WHY WAS TRUSTED FOUNDED?

Sara, the Trusted Founder, arrived to Canada from the UK in 2006. With no one to recommend businesses or services to her, she struggled to find good providers for her many immediate needs. Although she spent hours Googling, and looking for the products and services her family required, she still encountered bad service and often wasn't sure who to choose. This was very stressful. She searched for something available online for immigrants and newcomers to find local, verified businesses; something for people like her and the thousands of other newcomers that were arriving every month. People with no local knowledge or contacts, people from other parts of Canada and from all around the World…there the first seeds of Trusted were sown!

Let her explain what happened next in her own words...

"In 2008 my family circumstances changed. I was working full time and was now a single mom of 3 small children. I ran a busy and hectic household and I didn't have a lot of spare cash or time available. Then one day I made what I thought was an educated choice selecting a service provider - it was an emergency situation and afterwards I was left feeling taken advantage of both emotionally and financially. It took longer than they advertised to turn up, they charged a ridiculous fee for an item that in reality cost pennies, and what was charged on the final invoice was triple the original quote. My father wished he'd been there to help out, and he was annoyed that I was treated so unfairly...when he suggested that there should be somewhere to find trusted contractors I decided to go online and see if there was. Upon searching, I couldn't find anywhere that offered what I was looking for...then I remembered how I had experienced the exact same thing when I first arrived in Canada and I started to write a business plan."

When speaking to others around her, Sara realized how frequently it happens to so many people across all walks of life. From newcomers to students, immigrants, single women, young people, old people, high and low income, people that have been ripped off and badly treated by disreputable businesses in the past, or simply those that had no one in mind. Everyone seemed to have a story to share and the feedback from friends and family indicated that there was something lacking in advertising and in particular, the directory world….something local...something with actual standards...something that worked for the people, not for the businesses...something that demanded EXCELLENCE in service as standard...something that could absolutely...no fingers crossed...no holding your breath...be TRUSTED!

MISSION & VISION OF TRUSTED

Our mission is to save you time, money and stress when choosing a local business. We do not believe in small print and we ensure the needs of the consumer are top priority! Our Trusted Guarantees eliminate the unanswered questions or 'grey areas' when dealing with a Trusted Business. The ongoing process we put all of the Trusted Businesses through means that we are eliminating RISK from the transaction. In time, with education and the success of businesses who are "Given the Thumbs up" by Trusted, we hope the philosophy will spread beyond the directory…that other businesses will see the success GREAT SERVICE PROVIDERS achieve, and standards across the board will rise! We only promote locally accountable businesses run with integrity, who have the TRUSTED GUARANTEES as the cornerstone of their business. Trusted pledges to give back to the community too, and will support local non-profits, organizations and charities as part of our mandate. Trusted business are encouraged to share their expertise with us, which we then share with the public by means of blogs and other social media platforms to help people with their online research for additional value...you see Trusted promotes the BEST, other directories list the rest.

WHO ARE THE TRUSTED TEAM?

We are just like everyone else...when we use any service or business we hope for a great job. We just want to be valued as a client and if we are, we will become loyal customers and refer friends, the kind of customer that every business out there wants! Trusted was founded on the principal that GOOD Businesses deserve promotion...they are out there and we work hard to find them...by choosing Trusted businesses you are making the SMART & SIMPLE CHOICE...as you can be assured when Trusted gives a business the 'Thumbs up'...it means something!!

Sara Wheelwright

Trusted Founder

Saskatoon

www.trustedsasktoon.comn  the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of EXCELLENCE

www.trustedregina.com  the REGINA DIRECTORY of EXCELLENCE

Feedback:

"Thank YOU for creating Trusted Saskatoon so that businesses can be recognized for the quality services they provide! Way to go!" Penny, Saskatoon

"Thank you SO much for making this web site. My co-worker and I were just talking last week of how a web site like this needs to be created. Again, we are single women who have been ripped off enough. Thanks for providing this great service!" J. Theissen, Saskatoon

"I have used 4 businesses off Trusted Saskatoon so far and each of them have lived up to the standards that Trusted said they would...I am thrilled that a website like this has been created!" A Happy Saskatoon Resident

"I visited Saskatoon recently and heard your radio ads, as i thought your website sounded like an excellent idea...when are you coming to Calgary? Thank you for providing Trusted it really is an excellent resource for visitors and i am guessing residents alike. Your city really is starting to have a buzz!" A Happy Tourist from Alberta

"Trusted is the real deal!! My husband and I contacted Trusted after having issues with a vehicle that we purchased from a Trusted Auto dealer a few years ago.We notified the owner of Trusted Saskatoon (Sara Wheelwright), who got us in touch with the Operations Manager . We promptly met with him to iron out our concerns... and he dealt with them in a straightforward and timely fashion, him and other staff showed us utmost respect and patience. In the end we walked away feeling very satisfied .. We recommend the FFUN motor group to anyone looking to purchase a new or used vehicle they are honest and live by the Trusted Guarantees..we know! Thank-you to both Trusted and to FFUN motor group for looking after us so well!!!"Tracy Daigneault, Saskatoon

Sara Wheelwright- Trusted Founder

Trusted Saskatoon Mystery shop Rays Moving, we share the results on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of excellence posted by

Trusted Saskatoon | January 19, 2012 18:28

Being a Trusted Business on the the www.trustedsaskatoon.com directory comes with alot of responsibilty...no other directory, advertising medium or ' watchdog organization' puts businesses through the process we do before we promote and endorse them...in fact,the most other organizations offer is checking that the business has a valid business license, and maybe that they have insurance and don't have an F rating ( some even keep taking money off these terrible businesses for advertising no matter what they are rated or how awful they are to their customers) ...some other marketing companies claim to survey the public randomly before they approach businesses to pay to join their organizations..but even they don't offer any safeguards, guarantees or follow up after the fact for the consumer they proport to speak for...and only the BBB offer dispute resolution..but they cannot force the business to 'make it right' ...just advise them to do the right thing, and perhaps reduce their rating if they don't treat the customer fairly ...and if the business you have had an awful experience with ( like the moving company in the article below ) is not a member of the BBB then they do nothing for you..you are on your own, out of pocket and feeling thoroughly ripped off miserable and taken advantage of ...click on the link to read the CBC news story below for an example of just that!

MOVERS USE EXTORTION AGAINST CUSTOMER

Trusted ONLY speaks to businesses that have great recommendations and a trackable history....Trusted has turned businesses away who do not meet our standards ( we require the businesses who apply to provide 25 clients to us..names and numbers) we then we set about calling those clients and surveyng them..it is pass or fail..we are not looking for OK or AVERAGE ratings..Trusted demands AWESOME and OUTSTANDING reviews...otherwise they do not pass the verification to be on the directory and they do not get the Thumbs Up..the busnesses are re checked and verified annually! There are businesses we will not even go and present to, even if they show interest, due to the things we have found out about them and their practices.....running a company call Trusted means people feel safe to tell us about their experiences positive and negative...and we always keep their confidences .....Sara the Trusted owner and our Trusted Consultants get warnings by email, calls and in person every week from the public and other business owners about the businesses to ' stay away from' and we have a growing naughty list.....

The Trusted Partners ( as that is what we call our Trusted businesses ..as only Together are we Trusted..we 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 ..these are the foundation of our business and they are the Guarantees that our Trusted businesses offer their clients...to ensure that our partners are upholding these guarantees on a daily basis we have a MYSTERY SHOPPER PROGRAM, where we mystery shop a minimum of 10% of our Trusted Partners on an annual basis....and we get our shoppers to fillout 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:

To: sara@trustedcanada.com

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 THANKYOU for taking the time to conatct us and thanks for your feedback we appreciate it tremendously ....

Perhaps now the cynics out there will understand how MUCH MORE Trusted does than any other organization or marketing vehicle to safeguard you the consumers!

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!!!

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..

Solomon said it best in the book of Proverbs " 'Let another praise you,not ur own mouth;a stranger not ur own lips':Proverbs 27:2."

A wise man Solomon was indeed!

You see....Trusted is the stranger,we only promote proven businesses that apply and pass our verification and screening process..every other advertising your business does is YOU talking about YOU!

No wonder 1000' s and 1000's of people go to our sites each month to find Trusted Businesses!

www.trustedsaskatoon.com

www.trustedregina.com

Really are the Smart and Simple Choice!

Trusted is proud and thrilled to announce that www.trustedsaskatoon.com  has been nominated for multiple 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!

Get into the Christmas spirit with www.trustedSaskatoon.com.

We would love to reach the magic number 1000 fans....so we have an incentive...like the Trustedsaskatoon.com Facebook Group here then share the Facebook post on our wall about this incentive, which invites people to Fan Trustedsadskatoon.com. Once we reach 1000 fans...a lucky fan will be selected at random to receive $500- $250CASH for themselves and $250 which will be donated to a local Saskatoon charity of their choice! It always pays to be a fan of Trusted..... So FAN, LIKE and then SHARE the post on your wall to be eligible to win...the quicker we get to 1000...the quicker someone wins and a local charity benefits too!!!