There are many reasons to think the current business model of the BBB is not sustainable. There is too much negative press, too much business backlash, too much internal strife, too many lawsuits active and pending, and too much Attorney General interest to think otherwise. This is not to say that the BBB is doomed, but it is even money that they are at a crossroads.
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Editor's note: Neither I or this website have a problem with the Better Business Bureau. Indeed, there is a need for a consumer advocacy group that the public can turn to, and in most cases, the Better Business Bureau fulfills this role adequately. What we do have a problem with is the BBB's "A-F" grading system. It is demonstratively biased, based on hearsay, weighted in favor of dues paying members and offers no recourse when the BBB makes an error. It is obvious the Better Business Bureau does not now, nor ever will have, the resources to fully investigate the four million businesses in their database, much less grade them with any sense of accuracy. It's an impossible job, and to think otherwise is a mistake that the BBB should acknowledge so they can get back to their reason for existence--protecting the consumer. There's an old saying, "who will watch the watchers" and it applies here as the BBB has set themselves up to be above the law. We are simply here to help the Better Business Bureau do a better job so that they may properly serve the consumer, the business community and themselves.
not sustainable. =EF=BF=BD There is too much negative press, too much busin= ess backlash, too much internal strife, too many lawsuits active and pendin= g, and too much Attorney General interest to think otherwise. =EF=BF=BDThis= is not to say that the BBB is doomed, but it is even money that they are a= t a crossroads. =EF=BF=BD
Better Business Bureau. =EF=BF=BDIndeed, there is a need for a consumer ad= vocacy group that the public can turn to, and in most cases, the Better Bus= iness Bureau fulfills this role adequately. =EF=BF=BDWhat we do have a prob= lem with is the BBB's "A-F" grading system. =EF=BF=BDIt is demonstratively = biased, based on hearsay, weighted in favor of dues paying members and offe= rs no recourse when the BBB makes an error. =EF=BF=BDIt is obvious the Bett= er Business Bureau does not now, nor ever will have, the resources to fully= investigate the four million businesses in their database, much less grade= them with any sense of accuracy. =EF=BF=BDIt's an impossible job, and to t= hink otherwise is a mistake that the BBB should acknowledge so they can get= back to their reason for existence--protecting the consumer. =EF=BF=BDTher= e's an old saying, "who will watch the watchers" and it applies here as the= BBB has set themselves up to be above the law. =EF=BF=BDWe are simply here= to help the Better Business Bureau do a better job so that they may proper= ly serve the consumer, the business community and themselves.
sustainable. ? There is too much negative press, too much business backlash, too much internal strife, too many lawsuits active and pending, and too much Attorney General interest to think otherwise. ?This is not to say that the BBB is doomed, but it is even money that they are at a crossroads. ?
Business Bureau. ?Indeed, there is a need for a consumer advocacy group that the public can turn to, and in most cases, the Better Business Bureau fulfills this role adequately. ?What we do have a problem with is the BBB's "A-F" grading system. ?It is demonstratively biased, based on hearsay, weighted in favor of dues paying members and offers no recourse when the BBB makes an error. ?It is obvious the Better Business Bureau does not now, nor ever will have, the resources to fully investigate the four million businesses in their database, much less grade them with any sense of accuracy. ?It's an impossible job, and to think otherwise is a mistake that the BBB should acknowledge so they can get back to their reason for existence--protecting the consumer. ?There's an old saying, "who will watch the watchers" and it applies here as the BBB has set themselves up to be above the law. ?We a re simply here to help the Better Business Bureau do a better job so that they may properly serve the consumer, the business community and themselves.
Now this is an interesting response from the BBB in LA.
Jim Rojas
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: RE: BBB Rating Scheme Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:05:38 -0700 From: Bill Mitchell To: Jim Rojas References:
Jim,
The truth is that there are inconsistencies in our policies as applied to businesses with a lot of branches. Generally speaking though, if a company like this wants all complaints processed at a their headquarters or some other location, we would deem that location to be the headquarters for rating purposes. On the other hand, if they want each office to handle their own complaints, then each one would have its own report. Because our system is driven primarily by complaint experience, this makes sense, at least to me. Believe it or not, there is no nefarious motive involving membership.
I'm not familiar with your company or report, but most likely your rating is caused by some failure in the complaint process, like not answering complaints. If that's the case, by resolving the complaint issues, you should get a high rating whether or not you elect to join the BBB.
-----Original Message----- From: Jim Rojas [mailto: snipped-for-privacy@tech-man.com] Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 6:36 AM To: Bill Mitchell Subject: BBB Rating Scheme
Why is a company like Brinks Home Security AKA Broadview Security, allowed to separate all its branches like they were independently owned franchises in order to cover up huge increases in consumer complaints? While another competing company like ADT shows their overall rating for all to see? These kind of questionable behavior by the BBB is disturbing. It basically gives paying members card blanche to screw over the American public.
I have a couple of compliants against my company in the 13 years I have operated online, yet I get an F rating...pathetic on the part of the BBB. I will never become a member of an agency that basically resorts to extortion towards small businesses.
Thank you
Jim Rojas
An> There are many reasons to think the current business model of the BBB is not
sustainable. There is too much negative press, too much business backlash, too much internal strife, too many lawsuits active and pending, and too much Attorney General interest to think otherwise. This is not to say that the BBB is doomed, but it is even money that they are at a crossroads.
Business Bureau. Indeed, there is a need for a consumer advocacy group that the public can turn to, and in most cases, the Better Business Bureau fulfills this role adequately. What we do have a problem with is the BBB's "A-F" grading system. It is demonstratively biased, based on hearsay, weighted in favor of dues paying members and offers no recourse when the BBB makes an error. It is obvious the Better Business Bureau does not now, nor ever will have, the resources to fully investigate the four million businesses in their database, much less grade them with any sense of accuracy. It's an impossible job, and to think otherwise is a mistake that the BBB should acknowledge so they can get back to their reason for existence--protecting the consumer. There's an old saying, "who will watch the watchers" and it applies here as the BBB has set themselves up to be above the law. We are simply here to
help the Better Business Bureau do a better job so that they may properly serve the consumer, the business community and themselves.
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