CONTACT

Katie Mitzner / Communications Director
Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado
Telephone: 719/636-5076 Ext. 118
Fax: 719/636-5078
Email: katiem@bbbsc.org

[Colorado Springs, CO, November 15, 2004] – Those in the market for a new or used car in Southern Colorado now have easy access online to the combined information resources of the Better Business Bureau and J.D. Power and Associates.

Through a teaming agreement, the two organizations have now enhanced the value of information that is available to consumers when shopping online for an automobile.

“There are two aspects to every car buying decision: which automobile to purchase and from which auto dealership. The BBB and J.D. Power and Associates – among the best-known and most highly regarded consumer information organizations – now offer car shoppers a one-stop resource to research automobile customer satisfaction ratings, locate a BBB member automobile dealer near their zip code and read helpful tips on buying a new or used vehicle,” said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

“Consumers researching new vehicles online want information they know they can trust,” said Peter Marlow, partner at J.D. Power and Associates. “Combining our reliability ratings, which are based on verified vehicle owners, with the BBB’s trusted network of automotive dealership members gives consumers a greater level of comfort as they research and shop for vehicles.”

Through our website, www.bbbsc.org, and the national BBB website, www.bbb.org, consumers have access to thousands of new and used car dealerships that are members of the BBB of Southern Colorado as well as dealerships nationwide that are BBB members. Through the site consumers can also check out helpful tips on what to consider when purchasing a new or used vehicle.

Now through a partnership with J.D. Power, prospective automobile shoppers visiting the J.D. Power Consumer Center site, www.jdpower.com/cc, can obtain ratings on vehicles and can now easily search for BBB member automobile dealers near their zip code. In addition, online shoppers can browse BBB automobile-related consumer information as well as view J.D. Power consumer ratings, the J.D. Power consumer panel and J.D. Power and Associates ratings on automobiles.

“This is a remarkable new information tool for auto shoppers seeking to buy a car in Southern Colorado. They can easily check the J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction ratings on hundreds of vehicles and then quickly locate a nearby automobile dealer from the database of more than 50 dealers that have committed to meet the BBB of Southern Colorado’s membership standards,” said Carol Odell Executive Director and CEO of the BBB of Southern Colorado.

The car-buying experience ends happily for most consumers. However, those who experience problems with their newly-purchased car or who can’t resolve a dispute with their dealership, can also turn to the BBB and J.D. Power. By visiting either the bbb.org or the jdpower.com site, car buyers can obtain helpful BBB information concerning state lemon laws, file a complaint online with the BBB, or join the JDPowerPanel, an exclusive online community of consumers that helps companies to improve the quality of their service and products.

“The Better Business Bureau has long advised consumers to investigate before they invest. Purchasing a car today is a major investment. By teaming with J.D. Power and Associates, the BBB is continuing its mission to help those who live and work in Southern Colorado to make better, more informed decisions,” Carol Odell said.

The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado is a membership-based nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to promoting and fostering the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education and service excellence. Founded locally in 1980 and an active member of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) based in Arlington, Virginia, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado offers free information to the community in addition to facilitation, mediation and arbitration services. Along with the BBB of Southern Colorado Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to consumer, business and marketplace education, the BBB provides free services every day through its automated inquiry line at 719-636-1155 and 866-206-1800 and on its website at www.bbbsc.org.