When a consumer filed a complaint against me I was offered a chance to respond and did so promptly. I provided a copy of the contract the consumer signed, along with supporting documents that proved I had supplied all the services as outlined, adding an additional warrantee period as insurance to the consumer for future services. This was not enough for the BBB. They insisted that I participate in their 'arbitration' process and threatened to give me a bad rating if I did not. I finally consented, paid an additional $250.00 for the service and scheduled the meeting.
This service was a joke. I had numerous documents in addition to a signed contract that supported my position. The arbitrator actually refused to review or accept the evidence stating that she didn't need to see such things. Needless to say, I was held liable and ordered to refund the consumer. I refused based upon the glaring errors in the arbitrator's decision and was promptly given an unsatifactory rating.
A few weeks later I was called by a sales rep from the BBB and was solicited to become a member. I asked the rep id he was aware of how poorly the BBB handeled my case and he said no but would look into it. A week later my rating had returned to Satisfactory and even the record of the complaint was gone. I received another call from the rep and was again solicited to join, but I was not ready to trust these people. As if by magic, my rating again went to UNsatisfactory.
Fortunately, I saved the web pages of the changes and when I requested an explanation from the President of the BBB I was told nothing would change. I reminded him that a separate arbitration was held on the case and I was vindicated by it, but he still refused to do anything.
It seems apparent that had I paid my protection money to the BBB I could have had this fiasco erased from the record. Maybe I should have paid the protection money and taken the pass, but I feel it would be the same as paying off some thug that offered me 'fire insurance' for a price.
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