Why is LinkNow Media NOT a member of the BBB?

Below is our correspondences with the BBB as well as the press release we received from them.

From: Wesley Mendelovitch
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 1:33 PM
To: Hansen, Anjali
Subject: Quebec BBB

Hello Anjali,

I was given your information from the former BBB in Quebec in regards to renewing my membership with the BBB. Can you please call me to discuss my options.

Please call my cell: 514.XXX-XXXX

Best regards,

Wesley Mendelovitch
President
LinkNow Media
888.667.7186

From: Hansen, Anjali
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 1:45 PM
To: 'Wesley Mendelovitch'
Cc: Baskin, Beverly; Hutt, Katherine
Subject: RE: Quebec BBB

Yes, however, unfortunately we are in a state of uncertainty at the moment about the Quebec BBB territory.  We will have more information next week, if that is okay with you.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Take care,

From: Wesley Mendelovitch
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 1:57 PM
To: Hansen, Anjali
Subject: RE: Quebec BBB

No problem, I heard rumors that there is branch in New York, possibly Buffalo taking on existing Quebec members? I also was told by the former Quebec BBB that they paid our fees (which we sent them in August) to the BBB. When I spoke with someone at Steven Cox’s office they said they never received any of the money. Do you know which is true because I would like to get my money back from the Quebec company if they didn’t submit the money to the BBB and are lying about the details.

Thanks

From: Hansen, Anjali
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 2:22 PM
To: 'Wesley Mendelovitch'
Subject: RE: Quebec BBB

Buffalo is no longer able to take Montreal ABs unfortunately.  We just learned of this and we do not at this time have another alternative.  We are polling our BBBs in Canada to see if any are able to help with solutions.

If enough businesses in Quebec support a BBB there, we might be able to find an entrepreneur to start another BBB.  I am told that to start a BBB in an area you first need a showing of sufficient business support.

If you have business outside of Quebec, you can apply for BBB membership in any location you have ties, including Buffalo.

As for the license fees, the former Quebec BBB paid Council for licensed use of the online seal through April 2011 but not thereafter.  It has to be paid on a monthly basis.

I am sorry I do not have better news at this time, but we continue to seek a solution.

Sincerely,

Anjali Hansen
Anjali K. Hansen | Attorney
Tel: 703-247-9340 Fax: 703-276-0634
Email: ahansen@council.bbb.org
www.bbb.org | Start With Trust
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800 Arlington, VA  22203

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Katherine Hutt

571-422-3584

mediahotline@bbb.org

Better Business Bureau Integrates

U.S. and Canadian Operations

Program combines North American operations for more seamless

consumer experience, improved cross-border dispute resolution

(August 11, 2011, Arlington VA) – The Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) is integrating operations in the United States and Canada, marking the way for an improved customer experience for those who purchase goods and services across the border. The CBBB Board of Directors voted last week on the integration plan, which becomes effective August 16, 2011. The CBBB is the international headquarters of the BBB system and the governing body that licenses local BBBs and provides support services to increase their effectiveness.

“Given the advances in technology and the globalization of services, it no longer makes sense to maintain two separate systems,” said M. Jean Lemyre of Via Rail Canada, chair of the Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus (CCBBB). “The vast majority of consumers initially contact BBB through the internet. Aligning BBB services into one integrated system will be more efficient for businesses in Canada, and will ensure that consumers continue to receive the high quality of services they’ve come to expect from BBB.”

“The U.S. and Canada remain each other’s largest trading partners,” noted Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of CBBB. “We share the world’s longest undefended border, and our citizens cross the border 200 million times a year. Every day more than $1 billion in goods, services and investments are exchanged between our two nations. We are really one North American marketplace, and the BBB system will reflect that. Not only will it be easier for consumers to check out businesses in either country, it will be simpler for them to file a complaint or resolve a dispute.”

For nearly 100 years, BBB has helped consumers make smarter buying decisions. More than 400,000 businesses meet the organization’s rigorous standards and are BBB Accredited. In addition, BBB maintains information on more than 4 million businesses, and every year helps millions of consumers through free business reviews, consumer tips, fraud alerts, dispute resolution, and consumer advocacy. 1.1 million complaints to BBB were resolved in 2010.

There are 23 standards that local organizations must meet in order to use the BBB name and logo, and to receive services from CBBB. Currently, there are 122 local, independent BBBs across the U.S. and Canada.

Four of those in Canada have not met the high standards required to be licensed as a BBB (Hamilton, Windsor, St. John’s and Montreal). After careful analysis and consideration, the CBBB board voted yesterday to close the operations of these bureaus. The boundaries will be realigned so that other local BBBs can serve those areas, and the local and national offices are working hard to prevent interruption of service to BBB Accredited Businesses and consumers in those jurisdictions.

In the province of Ontario, the territory currently covered by BBB Hamilton will be reassigned to BBB Kitchener, and the territory currently covered by BBB Windsor will be reassigned to BBB London. The territory currently covered by BBB St. John’s (Newfoundland) will be reassigned to BBB Halifax (Nova Scotia).

BBB Montreal, which comprises almost all of Quebec Province, will unfortunately be unserved for the immediate future, although efforts are underway to find a solution. As part of the integration process, the CCBBB will serve in an advisory capacity to advise the CBBB board on issues of importance to businesses and consumers in the Canadian provinces. The advisory council will be reviewing possible solutions to the BBB Montreal issue and will make a recommendation to the CBBB board as soon as possible.

# # #

About BBB
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Reliability Reports® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visit www.bbb.org for more information.