Complaint Review: Better Business Bureau - Milwaukee Wisconsin

On 3/20/2023, I conducted an online Google and Bing search of my business, Mississippi Valley Masonry, and noticed a link posted by the Better Business Bureau publicly discriminating and defaming my company on the first page of Google and Bing Search Engines.

I am seeking legal assistance to help hold the BBB accountable for their wrong doings. You can contact me by searching for Mississippi Valley Masonry on Google.

The BBB link said: Mississippi Valley Masonry | Better Business Bureau Profile Masonry Contractors in La Crosse, WI. ...On 3/5/2021 BBB confirmed that Mississippi Valley Masonry had not obtained a necessary ... What do you think? 

Upon clicking the link, I was redirected to BBB.org/Mississippi Valley Masonry's Business Profile and I found this:

(CRITICAL WARNING icon/symbol in bold red left side) CURRENT ALERTS FOR THIS BUISINESS in bold red print. 

Licensing   On 3/5/2021, BBB confirmed that Mississippi Valley Masonry had not obtained a necessary license from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. BBB encourages you to contact the following agency or agencies to confirm this information: http://www.dsps.wi.gov -(608) 266-2112 

Licensing   On 3/12/2022, BBB confirmed Mississippi Valley Masonry had not obtained a necessary license from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. BBB encourages you to contact the following agency or agencies to confirm this information: http://www.dsps.wi.gov -(608) 266-211

The BBB is encouraging the public to question MVM's credibility by calling the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services to confirm their statement, listing the DSPS website and telephone number.

Below the two alerts, it also stated: BBB Rating & Accreditation F (in capital bold print)

On 3/24/2023, I contacted the BBB office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, informing the BBB (Karen) that I would like my company's business profile removed from their website and the link removed from Google search engine because of the misleading and harmful content reported by the BBB. Karen said the BBB would not remove my business profile but would address the content that's been active, since 3/5/2021. MVM was a member of the BBB from 2016 to 3/5/2022. MVM did not renew membership with the BBB after 3/5/2022.

On 3/27/2023, I returned to Google Search Engine searching for Mississippi Valley Masonry. I located the Better Business Bureau, MVM profile and noticed the content had changed on the link: Mississippi Valley Masonry LLC specializes in residential and commercial restoration. Services include fire and chimney restoration, brick restoration, ...

Upon clicking the Google link, I was redirected to the BBB website/Mississippi Valley Masonry profile page. Both alerts are still present, however, the BBB Rating & Accreditation changed from an F to an A+

Note: On 3/12/2021 MVM renewed our Contractor Licensing and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier card. The BBB's intent is to harm my business reputation by publicly posting harmful, inaccurate and misleading information as retaliation for not renewing our membership with the BBB. 

The BBB posted the same damaging and misleading information on Bing Search Engine at the top of page one: Mississippi Valley Masonry | Better Business Bureau Profile Masonry Contractors in La Crosse, WI. ...On 3/5/2021 BBB confirmed that, Mississippi Valley Masonry had not obtained a necessary license from Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. BBB...

On 3/24/2023, I informed Karen that I wanted the Bing Link removed because the information was not accurate. Karen said they will not be removing the link. 

After informing the BBB that MVM would not be renewing our membership with them in March of 2022, the BBB demanded that we remove all BBB badges/logo's from MVM online profiles and websites as well as stickers and plaques in MVM's office, trailers, etc. 

On 3/27/2023, I returned to Bing Search Engine and noticed the link was still present while searching for Mississippi Valley Masonry.  The content was different and the placement was moved above the advertisements at the top of the Bing Search page. How is that even possible?

The new BBB content listed on Bing includes: Mississippi Valley Masonry LLC Hours of Operation Primary M: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM T: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM W: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Th: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM F: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Business …

Mississippi Valley Masonry has maintained a high standard of excellence throughout our eight years in business in La Crosse, WI. We go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. 

The majority of our business is generated through our online presence with Google search engine leading with a 4.7 out of 5 star customer rating over Bing and more than a dozen other social media profiles. Overall, Mississippi Valley Masonry has a positive online presence, other than what the BBB falsely reports. 

The BBB has caused noticeable damage to my company's annual revenue. Google anylitics records MVM's prospective customer lead base by measuring important data on a monthly basis.

In conjunction with Google analytic's data, cross referenced with my 1040 forms from 2022 compared to 2021 theres nearly a 50% reduction in anual revenue. This plays a factor when 89% of MVM's customer base says they heard about us through an online search engine. 

The BBB's misleading links have caused significant damage to MVM's prospective customers, with Google Analytics showing a substantial difference with online business search vs incoming calls converted to contract, overall annual revenue that's caused MVM to go from a surplus with no business debt to substantial debt within a year, employment opportunities posted online that did not generate a response compared to previous years, and more.  

The statement made herein is supported by a series of facts which include, email correspondence with the BBB, Google analytic's showing the difference in traffic conversion, Google and Bing screen shots showing false content posted by the BBB for more than two years, changes in the content posted by the BBB, copies of MVM's Dwelling Contractor's credentials proving licensing, BBB.org About content outlining the claim of discrimination and defamation, and more.