Being a Trusted Business on the directory comes with responsibilities  No other directory, advertising medium or ' watchdog organization'  puts businesses through the process we do before we promote and endorse them. click on the link to read the CBC news story below for an example of why that is important.

MOVERS USE EXTORTION AGAINST CUSTOMER  

The Trusted Partners and team all have our parts to play to ensure the directory maintains the standards and high level of integrity that it does) and Trusted then enter into a contract, where the partners sign to uphold the 5 Trusted Guarantees. They are the foundation of our community. To ensure that our partners are upholding these guarantees on a daily basis we have a Trusted MYSTERY SHOPPER PROGRAM, where we mystery shop many Trusted Partners on an annual basis....and we get our shoppers to fill-out a report to tell us about the experience.

Our latest business to be mystery shopped was RAYS MOVING & STORAGE, Mark at Rays was happy for us to share the report with you, the public..

TRUSTED PARTNER: Rays Moving

DATE OF MS:Monday November 21st (phone call) Thursday December 1st (move date)

MYSTERY SHOP CHECKLIST

1. How was the greeting/ welcome/ call answered?

I was transferred to a very friendly and extremely helpful fellow who booked my move for a time and day that worked for me in less than 10 minutes. I would normally have written down his name, but under the circumstances I neglected to do so therefore I have forgotten the name of the person that I spoke with. He was absolutely great to deal with!

2. If retail: Appearance of the store / staff 

Booking was done over the phone, did not go to office.

3. Product/industry knowledge of staff? N/A

4. If a quote is required is the quote well laid out/ clear?

I did not ask for a quote as I was more concerned about being moved on a certain date by a reputable mover. My sister had called around approx. a month prior for rates for my Dad’s move, so I was aware of what current rates for movers were.

5. Did they ask where you found them?

No, I told him how I found Ray’s on Trustedsaskatoon.com website.

6. Overall experience 1-10. –

I will give them a 9.5

7. Would you return as a customer/ recommend them to close friends? 

Yes, and I will use them again when I move my things out of the storage facility to my new home.

8. Did anyone stand out as exceptional? or the opposite..If so who? Why? 

As well as the above mentioned fellow who booked my move, I found the two fellows that actually moved me to be fast, professional, friendly and compassionate. I was moving due to a breakdown in my long term relationship, and those two guys really tried to cheer me up!

9. If you made a purchase/booked a job how was the process? If so refer to the Trusted Guarantees below and give an overall mark on each if applicable.

See above #6 ..I am pleased to say they upheld all the guarantees!

TRUSTED GUARANTEES

1. Provide the service and quality promised.

2. Complete the job on time.

3. Charge the price quoted with NO surprises.

4. Communicate honestly and be responsive to customer needs.

5. Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind

Please share any other comments relating to your experience with the company.

Very Happy with Rays and Very Happy with Trustedsaskatoon!! >

Then to solidify Rays being on the directory even more on Dec 19th 5:53 PM  Trusted received this website comment:

Subject: Saskatoon Website Comments Saskatoon Website Comments from: Tyler Gesy

Comments: I found Ray's Moving on this site, then I hired them, and then they were awesome! I'd like to leave a positive review but I couldn't figure out how... Where should I submit a review?

Tyler , I am pleased to tell you that you just have left the review you wanted to, for all the world to see THANK YOU for taking the time to contact us and thanks for your feedback we appreciate it tremendously 

So well done Rays Moving & Storage ..you have proved AGAIN , that you deserve the PROMOTION, ENDORSEMENT and KUDOS that we love to heap upon you ..Great businesses like you deserve the promotion...and to top it all off, you have gained another loyal client in our mystery shopper Brenda too!!! 

 They understand what good customer Service is!

 MOST importantly the public in Saskatoon can feel confident that when they choose a TRUSTED business from THE Saskatoon Directory of experts they will be glad they did!! No risk..no stress..just Trusted businesses at their fingertips waiting to serve them! 

Stay Trusted My friends..SAFE and TRUSTED of course!

How To Hire An Electrician

An electrician is someone who specializes in the wiring and repair of electrical mechanisms. Most people will rarely need the services of an electrician, but when it is necessary choosing the right one is very important. For home use, electricians are typically needed to re-wire or repair existing systems. They are also needed for construction, including additions and remodels, to place the electrical outlets and lighting. Before deciding on an electrician, determine the scope of work. Try to be as detailed as possible so you can determine the needs for the project. Minor repair work can be completed by an electrician who is may not have a lot of experience. However, for major repairs, remodels, and new construction, it is imperative to get a skilled tradesman. Improper wiring can be very dangerous and can lead to fires, putting everyone at risk.

 If you decide to choose a few to get estimates on your project for comparison we would suggest talking with each person/electrical firm to evaluate their experience and expertise. Have them walk through your project with you so you can understand what needs to be done, how it will be accomplished, how long it will take and the cost….get a written quote, so there are no gray areas. An electrician should be licensed and carry valid insurance (workers comp insurance is a must- otherwise you may be liable if they injure/electrocute themselves on your property.) Verify that both are active and in good standing before starting a job. Damage done can be severe with improper wiring so this is very important. If an electrician cannot provide you with both, do not hire them. There is too much at stake. If you are concerned ask for copies of their license and insurance certificate.

Experience Level

Ask the electrician about their experience level. An electrical company that has been in business for a long time will likely be a better choice than one that is just starting out. New businesses may offer price reductions to help them establish a client list and references, but may not be around in a month or so if something go’s wrong. If opting for a new business, check that the electrician who is working on the job has significant experience with the type of work required. Request references and check them. Electricians who have happy customers will do a good job for you.

Choose the electrician who has the best combination of price and experience, and with whom you felt most comfortable. Get the project specifications in writing so you have a detailed accounting of the job, the costs, and time for completion. This will help protect you if anything goes wrong.

AVOID THIS .....Hire a TRUSTED Electrician!

When serarching or Googling choose a Trusted Business in Saskatoon..you'll be Glad you did ...check out our Trusted Saskatoon YOU TUBE CHANNEL for more Consumer and Business Tips from Sara the Trusted Founder, along with Videos of Trusted Partners!

6 important things to consider when redesigning your website

Over the three years I have had the opportunity to speak with an array of business owners in Saskatoon who are considering redesigning their current websites. A common issue they all face is whether or not they simply need a small cosmetic change to their website or a complete reconstruction of the entire site. Last September, while reading through my daily Internet/web design news, I came across a great article outlining important things to consider when redesigning your website. The article captured the main questions that business owners need to consider before determining if their website can simply undergo a small facelift or a complete redesign. I hope this article gives you a few things to think about and helps you determine the best strategy forward for your website! Allison Craig Website Marketing Owner, Trio Web Design - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There are very few, if any, websites on the Internet that don’t undergo at least a minor facelift at some point in their lifecycle. If you own a business with a web presence, at some point, that site will need to be redesigned, whether it’s due to the changing nature of your business, or purely for aesthetic reasons.

Redesigning your company site can be a major undertaking, so we’ve put together a helpful list of things to keep in mind when considering a redesign.

1. Why Are You Redesigning?

This is perhaps the most deceptively complex, yet obvious question of all. Before undergoing any redesign, however, it’s important to understand what it is you wish to accomplish. Are you unhappy with the way your site functions? Do you simply want a better-looking site? Do you need to improve search engine rankings and sales conversions? Maybe the focus of your business has shifted and it’s time for new content. These are all important factors to consider, so before you start, make a detailed list of what it is you wish to accomplish during the redesign. This will help guide you through the rest of the process and make sure you stay focused on the end goal.

2. What Type of Redesign Do You Need?

Now that you’ve decided exactly why you want to redesign your site, it’s time to decide just how far down the rabbit hole you need to go. Perhaps a small change in visuals and content is all that’s necessary. On the other hand, you may need to add new features or completely redo your underlying code base. Depending on your needs and budget, a large overhaul may be out of the question, or it may be the most cost-effective long-term solution, so take a moment to think about your needs going forward and work with your developer to strike a balance that best meets them.

3. What Does and Doesn’t Work Currently?

No matter how large or small the redesign, chances are there will be some elements of your existing site that work very well and some that don’t work at all. Now is the time to go through your site and identify these elements. Maybe your content is too verbose or your sales page isn’t very user-friendly. On the other hand, that photo gallery and the blog may be big-ticket items that do really well for your image and bring in lots of traffic. Some elements will need to remain (though possibly given a makeover), some will need to be cleaned up and some will have to go. Break your site down into its key components and then compare those with the goals you decided on in step one and the overall vision for your web site. If something doesn’t fit, it’s out.

4. How Is Your Site Being Used?

Along these same lines, don’t forget to take a look at how users are currently interacting with your site. This will help you identify great content and problem areas.Study your traffic statistics and site analytics for information on things such as entry and exit pages, sales conversions, and search engine keywords. This will help you to understand how visitors find your site and what they do once they get there. While you’re studying those statistics, also have a look at details like screen resolution and browser usage. This will help your developer determine what technical specifications your site should meet and whether a separate mobile version of your site is recommended, among other things.

5. Has Your Brand or Company Image Changed?

If you’ve undergone changes to your brand and company image, those changes need to be reflected in your site, even if the only updates are visual. Keep your logos updated and consider a color-overhaul if the corporate image or philosophy has shifted. Your website is often the first impression people get of your business, so it should grow and mature right along with the rest of your brand identity.

6. When and How Should You Launch Your Redesign?

When and how you launch your redesign can have a big impact on your traffic and in generating buzz about your new site and your product. Maybe you’re simply making improvements and want to slowly roll out changes over time and unannounced. This unobtrusive rollout won’t give you a lot of buzz, but it will still accomplish your goals of improving the site’s performance and the user’s experience. On the other hand, a big relaunch around the holidays or at the start of a big promotion, or when announcing a major change in the way your business operates can both draw traffic and generate more interest.

simply check out Trusted Marketing Services -  their Listing Here under COMPUTERS & WEBSITE DESIGN. They are you SASKATOON WEBSITE DESIGN EXPERTS on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of Trusted Experts!  

Stay Trusted my friends..SAFE & TRUSTED of course

 When you see this symbol on vehicles, in magazines and newspapers, on flyers or on websites you KNOW you are GUARANTEED a great experience! When choosing or Googling businesses in Saskatoon..choose Trusted businesses ...you'll be glad you did!  

Gibbon Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Saskatoon and surrounding areas for over 25 Years, Gibbon is a "Total Service" company with trained technicians who are able to provide customers with solutions to all their Heating & Air Conditioningrequirements they provide a Trusted Tip on being aware of Furnace Con Jobs .

Saskatoon is still enjoying pretty great Winter, but freezing days are right around the corner. There's a growing concern about fly-by-night furnace contractors who may try to rip you off

1. What's the set-up for this con game? Like many contractor cons, this game begins with a knock on the door. The guy on your step may look the part – dressed as a workman, with a clipboard and tool belt – and he’ll offer a “free inspection” of your furnace. If you resist the offer, he might tell you horror stories about a neighbour “a couple streets away” who had major problems and was unaware of the danger or remind you of some real disasters that were recently in the news, like the house in Regina that blew up in May after an undiagnosed gas leak...or the Neighbourhood in California last year that was destroyed.

2. What happens when the con man does the inspection? Without fail, the con man finds a huge problem, one that requires immediate attention – he’ll almost always try to convince you that the house will explode or that your home is filling up with noxious gases even as you’re talking to him – and he’ll offer to get his “emergency crew” to you the same day if you’ll pay some portion of the inflated estimate up front. If you resist, he’ll threaten to “red tag” the furnace, which he says would mean you’d have to have a city inspector out to restart service at additional costs.

3. What’s the reality here? Even if your furnace has a major problem, no reputable and Trusted company is going to claim that the house is going to blow up if you don’t write a cheque in the next five minutes. Most of the time – even in the worst cases – you can shut off the gas, open a window, and be safe enough to call for a second opinion. Whenever anyone tries to convince you that you need major repairs on the spur of the moment and wants money up front to start the job, you need to stop everything and think about the decision. Don’t allow yourself to be pressured, and definitely don’t let a con man throw you into a panic. Unless you’re talking to a city employee with proper identification or a contractor you’ve called to your home because you suspected a problem, there’s no reason to drop everything and run screaming from your home on the say-so of a stranger. Con men are experts at causing pressure and panic. Don’t fall for it.

4. Do the furnace inspections offered by local dealers make sense? Absolutely! Gibbon Heating and Airconditoning offer Furnace inspections for a reasonable fee and SHOW you what to look out for , so you can rest assured in the future.It’s not a bad idea to invest in the visit. Most of the time, besides checking for cracks in the pipes, leaks, and other serious problems, the worker will change the filter and get the unit ready for winter. If you don’t know anything about maintaining a furnace, that’s a great way for you to stay ahead of costly repairs and make sure that your furnace is operating properly. Plus, there’s a certain amount of trust built into the fees a reputable company charges for its work. Companies might offer free inspections, and some do that as a courtesy, counting on a percentage of those inspections resulting in lucrative jobs, but the temptation for some businesses to find something wrong – anything wrong, really -- when they’re offering their expertise is pretty high.

You can find Gibbon Heating and Air online www.gibbonheating.com  or check out their listing here in the AIR CONDITIONING & FURNACE Category on THE Saskatoon Directory of excellence..they are your Trusted AIR CONDITIONING & FURNACE EXPERTS Right here in Saskatoon!

In other News Trusted is proud and thrilled to announce that www.trustedsaskatoon.com has been nominated for not 1 but 3 SABEX awards in Saskatoon. Sara the Trusted Founder received this email today that we would like to share with you:

"Dear Sara Wheelwright, Congratulations! Your company, TrustedSaskatoon.com has been nominated for a 2012 Celebrate Success SABEX (Saskatoon Achievement in Business Excellence) Award Presented by PotashCorp.! Your company was nominated in the following categories: Customer Service (Sponsored by CIBC), New Business Venture (Sponsored by SaskPower), and Small Business of the Year (15 or less employees) (Sponsored by TD Canada Trust) Excellence inspires - At The Greater Saskatoon Chamber it is our mission Build the Best Business Climate in Canada, Thereby Creating a City of Opportunity. This is our opportunity to annually recognize you, our business community, for your continued contributions and achievements. Let us showcase your organization at the 2012 Celebrate Success! SABEX Awards Gala Event. This our 17th year of celebrating excellence with our 2012 Celebrate Success Awards Gala Presented by PotashCorp. The awards banquet is scheduled for May 17th 2012 in Saskatoon."

We wouldn't be even in the running if it weren't for the Trusted Team who work so hard finding these wonderful businesses in Saskatoon ( and Regina), and if they didn't do such a good job and live by the principles and integrity that we set as a standard then the Saskatoon Public wouldn't go to the site and love the site so much ! If we win anything that will be a bonus, we are just so happy to even be considered what a great start to 2012!

Source:BBB Oklahoma Sept, 2010

Top 10 Reasons Why To Use a Mortgage Broker

1. Get independent advice on your financial options.

As an independent mortgage broker, we're not tied to any one lender or range of products. Our goal is to help you successfully finance your home or property. We'll start by getting to know you and your homeownership goals. We'll make a recommendation, drawing from available mortgage products that match your needs, and we will decide together on what's right for you.

2. Save time with one-stop shopping.

It could take weeks for you to organize appointments with competing mortgage lenders - and we know you'd probably rather spend your time house-hunting! We work directly with dozens of lenders, and can quickly narrow down a list of those that suit you best. It makes comparison-shopping fast, easy, and convenient.

3. We negotiate on your behalf.

Many people are uncertain or uncomfortable negotiating mortgages directly with their bank. Brokers negotiate mortgages each and every day on behalf of Canadian homebuyers. You can count on our market knowledge to secure competitive rates and terms that benefit you.

4. More choice means more competitive rates.

We have access to a network of major lenders in Canada, so your options are extensive. In addition to traditional lenders, we also know what's being offered by credit unions, trust companies, and other sources not available to the public. And we can help you take care of other requirements before your closing date, such as sourcing mortgage default insurance if your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price.

5. Ensure that you're getting the best rates and terms.

Even if you've already been pre-approved for a mortgage by your bank or another financial institution, you're not obliged to stop shopping! Let us investigate to see if there is an alternative to better suit YOUR needs.

6. Get access to special deals and add-ons.

Many financial institutions would love to have you as a client, which is why they often offer incentives to attract creditworthy customers. These can include up to 5% cashback for things such as down payment or whatever you choose, free legal fees and appraisals, retail points programs, discounts on appliances and more. We do the math on which offers might be worth your attention when it comes to financing or mortgage insurance - so you get the perks you deserve.

7. Things move quickly!

Our job isn't done until your closing date goes smoothly. We'll help ensure your mortgage transaction takes place on time and to your satisfaction. We are available 7 days a week, evenings and weekends, by phone, text, email & fax!

8. Get expert advice.

When it comes to mortgages, rates, and the housing market, we'll speak to you in plain language. We can explain the various mortgage terms and conditions so you can choose confidently.

9. No cost to you.

There's absolutely no charge for our services on typical residential mortgage transactions. How can we afford to do that? Like many other professional services, such as insurance, mortgage brokers are generally paid a finder's fee when we introduce trustworthy, dependable customers to a financial institution. These fees are quite standard and nearly industry-wide so that the focus remains on you, the customer.

10. Ongoing support and consultation.

Even once your mortgage is signed and paperwork is complete, we are here if you need any advice on closing details or even future referral needs. We are happy to be of assistance when you need it.

Information courtesy of Tamara Mezzo and Genworth Financial Canada

Find TRusted Saskatoon Mortgage Brokers here in the SASKATOON MORTGAGE Category on THE Saskatoon directory of excellence.