Staying off the Better Business Bureau’s bad-boy list

carl — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:59:59 GMT

from my experience with the bbb, the complaints generally come from a customer "who wants more than he or she purchased." then the bbb will ding me for sticking to my customer policy. however, paying the bbb a yearly approximate membership fee of $500.00 can turn a "f" grade to an "a". i think that's called extortion. therefore, i don't care for the bbb.

Staying off the Better Business Bureau’s bad-boy list

M. S. Jones, La Center, KY — Sun, 18 May 2008 16:13:17 GMT

Staying off the Bad Boy List has been easy: in the 100 years my firm has been in business we have never been investigated by the BBB; honesty is our best quality. With this in mind, I went to their site this morning, found the branch for my area, and surveyed their list of “BBB Accredited Businesses” in my field. The fact that my business was not listed begs the question: How does one get on their accredited list? This is, as you may suspect, a rhetorical question. In fact, I have been approached twice in the last three years by a telemarketer representing an organization he says is the BBB. He had one pitch: purchase a membership and my firm would be listed in their directory.

Now, as I survey the situation, perhaps it would be better to put more emphasis in squeezing the budget than delivering good service to the people in my community.

Staying off the Better Business Bureau’s bad-boy list

Maria Christopoulos, Fairfax, VA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:29:31 GMT

I had a customer complain about me because she paid for her first appointment and I invited her back a second time for free due to tecnical difficulties (that were resolved). She was unhappy with how her baby was performing for the FREE appointment and requested a refund for what was a free appointment. Some people will never be happy.

Staying off the Better Business Bureau’s bad-boy list

John Somerville — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:29:12 GMT

In the past 2 years I have received several phone messages from the BBB asking to call them ASAP(in an ominous sounding voice).

I used to take these calls seriously, until I found each time that they were merely trying to sell me a membership.

I had to tell them to remove me from their call list.

It is really sad to see an organization designed to promote "better business" behavior use such reprehensible sales techniques.

Just out of curiousity, to whom do you report on the BBB?

Staying off the Better Business Bureau’s bad-boy list

Phoenix, AZ — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:59:12 GMT

I used to think BBB was a real benefit. I checked on a company on their accredited list and in good standing when I bought a automobile warranty only to find out the company went into bankruptcy a week after. Once the company filed for bankrupcy BBB made it seem like they did not exist and did not show the numerous complaints against them. Having "no" complaints translates as they are a good company especially for elderly people that feel the BBB is a "real" watchdog. If you ask the BBB about the reputation of a company in bankruptcy you will not get an answer. I agree with the first comment above that its called extortion to be on their accredited list. So when BBB calls me to sell it I take the time to explain this to the sales representative. Translation We canceled our membership with BBB and We will not pay for the fake accreditation.

Staying off the Better Business Bureau’s bad-boy list

Greg, Vista, California — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:34:09 GMT

Better Business Bureau ratings are just one factor that should be taken into account when researching a business.

Staying off the Better Business Bureau’s bad-boy list

John Doe, Palm Springs — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:39:56 GMT

The BBB is the biggest scam in the world. Your rating is solely based on the amount of money you pay them. If you are not a member, your rating will be "D" or "F". I got an "F" rating with no complaints.
A business affiliate was asked for and paid thousands in cash bribes so the BBB would be fair with them, and they still got an "F" rating.
They should all be in jail, and not be reporting on which businesses are good and bad.

Staying off the Better Business Bureau’s bad-boy list

J Gonzales — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:47:37 GMT

I agree to all of these conversations above. It can never be determind unless we can track each sale and ask each customer if they checked the BBB before buying. I can tell you that there are people who hold your rating over your head as well. If you are a member (which I refuse to be) They harass you and threaten to give everything they ask for or else, to the customers wo you sell a wholesale, unassembeled scooter witha free helmet and they complain to the BBB that the helmet did not arrive exactly when the scooter did when they were told items would ship seperatly. It seems "stupid glue" happens to all sorts of good businesses out there and the BBB simply cares for those who spend now 500.00 annually to be a member of thier non-government agency. We have a competetor who has the same track record as our biz and they somehow have an A+ and us non-members have an F? What happened to A-,B+,B,B-,C+,C,C-,C,D+,D,D-??? There is no possible way when the BBB states 24% of the biz reported have an F that statistically means somthing is wrong with thier system. Or is it since its only a negative reporting system the only biz on there are those who have mostly bad customers. Very sad to see. And yes, did you know you cannot complain about the BBB on the BBB. Whom do you report a complaint about the BBB prectices to?? Id like to know.