Is the Better Business Bureau a scam?
So when you are looking for honest, unbiased reviews of local businesses, where do you go? One of the first places many people think of is the Better Business Bureau, commonly known as the BBB. The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization that consists of local organizations, that is meant to act as an intermediary between consumers and businesses, handling consumer disputes, and providing business reviews. Sounds like a great place right to be reassured right? Well, unfortunately, no.
While the BBB might seem like a trusted authority to turn to check up on a business, the truth might be something entirely different. First, and most importantly, the biggest misconception about the BBB is that they are a government agency, a consumer watchdog overseen by the federal government. That is NOT TRUE. The BBB is in no way, shape, or form a government or quasi-governmental agency.
The second thing to keep in mind is, like any other business or organization, their goal is to make money. Yes, they may have non-profit status, but that doesn't equate to a charity or a group of people doing something for the greater good. The BBB might be the biggest con job out there! Now, I don't want you to think we are some angry and bitter company that has been on the wrong side of the BBB, because that's not the case. A quick check of the BBB's website will show you that Gator Clean has an A+ rating with the BBB (as of the publishing of this article). But that A+ rating in no way translates into our support for them. But, as I said, I don't want you to take our word for it. View some of these links below to other sources across the internet for some eye-opening insights into the BBB and their business practices, then make form your own opinion. Note, these are just a few of them! A quick Google search for "BBB scam" will give you dozens and dozens of more stories to check out.
http://business.time.com/2013/03/19/why-the-better-business-bureau-should-give-itself-a-bad-grade/
http://waystoavoidscamsonline.com/is-bbb-scamming-legit-companies-out-of-money
http://www.ivetriedthat.com/2013/11/11/is-the-better-business-bureau-running-a-racketeering-scam/
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/online/bbb.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/business-bureau-best-ratings-money-buy/story?id=12123843
And the video below is an absolute MUST WATCH for anyone who plans to utilize the better Business Bureau for anything:
