Better Business Bureau — Local services in St. Louis

Updated based upon a response from BBB. Not interested could have been resolved when I reached out to BBB prior to seeking help through another process. SCAM ALERT for certain....!!!! Their ratings are not Accurate - So don't base a company off their RATINGS!!!!! The BBB is a total waste of time. What I have personally experienced is that if the business responds they will "closed" your case and give the business a good rating. Even if you respond to say that problem has not been resolved. I received a bad oil change from a business that basically resulted in a seized engine. The owner responded to my complaint with a bunch of non truths and a blurry picture. I had all sorts of back up paperwork that the BBB didn't take into consideration. Closed my case after the response as "satisfied". The business kept a good rating and this becomes part of their so call 87% of their resolutions being satisfied! This wasn't the 1st time they didn't help with a resolution that I personally didn't agree upon. When the business responded back I was basically told to "go away". In ending, please do not go off their ratings of a business because it could be flawed. Best to write a review on Yelp if you want consumers to know about a business that is shady. BTW: I took both businesses to small claims court and won full reimbursement.

If you decide to use the BBB; have a backup plan to file with the Attorney General and Small Claims if you are looking to get reimbursed. You have 5 years from date of service and etc to file with small claims up to $5000. Also, there is a possibility that your complaint will not even show up as a complaint with the BBB they are selective in choosing which complaints will be able to view. I'm so careful about many of these mechanic repair shops and instant oil change places. That I thoroughly check out online reviews before I give them my business.

Good Luck and remember the BBB should be your last resort when you are seeking reimbursement, resolution or researching a business.

November 5, 2015: Reply back to BBB while its appreciated that you guys have someone monitoring the Google comment section as an image builder and comment manipulation - ITS A FACADE AT BEST! I have no interest in pursuing something that has been resolved through another platform and process that actually works.

Although, ultimately this even makes me more skeptical of utilizing you guys in the future. I have reviewed several complaints from customers from other businesses. Comparing ratings which also have a sufficient number of complaints just like the two small businesses that I basically complained about and each one that responded still had an A+ rating. Only the ones that don't have a history of responding get a C to F rating. It has nothing to do with the number of complaints or size of business. BBB platform doesn't seem to work for consumers.

At the end of the day, I wonder if the positive responses here on google are genuine or real at best! No, I will never send in another complaint to the BBB unless you guys change how the resolution process work; not flawed for consumers doing research on a business prior to agreeing to services based on actual ratings and not your closure rate of 87%. I understand the mediation and the initial complaint process which neither has worked for me in the past and appears for other consumers either! Thanks but no thanks! Your process is a complete JOKE! Works against...

My FRONT tooth came out on Monday probably due to stress from losing my Marine son recently and my husband being diagnosed with stage 4 aggressive colon cancer the same week. I called the St Peters office starting at 830am and finally got someone around 10am. They couldn't get me in until Wednesday at noon. I called several times before then hoping I wouldn't have to take off work. They advertise that they do EVERYTHING they can to get you in for a situation like mine. I explained to them that we just buried my son's ashes the Friday before at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and I really needed a break. I live on a peninsula which requires me to take the Golden Eagle ferry costing $17 round trip. I was 30 mins early. I get checked in only for them to tell me they no longer take our insurance. I was like, how can this be? They discontinued it in the summer but, failed to call me. The girl at the desk asked me if I still had the same insurance and I said yes and she was going to send me on back. I gave her a secondary insurance due to our situation we qualified for medical assistance. It's when I handed her both cards she realized she made a mistake. It was their Columbus, IN office who first assisted me with the same took 2 yrs ago. I practically begged them to glue my tooth back in. I went to my car to call my insurance and I came back in 3 times requesting them to call the owner. I had also called the main number of Aspen and they told me that they were supposed to go over my insurance when I called in. Today they sent me a text message stating I missed my appointment. We were scheduled for cleanings on the 17th of this month. It'll be interesting to see if they call or text. The office Mgr was helpful but, let me know her hands were tied. She also told me she informed the owner who also has another location in Missouri about my situation. She offered to collect $160 plus to fix my tooth but, I'd have to sign something stating they were no longer responsible. Thw Mgr refused to let me talj to the owner. The Mgr gave me a sticky note to STL URGENT Dental at 314-200-3880 per the owner. I was on my way but, called them first. They said they've been getting others referred from that office and they wanted me to know that it's by appointment ONLY and they couldn't see me that day. I called some other Aspen offices and none of them take our insurance currently. Funny how that works, I'm locked into our insurance until Jan but, they can cancel theirs, leaving their customers hanging! On the last attempt to get them to fix my tooth for the $80 like last time they refused and the Mgr said she told the owner that I probably would make a complaint but, she was sticking to her offer. Turns out they did me a favor. I went to our new dentist with my paperwork and they said they could get me in today and my charge was $50. They stated that it looked like they used TEMPORARY adhesive on my tooth. The customer service was awful and they had no feelings for what I'd been through. I would never use them again and I would encourage you to read the reviews for Aspen Dental.

Our dental hygienist was the BEST ever. I had told my husband I would still drive their after our move just for her. She's friendly, funny, and very good! We both always scheduled when she was there.

Tammie...

BBB has been pretty unresponsive despite one of their A+ rated businesses not responding to my complaint in over two months. Contractor review below, since the negative review wasn't posted to their site.

Cliff's Notes Version: American Concrete LLC will install concrete that drains toward your structure and not fix it, as well as showing support for Veterans, only to ignore them when a workmanship/installation issue is conveyed. (I paid both the deposit and remaining amount in a timely fashion)

American Concrete was hired to replace the entire driveway (~40') based on a combination of their bid (versus two others), Better Business Bureau rating, and their seeming support of Veterans with a 5% discount. Everything went well with the bid, deposit, and scheduling... they even moved the install date up a bit.

The installers were personable and professional, and seemingly knowledgeable. It took three days to remove, form up, and pour the new driveway. Initially, the rebar wasn't installed in accordance with the bid, but a quick message to the owner/admin had it rectified quickly. They left and I began keeping a sprinkler on it during the curing process for ~2 weeks.

After the install, I was out of town for a bit, and then it didn't rain for a while so the problems didn't immediately surface. However, upon a good rain it was apparent the sidewalk slab and one of the slabs in front of the driveway angled TOWARD the house, draining water against the garage exterior and running into the garage. Initially, Kevin (owner) showed up at the house twice to check out the issue, and ultimately did nothing to fix or offer any solutions.

Once winter snows arrived, it became apparent that not only was water draining toward the house, but the driveway is higher than the garage floor. Now, when a car has snow and ice melt, it pools at the door with nowhere else to go. At this point, I reached out again to Kevin (owner) and Cyn (admin) twice, and have heard nothing back whatsoever. A BBB complaint was filed mid-April, and approximately a month later, they advised the business was looking into it. Now, another month has gone by with zero contact.

Lastly, be sure to pay attention to their contract. It specifically states they're not responsible for spalling, and will only 'help' a customer make a claim against the concrete company... despite improper finishing techniques being a cause. Approximately 4 months after installation it began spalling, and at no time were any de-icing agents used to remove snow or ice; only a shovel was used for...