Women who wouldn't converse with man who bought them drinks top BBB list of unusual complaints
Soap that wasn't foamy enough, ramen with insufficient seasoning and bar patrons who didn't want to chat are among the "quirky" business complaints seen in B.C. last year, according to the Better Business Bureau.
On Tuesday, the BBB's Mainland B.C. branch, which serves most of the province as well as the Yukon, shared what it says are the four most unusual complaints it received in 2022. They are:
- A man wanted a refund from a bar after he offered to buy a round of drinks for a group of women, who took the drinks and didn't engage in conversation with him.
- Someone wanted a refund from a business after a bath bar they received for Christmas wasn't as foamy or bubbly as they hoped it would be.
- A man complained that his oil technician smelled "like a dead cat in an alleyway" and looked like Marv from Home Alone.
- A consumer wanted a refund after not receiving enough seasoning fillings in a ramen noodle package that they bought.
Across Canada, the BBB receives around 36,000 complaints per year, and the Mainland B.C. branch says it receives "dozens" every day.
“On rare occasions, we do receive complaints that make us do a double take,” said Aaron Guillen, the branch's media and communications specialist, in a news release.
Speaking to CTV News Tuesday afternoon, Guillen elaborated on some of the context behind the four complaints the bureau highlighted.
Guillen said the man who complained about buying drinks initially told the BBB that the women approached him, and that the bar charged his card when it should have charged theirs.
"We want to have a balanced approach to any complaint, so we also reached out to the bar, and the bartender helped explain that this wasn't exactly the scenario," Guillen said. "He explained that (the man) had approached the women, and the girls had taken the drinks and not continued any conversation with him. So, it turns out that he didn't get that connection he was looking for and wanted a refund."
Guillen said the complaint about the smelly oil technician probably would've been better submitted as a review of the business, since the complainant didn't seem to be looking for any specific restitution.
That's still a good use of the BBB and its platform, according to Guillen, who said the bureau views its role as facilitating conversations between businesses and their customers, whether the feedback is positive or negative, actionable or not.
“No matter what, our BBB team is devoted to going through every complaint, review, and scam report that is submitted to ensure its authenticity," he said in the release. "It’s important to tell your good and bad experiences with businesses to BBB.”
The bureau encourages anyone with a complaint to submit it through the BBB website or by email.
Contacting the business that is the subject of the complaint first is encouraged, but not required.
The BBB offers mediation to help resolve conflicts between businesses and consumers without going to court, and says complaints are usually resolved within "a couple of weeks."
Canada-wide statistics for 2021 show that 26,107 of 36,589 complaints received by the BBB that year – about 71 per cent – were settled.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | David Johnston resigns as foreign interference special rapporteur, citing 'highly partisan atmosphere'
Foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston has resigned, CTV News has confirmed. In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Johnston cited the intense politicization of his appointment and work, as the reason for his coming departure.

Here's how some of Canada's wildfires compare in size to cities, lakes
Fires across the country are burning millions of hectares of land but what does that really look like? CTVNews.ca compared the blazes to some cities and lakes in the country showing just how big they have gotten.
Donald Trump described Pentagon plan of attack and shared classified map, indictment says
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to an indictment unsealed Friday that alleges that he described a Pentagon 'plan of attack' and shared a classified map related to a military operation.
Boris Johnson quits as U.K. lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament
Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson shocked Britain on Friday by quitting as a lawmaker after being told he will be sanctioned for misleading Parliament.
Reactive to proactive: A push for a national campaign on wildfire education in Canada
Despite the alarming facts and figures, experts say Canada is far more reactive than it is proactive when it comes to wildfires and they’re calling for a national campaign on wildfire education to better prepare for the future.
Unhealthy habits of university students could lead to future health problems
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventative Medicine Reports by a group of international researchers has found that post-secondary students with unhealthy eating habits can go on to suffer from disease and mental health issues for years to come.
Three people charged in alleged abduction of N.L. teen after Amber Alert issued
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador say three people are facing charges following the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl.
Eyes on the weather as residents pack and flee from fierce wildfire in northeast B.C.
Showers are predicted Saturday over the aggressive wildfire threatening Tumbler Ridge, but forecasters say thunderstorms could sweep through the parched region without bringing any rain.
Air Canada walks back compensation denials after thousands delayed due to tech issues
Air Canada says it made a mistake in rejecting some compensation claims from the thousands of travellers affected by delayed flights due to computer malfunctions.