I haven’t seen many posts about this since 2013, so I wanted to see if perception has changed. I recently went into a partnership with a good friend of mine, and while most everything has been running smoothly, the perception on who to market through has been one of the biggest disagreements. In short, I highly recommended Angie’s List over getting accredited through the BBB. His response:
“Respectfully disagree. You read way too many online reviews. We need to do what’s right for the business and our customers. BBB has always been supportive for any business that is doing well. Never heard of Angie’s List. If we want to be successful, we must do what’s right for our employees and our customers. Protect our name and image in all ways.”
So I get what he’s saying to a degree. But with the majority of users here not recommending them, and him suggesting I need to research competition (which I’m doing a lot on here with all of you), I can’t find a need to fix what isn’t broken by going out and paying for a service that will do little to garner additional business.
I think of the BBB as paid extortion that is worth paying for. Yes its a total scam.
BUT the ability to use the “trust logo” alone makes it worth it. Use it on your website and your marketing pieces. Its proven to cause higher conversions. Amex and master card logos have the same effect.
Also if you happen to get a complaint or a report and your a paid member they make it very easy to get it removed.
it is a total scam in that:
they have no power to protect the customer at all.
customer think the business is “accredited” all that means is they have paid their membership.
what if a customer asks them for help in a bad situation…the most they will do (if you have paid your protection money) is note that the business has an outstanding complaint.
all the business has to do to get rid of that complaint is respond to the customer and bbb in writing.
we understand your concern mrs bobo the trampled flowers and mud tracked throughout your home may be annoying but there is nothing we can do about that.
the next time a customer calls to investigate you you have “no outstanding complaints”.
but the public does see them as some kind of reassurance.
While never dealt with BBB besides their calling us everyone I have spoke to in any industry has distain for it but likes using the logo. Many customers have a fake reality of the BBB is.
AL: I am dropping it 100% this year. Once was an elite place but it’s been saturated with service providers and is now widely known and it attracts the average price shopper for us.
We did very well with AL for year. I believe it’s crucial to win the Service Award and leverage it. Found out they give 3 people the service award for each territory.
Getting reviews is huge, we did decently but stalled. Again, dropping it 100% this year and should have last year when many other did.
shall you move forward with them, negotiate, negotiate, they will cave
Of course.
