Complaint Review: Dun and Bradstreet - Internet

 I have experience going back with Dun & Bradstreet for 30 years.   It used to be a honest and reputable company that did a great service and then it obviously became driven by fee for service programs to the detriment of any company that chooses not to pay them.  

Recently, based on an email I received,  we signed my company up for Credibility Alerts.   In doing so I was able to find that D&B with no information to support the ratings had classified my Company (In my words) about a "half a step from failing", highly financial stressed among other negatives.  They didn't indicate on the report that they lacked information but just arbitrarily rated us as a terrible company.  That's really objective!  I complained and was told that I had to submit updated financials and of course was told that the reason we had such a poor rating was because we didn't have enough "good" vendors reporting on us.  There are over 50 reporters on our credit history and with the exception of two small ones at 1-30 days, they were all prompt.  They countered that the highest credit was only $55k and that didn't do us any good.  I countered that it was good enough.  That being a contractor our large dollars were with subcontractors (often in the millions) and they didn't report. They said they'd fix that for a fee.  As a private company we are not required to release financial data but based on these horrible ratings felt that our arm was twisted to do so.   But I deferred on the fee service to somehow "repair us"  and told them that I would let the people checking on us through D&B determine our financial health by just merely looking at our financials which include an incredibly strong balance sheet in the mid eight figures with a large cash balance and exceptionally good ratios. 

The problem came in that for over a two month period of time I had to badger them to excess to even update our report with the current financials.   I talked with at least 6 people in that time, at least weekly, submitted the financials multiple times to multiple emails given and finally got it done, only with much complaining.   Only because I chose to rentlessly pursue the posting of our financials was it handled.  The funny thing is that they still post their ratings as if we are mediocre.   I happen to know in our industry that we are "best of class".   So at that point, I realized that their modus operandus is never to give you a good rating UNLESS you pay for it.  

So, I'm glad that the rebutter is satisfied that he paid his money and got good service and hopefully a great rating.   You'd "payed to play".  But an ethical company would not do this and for those of us that refuse to PAY for a good rating, when we deserve one on our own merits, well, then D & B comes off as underhanded if not illegal in their attempts to intimidate, malign and hurt good companies.  Their tactics are a form of holding you hostage, if not something a bit more malicious and my Company won't cave into them.   Shame on you D&B!   I'm just happy that we don't really need you.  Working in public works makes D&B a non-issue for us.    

So that's my two cents in agreeing with the original post.   I too cannot understand why some Attorney Generals have not focused on this Company and its business practices.    

I've had experience using Dun&Bradstreet Credibility corp as well as D&B.  

...to clarify there is absolutely no charge to update your information on https://iupdate.dnb.com , just register as a new user and edit away. I believe what you are referring to is the process of "completing" your report.

The adviser I've worked with explained very clearly and was very patient with me in explaining how the system works, I'll do my best to pass along that explanation here.

There are two ways to get a DUNS number

1. it can be assigned to businesses when enough information is found by D&B in the Duns right process. 

or

2. A business owner can request a DUNS number (for free mind you)

the duns number is used by the government as a unique ID number with the CCR for payroll purposes.
It is also used to pull the report in competitive environments.
(the prospective client can pull multiple reports on everybody who has a bid in on that contract, grant, Job, etc...)
If you did not set up the report, by paying for D&B to validate your trade references and your registration with the secretary of state or do their public filings investigation, the report will be considered "incomplete" and you will have a D&B rating reading "DS".

There will also be a disclaimer on the report basically telling whoever is making the assessment that D&B has not done that validation because the business owner has not paid for that service and that no information in the report should be considered a statement of existing fact...

Now...
Being in business, I know that nothing gets done for free.

I believe it is the business owners responsibility to maintain and keep their report trimmed and maintained especially if you know that D&B is the oldest and largest provider of business information in existence... 

I think it may be the culture of moochers today that expect to be coddled and babysat, but I went into business knowing that the world is a give and take. I pay for what I know will benefit me.
Listen, You pay $799 to complete, update and monitor your businesses credit report and that lands you one $5,000 contract... easy math that a management undergrad could understand.
This is capitalism people, There's no crying in business.