Better Business Bureau Busted - bbb
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Offers Good Grades For Cash
If you are like me you depend on the Better Business Bureau when ever checking out a new product, business, restaurant even to check out a company when considering for a job.
It was on the news this morning, The better Business Bureau that started back in 1912 was found offering "good grades for cash". You can not trust anyone anymore!
Attorney General R. Blumenthal of Connecticut is threatening the Better Business Bureau with legal action unless it changes its controversial marketing program which gives better grades in exchange for annual payments.
Blumenthal’s has been investigating the Connecticut BBB chapter ever since it convinced him three years ago to attend a ceremony where a company – which later was discovered to have been ripping off customers -was honored with the chapter’s highest award – the Torch Award. His investigation later broadened into the grading system itself.
Until about three years ago, the BBB used the satisfactory/unsatisfactory rating system .The BBB claims that the letter system was implemented to make it easier on the consumer to make decisions about a business.
Some businesses can recieve an A- without a track record or even an legitimate address, just by paying the fee.
HAMAS GETS A- RATING FROM BBB
A bunch of California businessmen got together to prove the BBB rating system was a "pay to play" scheme. What they did was make up a few fake businesses and then purchased accreditation for the businesses including, Hamas a name of a terrorist organization. All received an A- rating.
An ABC News team covering the story told of two small businesses that had a C rating and were told by BBB telemarketers,if they paid the $395.00 membership fee, the C rating will be replaced with a A plus rating. They gave their credit card number and the very next day the C was now An A plus rating.
How are we to trust the Better Business Bureau when they are selling "memberships" for better ratings?
Watch ABC's 20/20 tonight with the story of the investigation probe into the Better Business Bureau offering good grades for cash.
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The Gov. on cutting the deficit, no more tax brakes on mortgage loans, retirement 69, add 15 cent more to gas tax, Who will suffer?? The working class. Why don't they take a PAY CUT! They are ALL millionaires. No more expense counts! The Gov. is TOO big. We DON'T need all of them that are in office!
I just heard about this BBB probelm this morn, which made me feel like an a**, since I was speaking to my girlfreind the previous day on how they played a part in keeping businesses honest.
It goes to show an orginizatiopn is only as honorable as the people that run it (or a governments fot that matter).
What makes me mad about this is we the working class are the ones who have to pay for the mistakes and oppsies. What needs to happen is these big companies need to be fined thousands instead of the working mans taxes pay for every rich mans mistakes.
This is absolutely disappointing and disgusting. You really don't know who to trust as it always seems to come down to money. Those who have it and those who don't. Those of us that don't have much are the ones that seem to get burned the most. UUGGHH!
We are always interested in receiving constructive feedback from our partners in consumer advocacy. We will continue to work with AG Blumenthal’s office to address his concerns. We also want your feedback at www.bbb.org/bbbinformationcenter
Greg, BBB
Greg BBB, If you are a part of the BBB.org comsumer advocacy , how much will you pay me? Or better yet, what are you getting paid?
My Daughter worked for a firm that paid a $80,000.00 shakedown to the BBB to conceal a work at home scam.
Y-I-K-E-S- !!!!
I like the way you Stir the Pot g!The BBB really stands for Big Bag a Bull!I own several Businesses and I get calls allot from those folks asking why I don't"Participate"in their programs.Cool hub.Voted up
Dean
green, I know what you mean. I used the BBB to check out a lot of people and companies before I would deal with them. Now buyer beware is all on you. Go to Google from now and and do your own reseasch before trusting a company. Thanks for leaving a comment!
MinnTwin, It is disgusting. That is why I thought everyone should know about the BBB before they got scammed because they believed what they read on the BBB
Great to see you again
Nelli, great to see you again and thank you for stopping by. We just have to start being more careful and trusting ourselves
ceap, you are smart for sticking to your guns. You can't trust anyone anymore. I think that when we find out about scams like this, we need to help make people aware.
I'm glad you like my pot. lol
I am wondering, how are they going to fix this one!
What surprises me is that Americans insist upon being gullible. Have we not learned yet that business is about profit - consumer be darned! It continues to be profit before people. Why have we not checked out the BBB before we trust it? It's just people going to work for a company - and expecting a paycheck. Nothing more.
Thanks for sharing this information. You're right - we have to become more self-reliant. It makes me think of all the people who invested money because their broker told them to - hey, the broker wants his profit.
It's not the first time that I have asked a foreigner selling merchandise on the street - why he comes here to sell. Each time I am told "Americans will buy anything" - sigh!
Rated up!
Bk, wow that was a great comment!You sound as mad as I am. Thank you for stopping by.
Tina
The greed of man/woman is going to be America's downfall. It seems everyday you hear about someone in an official status that has sold out their morals of doing the right thing to others for money for themselves. It's really said.
Yes, esspecialy when you count on them to be truthful.
Thank you for your visit and for commenting. So many do not take the time
Happy Holidays
Tina
gr8, you find all the dirt! Thank yo everyone needs to know this. I will share on FB and my blogs.
Great job. Voted up
We need YOU for our watchdog. I vote for you
Jean, I think everyone has the right to know. Share away!
dan, thank you, just watch my hubs.
creeps!
kelly, yeah, you just don't know who to trust
Hi, I had never heard of it over here, but it just goes to show that you can't trust anyone these days! cheers nell
I feel bad for everyone that rusted them and got bad advice
This is truly sad. I have been aware of the BBB problem for quite a while though, at least in my neck of the woods. I once worked for a company that paid very handsomely for their rating. Thankfully we have the internet and can now post our complaints for the world to see, and I recommend that we all do. Excellent Hub.
school, thank you so much for your comment. You are so right about the internet,but you can not always believe what you read on there either. You have to use your common sense
Gyp, gyp! It is disgusting again and again to find out this keeps happening. So...we keep checking and like you say, 'use your common sense' more than ever!
frogy, thank you for taking the time to read and comment
rb11 18 months ago
Now there going to create a bureau to police the bureau. The cancer in our system has almost finished us off. The same news day our govt. halted a 50 year celebration for veterans day, to cut costs, and in the same breath gave 150 million dollars to Pakistan. Is that a clear enough signal?