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Reported on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 8:52 PM

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This business has not been accredited by BBB.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of F

Click here for an explanation of BBB Ratings.

Reasons for this rating include:
• BBB does not have sufficient information to determine how long this business has been operating
• Number of complaints filed against business
• Failure to respond to complaints filed against business
• BBB does not have sufficient background information on this business

The BBB of Metro Washington, DC opened it file on US Local Business Association in 2008. At that time, businesses reported receiving an e-mail notice of an award as a local business. They were asked to link to the group's web site to obtain a plaque commemorating the award. There is a cost for the plaque, but that fact is not part of the the e-mail notice. Once the firm links to the web site, it can be routed to the information about costs. It is unclear if a company can opt out of the award cost, once it gets that far. The only means of contacting USLBA is via e-mail.

In June, 2009 businesses reported being contacted by US Commerce Association with similar information. Descriptions of the Asscociation, the web site itself and the name of the person identified as the Selection Committee Chair all match the solicitations made through US Local Business Association last year. The BBB believes this is the same promotion made by the same entities. The web site for USCA - us-ca.org was established in June of 2009 and has a New York registration address.

The Pennsylvania Avenue address of the firm is a known mail receiving/forwarding address. The BBB has not obained any verifiable local address or phone number for either named group. We have no current phone listing for the USLBA, which indicates on its web site at www.uslba.net, that it is a business membership association. No contact information is obtainable from either web site except via e-mail. Those approached with e-mail notification of such awards are advised to be cautious, as with any contacts from unknown groups.

Being recognized for performance in the local marketplace is a pleasant situation. Care must be taken in such a flatttering circumstance to be sure that the recognition is not, in fact, an attempt to obtain access to a company's information or to elicit funds by an entity that may not be what it represents itself as being.

Can you find out who is making the award? Can you verify the group's existence, location, and history? What is the cost to the honoree for the award? If the questions are unaswerable, it might be wise to be cautious before dealing with a group that is not transparent in its approach.

United States Local Business Association
US Commerce Association
USCA
USLBA

This company is in an industry that may require licensing, bonding or registration in order to lawfully do business. The BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

The company's size, volume of business and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by the BBB. The complaints filed against a company may not be as important as the type of complaints, and how the company has handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.

Number of complaints processed by the BBB
    since the firm's BBB file was opened in May 2008: 9
    in the last 12 months: 6

The BBB has no information regarding Government Actions at this time.

The BBB has no information regarding Ad Reviews at this time.

The Bureau has requested basic information from US Local Business Association. The Bureau has not received a response.

As a matter of policy, the BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.

BBB Reliability Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information in this BBB Reliability Report is believed reliable, but not guaranteed as to accuracy.

BBB Reliability Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Reliability Reports are subject to change at any time.

If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted the BBB for a BBB Reliability Report.

ID: 125553595
Report as of: 2/9/2010 8:52 PM

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