February 16, 2000
Page A6
Portland
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Business
H ig h - te c h
in d u s tr ie s
enter BBB’s
complaint List
Computer manufacturers, Internet shopping
services and computer sales and services finish
third, fourth and fifth respectively o f the better
Business Bureau complaint list serving Oregon
and W estern W ashington's Top 20 most
complained about industry list for 1999. This is
the first time that high-tech related industries
have had such a presence in the complaint
category.
“Many variables can be attributed to the incline
o f complaints in the high-tech field, said Robert
W.G. drew, BBB president and CEO. “From the
holiday online shopping craze to last year’s
demise o f local companies like F urther Shop and
M icroworkz, many businesses in our region
play a dominant role on the high-tech world and
w e ’re seeing an impact on the number of
consum er complaints w e’ve received.”
A lthough high-tech industries made their
presence known in 1999; it was an auto dealers
(franchised new)\ands auto repair(mechanical)
that finished first and second on the most
complained about category list.
“This is no surprise, as these two industries
have always been a mainstay in the top five,”
said Andrew. “With the recent passing o f 1-659
in the state o f W ashington, there will be even
more consumers buying new vehicles, so I
don’t anticipate this will change anytime soon.”
T he bureau also regularly review s local
advertising as part o f its role as a self-regulatory
body, promoting ethical selling and advertising
practices. The B B B ’s advertising review
departm ent processes advertising related
compliant in order to help businesses maintain
and strengthen their customer confidence in
their advertising. In 1999, the BBB received 155
advertising complaints and challenges from the
public and complaints are as follows; 11)
Computer Sales & Services Opportunity/ Work-
at Home Offers,
And Shopping Services - Internet.
The Better Business Bureau serving Oregon
and Western Washington always encourages
the public to check out a company before they
consider doing business with them. Oregon
consumers can contact the BBB at (503) 226-
3981 and Western Washington consumers can
call (206) 431 -2222. The BBB is a not-for-profit
o rg a n iz a tio n th a t a id s c o n su m e rs and)
Black History Month Volunteer
Want to make a difference
in the life of a young girl?
Sm artChoices, a YWCA empowerment
program for 4th and 5th grade gids, is
seeking volunteers and interns to assist with
after-school programs designed to promote
girls* intellectual, social, and personal
development. Activities take place weekday
afternoons from 3-5pm in Northeast Portland
Schools.
W
This week ’s observation o f Black History' Month covers the years o f 1950-2000.
Amiri Baraka was known during the 1960s fo r his racially focused and high voltage
writings - influenced early on by New York Bohemians and later by his encounter
with art-revolutionaries in Cuba. This man was the architect o f a national movement.
Can you name it? For the answer, look in Focus under the header, B
yw ca
OF GREATER PORTLAND
For more information call 721-1754
or e-mail caroline@ywca-pdx.org
voice
video
wireless
directories
internet
beyond
Bruce Posey
'Senior VP Federal
Relations and
Regulatory Law
Arthur Johnson'
and Government
Solutions
Robert Jones
VP Local Network
Operations
Hadley Evans
anfl Human
Resources
Exécutive Diiector
and Controller
Pamela El
VP Maiketiiig
Communication
Eric Hyde
VP Network
Statt Support
Robert Dawson
VP Customer Operations
Jasmin Espy
VP Production and
Marketing Management
MLK Main
S tre e tp ro g ra m
seeks volunteers,
NNEBA and their MLK Main Street program
want YOU in their Business Directory.
The Martin Luther King JR. Main Street Program,
sponsored by the North-Northeast Business
Association, is enthusiastic to announce that
a grant has been received from the US Bank to
produce a MLK boulevard director Broadway
to Columbia - will be contacted to secure their
name, business name, address, zip, phone. Fax,
E-mail and website. Adjacent businesses along
MLK BI vd should call Main street office at 284-
3093 by February 23,2000. Berta Delman, the
MLK manager, is coordinating the project and
Vicki Reitenaueriseditor.
Also, if you would like to advertise in the
directory, please call the same number, make
arrangements and increase your benefits o f the
product within a short time.
Thanks to you and to US Bank.
Get your
business in the
public eye
Advertise in
H istory in th e M aking
At U S WEST we lead by example. Everyday, African Americans are
living the dream of Martin Luther King. Their leadership is being written
for future generations.
Lija/i/Esr
life ’s better here @
MUSC M0
Official Sponaor of tha
3000 U S. Olympic Team
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