DETROIT – Smart consumers use the Better Business Bureau to do their homework when it comes to checking out companies they're thinking about using.
The BBB tracks complaints against numerous companies and includes information about how they respond to those complaints.
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On Tuesday, Ruth to the Rescue got a list of what type of companies generated the most complaints in 2011.
Last year, the BBB serving Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula received a total of 23,371 complaints against businesses in the top 50 categories.
We're going to list the Top 20 at the end of this article.
New auto dealers topped the list in 2011. Consumers lodged 3,525 against auto dealers in the last year. Of course, the past few years have been tough on the auto industry, and BBB CEO Melanie Duqesnel says its seems the industry has seen some improvements in its service delivery.
No. 2 on the list is a broad category listed as "Manufacturing and Producers."
That category includes complaints about products that were not manufactured to the highest standards.
Another target of a lot of complaints is the finance industry, from banks to financial/credit services. Duquesnel says complaints range from customers not having their expectations met, customers not understanding interest rates, and customers who simple claim the service was poor.
However, she points out, some of those complaints can be driven by customers who are having trouble making their payments.
Here's the Top 20:
1) Auto Dealers: New Cars 3,525
2) Manufacturers & Producers 2,726
3) Auto Manufacturers & Distributors 2,708
4) Consumer Finance/Loan Co. 1,209
5) Auto Renting & Leasing 613
6) Product Sales General 591
7) Mortgage Companies 583
8) Credit Services 556
9) Loans 530
10) Financial Services 502
11) Business Services (General) 447
12) Collection Agencies 435
13) Auto Dealers- Used Cars 419
14) Financing 402
15) Financial Planning Consultants 368
16) Roofing Contractors 333
17) Auto Repair and Service 333
18) Construction & Remodeling 322
19) Heating & Air Conditioning 303
20) Siding Contractors 297