BBB Under Scrutiny

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!

Link: http://www.bbbroundup.com

Our lead story this week is a shout out for the private sectors help in documenting criminal wrong doings by the BBB. Among the possible grounds for criminal charges is the charge of discrimination.

There's a certain ironic symmetry with one of the possible legal grounds for criminal prosecution...that of discrimination against certain businesses by the BBB. The irony comes from the BBB's use of the SLAPP to fight off civil lawsuits. The SLAPP was put in place to protect the whistle blower, the little guy, from retribution by big corporations. The BBB, a big corporation has been successful in hoodwinking our legal system into agreeing this protection should be extended to protect the BBB's (a big corporation) right to "whistle blow" against small businesses (the little guy.). Basically, the SLAPP has been stood on its head.

So, by a somewhat similar circuitous path, we could reasonably conclude that the BBB is guilty of discrimination by penalizing various businesses solely for the industry sector they are engaged in. That the BBB does in fact discriminate against businesses is clearly true, their very algorithm is documented as assigning penalties against certain industry types. What is not clear, at this time, is how the courts would look at such a discrimination suit.

There is a form to submit your criminal complaint against the BBB located here.

Link: http://www.bbbroundup.com

This has always been a story about arrogance. When people are allowed to be judge, jury, prosecutor and executioner without recourse, oversight or appeal, then the old saw, “absolute power corrupts absolutely” comes into play. There’s another truism that comes into play when arrogant people start acting above the law; sooner or later, the arrogant get caught and brought back down to earth.

We see a classic example of this in the C Street Family, a conservative, religious based commune for Republican Christians. In a classic case of not practicing what you preach C Street members: Senator John Ensign of Nevada; Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina; and Chip Pickering, former Representative of Mississippi all got outed in the media for adultery. These are the same politicians who preached family values, the sanctity of marriage, and called for Bill Clinton’s impeachment on moral grounds. Funny how that shoe fits different when it’s on your foot…they now say that these are personal issues and should not be pilloried about in the media and public. Good luck with that one. Once again, hypocrisy rears its head with the moral right. (Personally, while I don’t think adultery is something to be proud about, nor do I condone it, I acknowledge that it happens, and it happens a lot. I believe a public figure is entitled to a private life, except when they are shown to be a hypocrite (i.e. they act in a do as I say, not as I do fashion) in which case they become fair game for the media.

For years the Better Business Bureau was able to cut corners, increase profits and lower their standards because they used a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading system. After unveiling their new Letter Grading system in January, suddenly their past behavior caught up with them as a mind boggling number of ludicrous grades were revealed. Rather than admit to the fiasco, arrogance kicked in, sneakiness and stone-walling took center stage and so far nobody has called the BBB to task. For now, the Better Business Bureau is allowed to steal a company’s honor, harm their livelihood, libel to their heart’s content knowing there is no recourse, no repudiation possible, and that no jury will ever hear the facts. In olden days, this would have called for a duel. In today’s politically correct environment, you’re left with an anti-Slapp motion.

We realize this story is not sexy, it’s not political, there’s no juicy scandal to draw the media; we continue to feel that it is important, not only because we need to confront hypocrisy among the power mongers at every corner, but because the Better Business Bureau, as presently constituted causes more harm than good to the small business community; and if this nation is to ever regain its potential, small business will be leading the way.

RANDOM OBSERVATION: For years, I've wanted to use Little Feat's "Apolitical Blues" as a ringtone but could not find it commercially available; never mind the $10 a month ring tone fees. Myxer to the rescue. Bought the MP3 of the song for 99 cents, uploaded it to Myxer, edited the section I wanted to use, and sent it direct to my phone. No monthly charges and the ring tone I've always wanted.

Link: http://www.bbbroundup.com

We're not convinced that the motives of the BBB's Letter Grade system were driven by a desire to better serve the public. We suspect that there was a financial motive as well. In any case, the Letter Grade has managed to stir up the media, the judicial system, small businesses in a way that previously never existed.

Monday however, marks another step down the path the BBB has chosen, at least for now, to take. That's the day that one of the five BBB regional offices who chose to not implement the letter grading system back in January, 2009, caves and toes the party line. This is unfortunate for Chicago businesses, but here's hoping it gets the Chicago media involved in the story.

It is our opinion that the current BBB business model is fundamentally flawed and cannot be sustained much longer. Today, bbbRoundup offers its suggestions for making the Better Business Bureau more relevant, more profitable and more useful. Here's the story on how
we'd change the BBB.

Link: http://www.bbbroundup.com

I must confess that when I first started this project I vastly underestimated the scope of work and the effort required. Writing this series on the Los Angeles BBB has been revealing. It has stirred passions in me that have lain dormant for far too long. The reverence given Jimmie Rivers by small businesses when he returns their calls is a heavy burden, because I know the pain and frustration they are feeling. Most of all it is the frustration. I have heard, with unerring consistency, that in the Los Angeles BBB territory, once you get on their radar you are screwed. Complaining drops your grade. Payment improves your grade, as long as you haven’t complained. They rule by fear, not from a position of trust, but one of extreme distrust.

My original thought was to develop and investigate a ten part series on the Los Angeles Better Business Bureau. Today, marks the 9th installment of this ten part series. Recently, a number of developments have occurred that indicate this story will continue to be expanded upon in the months to come.

The 10th installment of our investigative series into the LA BBB will publish next week. In it, I will offer some suggestions to make the BBB relevant again and how they can restore their tarnished brand. By then, I should have a clearer idea of where the story will go from there.