The Truth about the BBB

After having some bad experiences myself, including being denied the opportunity to respond to a completely frivolous and malicious complaint recently, I came across this blog post describing one business owner's run-ins with the mafia-like Better Business Bureau. Here's an excerpt if you don't feel like reading the full article:

After talking to the BBB several times over the past ten years, they seem to care the most about the $350.00 they require you to send them. And if you don't send them the money, they might not have good things to say about you.

When I was a kid, I thought the Better Business Bureau was a non-profit, government agency that was like a nice friendly watch dog that looked out for people. The Better Business Bureau is not a government form of authority. In fact the Better Business Bureau has no authority other than the fact that they can pick up the phone and call the authorities just like you, me, or anybody else.

Most people don't realize that the Better Business Bureau is a company (trying to make a profit. Oh, yeah! They love money!)

I think the BBB likes to have the public believe they are a non profit, government agency. I think they know that most people just assume this is a fact.

But they are in fact a business that exists to make a profit just like Double Payment Systems.

The Better business bureau sends all business owners what I believe is a rather intimidating letter telling us that if we don't purchase a membership for about $350.00, then they might not have anything good to say about us if a person should ask them.