Is the Bigger Business Bureau effective?

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friardchips

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Dear CAF,

Has anyone ever complained to the BBB before?

(The BBB is the Bigger Business Bureau).

If so, could you tell me whether this is an effective route, please.

Are there any other organisations one can turn to in the U.S?

Also, what category in this forum does business comes under?

Thanks.
 
That’s BETTER business bureau…

It’s a good reference on how a business, well, does business!
 
As CrusaderBear said, it’s the Better Business Bureau. I haven’t ever filed a complaint with them, but I have looked to them to see how a business ranks if I am unfamiliar with the business. So, from that perspective, I appreciate when people bring to light legitimate complaints as it makes it easier to avoid potentially bad businesses.

As to how effective it is, I don’t have any hard data. It’s a respected organization and businesses want to be ranked highly with them. From what I have seen, most businesses will strive to resolve any complaints lodged against them.
 
I do check with the BBB from time to time when I interact with an unfamiliar business. I think it is largely reliable. However, you should also be aware of complaints about the BBB itself in terms of membership registration fees, ratings of organizations that are not members, and such. An online search will reveal information about issues of this kind.
 
I ordered a dress from an online children’s boutique and it didn’t arrive after several months. When I attempted to contact them, their only contact was facebook, which they didn’t answer. I went to the BBB website to get a phone number to contact. It’s really useful for that. I also found out that they had cheated many other people the same way. THey did finally send the dress, with no apologies, after I made the report. Then they sent me a nasty email, accusing me of slander. I sent the email to the BBB as well. I think they are a great organization.
 
Joe_5859 said:
As CrusaderBear said, it’s the Better Business Bureau. I haven’t ever filed a complaint with them, but I have looked to them to see how a business ranks if I am unfamiliar with the business. So, from that perspective, I appreciate when people bring to light legitimate complaints as it makes it easier to avoid potentially bad businesses.

As to how effective it is, I don’t have any hard data. It’s a respected organization and businesses want to be ranked highly with them. From what I have seen, most businesses will strive to resolve any complaints lodged against them.
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That’s good to know. Being in the U.K, we have Trading Standards, but they tend to be more on the officious side, and only operate within U.K borders (I think). At least it is, that they don’t operate in the U.S.

If people and organisations care how the BBB rates a business, then that is a good start. I am wondering if one has to be in the U.S in order to ensure the BBB acts upon a complaint?!
 
meltzerboy said:
I do check with the BBB from time to time when I interact with an unfamiliar business. I think it is largely reliable. However, you should also be aware of complaints about the BBB itself in terms of membership registration fees, ratings of organizations that are not members, and such. An online search will reveal information about issues of this kind.
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Maybe a little digging then, is the way forward. My reason is quite specific to do with one thing that I need to contact them about. I presume that they deal with bigger businesses as well as smaller ones. It is really about gaining a voice on one’s side - rallying support, so to speak, from a well-established and respected organisation that does make a difference. From what I am gathering so far, from your responses, it seems that this is the case.
 
Allegra said:
I ordered a dress from an online children’s boutique and it didn’t arrive after several months. When I attempted to contact them, their only contact was facebook, which they didn’t answer. I went to the BBB website to get a phone number to contact. It’s really useful for that. I also found out that they had cheated many other people the same way. THey did finally send the dress, with no apologies, after I made the report. Then they sent me a nasty email, accusing me of slander. I sent the email to the BBB as well. I think they are a great organization.
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There are so many retail firms out there now, being run from people’s houses rather than business premises, due to the rise of Internet selling, that cases like yours are not in the minority, sadly, because such behaviour is harder to track and some like to get away with what they can. You must have been happy and relieved that you were sent your dress. I am surprised that some ‘sellers’ get away with scamming (they must do because otherwise why do they keep doing what they do). The BBB sounds very efficient. 👍
 
Yes I have dealt with the BETTER Business Bureau before though complaints will only be effective if the company has decided the deal with the BBB. Some companies I’ve seen have several complaints against them that have never been answered. Unfortunately my last complaint against a BBB accredited business went unanswered by the company though it was mentioned to them the next time I spoke to their corporate accounting department who issued me a quick refund.
 
friardchips said:
That’s good to know. Being in the U.K, we have Trading Standards, but they tend to be more on the officious side, and only operate within U.K borders (I think). At least it is, that they don’t operate in the U.S.

If people and organisations care how the BBB rates a business, then that is a good start. I am wondering if one has to be in the U.S in order to ensure the BBB acts upon a complaint?!
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I think their action is primarily posting the complaint for all to read, the company must decide, voluntarily to act. Which, if they are reputable, is all you really want.
 
DignumEtJustum said:
Yes I have dealt with the BETTER Business Bureau before though complaints will only be effective if the company has decided the deal with the BBB. Some companies I’ve seen have several complaints against them that have never been answered. Unfortunately my last complaint against a BBB accredited business went unanswered by the company though it was mentioned to them the next time I spoke to their corporate accounting department who issued me a quick refund.
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It sounds as if the “quick refund” might have been influenced by the involvement of the BBB. I understand then that it is not a done deal and up to the company whether they are bothered enough to reply or not. I was hoping it might be a bit more official. I am not wholly sure whether some companies care what people think. Will have to see. It does make sense for a company to care, to some degree. Not all operate with the same view to good business, however.
 
Crusaderbear said:
I think their action is primarily posting the complaint for all to read, the company must decide, voluntarily to act. Which, if they are reputable, is all you really want.
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I see. So the BBB walk the path of applying public pressure rather than a legal path.
 
friardchips said:
I see. So the BBB walk the path of applying public pressure rather than a legal path.
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Right. The BBB doesn’t have the authority to compel a business to do anything. WHat they do is collect complaints against businesses and mediate between them and customers they have offended.
 
Allegra said:
Right. The BBB doesn’t have the authority to compel a business to do anything. WHat they do is collect complaints against businesses and mediate between them and customers they have offended.
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I wonder then, if the complaint is not so much about a particular product, whether one can petition to the BBB. I am concerned, going by the info. so far, that the complaint might not be taken seriously and if so maybe it might be better to get more people involved and then to send signatures to the BBB. Does the BBB ever reject complaints that are not product specific, for example. And I wonder if the BBB rejects complaints that come from more than one person at a time.
 
Joe_5859 said:
Here is the link the part of their page about filing a complaint:

bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started

It doesn’t mention anything on the “Getting Started” page to indicate that they only accept complaints from people in the United States. You can start clicking through the process to be sure, though.
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Is there is a firm that deals with discrimination claims as well as other claims. I can’t name what the company is, but I am pretty sure that my complaint ought to include this element of dissatisfaction, with the company. The BBB doesn’t seem to allow for these serious matters. I can’t imagine that companies get away with discrimination in the U.S, especially in the business sector. I hope not.
 
I’ve found them useful in the past, I’ll choose a place based on the BBB grade or scale. It’s like yelp, for old people…
 
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