Contacting the Better Business Bureau
Can the Better Business Bureau be of help in your selection of a company with whom to do business?
Yes. But first you must understand that for any company, being a "member" of the Better Business Bureau means absolutely nothing. The Better Business Bureau has salesmen on the road selling memberships and the exclusive use of the Better Business Bureau membership logo to almost any firm that can afford the dues, regardless of the firm’s reputation for supplying quality products or services.
This approach is necessary to provide the huge revenue base required to pay the bureau's large executive salaries and the overall operating budget of the bureau. It also shackles the Better Business Bureau with a huge conflict of interest. The bureau claims to retain a neutral status in all business-customer disputes, yet every cent of bureau's funding comes from the very businesses it is forced to investigate.
In-depth studies indicate that BBB members with shoddy records (especially large members that pay substantial annual membership dues) receive preferential and protective treatment from the bureau as opposed to non-members with unsatisfactory performance records.
This is indeed the basic reason why the Center for the Avoidance of Probate is not a member of the Better Business Bureau. Our record of performance and sound business dealings with the BBB is ace-high. In fifteen years there has never been a serious complaint other than from attorneys who dislike us giving away their favorite trade secrets and shenanigans. Yet we feel strongly that a company’s reputation for quality goods and fair business practices should be earned and not purchased. If we chose to pay large annual membership dues we too could display the coveted and distinguished Better Business Bureau logo on our website.
The Better Business Bureau is in fact a score-keeper and nothing else. It simply computes the number of complaints filed against members and non-members alike.Anyone can access the results of the Better Business Bureau's findings by telephoning the bureau at 616-774-8236 and submitting the phone number of the firm on which information is wanted. As an example, the Better Business Bureau record of the National Center for the Avoidance of Probate can be accessed by submitting the NCAP telephone number 800-338-0227 at the Better Business Bureau operator’s prompt.
Finally, you should know that in no way does the Better Business Bureau recommend, rate or rank business firms. Should you choose to avail yourself of this service, know that the Better Business Bureau states only that the firm in question has either a satisfactory or unsatisfactory record with the bureau over a given period of time. Information regarding the nature of the complaint(s) and level of satisfaction remains confidential with the Better Business Bureau and is not disclosed. You are then on your own to determine whether or not you wish to do business with that company.