Using the Better Business Designation

[ricsua99]

Having an independent agency has its challenges as well as its rewards. As an independent agent, you have to create a name for yourself and establish credibility.

I wanted to know if it's a good idea to become a member of the better business bureau? As a consumer, I feel it is highly credible when you want to know about the business practices of an entity.

Any help would be appreciated before I spend money on the BBB name.

 

[annuityseller]

The clients seem to like it but I always thought it was more of a racket!!

 

[insurance0707]

The clients seem to like it but I always thought it was more of a racket!!

I thought the Better Business Bureau was supposed to help consumers. One day I received a call from them and I was told that someone had inquired about my business and they didn't have any records on me so they needed to come out. He then proceedeed to sell me a membership and left. Turns out, he called every business in the building giving them the same spiel. I was the only one dumb enough to join. Should have reported the guy, but who to?

 

[Broker007]

Credibility in this day in age is a scarce resource. If a company like the BBB can lend that to you, it might be worth the money. Especially in competitive situations.

 

[pomfin]

Having an independent agency has its challenges as well as its rewards. As an independent agent, you have to create a name for yourself and establish credibility.

I wanted to know if it's a good idea to become a member of the better business bureau? As a consumer, I feel it is highly credible when you want to know about the business practices of an entity.

Any help would be appreciated before I spend money on the BBB name.

Your answer depends on your ROI. If you feel BBB will bring you more business, that's worth of it. Otherwise, why you waste your money?

 

[DHK]

If you're determined to spend money, I'd consider the National Ethics Bureau. That would say more about your character than joining the "slightly Better Business Bureau because you paid them money".

 

[xrac]

The Better Buisness Bureau is a scam. You cannot find any really negative information on any company there unless they are out and out frauds. Even if a business is marginally honest the BBB won't publish anything because they fear lawsuits. When people say that they are going to complain to the BBB they don't realize that they might as well save their time. The BBB will do absolutely nothing. The only thing about belonging to the BBB is the general public is under the illusion that the BBB is someone who does something. All they do is sell memberships. Belonging to the BBB is like some of the easy to attain professional credentials. It doesn't mean much but it looks good on paper and impresses the unaware.

 

[Full Throttle]

Fully agree, I got the same spiel on the phone and told the gal I wasn't interested after she mislead me into giving her all sorts of information leading up to the "billing question." I told her I wasn't interested as I didn't see it adding any ROI. She accused me of being a "fly by night" business for not spending the $1000 (or somewhere arount there) to join and hung up on me. It could be the greatest organization in the world, but I'll never spend a penny with them after that phone call.

 

[insurance0707]

I spent about $250 when they told me people were inquiring about my business. I thought, boy I better get a membership if people are really calling and asking about me. This was 10 years ago. The guy from the better business bureau was calling all of the businesses in the building where I workeed and was telling them the samething....people are wondering about your business, we need to come out and talk to you, and that's when they'd try and get them to buy the membership....I was shocked that the better business bureau does this, sounds like it's still going on.

 

[xrac]

Here is someone who shares my opinion:

Better Business Bureau Scam - the BBB is a scam