Better Business Bureau Advice and Ratings
Get information from and about the BBB
Better Business Bureau advice and ratings can help your business by providing timely information and by learning how to get ranked favorably by the Better Business Bureau. You may also need advice for dealing with the BBB if you end up with a customer complaint or poor grade.The Better Business Bureau has been around since the 1920s and is considered by many to be a watchdog for consumers. It has offices throughout the United States and Canada that handle complaints from consumers and rate area companies. Some Better Business Bureau advice and ratings that can help your business include:
1. Articles and opinions about the Better Business Bureau's rating system and criteria;
2. Information on how to get BBB accreditation and handle bad grades;
3. Free advice from Better Business Bureau offices.
Read about Better Business Bureau complaints
The Better Business Bureau changed its company grading policy in 2009 from a simple grade of "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" to a more complex grading system of A to F. This has led to some criticism and even lawsuits filed by companies that accuse the BBB of pay to play tactics. Read about other cases to get advice about what to do if your business has received a negative review.
Try: Read articles in the Los Angeles Times and New Mexico Business Weekly about the BBB grading system and related complaints. BBBRoundup offers a side-by-side comparison of BBB grades for many large companies.
Find out how to get better grades from the Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau offers a voluntary accreditation process to companies that apply for it. Information is available from local Better Business Bureau offices. If your company receives a poor grade, Better Business Bureau staff recommend contacting your local office to resolve the problem and learn how to get a higher rating. Other online resources offer additional advice for getting better rankings.
Try: The Better Business Bureau website provides information about accreditation standards and the accreditation process. Inc. Magazine and MSNBC provide articles and feedback about the BBB's rating system and advice on how to handle a poor grade.
Get small business advice from the BBB
In addition to rating other companies and providing accreditation, the Better Business Bureau offers help to small businesses through other means. Timely articles and guidance provide information about business tasks and management.
Try: The Better Business Bureau of the Southland offers guidance about advertising phrases and statements. The Better Business Bureau of Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Monterey has advice for small companies about advertising on television. The Better Business Bureau of Asheville and Western North Carolina provides information and ratings on health savings accounts for employees.
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