Posted on: Friday, April 9, 2004
Car dealers No. 1 for consumer complaints
By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer
New auto dealers generated the most complaints from Hawai'i consumers last year, followed by wireless phone companies and Internet retailers, according to the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii.
The positions of auto dealers and wireless phone companies, which ranked second and third in 2002, changed little year to year. However, the ranking of Internet shopping service-related complaints jumped from No. 9 the prior year.
"It's both the activity (increasing) on the Internet and the fact that people know they have recourse now," said Anne Deschene, president of the Hawai'i Better Business Bureau. "I think we're going to see more of that (complaints) until people are more akamai about using the Internet."
The rest of the top 10 industries that received the most complaints in 2003 were travel agencies/bureaus, airlines, hotels, retail jewelry, real estate property management, directory publishers and auto rental companies (tied for ninth) and credit collection agencies.
Overall, the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii handled 8,453 complaints last year, compared with 7,629 in 2002.
The top 10 types of complaints concerned: selling practices, delivery, repair, guaranty/warranty, product quality, refund practices, contract issues, service, credit/billing and advertising.
Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.
No. 10 on the list in 2003, credit collection agencies likely will move up this year because of a rise in complaints, Deschene said. Part of the problem are debt consolidation/counseling services that don't disclose fees, charge high fees, or don't fulfill their promises, she said.
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Better Business Bureau reports
The Hawai'i Better Business Bureau keeps reports on consumer tips and complaint histories for local businesses as well as information on the share of contributions that go toward local charities' missions. Its Web site is www.hawaii.bbb.org, and phone number is 536-6956.
