"The World's Best Sites?" Who Says?
Has anyone ever heard of "The World's Best Sites" seal program? See the previous posting and note that Ask Dr. Tech displays one of its seals prominently on its home page. It's a little tough to find identity information on "The World's Best Sites" site (check under the privacy/terms of use link), but I think it's a fair question to ask what qualifies the "international information technology consultancy of B.C. Scott," based at 509 Creek Street, Copperas Cove, Texas, to give out site certificates and seals. (Google Maps shows 509 Creek Street, Copperas Cove, Texas, 76522 to be, well, somebody's house, in the middle of a subdivision not too far north of Austin, off I-35). I've got nothing against legitimate home-based businesses, but I would recommend B.C. Scott take a look at Ask Dr. Tech and LiveRepair. They might want to reconsider that seal.
That's not the only problem, here, though.
Click on the BBB seal displayed at the top of "The World's Best Sites" home page -- it's expired for non-payment of dues and other problems. Search the BBB and you'll see two separate listings for the business at two different addresses. Both list an unsatisfactory record due to "failure to discontinue the use of the BBB's federally registered trademark when demands have been made to do so."
"The World's Best Sites" lists some pretty big names as stores in its mall -- Cingular, Office Depot, Netflix -- and what appear to be some big-name advertisers. Wonder if they are aware of this seal program's BBB status?
By the way, the site doesn't list a phone number. However, the BBB reports page does list a phone number, which I called. Got a generic voice message and am awaiting a call back.