When most consumers think Better Business Bureau; consumer protection, ethics and integrity come to mind. Right?

1. Would it shock you to learn that there are numerous legitimate complaints and even lawsuits against Better Business Bureau franchises? Yes, you read correctly. The BBB is a corporation consisting of several private business franchises very like to McDonald’s.

2. Many people are under the perception that the BBB is a government agency. It is not. The truth is it operates as a non-profit and its funded primarily through membership fees paid by businesses.

The fact that they make money collecting payments from businesses should automatically raise an eyebrow.

How can they honestly look out for the consumers best interest when their customer base is businesses? They claim neutrality but to any rational person there is an obvious conflict of interest.

So you see a business with a BBB member sticker in the window, a plaque on the wall, or a banner on their website and you think they must be respectable. What ought to also be swirling in your mind is the fact that in order to become a member of the BBB the business has to pay an annual membership fee. How many renewals would the BBB get if the members were graded poorly?

3. The truth is members of the Better Business Bureau are given much higher grades than non-members. It seems like an A+ grade is only possible for dues-paying customers (members).

4. The fact of the matter is everything that the trusted BBB warns us about when it comes to unethical business practices, they are viewed by some as the biggest offenders.

5. The list of rising complaints around the country accuse local Better Business Bureaus of:

Unfair and Disingenuous Business Practices.

Underhanded or Misleading Advertising.

Discrimination Against Certain Companies Based On Their Industry.

Utilization of Non-Profit For Personal Gain.

Many of us look to the Better Business Bureau to establish the legitimacy of a business or to report a business, but where do we go if we have a problem with the better business bureau? Who watches them?

The savvy consumer and self respecting business owner does due diligence on the Better Business Bureau just as they would before dealing with any other company. It just makes sense.

Scammed By BBB How could this be beneficial to the consumer?

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