Quothe acme_at_ao.net, from writings of Wed, Aug 27, 2003 at 02:27:35PM -0400:
> I don't know about your neck of the woods, Sellam, but here in
> Central Florida where Joe and I live the BBB is little more than a
> shakedown for small businesses. Each time they call me to solicit a
> membership and I tell them that I'm not interested, they close the
> conversation by stating that "there have been recent inquiries
> concerning your company" and "we'll get back to those who inquired
> and let them know that you're not a member in good standing and that
> you refused to provide us with information regarding your business."
Very interesting. I had a call like that as well, here in Maryland.
What seems interesting to me is that all of the "rip off businesses"
(e.g., the auto repair shops that would try to sell one a new engine
when all one needs is one of the a vacuum hoses to be connected to the
right place, or that replace a starter when the problem is a bad
connection between the external-type starter solenoid and the
inner-fender... where they become very nasty when one points out that
they're wrong) have BBB stickers, wall plaques, etc. promimently
displayed. Hence, I figure that a business placing an emphasis on
their BBB membership is a business to be avoided so that I can avoid
someone trying to rip me off. BTW, I once worked for an HMO (I worked
with their VAX) that proudly displayed BBB info. in their lobby, and
they paid physicians bonuses for not doing the right things for their
patients (I saw the memo), thus cutting costs.
Also, filing a complaint with the BBB appears to be a waste of
time... I suspect that they give the members with the most complaints
the fanciest wall plaques to display. :-)
> Just my two cents worth . . .
Mine too.
--
Copyright (C) 2003 R. D. Davis The difference between humans & other animals:
All Rights Reserved an unnatural belief that we're above Nature &
rdd_at_rddavis.org 410-744-4900 her other creatures, using dogma to justify such
http://www.rddavis.org beliefs and to justify much human cruelty.
Received on Thu Aug 28 2003 - 10:14:00 BST