“Seventy-three percent of purchasers and 82% of non-purchasers cite reliability of business as a major concern when shopping online.” — BBBonline.org
Seasoned dispute-resolution expert advocate Neville Melville has announced the launch of Onlineombud.com. According to Melville, it will place the benefits of an ombudsman service within the reach of any business or organisation, irrespective of size.
The online offering will dramatically reduce the costs of alternative dispute resolution compared with other models (including the existing ombud schemes), without affecting the quality or integrity of the service.
The service will initially be aimed at businesses operating online. Businesses and organisations that subscribe to the full service will be bound by a code of conduct that will be enforced by Onlineombud.com and be entitled to display the Tanzanite Seal (named after Africa’s unique gemstone) to assure customers of their (the service providers’) commitment to integrity and fairness in all their business dealings.
Melville is best known for having headed the Ombudsman for Banking Services for seven years and was the founder of the statutory Independent Complaints Directorate.
He has a reputation for his even-handed approach in the dispute-resolution field. Melville is currently a consultant to the Office of the Public Protector and involved in training initiatives on the National Credit Act.