Trusted Regina Blog | All posts by saraw

Trusted Regina receives a negative Google review from Trevor

10. Dec 2015 Trusted Regina Trusted Partner News, Trusted Regina Directory , TRUSTED TIPS, Website

The Trusted Regina directory team really care about the opinions and thoughts of YOU, the Regina public. WE work for you by finding the best locally accountable Regina businesses and promoting them as a community. We do this so you can find trustworthy companies really easily. We are just like you, and we have been burned in the past from disreputable companies who over promised and undelivered, in fact the founder Sara was ripped off and this prompted her to start Trusted!! ( read the story here)

The internet has really been a game changer for consumers and for businesses. On the positive side it means we can research companies and products much easier BEFORE we contact them, saving us time.....but what if you read reviews that are bias, misinformed or simply not the truth?? We have supported Trusted partners through this process and tried to guide them in how to deal with this sometimes devastating process, it’s something that most local businesses really do fear.

This time it is our turn.....Trevor took the time to leave a review for The Trusted Regina team today, so we wanted to make something positive out of a ‘ negative situation ‘ for the Trusted team. Read his review and our founder Sara Wheelwright’s response below.

We truly thank Trevor for allowing us an opportunity to speak about what we do , and hopefully explain that we are indeed the REAL DEAL, also this allows us the opportunity to use our experience to highlight one of the biggest things local and big businesses are having to deal with! Words are powerful and we all have a voice online, please be informed, be nice and be wise in how you use that voice.

Response from Sara

Trevor- firstly thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and giving our team a chance to explain to you who we, what we do and why we are set up the way we are.

Firstly a business does't pay to be Trusted - they qualify to be Trusted after passing a strict verification process ( pass or fail) and signing an annual contract to uphold a specific standard and set of guarantees. We welcome feedback and you can contact us by phone, email or on our many social media pages . We are a local team with offices in Regina and Saskatoon.

We are not a ' review company ' you are correct - they are 10 a penny all over the web, most reviews online are not verified in any way. In addition evidence and data clearly proves that up to 40% of all reviews are false . Also, we know that many people who review businesses negatively are not interested in solving issues , but just use these review sites to complain. This can really effect local businesses who would otherwise have worked hard to rectify any wrongs they may have done! No one is perfect are they?

At Trusted - we are unique- the testimonials you see displayed on the feature listings are from real people that we spoke to personally as part of the verification process- we contact 25 previous clients and survey them in person and over the phone.

( See an example below)

We work with the businesses over the year - helping them with service questions, sharing info from the public, training them about the internet and social media and supporting their endeavors by promoting them as wonderful local companies that meet our high standards and believe in what we stand for. However who we really work for is YOU - the public. We also mystery shop a random selection of the businesses to check that they are doing a great job when they don't know we are looking!

If there are issues - We offer a hands on dispute resolution process that determines if the business has broken their contract with Trusted - if we find they have, we give them the opportunity to rectify their mistake - if they do not we remove them from the Trusted website(s) - we speak to both parties on the phone, on email and in person to ensure we know all the facts before making our decision.

The businesses pay an annual membership fee which is minimal, from that we invest heavily in marketing to promote them as a community. How else do we let people know about our service in the cities we serve? Also, of course our hardworking local team are compensated for the countless hours we put into providing the best possible on and offline experience for the public and the partners.

If you wish to complain about any Trusted business , you can contact us via any of the ways mentioned above and we will be happy to offer assistance, advice and even mediation if you feel you need it?

However by just reviewing Trusted negatively, like you have today with out truly knowing who we are and what we do, means you are again solidifying to our team that review sites are not what we ever want to be ...We offer a local service that is specialized, unique , personal , locally focused , accountable and absolutely trustworthy .

Many thanks again for the opportunity to educate you and any others that may have been feeling the same way. We hope you reconsider you 2 star review of our services, we would love nothing more than to be an asset in your life!

Sincerely on behalf of my team and the Trusted Partners across SK .

Sara Wheelwright , Owner S & E Trusted Online Directories

Robert MacKay Trusted Regina Real Estate Lawyer shares Pilot Butte homeowner legal issues

8. Sep 2015 Trusted Regina Regina Lawyers, Regina Legal & Professional Services, Regina Real Estate, TRUSTED TIPS

It’s an exciting time – the old house is sold, the new one is ready, and all that’s left is the move…..oh wait – not quite yet!! There’s all that legal “stuff” to deal with now….signatures….titles to be given…and pages and pages of documents that need to be signed before the key is in your hand!!! And to top it all off – who really knows a good real estate lawyer?

MacKay and McLean provides the professional services of a large Regina law firm, with the intimate attention of a small firm. The legal process can be daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. MacKay & McLean is with you every step of the way.

MacKay and McLean are TRUSTED REGINA LAWYERS

Pilot Butte homeowner considers lawsuit over backyard drainage ditch:

REGINA – Stephanie Gabber’s excitement over buying a new home in Pilot Butte quickly wore off when she tried to develop her backyard and found a drainage ditch running through the property.

“Had I known, I would never have bought here, ever,” she said.

Gabber bought the home in May. She planned to put up a fence and lay down sod. When she started the work, she was told to stop because it would interfere with the easement.

“I bought it (the property) so my dogs could play, my kids could play. That’s not what I have.”

Gabber said the easement wasn’t disclosed to her before buying the property.

The town said it’s a registered land title, but admitted to a discrepancy with Gabber’s property lines on the Saskatchewan Land Surveyor’s Real Property Report.

Water works manager, Chaun McCurdy, said the town is moving the ditch one meter closer to the edge of her property, but unfortunately that’s the best they can do.

“Without it there to catch that water and direct it away, it will eventually go and fill up other people’s backyards,” said McCurdy.

Robert MacKay with MacKay & McLean Barristers & Solicitors said the situation highlights the importance of having a team in your corner when buying a home. That includes a realtor, lawyer and mortgage broker.

“There’s a lot going on in a transaction and it could be easy to miss,” said MacKay.

He also recommends homeowners always invest in title insurance.

“If you have this old survey and got a newer one that says the easement is here, but it should be here, what does that do to the fair market value of your property? Well, with title insurance you may have a claim,” explained MacKay.

However, Gabber is prepared to go a step further and file a lawsuit against the municipality of Pilot Butte.

“I’m stressed beyond belief. Mentally, it takes a toll. Financially, it takes a huge toll.”

McCurdy said he’s spoken to the land developer and home builder to ensure anyone buying property in the new development is fully aware of the easement.

Robert MacKay's team provides professional, personalized service and with their assistance, you can rest assured that your real estate transactions will be handled with the utmost consideration and care.

They provide a full range of legal services including:

Real Estate & Mortgages
Wills & Estates
Family Law & Divorce
Commercial & Corporate Law
Litigation & Personal Injury

Mackay and Mclean TRUSTED REGINA LAWYERS!

Trusted Regina directory team share a real testimonial from a happy client

8. Sep 2015 Trusted Regina Regina Insurance, TRUSTED TIPS

The Trusted directories were set up based upon the principles of good business, and the foundation of good business is integrity. Simply put, if you don't care about your customer's needs as a business then you will never be trusted.

When Sara the Trusted founder came up with the ' Trusted directories concept ' she wanted to have clear, simple guidelines or ' guarantees' laid out for all to see, and she knew it was important for the Trusted partners to sign contracts to uphold those guarantees (and for the partners to be held to them by Trusted).

Read The Trusted Guarantees here

On a regular basis, we get feedback from YOU the public when they have used the directory to find a Trusted business and we like to share it with you ..here we document some real words from a REAL customer about one of our partners on the directory.

I have always found them to be very knowledgeable and helpful. They always understand what our needs are and are more than willing at anytime to come out and do a review to ensure that our insurance needs are current. As a non for profit organization we occasionally have fundraising events and they always try to assist us with these events. Their sense of community is most appreciated.

Regards, Debbie Deuasy

THANK YOU Debbie for taking the time to share your experience

Robert MacKay Trusted Regina Real Estate Lawyer shares three words used to describe MacKay & McLean Barristers & Solicitors

30. Jun 2015 Trusted Regina Regina Lawyers, Regina Real Estate, TRUSTED TIPS

It’s an exciting time – the old house is sold, the new one is ready, and all that’s left is the move…..oh wait – not quite yet! There’s all that legal “stuff” to deal with now….signatures….titles to be given…and pages and pages of documents that need to be signed before the key is in your hand!!! And to top it all off – who really knows a good real estate lawyer?

MacKay & McLean provides the professional services of a large Regina law firm, with the intimate attention of a small firm. The legal process can be daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. MacKay & McLean is with you every step of the way.

MacKay & McLean are TRUSTED REGINA LAWYERS

The three words most commonly used to describe MacKay & McLean Barristers & Solicitors

Service. Solutions. Integrity.

Being a small firm, the lawyers of MacKay & McLean give personal, professional attention to each of our clients, thus maximizing results while minimizing cost. Our lawyers and front office staff take the time to talk to you so that you are comfortable with the process of our services. More importantly, we take the time to listen to you.

We provide a full range of legal services including:

• Real Estate & Mortgages

• Wills & Estates

• Family Law & Divorce

• Commercial & Corporate Law

• Litigation & Personal Injury

Your first consultation is free so that we may assess your need for a lawyer, cost of services and how we may help you.

MacKay & McLean provides the professional services of a large firm, with the intimate attention of a small firm. The legal process can be daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. MacKay & McLean is with you every step of the way.

Robert MacKay is your Trusted Regina Real Estate Lawyer

Chris Worby a Trusted Regina Financial Expert shares 5 Things to Expect from Your Financial Advisor

11. Jun 2015 Trusted Regina Regina Financial Services, TRUSTED TIPS

Finding the shortest and safest route to any of your dreams requires planning and only with a carefully thought out financial plan can you be sure to make the most of your resources and to protect against risks along the way. At Worby Wealth Management, Chris will do his best to help you achieve those dreams with a plan that is tailored to your specific needs and based on your individual situation.

Let Trusted Regina Financial Advisor Chris Worby of Worby Wealth Management help you live your dream!

5 Things to Expect from Your Financial Advisor

I spend a lot of time figuring out how to add value to my clients. I read many articles on a daily basis trying to understand people’s money management issues both psychologically and mathematically. I have seen good, bad and ugly in the world of investment and here are 5 things I have integrated into my practice as I think they add value and I think you should look for these qualities in your advisor.

1. Communication.

During the 2008 liquidity crisis, I gained a few extra clients because I was actively in contact with my existing clients and other advisors were not in contact with theirs. The fact is that I, like all the others, did not know what was happening or why – a 50% drop over 2 months will have that effect on you! – but that didn’t keep me from calling and having appointments. I may not have had answers, but it was still my job to provide them access to whatever information was available.

2. Pro-activity.

This one goes a bit hand in hand with the first one but I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard this, “he calls me at RRSP time and I go write him a cheque and don’t hear from him for a year.” Who is the client in this scenario?! One trick I use for this one is to sometimes book our next appointment at the end of this one – even if it’s going to be 6 months down the line. It keeps us all accountable to meet regularly.

3. Interest.

I often joke that “you don’t have to be a nerd but you do have to hire one” because the reading I do and enjoy and look forward to would put the average person to sleep in about 3.7 seconds! I like people, I like math, I like psychology, I like markets – I like what I do. I don’t do it because I have to; I do it because I want to. If you are working with someone who has to do something, you know it and you also know mediocrity is the usual companion.

4. Relationship.

Personally, I don’t get a lot of utility out of a transactional relationship. I like to get to know my clients and I like them to know me. I am a little quirky (aren’t we all) and I like other people’s quirks. I enjoy the eccentricities that make people unique and if we are dealing with transactions – “My guy calls me at RRSP time and I don’t talk to him for a year” – I don’t get a lot of personal reward from that. It makes our work together more personal, I can understand people’s goals better and I can advise them better.

5. Competence.

This one is difficult to assess in an hour or two of meeting someone however, I think it is fair to ask a new advisor about wins and losses. “Tell me about 3 recommendations you’re proud of and 3 that you aren’t.” There is no possible way that everyone bats 1000 when it comes to recommendations based on the stock market but if someone isn’t willing to discuss it with you, that’s a red flag. This also leads to a talk about investment discipline – and that’s where competence truly lies.

I don’t think it’s out of line to treat a new advisor kind of like they are interviewing for a job. I often think of myself as a household’s Chief Financial Officer – you are the CEO; you’re the one making decisions and ultimately responsible. But within the realm of investments and money management services, I give recommendations for my client's consideration.

Call Chris Worby at (306) 757-4747 ext 226 or on his Cell: (306) 737-2909. Check out his listing on the Regina Directory in the REGINA FINANCIAL SERVICES category. Chris Worby is a Trusted REGINA FINANCIAL ADVISOR EXPERT