Before the Purchase

Do a quick NC-focused check before you hand over money or sign. It prevents most problems.

Before a final decision

Clarify the need: What problem are you solving and is this the best option for it.
Compare: Price, quality, warranty, and total cost of ownership across brands or providers.
Check the company: Look for consistent patterns in reviews. A single bad review is noise. A pattern of the same problem is a warning.
Know your exit: Ask about warranties, return policies, money-back guarantees, and any right to cancel that may apply in NC for off-premises sales or certain memberships.

Attorney General: Search and file complaints with the North Carolina Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division if needed.
Contractors and trades: Verify licenses before you hire. Check the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors, the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors, and the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Vehicles: For dealer or inspection station concerns, review the NCDMV License and Theft Bureau resources. Understand that NC’s Lemon Law protects new vehicles only, not used cars.
Real estate: For broker conduct or timeshares, the NC Real Estate Commission handles licensee complaints.

Use reviews to spot patterns. Confirm claims on the seller’s site, take screenshots of key promises, and save ads and quotes.

If you need background or mediation later, the North Carolina Attorney General's Office is a reliable starting point for general consumer issues in this state.

The BBB is private and cannot force a company to act, but its complaint counts and histories can be useful context when you evaluate a business.