Some national companies do not want to pay for each city so they stay unaccredited. There is a national Accreditation coming out or is already just in place. I would suggest that national companies go that route for the people who place heavy weight on the word
"Accredited"
Now don't get me wrong. The standards they list for accreditation are very good and should be adhered to by every company. BUT, accredited or not, if a company is doing something wrong or scamming people THERE WILL BE COMPLAINTS ON THEM ACCREDITED OR NOT!So if you see that a company has been in business for a few years, or even over a year without complaint or has no unsatisfied complaints then generally you can assume they are not having any trouble with their customers because everyone loves to complain on the net these days. As I do!
Here is the statement from the BBB
BBB Accreditation
Storesonline Inc is not BBB Accredited.Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.
To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.
Every business has to answer their complaints on their site! So, in effect, to be accredited you pay them their fee and they put the word ACCREDITED next to your name. That is about it.
Your are 100% correct Patricia. Here is an article that states the same thing BTW -
ReplyDeleteJust Got BBB Accreditation. But, Does It Matter Anymore?
30 Comments | Posted In News by David
Late last week, I got word from the Better Business Bureau that I am now officially accredited by them. I paid them about $600 and had them go over my business to make sure I’m legitimate. It took a couple of weeks, but it is now done.
The question, though, is WHY did I bother? Is the BBB even relevant anymore?
Is the BBB Relevant?
bbbseal3 We most definitely live in a world of information now. Chances are, if you want to find out if a business is reputable, a quick Google search will tell you all you need.
The BBB was formed with the mission of advancing “marketplace trust”. They do this by holding their members accountable to trustworthy business practices, encouraging best practices, and speaking out against bad market behavior. I think it is a worthy mission. However, the questions remains: Does anybody really bother checking the BBB anymore?
What’s interesting, too, is that their fee structure is a bit discriminatory against online businesses. I had to pay them an extra fee to get into the BBBOnline program – only because I am an online business.
You are correct. Here are other things people are saying about BBB accreditation.
ReplyDeleteBOBBY 2 months ago
The BBB is MISUSING the term "accreditation" They are a bullying, scamming, conning, pay dues and get a rating BS company!
2 people liked this.
Garrett Vogenbeck 3 months ago
bbb.org has a PageRank score of 8/10. I've seen some sites benefit from the links they get from their BBB profile. I've also noticed that that was the only apparent marketing benefit from it. Maybe just consider it an expensive backlink for your SEO with a slight secondary benefit?
If you are in a competitive field for you Google keywords, this might be good. If you are a local niche and don't need as much SEO, this might not be worth it at all. A competitive analysis could come in handy here.
1 person liked this.
Chuck Rosseel 2 years ago
In my opinion the The Better Business Bureau, BBB is little more than a scam. During my brick and mortar days I was a member so I'm very familiar with how they operate. They're a green company for sure, only interested in greenbacks.
It's surprising to me that consumers think this organization will ever do anything meaningful to cite or reprimand the very companies they rely (extort) on for revenue. It ain't gonna happen, never has and never will.
If a co vigorously supports the BBB, that co will rarely, if ever, receive a negative report from the BBB. Take the 3 major credit reporting agencies (organizations I battled for clients in my b&m days). These 3 corrupt credit bureaus trample on consumers' rights with a flawed credit reporting system rife with errors and unfair, unjust practices. The BBB turns a blind eye to the daily misery and suffering heaped on innocent consumers by the 3 major CRAs because the BBB knows which side their bread is buttered on.
Woe to the co that does not cave into the BBB's telemarketing scam sales tactics. If you don't give in to BBB extortion, they WILL give you a negative report. Here's how they get away with this dishonest tactic. Should a consumer inquire about a co that hasn't paid BBB "hush money", he will receive a disingenuous report saying "this co has refused to comply with BBB requests for information".
What a racket.
Chris Lockwood and 4 more liked this
The Computer Ox 8 months ago
I was contacted by a BBB agent to have my companies accredited. The price started at $600 (on sales from the the normal $800) and quickly dropped to $400 when I didn't show any interest. I still did not see any reason to have my accreditation since my company in fact had an A+ rating without being a member. The guy did a last failed attempt to have me join by lowering the price further to $250. I still didn't bite.
However, when i looked back at my score a week later, I had dropped to an A- with no reasons listed. When I called the guy on it he didn't have an explanation. A week later it was raised again to an A+. What a scam!
I have a sticker on my company vehicle that states BBB A+ (note, not saying accredited) and I get some great feedback. I am not sure, and don't particularly care, if it is against their guidelines to use the BBB name without paying. When possible clients ask me whether I am accredited, I openly let them know I am not.