Better Business Bureau selling good ratings (Glenn Beck connection)

[Archae]

Seems the BBB has been selling grades, businesses (even imaginary ones) that pay up get A's, while good businesses that won't pay up get F's.

And Goldline bought their good rating, despite complaints.
Meanwhile Glenn Beck still hucksters for their overpriced gold.

The Better Business Bureau, one of the country's best known consumer watchdog groups, is being accused by business owners of running a "pay for play" scheme in which A plus ratings are awarded to those who pay membership fees, and F ratings used to punish those who don't.

To prove the point, a group of Los Angeles business owners paid $425 to the Better Business Bureau and were able to obtain an A minus grade for a non-existent company called Hamas, named after the Middle Eastern terror group.

"Right now, this rating system is really unworthy of consumer trust or confidence," said Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal in an interview to be broadcast as part of an ABC News investigation airing tonight on 20/20.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/business-bureau-best-ratings-money-buy/story?id=12123843&page=1

[Skittles]

1. it's all about money now

seems like no one can be trusted

[Tunkamerica]

2. corruption... what a shocker

[tomm2thumbs]

3. hilarious that they bought an A- rating for a non-existent business

what a joke

[wtmusic]

4. Businesses get an A rating by default

which is lowered when customers submit complaints which the BBB deems are valid (one would *think* they would at least confirm that the business exists).

They've tried to shake me down a few times for my business. I'm glad they're getting this press, because the conflict of interest stinks to high heaven.

[customerserviceguy]

5. I learned back in the 1970's

that the BBB was a scam and a sham. This doesn't surprise me one bit.

With the advent of Internet reporting of shoddy business practices (Trip Advisor is one in the hospitality industry) any rationale for the BBB's existence is obsolete.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Better to go to your county consumer protection bureau with complaints

about businesses rather than BBB.

[billlll]

7. LIE right in the name- not a gov bureau at all

I was ripped off big time by an A rated Member.

They also only released info on three businesses per request. Never the full list which would be logical.

Rotten group." Self regulation" error full flower.