TRIVIA TROUBLE?

Advertising pamphlet displaying Scappoose merchants takes heat from business bureau

By David Holley

The South County Spotlight, Jul 1, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

/ The South County Spotlight

PAMPHLET PICKLE – This is one of several pamphlet varieties published by Northwest Publishing, a Portland company that has received an “F” grade from the Better Business Bureau and red flag from the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

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For what NBA team did Patrick Ewing play in 1985-86?

If you’ve ever flipped through a Trivia Page pamphlet, you probably know the answer. The Trivia Page is an advertising-based booklet placed in restaurants and stores that provides quick conversation-starting trivia for diners, while also highlighting advertisements by local businesses.

But the Portland-based company that puts out The Trivia Page, Northwest Publishing, is on the naughty list of the Better Business Bureau in Oregon, Alaska and Western Washington for the high volume of complaints made by its advertisers. Nearly 140 businesses have filed complaints against the company in the last three years, earning Northwest Publishing an “F” rating by the BBB.

Many of the complaints have been resolved by the company, while many others have not, according to the BBB Web site for the company. Officials from the company did not return calls for comment.

The South County Chamber of Commerce sent the BBB warning about Northwest Publishing out in its June 24 weekly newsletter, which states that many complaints stem from Northwest Publishing over-promising and under-delivering.

Dozens of Columbia County businesses have advertised, do advertise, or have been contacted by Northwest Publishing for The Trivia Page.

Read some of their stories below.

(And, by the way, Ewing played for the New York Knicks in 1985-86, his rookie season.)

David’s Automotive Inc.

33530 Commercial Avenue

David McDaniel, owner, operator and namesake of the auto repair business, said he has advertised in The Trivia Pages for two years, spending $286 last year. He’s had a couple people tell him that they saw his ad, but he isn’t sure whether it has brought him much business.

McDaniel said he also sponsors little league and other athletic teams. “It’s just a matter of getting your name out.”

Geekoids.com

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