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Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan is warning the public to be wary of Vern Peterson and the Great Canadian Home Show. BBB has received complaints from businesses in Manitoba, British Columbia and Saskatchewan about this business regarding cancellation of home trade shows in their respective provinces without refunding business deposits.
Further investigation across the country indicates that a similar ruse has occurred in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
BBB Saskatchewan’s investigation shows that the Great Canadian Home Show is not a registered business with Information Services Corporation in Saskatchewan. The mailing address shows the business is located in Sturgis. However, some reports show he is also located in White Rock, B.C.
The company’s head office in Sturgis, Sask. has an F Rating with BBB due to multiple unanswered complaints and issues with business practices, including not providing refunds after the shows were cancelled. They solicited businesses to purchase booth space for shows in various locations in Canada on various dates. They were not able to live up to the venue’s trade show obligations. To date, none of the shows were actually held in Vancouver, Saskatoon or Winnipeg. The Regina dates are next and the venue has indicated it will not be held, either. Any businesses who paid a deposit to Great Canadian Home Show are urged to contact your local police detachment. You may also file a complaint at BBB.org.
In order to prevent this from happening again, you want to do your own investigation prior to providing a deposit. Paying the deposit by credit card will give you some protection. Contact each reference to verify their satisfaction. Check the business out at BBB.org before you provide any money.
To inquire about a business, or for more information on tips to avoid scams, visit bbb.org. Or call the BBB office at 1-888-352-7601.
For full information on BBB’s impact in the community, go to: https://www.bbb.org/impact
Report scammers and high pressure business practices to Better Business Bureau or use BBB’s scam report tool, Scam Tracker. BBB.org/scamtracker.
