BBB Under Scrutiny

Link: http://www.bbbroundup.com

Interesting story about the BBB Defense as used by Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly to justify their support of Goldline International, Inc.

EDITORIAL
A Real Slapp In The Face Of Justice (And Common Sense)

Consider the basic thought behind the anti-SLAPP motion. It was designed to protect the little guy, like a whistle blower against having to carry the burden of prohibitive legal fees in their quest for justice.

For over a decade, the Better Business Bureau of Los Angeles has used the anti-SLAPP defense to ward off lawsuits by small businesses claiming they have been libeled by unjustified bad grades from the LA BBB.

This interpretation of the anti-SLAPP laws means that for the small business, trying to inform the public of the lack of merits inherent in the BBB Letter Grading System (in this scenario, it's the small business who is the whistle blower), they need to have around $1,000,000 in the bank to fund the legal fees...$500,000 for their lawyer, plus $500,000 for the Better Business Bureau (upon inevitably losing to the BBB on the anti-SLAPP motion, the plaintiff, or small business, is required to pay legal fees for the defendant, or the BBB ) in order to get to the appeal stage of fighting the anti-SLAPP. Up to this point, the small business has yet to even get their day in court.

But what choice does a small business have when faced with the fact that a disparaging grade from the LA BBB is costing them $400,000 in revenues annually? Both the Los Angeles BBB and the CBBB (the national organization) flat out refuse to even enter into a dialogue on the grading issue.

Currently, the courts have ruled that small business has no legal right to challenge a disparaging grade from the BBB, at least in Los Angeles. This must change, as no one entity, such as the LA BBB, should be above the law, a status that ironically the courts have empowered them with. The BBB grades themselves have been shown to be full of error, with numerous documented corrections, especially when called out by the media.

This means the anti-SLAPP, designed to protect the little guy (small business) from punitive legal fees, as currently viewed by the Los Angeles Courts, does exactly the opposite.

Where's the justice in that?

Link: http://www.bbbroundup.com

Two days ago, I filed a complaint of unfair business practices against the BBB here in Metro-Phoenix with the Arizona Attorney General.

Among other things, I think we should encourage filings with the attorney general in each state and federally.

This BBB problem is multifaceted and widespread. It is hard to keep the messages of dissent easy to understand and actionable. I would like to work on a message that will resonate.

I want to thank you for uncovering the truth and in such wonderful way. We have been dealing with this unjust format for several years and it has not only cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars but it has seriously harmed consumers. I will gladly discuss any of our experience with the BBB here in Santa Barbara but also our communication with the Council of the BBB. Keep up the great work and bless you for taking this on. We support your efforts and thank you for giving so many examples!