Support Minneapolis Lock and Key

Yesterday, as I was architecting the communication between my Skype and Google Voice accounts, so that people could call or text a local number and get me anywhere, I thought how interesting it would be that I could create an account with a different area code than mine and let people make local calls to reach me. Brilliant! I could pretend I was from somewhere exotic, like Duluth or Boise.

Then, coincidentally, this morning, there was an article on the local TV news about a nasty company who has done just that to scam people: created a business with a local number here and a business name ("Company Scam", for our purposes) that is similar enough to a well-established local business ("Company Legit") that it generates confusion among customers. They've managed to get higher Google rankings as well, so they're the first click for a lot of people.

So, here's the scene:

1. Customer finds Company Scam through Google
2. Company Scam charges 3X for bad work
3. Customer contacts the BBB or another Google search to complain
4. Customer calls Company Legit (thinking they are Company Scam) to complain

So, Company Legit is getting a reputation for bad work.

Search Google for minneapolis locksmith. Which would you choose? It's hard, isn't it?

Lessons to be learned:

• Just because it's on Google doesn't mean it's good.
• Just because it has a local number doesn't mean it's local. 
• A high ranking doesn't mean it's the best business. 
• Do your research. 
• And do business with reputable, local companies where you can, like Minneapolis Lock and Key.