Is the BBB the next "consumer advocate" to be exposed as a fraud!

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Not sure if anyone else has been following the ABC news stories about the Better Business Bureau and the ratings systems used by their franchise affiliates, but it really seems to be gaining momentum.

Hopefully, having the light of truth shine on what seems to have become a corrupt group running little more than a "protection" racket will result in some much needed wholesale changes and a much higher level of transparency.

If you haven't seen these stories.. Here are links to just a few to get you started. Many local ABC affiliates worked on their own stories, and these are still being released. I've also included the link to the Conn. Attorney General's letter to the BBB calling for changes..

(You have to wonder who the BBB ticked off at ABC? Perhaps that F Rating for the Disney Cruise Line finally pushed the mouse over the edge- and he's hitting back- HARD!)..

Better Business Bureau: The Best Ratings Money Can Buy - ABC News

Ritz Carlton Gets a Failing Grade From the Better Business Bureau - ABC News

Blue-Chip Boston Brands Baffled By Bad BBB Ratings - Boston News Story - WCVB Boston

Conn. Attorney Gen. Letter to the Better Business Bureau - ABC News

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

I haven't used BBB ratings, has anyone?

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

(You have to wonder who the BBB ticked off at ABC? Perhaps that F Rating for the Disney Cruise Line finally pushed the mouse over the edge- and he's hitting back- HARD!)..

Yes, I was wondering, I did not know they give F rating on Disney Cruise Line. That was a shock to me.

Jya-Ning

[PHILL12 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PHILL12]

I thought it was on 60 minutes couple weeks ago but could be wrong! Its about time BBB gets shown up because they have been pulling this for years but everyone still trust their ratings.

About five years ago I turned in a yard service company I had to let go because of no-show or bad work when they did show up. I found they had a rating of C or D and thought I would let others know how they treat their customers. Instead of following up they talked to the owner and excepted his bull and next thing you know he had a A-rating listed.

About six months after letting him and his crew go I ran into one of his employee's now working for our local Ford dealership. This person told me that the company had many complaints but as soon as the owner became a member of BBB the rating became A and most of the complaints taken care of or just were not listed.


This is why you can find many timeshare scam outfits with top ratings until they get shown up for the scammers they are.

PHILL12

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

This person told me that the company had many complaints but as soon as the owner became a member of BBB the rating became A and most of the complaints taken care of or just were not listed.

I've thought for a long time that it just depends on how good the local people/people the company or complainers are dealing with are. I wouldn't go so far as to say the whole thing is a fraud, but it seems pretty clear the system can sometimes be manipulated.

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Good point...

I've thought for a long time that it just depends on how good the local people/people the company or complainers are dealing with are. I wouldn't go so far as to say the whole thing is a fraud, but it seems pretty clear the system can sometimes be manipulated.

This is a good point.. I guess the truth always lies somewhere in the middle. Since each BBB office is in reality an independently run franchise, it would seem logical that there may be offices where the principals and employees all act in good faith, and others where it is just the modern version of Guido and the Fingerbreakers.. (No offense intended to any and all Guidos, I'm simply using the stereotype for the imagery. I for one am grateful that Rocky Balboa had financial support during his quest for the belt!)