- Report: #43880
Complaint Review: Better Business Bureau BBB - College Park Georgia
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Better Business Bureau BBB
503 Oak Place College Park, Georgia, U.S.A.
Phone:
404-766-0875
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BBB Better Business Bureau Consumer Advocate? Think Again! Don't Trust Them! Leaglized Thieves big ripoff to consumers Atlanta Georgia
In 2002 I hired a Siding Contractor to remove defective LP siding from my home and to install Hardiplank cement siding. The Company was a Better Business Bureau Member in good standing with only one complaint in 36 months.
The Siding Contractor sent unskilled installers and the siding was improperly installed. The Contractor refused to correct the problems and demanded payment before painting the improperly installed siding. When I refused, he filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau requesting arbitration which I had agreed to in the orginal construction contract. I filed a counter complaint with the BBB explaining the problems that I was having with the installation that the contractor would not fix. A BBB arbitration hearing was held and during the process it was obvious that the arbitrator was biased towards the member business from the start.
The contractor brought no evidence to the hearing, hell, the arbitrator had to give him a pen because he didn't bring one. I presented a very detailed case of all the problems with the siding complete with photographs during the installation process, installation instructions, building code requirements and expert reports from the siding manufactuer and an independent siding expert both of which identified problems severe enough to require the removal of the improperly installed siding.
During the hearing the BBB arbitrator told me that she would not accept the report from the independent siding expert because he "could have been my brother in law!" She also refused to allow me to question the contractor about the installation procedures, his knowledge of standard building codes and other relevant issues. At the end of the hearing, The BBB Coordinator advised that I would receive a decision within 10 days.
After 4 weeks I called to inquire about the decision and was told by the BBB Coordinator that the arbitrator had been away for two weeks at a family reunion but had ask for an independent expert to examine and provide a written report on the installation of the siding. The inspection by the BBB expert was done 6 weeks after the arbitration hearing.
12 weeks after the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator rendered her decision in favor of the contractor, requiring me to pay additional money but the contractor was required to do nothing! I immediately asked for a copy of the BBB expert's report, expecting to find some reason for the decision. When I received the report it confirmed the previous two reports that the siding was improperly installed.
The BBB cover letter stated that the experts report was not given to the arbitrator or considered in her decision because it was not received before the arbitrator made her decision.The BBB claimed that the BBB expert took 35 days to send a one page report. Hello!!!! Why the hell did they wait 83 days for a report they weren't going to use? (apparently it didn't say what they wanted it to say!) I have always been told that consumers can trust the Better Business Bureau and that they are a good source of information when you are trying to decide on a company to do business with. BULLSHIT!
The Better Business Bureau is nothing more than an advocate for member businesses which pay their yearly fees! Consumers Beware, You Can't Trust the Better Business Bureau!
Oh by the way. If you were to check on the standing and number of complaints on the siding company that I used, the BBB report would say the same thing that it said 12 months ago when I checked his standing! I've learned a very valuable lesson! Never do Business with a BBB member and never sign a contract with an arbitration clause!
I'll take my chances in court where at least they look at the evidence! Lets abolish the BBB!
Tony
Kennesaw, Georgia
U.S.A.
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, its paid for!
The Siding Contractor sent unskilled installers and the siding was improperly installed. The Contractor refused to correct the problems and demanded payment before painting the improperly installed siding. When I refused, he filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau requesting arbitration which I had agreed to in the orginal construction contract. I filed a counter complaint with the BBB explaining the problems that I was having with the installation that the contractor would not fix. A BBB arbitration hearing was held and during the process it was obvious that the arbitrator was biased towards the member business from the start.
The contractor brought no evidence to the hearing, hell, the arbitrator had to give him a pen because he didn't bring one. I presented a very detailed case of all the problems with the siding complete with photographs during the installation process, installation instructions, building code requirements and expert reports from the siding manufactuer and an independent siding expert both of which identified problems severe enough to require the removal of the improperly installed siding.
During the hearing the BBB arbitrator told me that she would not accept the report from the independent siding expert because he "could have been my brother in law!" She also refused to allow me to question the contractor about the installation procedures, his knowledge of standard building codes and other relevant issues. At the end of the hearing, The BBB Coordinator advised that I would receive a decision within 10 days.
After 4 weeks I called to inquire about the decision and was told by the BBB Coordinator that the arbitrator had been away for two weeks at a family reunion but had ask for an independent expert to examine and provide a written report on the installation of the siding. The inspection by the BBB expert was done 6 weeks after the arbitration hearing.
12 weeks after the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator rendered her decision in favor of the contractor, requiring me to pay additional money but the contractor was required to do nothing! I immediately asked for a copy of the BBB expert's report, expecting to find some reason for the decision. When I received the report it confirmed the previous two reports that the siding was improperly installed.
The BBB cover letter stated that the experts report was not given to the arbitrator or considered in her decision because it was not received before the arbitrator made her decision.The BBB claimed that the BBB expert took 35 days to send a one page report. Hello!!!! Why the hell did they wait 83 days for a report they weren't going to use? (apparently it didn't say what they wanted it to say!) I have always been told that consumers can trust the Better Business Bureau and that they are a good source of information when you are trying to decide on a company to do business with. BULLSHIT!
The Better Business Bureau is nothing more than an advocate for member businesses which pay their yearly fees! Consumers Beware, You Can't Trust the Better Business Bureau!
Oh by the way. If you were to check on the standing and number of complaints on the siding company that I used, the BBB report would say the same thing that it said 12 months ago when I checked his standing! I've learned a very valuable lesson! Never do Business with a BBB member and never sign a contract with an arbitration clause!
I'll take my chances in court where at least they look at the evidence! Lets abolish the BBB!
Tony
Kennesaw, Georgia
U.S.A.
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, its paid for!
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Jen
Columbus,Ohio,
U.S.A.
I am so glad I did not agree to arbitration with the Better Buisness Bureau!
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, January 29, 2004
When I read that if I agreed to arbitration hearing I would have to accept their ruling and could not bring a law suit against Karshner Sales! NOW who do you think they are going to favor, myself who pays them $0 or Karshner Sales, a PAYING member! I, like the Tony in Kennesaw,GA will take my chances in real court. I spoke with many people concerning all my problems with Karshner Sales and they advised me to never trust the BBB. Most people I spoke with could not beleive I did not know the BBB does not care if a company is bad as long as they are a paying member. Well now that I am wise to the Better Business Bureau I will not use a company that is BBB member, I fear they are hiding behind them. If they are a reputable company they will not need the BBB. To date after refusing arbitration through the Better Business Bureau of Central OH I have heard absoultley nothing from the attorney for Jack Reynolds owner of Karshner Sales aka Durrell Karshner Sales of Lancaster Ohio. The court told Mr.Reynolds he must take care of the bad remodel job and he and I were to correspond through his attorney only, which I have done.I have had no repairs or even a letter or call of when I can expect to have my tile repaired or cabinet problem repaired from Mr. Reynolds attorney. I have a copy of the transcript from court with Mr. Reynolds statement "I guess I just buried my head in the sand and hoped it would go away" well he still is buring his head in the sand and my remodel is still a mess and getting worse by the day,especially the crumbling grout in the tile floor! I have all the letters to the BBB, my attorney, his attorney and as soon as I get some personal matters out of the way I am going to bring a law suit in REAL court. I certainly would not let crooks like the Better Business Bureau rip me off too! According to my attorney I have until April of 2005 to file suit, I will let you know if our court system is just, right now I have little faith in it but I will give them another chance, they will at least look at the evidence, I have many pictures, witnesses etc. to back me up. Just remember people, word of mouth is the best thing to trust, get lots of opinions from neighbors, co-workers, friends etc. - NEVER trust the BBB! And if you have been ripped off let every one you come in contact with know, it can save someone else a lot of agony, just be honest with your story no matter how bad or painful it is-HONEST DECENT people must protect each other! Tony from Kennesaw GA, I am sorry you did not know arbitration with the Better Business Bureau would not allow you to bring a law suit if you did not agree with their decision, that in itself should be illegal. Think about it, why should a business paid by another business be allowed to bring judgement that of course is going to go in favor of the one keeping the BBB in business through membership fees. Our legal system should not allow that, what's wrong with this picture?? Well anyway Tony, I am sorry and I feel for you, there is nothing worse than getting railroaded, and having an UNFAIR judgement against you without having your evidence looked at!
