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Reported on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 6:55 PM

• BBB Accreditation
• BBB Rating
• Business Contact and Profile
• Alternate Business Names
• Additional Locations and Phone Numbers

• Licensing
• Customer Complaint History
• Government Actions
• Advertising Review
• Additional Information
• Industry Tips

BBB has determined that this business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

BBB accreditation does not mean that the business' products or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB, or that BBB has made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services.

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

Click here for an explanation of BBB Ratings.

The Berry Company

(585) 272-2900
(585) 272-2908
(585) 272-2950 (FAX)

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
    in the last 36 months: 12
    in the last 12 months: 3

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

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

The Better Business Bureau has received many complaints from businesses against companies that sell business directories (in book, CD-ROM or online versions) regarding their selling practices. The firms who complain report that their business was billed for a directory listing which was never ordered, or that sales personnel lead them to believe they were renewing advertising in the directory.

To distinguish a reputable directory from those of little value or no value, the Better Business Bureau suggests the following tips:

* Before agreeing to anything, check with your local library. The public library will stock well-known and useful general directories and can advise you about its knowledge of the volume in question.
* Also, the reputation of professional and business directories may be checked with relevant trade associations. Ask the solicitor if they belong to any nationally recognized trade association and check them out.
* Ask questions. A reputable company will be willing to tell and prove to you who subscribes to its publication and the number of volumes published in past years.
* If they indicate distribution to federal or local government agencies, ask for references by a contact name, agency, address and phone number of any local agencies.
* If the subscribers to the directory are mainly limited to those whose names appear in it, you can logically infer that it is, in fact, a "vanity publication" for the self-aggrandizement of those listed.
* Contact your Better Business Bureau for a reliability report on the company.

When considering advertising in a business directory, insist on verifiable circulation figures, details of publication dates, name(s) of publishers, number of paid subscribers, and sample copies. If they provide you with a sample copy, call some of the local advertisers in your industry to see if their ads were successful in getting business.

How to Protect Your Business

* The best protection is knowledge and vigilance. Your company's accounting department, or the individuals responsible for paying bills, should carefully review all invoices, particularly those from unfamiliar companies.
* Never place an order over the telephone, unless there is no doubt that the firm you are dealing with is reputable. Obtain the organization's name, address, and telephone number, as well as its representative's full name and position. Then check on the company's reliability with your local Better Business Bureau.
* Establish effective internal controls for the payment of invoices.
* Channel all bills through one department.
* Insist that employees fill out pre-numbered purchase orders for every order placed.
* Check all invoices against purchase orders and against goods or services received. Make certain that order numbers correspond with the invoices.
* Verify all invoices with the person who gave written or verbal authorization.
* Clear all invoices with the appropriate executives.
* If the invoicing company claims to have tape recordings of the order and verification calls, insist on hearing them.

Consumers who wish to file a complaint can contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357 and Phonebusters for Canadian companies, by calling 888-495-8501. (Phonebusters is the national deceptive telemarketing call center operated by the Ontario, Canada, Provincial Police.)

The Better Business Bureau provides this general information; along with over 100 other alerts that help consumers make better buying decisions. Check them out for free on our web site at www.upstateny.bbb.org

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: 31599
Report as of: 2/9/2010 6:55 PM

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