Local Better Business Bureau Launches BBBespanol.org to Enhance Services to Spanish Speaking Consumers Worldwide

[Houston, May 4, 2006] The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. announced today the launch of BBBespanol.org, the first major-market, stand-alone BBB site in the United States focused specifically on all Spanish speaking communities.

The content of BBBespanol.org is driven by issues that are of major importance to Spanish speaking communities such as predatory lending and its look and “feel” are Hispanic influenced. Tips are available on a wide range of topics including automotive, home improvement, health, family, fraud, travel, credit, technology, and shopping.

Spanish speaking consumers will be able to research BBB reliability reports about area businesses and charities and file complaints online in their primary language. It will focus on developing the bond of trust among Spanish speaking consumers and the local business community by ensuring complaints are answered and managed in a fair, unbiased manner.

BBBespanol.org was created by the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston to serve all Spanish speaking cultures in communities throughout the Upper Texas Gulf Coast and South Texas. The site will also create a bridge between international Spanish speaking consumers and the Greater Houston business community, further promoting international trade.

Many Web sites offer portions in Spanish or automated translation, but BBBespanol.org is designed to offer a comprehensive consumer educational experience custom tailored for Spanish speaking communities. Dan Parsons, BBB of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. president, said “Anyone trying to shop in a marketplace in an unfamiliar language is at an immediate disadvantage. We believe BBBespanol.org will help level that playing field.”

Business partners like Reliant Energy, the site's underwriter, and our Key Sponsors: Taxis Fiesta, Nationwide Insurance, GMAC, and Directory One are critical to the success of BBBespanol.org through their support of the BBB’s ongoing mission to create a fair and ethical marketplace.

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