Complaint Review: Better Business Bureau - BBB

A few years ago I answered an ad regarding a "Director of Membership Sales," for the Better Business Bureau. The position seemed liked an exciting and rewarding career. After one interview they completely scared me away from employment and even future membership.

After reading some of the entries on this website it seems as though many of you (like myself) are under the false impression that the BBB is a watchdog for the masses, a consumer Goliath of sorts.

Unfortunately, the BBB is a completely voluntary membership association. For a fee (depending of the amount of employees working for the office or corporation), will provide any company or business with membership.

Membership is basically a sticker or plaque which you can proudly display for all to see. The sales force of the BBB is expected to get about 75 new members a month (no matter what), turnover is extremely high, and there is no motivation to excel except for the fact that is you make your numbers (new membership sales), you keep your job. They solicit any business in their region.

There are no qualifications, prerequisites, or testing; no board or policing of the businesses. You pay the fee, you are a member. Nothing happens unless there is a few complaints.

At that time the company is notified by the BBB of the complaint and asked to resolve it. The BBB will not intercede, or in any way, remedy your complaint. They will notify the company, and can provide names or recommend you a mediator for the situation. They will not even provide legal venues or facilitate action on the consumer's behalf.

If numerous complaints are made they will rescind the membership. It is an organization which makes no claims, and really provides nothing to the consumer but a false sense of security. I would like to warn consumers that a BBB membership does not in any way validate a company, service, or product's reputation. If you want to know about the company/service/ product, then I recommend you research it in as many fashions as possible, and rely on the most appropriate or reputable.

The BBB has it's place, but do not expect a $300 a year membership fee to serve as your legal avenue if you do have a problem with a business, product, or service.

Randy
Minneapolis, Minnesota
U.S.A.