and CEO of the BBB of eastern Missouri and southern Illinois.
 

"They want an easy way to make decisions."

Consumers who want more detailed information to back up the letter grades will get that, too, Corey promises.

Here's an example: A company named Kohl Group LLC in the Los Angeles area drew 112 complaints in 36 months. They alleged unauthorized charges, difficulty canceling work or obtaining refunds, dissatisfaction with the product (Kohl calls itself a research and marketing company) or not getting what they paid for.

"We believe the company's advertising is deceptive and misleading," the website of the Better Business Bureau of the Southland in the Los Angeles area says.

Consumers who want the short version can just look at the letter grade.

The BBB gave Kohl Group an "F."

Those who want more information can drill down into the website and read the synopsis of each complaint and the company's response.

Consumers like the new grading system because it's easy to understand, says Gary Almond of the LA area BBB.

And what about businesses?

Almond says there have been some complaints, but most businesses have embraced the letter grades, in part because they like the idea of getting an "A."

"It's better than saying 'satisfactory,'" he says. "'Satisfactory' isn't a real flattering word."

The BBB in southern California is one of five across the country that have been testing the letter grading system for about three years. They have tried five different formulas.

All the formulas include 13 factors such as: type of business, length of time in business, compliance with licensing requirements, complaint volume, complaint history, seriousness of complaints, how the company responds to complaints, and the BBB's experience with the company's industry in general.

During the week of Oct. 6, the 126 BBBs in the United States and Canada will meet in San Francisco to choose one formula.

That decision will be important to the businesses they rate as well as the consumers who will use the ratings.

But the BBBs may not release the final formula, either to businesses or consumers.

"It's a proprietary formula, and we're still wrestling with that question," Steve Cox of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Arlington, Va., said Thursday.

Cox said the argument against transparency is that the BBBs compete against hundreds of various Internet sites that also review companies.

The BBB's reports are unique. Cox says, and "we want to keep them unique."

We'll keep you advised. Consumers and businesses each have a horse in this race.

 

The AARP Foundation announced a call for entries to its 2nd Annual Women’s Scholarship Program. This scholarship will provide funds to women 40+ who are seeking new job skills, training and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:

• Be female age 40 or over (as of August 31, 2008)
• Be able to demonstrate financial need; and
• Be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary school or training program within 6 months of the scholarship award date.

Priority consideration is given to women in three categories: 1) women raising children of another family member (such as grandparents raising grandchildren, or those raising siblings or nieces/nephews); 2) women who have been out of the work force for an extended period of time; and 3) women in dead end jobs (those with no opportunity for advancement, low pay and lacking either health or retirement benefits).

Scholarships may be used for any course of study at a public or private secondary school, including community college, technical schools, and four-year universities. The program does not provide assistance for graduate degree programs. It seeks women who are entering two to three year technical or skills programs, or who are in the final stages of their college experience. Funds are payable to the institution and may be used to pay for tuition, fees and books.

Interested applicants can submit their application online beginning July 1, 2008 at http://www.aarpfoundationwlc.org. The application process closes on August 22, 2008 and scholarships will be awarded in early 2009. The Foundation will award up to 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program.

For more information about the AARP Foundation, please log on to http://www.aarp.org/foundation.

 Jenn Strathman, KSHB (NBC Kansas City television affiliate) Call for Action News reporter, is seeking volunteers to work with her to identify consumer issues and help solve problems generated by consumers. Volunteers should make a one year commitment, and be available Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Training is provided so that viewers can get appropriate assistance. Jenn says that the program saves hundreds of thousands of dollars for consumers annually. To volunteer, contact Jenn at Strathman@NBCActionNews.com.
 

  AARP Missouri Volunteers and Staff came together to celebrate AARP's 50th Anniversary on July 1st.       

 AARP Missouri’s St. Louis Information Center, located at 8059 Watson Road in Webster Groves, held their 10^th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, July 28, 2008.  The celebration included an open house, musical entertainment, and refreshments.  If you’d like to know more about the St. Louis Information Center or congratulate them on their 10 years of serving the community, give them a call!  Their number is (314) 918-7563.

St. Louis Information Center Open House

You are invited to learn, share and enjoy the “Savvy Consumer” by visiting the following link. The “Savvy Consumer” is the premier watchdog of issues affecting the lives of consumers nationally and in Missouri!

 AARP volunteers, working in partnership with staff, are a necessary and vital force in achieving AARP’s vision, mission, and strategic goals. At AARP, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy, and service. In order to accomplish our mission, we need your help.

Whether it is lobbying at the state capital, assisting with election year activities, presenting a program on identify theft and consumer fraud, speaking to a civic organization about Social Security or staffing a booth at a health fair, we need the talent and involvement of our members to help us succeed.

This is why we are holding a special Volunteer Information Luncheons in several areas in Missouri.  There are three dates/locations to choose from:

Wednesday, July 30   

(canceled - please register for Kirksville location)                                   

Grand River Inn                                            

606 W. Business 36                                

Chillicothe, MO 64601                

Thursday, July 31   

El Kadir Shrine Club 

2401 South Baltimore  

Kirksville, MO 63501    

Tuesday, August 5

Holiday Inn Poplar Bluff

2781 North Westwood

Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Each complimentary lunch and program is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Choose which date and location works best for you.

Space is limited so please reserve your seat. To register, call the AARP Missouri State Office toll-free at 1-866-389-5627 and ask to speak to Sharon Scholl.

Please join us for lunch to explore what AARP has to offer in Missouri.

This forum is free and open to the public. You do not have to be an AARP member to attend.  To register please call:  1-877-926-8300