First of all let me tell you I responded to an ad in the newspaper that was for a sales position with the SE Fl chapter of the BBB. I was told I would have a protected exclusive territory and unlimited leads of businesses interested in the BBB. An income 1st yr of over 50k and benefits sounded good to me.
The BBB is an organization almost everyone has heard of and something I really believed in and after completing a week of training I was very excited to get started.
On my second appointment the business owner said he made an appointment with me to ask me to return membership dues he paid in full that were not returned when the BBB went out of business about 5 years earlier. Out of business? Yes, the BBB SE FL chapter mismanaged funds and just left the area covering Miami to north of West Palm Beach several years ago.
They literally ripped off hundreds of companies that had paid their dues as the bureau does not have any payment options all dues are paid in full at the time of application. They charge different dues based on the # of locations and # of employees.
They have a telemarketing dept as well as field force sales reps. I wondered why there was no other reps that I met and only one in my class and she lasted 2 days past the training. I am a seasoned sales professional and I was determined to make this work.
As each day progressed and I talked to more and more business owners I realized there was not much if any benefit to the businesses themselves and plenty of incoming funds for the directors of this shady organization. It is a non for profit organization. Well non for profit except the huge salaries the management is putting in their own bank accounts. T
He Bureau as they call themselves is a self serving organization that benefits no one but themselves. If you are a business owner and are looking to build growth in your community contact the Chamber of Commerce. The BBB gives you a plaque for your wall and a sticker for your door and little else. I felt they are deceptive in their sales practices and of little value to a business owner.
Steven
Ft Lauderdale, Florida
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