Better Business Bureau BBB

[Nomad]

I was not able to find any discussion regarding the BBB by searching the forums. I submitted my business on their website and received a call the next day. I soon recognized this call as a sales pitch and sure enough, I can join for $390 a year. Strip this transaction down and it seems to me the BBB is offering use of their "accredited member" logo for $390 a year...

I am wondering if anyone else is accredited by the BBB? I'm thinking that their logo on a business card would go a long way toward pleasing potential home customers. I was surprised there was nothing about it in the forums already, perhaps I am missing something. I have only ever used the BBB as a consumer and found it to be a great help.

Peter

 

[stevenamills]

Start your own accreditation organization and save 400 bucks.

From my perspective BBB and D&B are a serious waste of money.

Others may see it differently.

 

[MrUnknown]

I think they are a waste of money, but there is brand power there. The only good thing is that it is a independant third party that stores complaints about the company, thing is, I have Google to search for complaints and get the full complaint, not a summary.

I have never picked one business over another due to a BBB logo. I am not sure how these businesses even get started. I have no faith in the BBB logo, TRUSTe, Good Housekeeping, etc. It is all just a marketing gimmick.

Take that money and join a chamber of commerce and network with the people there, at least you can get some business leads that way.

 

[TimeCode]

I have never picked one business over another due to a BBB logo.

I haven't either, but occasionally I do check a business's rating and have chosen NOT to do business with them because of it! But if a $400 logo brings in 5 hours of work a year, its paid for itself. Have you looked at it that way?

I've recently been thinking about going with the BBB as well, glad to see this topic.

 

[usacvlr]

Wouldn't bother. I don't belong to the local chamber of commerce either as it's 750 a year!

I haven't either, but occasionally I do check a business's rating and have chosen NOT to do business with them because of it! But if a $400 logo brings in 5 hours of work a year, its paid for itself. Have you looked at it that way?

I've recently been thinking about going with the BBB as well, glad to see this topic.

 

[Canadian Tech]

I'm with the BBB and although its a lot of money I think its worth it. They do have benefits like discounts on group health insurance, and business insurance. What I did find was yes you pay $390 but you could not use their logo on your website unless you pay another $260 then you get the BBB On-Line Logo to use.

 

[TimeCode]

I'm with the BBB and although its a lot of money I think its worth it. They do have benefits like discounts on group health insurance, and business insurance. What I did find was yes you pay $390 but you could not use their logo on your website unless you pay another $260 then you get the BBB On-Line Logo to use.

Now that's stupid... You're a member but can't use the logo on your website without paying extra? The only real reason to join costs an extra fee! $650 to join... Not so sure!

 

[Nomad]

wow, if that is the case then I will have to stick a pin in this idea for now.

 

[cmonova]

They use to call my shop all the time. Problem I had with them is the conversation was always the same "We have had quite a few businesses call us to check on your business"...So of course I bite on it and reply with "Really, tell me one business that called".

Of course they never have an answer which is wierd. I would think they would of been asked that before. To me if they said "so and so called" I would verify it and if it was true i'd be on-board.

 

[MrUnknown]

yeah, just a sales gimmick.

... and have chosen NOT to do business with them because of it ...

I agree, but like I said, Google knows when you are sleeping...

My chamber of commerce isn't nowhere near $750, more like $350, but I don't have the time to dedicate to it to get anything out of it.

Thing is, the commerce website only lists one other computer repair type business.

 

[Canadian Tech]

Now that's stupid... You're a member but can't use the logo on your website without paying extra? The only real reason to join costs an extra fee! $650 to join... Not so sure!

Yeah I thought so too but it had something to do with the BBB on-line logo being separate from the accredited business logo. Also I'm in Canada and the BBB is actually run form the USA. Apparently they're trying to change that. The upside is I'm the only tech shop in my town that is with the BBB.