THE SBTRUST BENEFIT

SBTRUST is a full-featured trust assurance service that provides a range of services that allow companies and consumers to interact in an environment of trust and transparency. In addition to standard informal dispute resolution and policy compliance programs, SBTRUST offers a range of logging tools, message forwarding and data verification services.

A 2-year SBTRUST subscription for businesses is just $49.95. Consumers, however, who wish to use our services to interact with subscribers may do so without any charge.

By using SBTRUST, companies and consumers will be operating in an environment built around trust and openness. This leads to a more professional and courteous business context. The end result is often better word-of-mouth and less apprehension for shoppers; both of which can lead to potential customers becoming new clients.

Using the SBTRUST services is easy and virtually all management of an account is done through the subscriber's Control Panel (opens new window). Once you subscribe and receive your access information, you can then tailor the system to meet your needs.

1. Initial Settings and Beginning Status

Once an account is activated, the client should log into their control panel and request which information SBTRUST should confirm. Usually, this means requesting confirmation of contact methods such as electronic mail and telephone. Verification usually takes 24-48 hours, depending on the method and current work load. All verification is done by members of the volunteer Cyber-Cop Network.

Also, in the Control Panel are toggles for determining what others see when they view a firm's Status Report. Subscribers should check the items they wish consumers to see. Changes made are immediately seen in the Status Report online.

2. Participating in Seal Programs

Once the account has been activated and the initial status building procedure completed, the subscriber can choose to participate in one or more seal programs. These currently are:

    1. Rating Seal - this allows client to rate the firm. When this seal is used, the customer rating of the company will be displayed in the status record.

   2. Privacy Seal - if a firm chooses to abide by the privacy guarantee rules then this seal may be used. Its usage will be indicated in the status record.

   3. Monitoring Seal - for any policy, or other web page, that the company wants SBTRUST to monitor for later authentication, this seal may be used. Of course, a firm can request a policy be monitored without demonstrating that fact through the seal. Use of this seal does not have to be recorded in the company's status record.

   4. Data Protection - for companies willing to accept close inspection of their operations by SBTRUST, this seal's usage will be recorded in the firm's status record once all conditions have been met.

Using a seal is easy - just make then necessary selections through the Control Panel and add the required HTML to your web site. In some cases, there may be some required feedback from SBTRUST before a valid seal link is permitted. For details on the HTML required for the links, please read the seal documentation.

3. Consumers, SBTRUST and Subscriber Interactions

Once a firm's status has been set and the firm is particpating in Seal programs, consumers will most likely utilize SBTRUST for several reasons. The most used service is simply to see the firm's status. Through this mechanism, consumers are getting immediate feedback from a trusted third party about the company -- an important trust building step. Additionally, consumers will use SBTRUST to obtain clarification on policies posted by the firm; to view a firm's rating if participating in the rating firm; and for certain advocacy reasons.

Advocacy comes in the form of using SBTRUST as an intermediary for communication; as an authenticator for communications; and as a participant in resolving disputes. This is to the benefit of both consumers and subscribing firms. For consumers, knowing that SBTRUST support is available enhances their trust in doing business with a firm and, for the firm, it helps to have SBTRUST cool passions and assists in ensuring that bogus complaints are not taken seriously by others, such as a State Attorney General. Rather than operating in a vacuum, both consumer and firm have a neutral partner in resolving issues.

During a subscription term, SBTRUST will communicate with subscribers for various reasons but usually for ongoing verification of contact methods and in response to consumer requests. This communication normally will be done through electronic mail but may also be done through postal mail if preferred by the subscriber.

If you have questions regarding how SBTRUST works, please contact us.