BBB - Better Business Bureau Review

Many people are under the impression that if a company has any complaints reported to the Better Business Bureau -- then that company is a bad or scam company. However, this is not necessarily so and is a huge misconception.

No doubt there are scam companies out there that the BBB can warn you about. But don’t be too fast to point the finger – Keep this in mind: It is not this issue as to whether a company has complaints – No company is squeaky clean.

And even the best ones - regardless of how hard they try - cannot satisfy Everyone all of the time. Someone is bound to complain about something sooner or later. What is more important is If and How that company handles and resolves the complaint.

Did they just ignore it? Or did they make a fair and reasonable effort to resolve issues in a timely manner. This will give you an inside look into the Heart of a company – The customer service side. Shiny marketing and smooth swaying ads may generate a sale -- but great customer service is what builds Customers and longevity for a business. The Best companies know this.

Like people, businesses can make mistakes, and just like when we as people make mistakes -- we can further escalate the situation and add more damage -- or we can communicate effectively and candidly to resolve the flare, which oftentimes can result in a more improved relationship.

A business doesn’t have to be a member of the BBB to have reports in it. The BBB is an independent public complaint authority (it is not government regulated or affiliated contrary to many people’s beliefs). Reports on a company can appear regardless as to whether a company is a BBB accredited member i.e. paid member or not.

[An accredited business is one that has agreed to follow Better Business Bureau Code of Business Practices - and makes a public display of it by embedding the BBB emblem on their site and marketing materials.]

But again, a company is not required to become a member of the BBB. That is an optional choice. And there are many companies out there that treat their customers with the utmost respect - even though they are in no way affiliated with the BBB.

--------------------------Sidenote to Businesses-------------------------------------------
It is a good idea for a company to strongly consider becoming a member of the BBB because of the high reputation, trust and respect that it has garnered by the public. Membership fees will vary based on factors like the size of your company, territory, etc.

I didn't find any fee quotes posted on the BBB website. However, as a result of my research, I have found that most businesses are paying between $400 - $1000 annually in order to maintain different membership levels. Consult your local BBB chamber for an exact quote for you business situation. Is it worth it? Should you join the Better Business Bureau? ...Well that’s entirely up to you.

But one thing’s for sure -- That little BBB emblem does speak volumes and gives added credibility and trust to any business. It could very well pay for itself over & over again. A plus is that it is a clear-cut business expense that can be written off of your taxes.

What I Don’t Like

I don’t particularly like the fact that the Better Business Bureau only reports negative consumer complaints, but forego the positive.

But hey that’s their business. People tend to want to know the dirt on a company. As the saying goes “Bad news travels much faster than good news”. That’s just the way it is. And this is why it’s important for a company to do their Best to stay on the good side of their most valuable asset – The Customer.

Also I don’t really dig that hefty annual upfront fee that is costs companies to maintain membership. And if you operate a business online and offline you will have to pay double. But that’s just how they operate. With an 80-year-old reputation, they definitely hold the power to do this.

The better business beaurea states that they are unbiased in their reports regardless as to whether a business is accredited “paid" member or not. But who really knows for sure?... Use your own judgment on this.

Another thing about the BBB I’m not fond of, is that there could be negative information about a company that may not show up in BBB reports - such as litigation/legal/court issues. If this type of deep information was included regularly, then it could shed a whole different like on a company that may appear to be squeaky clean -- but is really not.

Final Note

Do Not be under the misconception that just because a company IS an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau or has a good rating – that they are GOLDEN or something. That’s not necessarily so. Nothing is 100%.

Although it may lower your overall chance of risk and ease your mind a bit, it does Not guarantee that a company it spot free.

Therefore, it is good to take the Better Business Bureau reports combined with additional research such as asking around, searching for company reviews, etc. This will enable you to come to an overall enlightened conclusion as to whether you want to do business with a company – Or Not.

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