The BBB has survied for decades soley on their misleading name. They are neither Better nor a Bureau - not a government bureau as most consumers mistakenly believe. The BBB is an unusual not-for-profit franchise.

Local offices buy a franchise and the financial benefits go to the local President who is usually paid well over $250,000 and gets huge bonuses based on how many businesses he can make fall victim to his telemarketing scheme.

The scam is easy, when anyone asks them about a business they call the business implying that consumers wants the business to be evaluated. Then the business is offered an approval by paying a huge membershp fee. Or they can pay more to become Accredited Member.

The trouble with the BBB is that it ONLY allows complaints, so no alternate views can be considered. In 2009 the BBB switches to a grading system but they won't tell anyone how it is determined and businesses can't earn an A+ without being members. That's kind of like a teacher who won't give a kid a A+ unless he is of the same race.

The BBB has been dropping in value for years because other online complaint websites are offering an open system of compliments along with complaints. Plus they have a variety of ratings from zero to 5. The BBB takes only complaints. Its new grading system is a futile attempt to resurrect a system that is self serving and was never of value to business or consumers; at least not consumers who take a minute to figure out that the BBB is the least honest business in the world.

The BBB scam is biased and designed ONLY to create membership income. Last year the BBB extracted $250 million dollars in fees for naieve business owners. No smart consumer or business person cares a wit about what the BBB thinks.

There are many investigative website reviews out there that reveal the dispicable tactics of the BBB. Search and you'll be amazed - if you dare.

Votes (5)  •  Comments (1)  •  Link to this review

Thomas D. [Darntoothysam.com Rep] "No smart consumer or business person cares a wit about what the BBB thinks."

7/27/11  •  Votes (0)

I would NEVER TRUST THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU!

I didn't know much about them until they contacted me about becoming a member. Having been in business for some time and not having problems, I would have thought my rating would have been very good. I had a C Rating with no explanation as to why.

The membership was explained to me that if I pay, I will become Acreddited and my grade will improve, but only if I pay will I become Accredited and can have a better grade. It seemed ridiculous but I care about my business reputation so I fell prey and paid over $500.00 to them.

The next morning I was happy to see my grade changed to an A Grade and the one complaint I had disappeared from my record! I was thrilled until I got a call from them that my credit card would not go through. They improved my grade before getting the money. I started researching them and decided they were not trustworthy and I wasn't going to give them my hard earned money. About an hour after hanging up the phone with them I decided to check my bbb report. THEY CHANGED ME TO AN F NOW WHICH IS EVEN WORSE THAN THE C I HAD BEFORE.

I called them screaming, they refused to talk to me in detail unless I was a member. If this isn't a scam, then I'd like to know what is! Their scam was just exposed on ABC's 20/20. WATCH THIS ABC INVESTIGATION ON THEM:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo8kfV9kONw

Now I have an F Rating and I show my business was revoked! They are being sued left and right, how can they last? Nobody gives them an ounce of credit anymore. If I see a business that is bbb accredited then I know they paid for that. I will not do business with any business that paid the bbb for the fake grade / accreditation.

They gave a terror group an A rating when they paid, WHAT KIND OF CRAZINESS IS THAT? They did the same for a racist white skinhead group! Any business that pays the bbb I'd stay far away from. I would question the trust and honesty of that business if they pay the bbb for accreditation.

Votes (2)  •  Comments (1)  •  Link to this review

Thomas D. [Darntoothysam.com Rep] Bob, I paid $600 for one year then refused to pay again. They take your money and register complaints, that is all they do, and consumers think they are run by the government!

2/13/12  •  Votes (0)