Complaint Review: BBB The Better Business Bureau

I am not a business owner, but most of my family is. I filed a report about the BBB on this site you may find useful to read. The BBB and CBBB's practice is NOT to notify concumers as to work practices, but to take bribes from scam companies and harass owners for money (as you've stated above).

I have been in contact with the BBB's and CBBB over the last month. My husband was working for a scam company and reported them. The local BBB would not do anything. So I filed with the CBBB, again nothing would be done.

This company is a nation wide scam, so I filed a complaint with each and every BBB as to their specifics of their scam. A man named Ron Berry at the CBBB sent a response e-mail behind mine, he had no idea that I would recieve a copy by mistake. I did. He tells the BBB's basically to ignore me, that my husband is just a disgruntal employee, etc. (The exact e-mails are listed on my report).

I got tired of this when I relooked up the division of the company he had worked for and found that they were now NEW BBB MEMBERS. Funny huh? So, I know alot of high up people and filed filed complaints on this company, the BBB's , and the CBBB. I filed with the US Chamber of Commerce, the Justice Dept's Consumer Division, the American Chamber of Commerce, The AG of Maryland, the AG of Virginia, the FTC, just to name a few. Needless to say, at this point, the American Chamber of Commerce, the AG of Virginia, and the AG of Maryland are now investigating the above. They have also contacted us as to formal meetings about the situations.

I can help you stop their harassment! File a complaint with the American Chamber of Commerce. It's easy, go onto their website and go to contact. Highlight the file a complaint form and press enter, then all you have to do is tell them what you've told us. They need to hear more people coming forward with how the BBB really is working. Thank you for the time to respond and I only how they stop harassing you.

Also, be sure to file your experience with the BBB, right here on the Rip-off Report.

I really do not know if the local BBB is crocked but what I do know factually is the very owner mentioned sereval times in these rip off reports was and probably still is an abirtratior to hear customers complaints for the BBB TO RENDER JUdgements agianst or for the business owner or the compliantant-whereas as my sister worked there it was a known favor he would call in to companies that where being complained against to barter out deals to rule in their favor or visa-versa. The BBB allows scum like that on their board and better yet people have complained to them about him while such memberships where trying to soiliticed-just a day in the life of who you know in new orleans!!!!!

Michael,

Thank you for bringing your experience with the Better Business Bureau to light. It isn't a Bait and Switch, though. If what you've told us is accurate, I would classify it as soft extortion. I hope the readers understand what I mean by that. The Better Business Bureau places a good light on businesses who shell out money for their barnacle to be placed somewhere in its shop window. However, what does that mean? It doesn't mean the business is a good business, it means the business paid a membership fee.

Fraudsters who run pyramids, ponzis or other sleazy schemes are quick to pay the Better Business Bureau a membership fee so they can tell prospective victims they are in good standing with the BBB. However, all it means is that they've paid a feeBig deal. The BBB has its good points, but the fee the businesses pay to them to be listed discourages me. Its because of this that I do not rely solely on the BBB; I prefer D&B or check through public records in the state where the business is. Want to check out a business free on the web? Go to www.fosson.com. An example of things you will find there are sites like Californias fictitious business page.

The BBB may post who has had complaints, but the fact they list a business name and address because they paid a membership fee is useless. The only thing that interests me is a negative database.

It's shameful of the BBB to cajole a business by hinting that there have been multiple queries on his business. How do they know that since there could be hundreds of AAA Auto Body's or hundreds of Smith Dry Cleaners--it's misleading. The business owner feels pressured to pay the BBB because the hidden message is: "Hey, you aren't listed on our site therefore consumers who cant find you on our site assume you must be a fraud." Now how ethical is that?

Now, Andrea, aren't you ashamed of yourself for assuming so many things yourself? Don't let your arrogance overwhelm your compassion and humanity for others. Let Michael state his case whether it is true or notthis is a public forum. Even your response was posted even though the Editor realized that it could be hurtful to the author of the original postthats an open forum. I respond to each posting based on the assumption that the alleged complaint is accurate and true. I understand there may be a hidden agenda in some cases, but what about you. You're pro BBB, so you have an agenda as well. Dont we all? Mine is to eliminate fraud, but I doubt Ill realize that in my lifetime.

The Rip-off Report only wants to air complaints to warn consumers of potential problems. It is up to the consumers to decipher and weigh the issue and decide for themselves.

Michael, go to your states attorney general web page and make an online complaint about the BBBs sales tactics. Its only right they should be held to the same standards as the rest of us. Maybe some folks at the BBB dont know the sales department is using that tactic. Why not go to the BBB web page and make a complaint onlineyou may just be doing them a favor.

Good Luck,

The rebuttal before mine (obviously a BBB shill) wrote: "If all Michael has is 'repeat customers' and no new business, he is doing something wrong. If he were doing the jobs right the first time, he wouldn't need to 'repeat' so much."

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time... Honey, "repeat" business doesn't mean you did the job wrong the first time. It means you did a good job & the customer comes back the next time he or she needs work done. For example, if I hired a contractor to re-do my kitchen, and he did a good job, I might hire him to build a new deck for me, becoming a "repeat" customer.

If I hired a contractor who did a lousy job on my kitchen, however, I wouldn't even hire him to fix it, never mind to do another job for me.

It's all common sense. Sure, he misspelled "bait"...but at least he knew what he was talking about...

If all Michael has is "repeat customers" and no new business, he is doing something wrong. If he were doing the jobs right the first time, he wouldn't need to "repeat" so much.

Additionally, how does he know that no one is inquiring about his business with the BBB? Can he read the minds of everyone in the entire metro region of New Orleans? I use the BBB service frequently, and the info, while not complete, helps me in determining what businesses to avoid.

The only way that the BBB can give out info on a business is if the business is a BBB member. And the BBB will not go under if they don't get his $250 membership fee. The BBB exists in part to provide a service to consumers who want to find out about a business before contracting with that business.

Michael also needs to learn the difference between "bate" and "bait"; a true "bait-and-switch" is to advertise a particular item for sale at one price, then when customers come in, to switch that item and charge a higher price. Michael also needs to learn the definition of "slamming," an illegal tactic used by phone companies to switch carriers without the customers' consent. If he doesn't want to be a member of the BBB, no big deal. Send them a letter and ask to be taken off their "call list." That should solve his problem quickly.

And the rebuttal advice from the person who advised him to contact the local D.A.'s office to complain about the BBB is erroneous. The D.A.'s office handles only criminal matters, not a petty complaint from a businessman about being "harassed" to join the BBB. Her advice to get caller ID was good, however, if he is that upset at being contacted by this organization.

It surprises me that this web site automatically assumes that the complainant is right. While you may provide a means by which people can vent their frustrations, you mislead others into assuming that the truth has been told. Shame on you.

the only suggestion i can think of for you would be to contact a lawyer and have that layer give the BBB a phone call to tell them to stop. also, most phone companys have a code you can put into your phone to reject certain phone calls, you can reject as many phone numbers as you want and its usually free. last of all, the person you report the BBB to is your district atorney, they will send you a comlaint form to fill out, then they will contact the BBB. i home this helps a little. Good luck!!