Summer is fairly predictable. Kids are out of school. Families take summer vacations. Temperatures rise. Beaches are bustling with activity. And undoubtedly, Jim Cantore becomes more of a household name than Simon Cowell. This summer, however, will be peppered with unprecedented variables stemming from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill catastrophe. Your BBB|Northwest Florida would like to remind all Gulf Coast residents that “haste usually makes waste.” Pause before making important decisions in regards to employment opportunities, financial investments, relocation and most importantly – the health and welfare of your family.
Unfortunately, schemers and scammers are always prevalent in times of disaster. Their hope is to take advantage of someone’s emotional or financial vulnerability. Common sense is the best yardstick for measuring doubt. If something sounds too good to be true – well, it probably is. It should raise a red flag if you are being rushed to make a decision, asked to pay a fee upfront or persuaded to give someone personal information such as banking information or your social security number. BBB’s advice is to do your homework. Start with bbb.org to access many valuable resources that will help you make informed decisions regarding your business and your family. Your BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. One way we do this is by providing information on charities, scams and useful tips for businesses and consumers.
The heat is one reason that swimming pools are commonly on a homeowner’s wish list but the demand for them will probably rise right along with the temperatures this summer due to the uncertainty of the gulf. If you already have a pool then you probably will not be in short supply of friends this summer. But if you are considering a pool for your backyard then be sure to read our Industry of the Month article which focuses on swimming pool contractors, dealers and designers. Your BBB focuses on an industry each month that ranks highest in inquiries and complaints. Our goal is to proactively provide you with the useful information that you seek in the marketplace. Hopefully by doing our job, it will make yours easier. Enjoy your summer!