BBB Under Scrutiny

Link: http://www.bbbroundup.com/LosAngelesBBB.html

Today we debut the first in a ten part investigative series that delves into the standards and practices of the Better Business Bureau of the Southland, Inc., better known as the LA BBB.

For years the BBB operated under the guise of the consumer's best friend, an advocate for the little guy. At the beginning of this year, the CBBB (national BBB organization) chose to adopt the Los Angeles BBB letter grading system of businesses which replaced their previous Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading system.

Reporters around the country were quick to catch on to the inequities in this letter grading system (something Los Angeles small businesses knew about and suffered through for years)and branded it a pay for play system.

Just how ridiculous the LA BBB claims that not being a member in no way disparaged a business were brought to light when it was revealed that Disneyland and the Los Angeles Times both had "F" grades by this reporter. Quickly, quietly, and in the dead of night, the letter grades of these two businesses were upgraded to "A" grades, but the damage to the BBB's credibility had begun.

Now, after months of research, interviews and correspondence, bbbroundup believes it has the goods. In our ten part series, we will attempt to show the dishonest, deceptive and unethical methods employed by the LA BBB as it pursues the almighty dollar, regardless of the damage it inflicts on honest, hard working, small businesses in the Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties of southern California.

Read the first installment now.