The Better Business Bureau says it is reviewing its business accreditation system following criticism from Connecticut’s attorney general that a pay-to-play system gives members a ratings boost over nonmembers.
Stephen Cox, president of the Better Business Bureau, said on the group’s website that its executive committee met Tuesday to review the ratings system. In calling for the review, Cox apologized for unspecified practices that he said have not measured up to the standards consumers and business owners expect of the Better Business Bureau.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal complained Nov. 12 about its letter-grade system. He said BBB members’ grades include extra points unavailable to nonmembers, which he said is unfair to consumers who assume the companies are being judged equally.
Well…yeah. I thought it was common knowledge that the BBB is a joke. Everyone mistakes it as a government entity, it’s just another business, doing business-like things.
I hate these morons,they always side with the customers in disputes! I just ignore them,hang-up or throw away letters! There totally one sided reporting has cost me jobs…. maybe a nice lawsuit would cool theirs jets!!!
You’re wrong, Will. Most people think of the BBB as being like Consumer Reports. CR doesn’t take money from the producers of the products it evaluates. Therefore, CR’s rankings are truly independent and unbiased. Too bad the same cannot be said for the BBB. Furthermore, if people mistook the BBB for a government entity, then they would automatically assume it is mismanaged and that it gives arbitrary and/or politically-influenced recommendations.
The Better Business Bureau gives voice to everyday consumers who are at the mercy of big corporations. Unfair cell phone bills, credit card and overage fees, etc, are all disputable with the BBB. Norton, work on your customer service.
The BBB has earned their stripes, and I am proud to work for a company with an A+ rating from them.
“I hate these morons,they always side with the customers in disputes!”
Did it ever occur to you that no consumer would go to the trouble of filing a complaint if there wasn’t a problem? I don’t know what the CT AG in the story is talking about as the BBB makes in clear in the listings I saw that no rating is given for a business that is a non-member.
I think they are great. In my last dispute with a car dealer scammer they made the difference more than the AG’s office in my area.
The BBB is a joke. I have numerous clients who are threatened with receiving a C grade unless they pay a certain amount to get an A grade. They have no credibility.