Businesses, consumers and brokers said to have been misled by Arizona company
Milwaukee, Wis. — The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is alerting businesses and consumers about an Arizona company, BBZ Resource Management, after receiving hundreds of complaints about its gas/grocery gift card voucher program.
BBZ Resource Management claims to help businesses increase sales and retain customers by offering them the opportunity to advertise free gas and grocery gift cards. BBZ hires brokers from the United States and Canada to approach businesses and sell the program in which the companies purchase gift card vouchers to offer to their customers. Complaints filed with the BBB stem from consumers’ failed attempts to turn the vouchers into redeemable gas and grocery gift cards.
In the past few months, 225 complaints have been received, including 8 from Wisconsin consumers. In addition, thousands of consumers have inquired about the company to the BBB. Some BBZ brokers have contacted the BBB with liability concerns as they also have received complaints from businesses and consumers about delays and non-receipt of the cards.
BBZ Resource Management has responded to some complaints, yet the company has an F rating with the BBB due to the serious nature of some complaints and failure to correct the underlying reason for the complaints. The majority of complaints concern:
* Non-receipt of gift cards after following the company’s instructions
* Delay of up to 20 weeks before receiving gift cards
* Received gift card not activated
* Received gift card is for a gas station outside of consumer’s area
Free Gas/Grocery Offer
Retailers who have signed up to participate in BBZ’s voucher program are advertising anywhere from a $100 to $500 free gas or grocery gift card with purchase. Consumers who make a purchase from a participating retailer receive a voucher that instructs them to register online to receive the free gift card(s).
After registering, consumers must then purchase $100 dollars worth of gas a month and send in receipts to BBZ before the end of that month. Once the consumer follows those instructions they are suppose to receive their first $25 gift card. Thereafter they are supposed to receive $25 gas cards each month with a $100 gas purchase until they have received the original advertised amount.
“Essentially there are three groups being misled in this scenario, the business, consumer and the broker,” BBB President/CEO Randall Hoth said. “It’s unfortunate that honest businesses have gotten caught up in this situation and in turn are losing the trust of their customers. It’s equally as frustrating for the consumers who thought they were making a purchase to redeem gas or groceries and end up empty handed.”
Better Business Bureau has connected BBZ Resource Management to the following websites:
http://www.freegrocerycenter.com
http://www.freegas4business.com
http://www.gasandgrocerydepot.com
http://www.petroleumpromotions.com
http://www.saveonhealthcare.org
http://www.theworldsoneperfectbusiness.com
http://www.claimyourmerchandise.com
http://www.claimyourgroceries.com
http://freefuelnationwide.com/
http://fuelpromos.com/main/request
Although the company denies affiliation, the duplicate privacy policy on each site connects back to BBZ. On top of that, the company’s letterhead has changed to read Incentive International.
Consumers who wish to file a complaint are encouraged to do so online with the BBB at http://www.bbb.org. The BBB advises strong caution to any business considering participation in BBZ Resource Management’s incentive program.
For more information or further inquiries, please contact the Wisconsin BBB at http://www.wisconsin.bbb.org or 414-847-6000 (metro Milwaukee), (920)-734-4352 (Appleton) or 1-800-273-1002 (elsewhere in Wisconsin).
