Better Business Bureau Key Terms

Navigate and better utilize the BBB with an understanding of important ideas and terms

By Christine Foley

The Better Business Bureau is a third party organization working independently in order to create a mutually beneficial environment for companies and consumers. It offers reliable information to assist consumers with resolving disputes and finding reputable companies from which to make purchases, while at the same time allows for improved reputations among companies. Navigating the BBB is easier when individuals and businesses understand some of the key terms related to the organization.

Accredited

Businesses that have been accredited by the Better Business Bureau are those which are given the official authority to act with the support of the BBB. Accredited businesses can advertise as being backed by the Better Business Bureau, and they can display the BBB symbol on their marketing and advertisement projects.
Try: The Better Business Bureau discusses accreditation standards on its website at BBB.org.

Record of complaint

A record of complaint occurs when a consumer is unhappy with the service or product received from a company. The unhappy consumer files a record of complaint with the Better Business Bureau to make an official note of his or her dissatisfaction.
Try: Suite101.com explores the BBB grade and ratings system, including the importance of resolving a record of complaint that's been sent to the Better Business Bureau.

Reliability report

A company receives a reliability report regardless of whether or not it's accredited with the Better Business Bureau. This report contains a variety of important information about the company, which has been accumulated through the use of a number of reliable sources. Depending on the amount of information available, a reliability report may include the company's Better Business Bureau file if it's accredited, including complaint and response information, details about the company itself and any applicable government, regulatory and licensing agencies connected to the company.
Try: The reliability report of Ticket Network Direct is discussed at PressReleasePoint.com. The article warns against some negative activity that might pop up in a reliability report, such as complaints about Ticket Network Direct's ticket price advertising, sales practices and customer service, which has resulted in its negative ratings score on the BBB.

Misrepresentation in advertising

A misrepresentation in advertising occurs when the marketing for a product cannot be properly or substantially supported by the product itself. The BBB attempts to alert potential consumers when a misrepresentation in advertising may take place.
Try: Potential misrepresentation in advertising is explored in-depth at University of Maryland University College. Here, the top deceptive ads of the 1990s (according to the Better Business Bureau) are explored, including weight-loss and antioxidant claims.

Business arbitration

In some instances, the BBB can help with the predicament of business arbitration. When there is a dispute within a company, arbitration tactics may be implemented to help resolve the situation.
Try: Arbitration-Forum.BlogSpot.com discusses how the Better Business Bureau now includes arbitration and mediation results in its ratings report.

Solicitations control plan

The BBB offers accredited companies the option of implementing a solicitations control plan. This plan allows businesses and individuals to determine which charities may contact the companies about contributions and which may not.
Try: The importance of a solicitations control plan is discussed at BBB.org through an example of improper solicitations. The site also includes instructions on how to order the solicitations control plan pamphlet. In addition to this, BBBSW.org defines the solicitations control plan as expressed by the Better Business Bureau.