The Better Business Bureau , founded in 1912, is an organization focused on promoting market confidence, comprising 106 local BBB organizations independently established in the United States and Canada, coordinated under the Board of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) in Arlington, Virginia.
Nearly 400,000 local businesses in North America support BBB. The BBB prospect successfully checks the business to become 'accredited business' dues that promise and continue to comply with the BBB's Business Practices Guidelines. In return, BBB enables accredited businesses with a good reputation for using trademark logos in marketing materials.
Better Business Bureau is not affiliated with any government agency. Businesses that are affiliated with BBB and comply with their standards do so through industry self-regulation. To avoid bias, BBB policy is to refrain from recommending or supporting a particular business, product, or service.
Organizations have been the subject of controversy, particularly related to alleged higher ranking practices for businesses that pay for membership fees. BBB denies claims that payments from businesses are required for them to receive an "A" rating. Business Consultant and previous National Customer Service Manager for Auto Parts Checker Eva Love observes, "Complaining about business to the Better Business Bureau is like complaining to a rat mom after a mouse steals your cheese.This will help if the wind blows your way."
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History
"The medical debate and the promotion of drugs and useless medicines is one of the most prominent violations that lead to the establishment of formal self-organization in business and, in turn, to the creation of the NBBB." The Better Business Bureau concept has been credited to several court cases, such as the United States v. Forty Barrels and Twenty Kegs Coca-Cola, initiated by the government against a number of organizations, including Coca-Cola Company, in 1906 after the Food and Pure Drug Act became law. Samuel Candler Dobbs, Coca-Cola's sales manager and then president, picked up the cause of the truth in the ad behind the judgment.
In 1909, Dobbs became president of the Associated Advertising Clubs of America, now the American Advertising Federation (AAF), and began addressing the issue. In 1911, he was involved in the adoption of "The Ten Commandments of Advertising", one of the first advertising codes developed by a group of advertising and personal business firms. Similar organizations within the next few decades, such as the National Better Business Commission, Inc. from World-Class Ad Club (1921), and National Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (1933), joined the Association of Better Business Bureaus, Ã, Inc., in 1946. In 1970, the Board of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) was established.
Maps Better Business Bureau
Structure and funding
112 BBB is independently governed by their own board of directors and must meet international BBB standards, which are monitored by CBBB. CBBB is governed by local BBB leaders, as well as by senior executives from large corporations, and community leaders such as academics and legal experts. Each BBB is run separately and is primarily funded by an accredited business, often serving on its board. A study by business school dean at Marquette University found that ninety percent of BBB board members are from business.
Businesses that move from one BBB jurisdiction to another may need to apply BBB accreditation at a new BBB location unless they have system-wide accreditation. CBBB received membership fees from BBBs, which amounted to US $ 4,884,226 in 2009.
Dispute resolution procedure
Organizational dispute settlement procedures are established by Better Business Bureau Board, and implemented by local BBB. Typically, disputes can be resolved through mediation; where appropriate, arbitration low or no fees may also be offered and provided through the BBB. BBB acts as a neutral party when providing dispute resolution services.
Complaints about professional practices such as medicine and law are usually not addressed by BBB and are referred to the associations governing the profession. BBB does not deal with complaints filed in court or is in court because complaints are handled by alternative entities.
If a BBB receives a consumer dispute, BBB contacts the business and offers to mediate the dispute. A business does not need to be a member of BBB to use its mediation services. BBB accreditation, or membership, is entirely optional for businesses to receive and participate in through payment of contributions. A previous complaint states that BBB collects scores based on their ability to raise their money from business, and not entirely on business performance.
National Advertising Division
The National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau Board in the United States and Canada reviews the factual claims made in national advertising. They offer alternative dispute resolution services for advertisers, usually reaching conclusions within 90 days of submission. Compliance with the findings is voluntary.
Ranking and accreditation systems
Until 2008, companies rated BBB as "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory". On January 1, 2009, BBB moved to a new system based on A - F school rating system. 16 factors have been posted on each business review since the start of the program and details of the points provided as well. Initially there were 17 factors worth 4 points for an Accredited business and paid a fee for BBB. The process was changed in November 2010 in response to criticism in the media and from the Connecticut attorney general who accused BBB of using 'pay to play' tactics.
If a business chooses not to provide basic information, such as size and start date, the BBB may assign an unrated rating (NR). Low ratings because solely for companies that do not provide information will read: "BBB does not have enough background information on this business."
A business is eligible for BBB accreditation if it meets, in the opinion of BBB, "BBB Standard for Trust". There are eight BBB Standards for Trust that BBB expects accredited businesses to adhere to building trusts ("maintaining a positive track record in the market"), advertising honestly, telling the truth, being transparent, respecting appointments, responsive (address disputes), maintaining privacy (protecting data consumers) and realize integrity.
The Connecticut Attorney General demanded that the BBB stop using its letter-weighted class system, calling it "potentially dangerous and misleading" to consumers. In response to the Connecticut Attorney General and others, BBB has modified its letter value system.
Criticism
In 2010, ABC 20/20 was reported in a segment entitled "The Best Ratings of Money Can Buy" about the irregularities in BBB ratings. They reported that a man created two dummy companies that received an A rating as soon as he paid the membership fee. They also report that business owners are told that the only way to improve their ratings is to pay the fees. In one case, C is redirected to A immediately after the payment and in another case C-minus becomes A . Wolfgang Puck's chef says that some of his businesses receive F because he refused to pay the fee. Ritz Carlton, which is not hers, also accepts Fs for not responding to her complaints.
In response, the president of the Better Business Bureaus Council has declared the BBB rating system to stop giving business points to become a member of the BBB. The national BBB executive committee chose to respond to public perceptions about the ranking system. He chose that the BBB rating system will no longer provide additional points for businesses as they are accredited. He chose to apply the system to deal with complaints about BBB sales practices. Despite the vote, the BBB website still states that points are taken if accreditation is lost.
In Canada, CBC News reported in 2010 that the Canadian BBBs downgraded the ratings of businesses that stopped paying their dues. For example, mobile businesses that have ratings of A and have been members of the BBB for 20 years, dropped to D-minus rankings when they allegedly no longer wanted to pay dues.
BBB has been accused of protecting the company. If the branch is not acting on behalf of the consumer, a complaint may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission. In addition, recent reports indicate that the Austin Better Business Bureau chapter refuses to resolve complaints against the company if the customer does not pay a $ 70 mediation fee.
In addition, while BBB publishes the names of companies, it withholds the names of individual lodging complaints. BBB also publishes claimant claims without any verification effort. The end result is that BBB can be used to launch an anonymous attack on businesses with responsibilities falling on businesses to deny improper or exaggerated claims made by claimants.
Criticism on letter resolution
It has been reported that BBB is pushing and asking for money from the businesses they are monitoring which, once again, raises the question of neutrality. BBB declare that they hold their Accredited business to a higher standard, as outlined in their Accreditation standards. This behavior may be the reason for backronyms such as, "Better for Businesses Bureau" and "Bribery from Business Bureau," a popular nickname for the organization probably derived from frustration regarding the above criticism.
On December 22, 2010, William Mitchell, CEO of the Los Angeles BBB, and the advocate of the BBB letter assessment system, resigned as a result of an internal investigation conducted by CBBB. The resignation was canceled shortly afterwards, however, with Mitchell claiming that his health prompted him to resign, and criticized the National Council for trying to take over the Southern California chapter.
Canada
Toronto BBB Close
The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Toronto closed in 1995 following a high executive payout report.
Integration of US and Canadian operations
On August 16, 2011, the Better Business Bureaus Board (CBBB) announced the formal integration of operations in the United States & amp; Canada, effective immediately. The Board of Directors of CBBB voted early this month about the integration plan. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the international headquarters of the BBB system and the governing body licensing the local BBB and providing support services to improve its effectiveness.
According to the statement, integration marks the way "... for a better customer experience for those who buy goods and services across borders." "The US and Canada remain the largest trading partners with each other," said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of CBBB. "We're really one of the North American markets, and the BBB system now reflects that.Not only would it be easier for consumers to check business in one country, it would be easier for them to file a complaint or settle a dispute."
This step is supported by the Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus (CCBBB). "Given technological advances and service globalization, it no longer makes sense to maintain two separate systems," said M. Jean Lemyre, chairman of CCBBB. "Most consumers initially contact BBB via the Internet aligning BBB services into an integrated system will be more efficient for businesses in Canada, and will ensure that consumers continue to receive the high quality services they expect from BBB."
BBB Revoke Trademark Authorization from four Canadian offices
Board of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) revoked the name of BBB & amp; a trademark of four Canadian Better Business Bureaus. CBBB says it is making steps to withdraw authorization of trademarks from offices in Hamilton, Windsor, Montreal and St. Louis. John's after determining these four Canadian offices did not meet the established operating standards.
CBBB realigned the boundaries of its affected Canadian offices and folded them into larger offices. Hamilton has gathered under the banner of Kitchener BBB office, while the region in SW Ontario (including Windsor) is now part of the Western Ontario region based in London, ON.
Former President of the Better Business Bureau of Windsor and South Western Ontario claims that it continues to operate under the name IntegrityLink in 2011, although the services offered under such a name have not been verified and CBBB maintains the concern that some former BBBs continue to use proprietary information they no longer possess.
Since 2011, Hamilton, Montreal & amp; The offices of St. John's has also changed their name or closed following what they call a takeover by the US-based Better Business Bureau Council. The Hamilton, Ontario BBB adopted the name of Canadian Businesses and Charity Bureau. In May 2012, the Hamilton organization was locked from the office by its owner in a lease dispute. Local BBB in Montreal and St. John's, Newfoundland also left CBBB and lost the right to use the BBB name. Montreal BBB changed its name to L'Office de Certification Commerciale du QuÃÆ' Â © bec or QuÃÆ' Â © bec Commercial Certification Office, while BBB at St. John's, Newfoundland, is reportedly closed.
Los Angeles
On March 12, 2013, the Better Business Bureaus Council issued a Better Business Bureau based in Los Angeles in Southland, the largest local BBB, claiming that local groups have not met "standards related to accreditation, business reporting and handling complaints." Angeles changed its name to Business Consumer Alliance and said that they have followed all Board policies. The Better Business Bureaus board is launching a new local BBB for the Los Angeles area.
See also
- Angie's List
- ConsumerAffairs
- ResellerRatings
- SiteJabber
- Trustpilot
References
External links
- Official website
- Give.org - BBB Wise Giving Alliance
- Better Business Bureau - Recent Developments
- Illuminates the Way - Better Business Bureau
- National Advertising Division.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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