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Archives for: November 2008

   
 

Consumer Tip - Fitness Equipment

Posted Monday, November 24, 2008
by Bob Kenyon

 

Click for BBB® Accredited Businesses in Central and Northern Alberta that sell Fitness Equipment

Looking for a way to keep fit, stay limber or lose weight? A diet of regular exercise can help.

Which exercise is best? The one you're really going to do. For some people, that means working out at home on exercise equipment.

If you're considering buying exercise equipment, evaluate advertising claims for fitness products carefully. Exercise — with or without special equipment — is essential for good health. But be skeptical of claims that you will lose several pounds, inches or pant sizes in a short time (for example, "7 inches in 7 days" or "3 dress sizes in one month"). Even when combined with dietary supplements or specialized breathing techniques, it is virtually impossible for most consumers to achieve such major changes in appearance in a few days or weeks.

BBB advises consumers to:

  1. Ignore claims that an exercise machine or device can provide long-lasting, easy, "no-sweat" results in a short time. These claims are false: You can't get the benefits of exercise unless you exercise.
  2. Question claims that a product can burn fat off a particular part of the body — for example, the buttocks, hips or stomach. Achieving a major change in your appearance requires sensible eating and regular exercise that works the whole body.
  3. Read the ad's fine print. The advertised results may be based on more than just using a machine; they also may be based on restricting calories.
  4. Be skeptical of testimonials and before-and-after pictures from "satisfied" customers. Their experiences may not be typical. Just because one person had success with the equipment doesn't mean you will, too.
  5. Do the calculations when you read statements like "three easy payments of ..." or "only $49.95 a month." The advertised cost may not include shipping and handling fees, sales tax, and delivery and set-up fees. Find out the details before you order.
  6. Get details on warranties, guarantees and return policies. A "30-day money-back guarantee" may not sound as good if you have to pay shipping on a bulky piece of equipment you want to "return to sender."
  7. Check out the company's BBB Reliability Report, customer and support services. Call the advertised toll-free numbers to get an idea of how easy it is to reach a company representative and how helpful he or she is.

This consumer tip is provided by BBB Serving Cental and Northern Alberta. Click here for more consumer tips.

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Monthly Renewed Accredited Businesses (October)

Posted Friday, November 07, 2008
by Bob Kenyon

 

During the month of Octoberr 2008 the following businesses (listed alphabetically by their city/town where they are located) renewed their Accreditation with BBB Serving Central and Northern Alberta and their commitment to trust and reliability in business.

BBB wishes to thank these businesses and urges all consumers and businesses to support these and other BBB Accredited Businesses, listed by their type of business (TOB) in our Accredited Business Roster or searchable by their business name in Company Reports. Using our e-Quote system, consumers and purchasers can also request prices and information from BBB Accredited Businesses.

Alberta Beach, Devon, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain

Lanman Landscapes, Thomsen Homes Inc, Kiwi Nurseries Ltd, Northern Landscaping Ltd

Bonnyville, Fort Mcmurray, Lamont, St. Alberta

Westside Muffler & Automotive Ltd, Avenue Automatics, Cartech Auto, Edalta Building Movers Ltd, St Albert Chimney Sweep Service Ltd

Camrose, Leduc, Ponoka

Edmonton

A & J Driving School ,  A and K Tax Tyme Ltd ,  A V Spinners DJ Service ,  Accent Heating ,  Action Muffler Radiator & Brakes Ltd ,  Action Muffler Radiator & Brakes Ltd ,  After Dark Motorcycles Inc ,  Aim Real Estate Corporation ,  Aladdin Moving Systems Ltd ,  All-Side Contracting Ltd ,  Alliance Building Maintenance ,  AllStyle Finishing & Interior Inc ,  Ann's Basket of Goodies ,  Answer Asphalt & General Contracting Ltd ,  Arthur Murray Dance Studio ,  Artiste Renovations & Contracting ,  Atlas Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd ,  Bathworks ,  Big Iron Drilling Ltd ,  Blind Magic Window Coverings & Cleaning ,  C & A Construction Services Ltd ,  Cameron Driver Education Ltd ,  Canfix Eavestroughing Repairs & Service Co ,  Capital Motors LP ,  Capital Tax Ltd ,  Chim-Chimney Ltd ,  Comfree Private Sales ,  Cooling Systems Services ,  Cosimo Homes ,  Dabrro Homes Ltd ,  Dave Shannon Music D J Services ,  Davies Management & Realty Ltd ,  Delibrex Ltd ,  Dominion Lending Centres - Stellar Mortgage ,  Dr D W Pettigrew ,  Eastwood Auto Body Ltd ,  Edmonton Centennial Cleaning Services ,  Edmonton Chiropractic & Wellness Clinic ,  Edmonton Drain Cleaners Ltd ,  Edmonton Lock & Safe Inc ,  Elite Sportswear & Awards ,  Field Law ,  Fresh Air Heating & Cooling ,  Future Fireplaces & Stoves Ltd ,  Glenora Lumber & Building Supplies Ltd ,  Golden Square Developments ,  Greenan Insurance Ltd ,  Harmcor Plumbing & Heating Ltd ,  Healing Waters Spa ,  Hear In Edmonton Inc ,  Herbers Autobody Repair Ltd ,  Herbers Autobody Repair Ltd ,  Herbers Autobody Repair Ltd ,  Herbers Autobody Repair Ltd ,  Highland Moving & Storage Ltd ,  Jaehn's Auto Body Shop Ltd ,  Kevin's Rocks-n-Raquets ,  KVP Registration Services Ltd ,  L L Climatic Insulation Ltd ,  Lafarge Canada Inc ,  Lafarge Canada Inc ,  Leather Elite ,  MBS Registry Services Ltd ,  Millennium Windows Ltd ,  Miller Thomson LLP ,  Movac Valve Systems Ltd ,  MP Media Plus Inc ,  Nacel Canada Inc ,  Osco Gunite & Mudjacking Ltd ,  Ostrem Chemical Co Ltd ,  Oteenow Employment & Training Society ,  Our Move ,  Overhead Door Co of Edmonton ,  Pacesetter Homes Ltd ,  Paradise Carpets ,  Pardon Experts ,  Park Place Communities Ltd ,  Peace Hills Trust Company ,  Petro Field Equipment Ltd ,  PM Roofing Ltd ,  Printer World International Inc ,  Provincial Heating & Air Conditioning ,  Red Ram Truck & Equipment Parts ,  Reflections Auto Body ,  Ross & Associates Consulting Ltd ,  Royal Exteriors Ltd ,  Shred-it ,  Silver Crest Homes Inc ,  Southtown Chrysler Inc ,  Stoneshire Homes Ltd ,  Sunrooms Etc Ltd ,  T N T Motorcycling Ltd ,  The Alberta New Home Warranty Program ,  The Alberta New Home Warranty Program ,  The Mortgage Centre ,  The Renovation Store ,  Top to Bottom Construction ,  Tradesman Mechanical Services Inc ,  Trans America Investments Ltd ,  Treasures Insurance ,  Trevor Brown Upholstery ,  Tri-Stad Construction Inc ,  Trimline Design Centre Inc ,  Troy Fleetwood Consulting Ltd ,  United Construction Company Inc ,  Vacuflo Edmonton ,  Welsh's Saddlery & Western Wear ,  West Edmonton Truckland Ltd ,  Westclare Homes Ltd ,  Westworld Computers Ltd ,  Wulcon Construction Ltd

Edson, Jasper, Whitecourt

Quickloans Financial Services Inc, Jasper Rock & Jade Shop, D Ash Grading Ltd

Fairview, Grande Prairie, Peace River, Rycroft

Warren's Automotive, Advantage Valve Maintenance Ltd, Distributors North Inc, Grande Prairie Rainbow Automotive Ltd, Mayne Towing Services Ltd, T H Relief Valve & Machining Ltd, Calico Fabrics & Notions, Peace Country Memorials Ltd

Lloydminster, Wainwright

Meridian Engine Service Ltd, Truck Zone, Wainalta Motors (1988) Ltd

Red Deer

Ambusch Securities Ltd, Aries/Airflo Heating and Air Conditioning, Cameron Driver Education Ltd, Center City Tire & Auto, Central Alberta Flooring & Interiors, Frontier Bus Lines Ltd, KCB Cabinets, Personal Alternatives Funeral Services, The Phone Experts Communications Ltd

Sherwood Park

Accompli Kitchens Inc, Housemaster Home Inspection Service, Registry On Wye Ltd

Bookmark this link to see our monthly list of Renewed Accredited Businesses.

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Monthly New Accredited Businesses (October)

Posted Friday, November 07, 2008
by Bob Kenyon

We proudly welcome new Accredited Businesses that have pledged to abide by BBB® Principles for Trust in an effort to protect and promote the free enterprise system through self-regulation.

The following is a list of new BBB Accredited Businesses whose applications have been approved by our Board of Directors from October 1 to 31, 2008.

To find out more about these new BBB Accredited Businesses and the goods and services they provide, "click" on their link and view their Online Reliability Report. Each report also provides contact information.

Bookmark this link to see our monthly list of New Accredited Businesses.

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