"mightymom" ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with
I would like to dispel the myth that the BBB will do anything for you.
Several years ago I had work done by a local business on my house. Job not as advertised. I complained to the BBB and after six months of form filling I agreed that I was happy to go to binding arbitration with a 'jury' of another similar contractor and a householder and I forgot the exact format, but it sounded fair. I knew I would win as I had fortunately documented and photographed the whole process and it was perfectly clear he had not improved anything, rather he had made it worse and taken my money.
When they asked him if he accepted going to binding arbitration, he said NO! That was it. After all that form filling etc. the BBB told me they were unable to do anything further for me, I should take it to civil litigation.
When I sat back and analysed the whole thing I realized something. The BBB is there, funded by contractors and small businesses just like him. So who do you think the BBB is going to favour ??
What really enraged me was the fact, that since there was no resolution through them, when I had a friend call every so often to check, they never said boo when he asked "Is there any reason I should not do business with X ? Do you have any complaints on record about this company ? " It was one of the most frustrating things I have put myself through and I have since found that I am not alone, there are many more like me.
Better Business Bureau - yes better for fly-by-nighters, not consumers!! The only time they will help you is if the business is not a paid up member.