Charlotte BBB Better Business Bureau Of Southern Piedmont Charlotte BBB extortion tactics ripoff Charlotte North Carolina
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.
Gil
Charlotte, North Carolina
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Ace
Cape Elizabeth,Maine,
U.S.A.
BBB - Contact and File with Attorney General
#6UPDATE Employee
Fri, December 07, 2007
There are several renegade BBB's throughout the US that are currently under the watchful eye of a number of Attorney Generals. I work in a different state/location other that the one mentioned but have heard of issues like the aforementioned complaint.
I believe your state Attorney General would be a place you should seek - hopefully you still have any evidence. It is the bad apples that spoil the bunch and we need to correct a lot of the dysfunction that is bringing our BBB organization down. I am truly sorry if this BBB is out-of-line. Should your action prove meritorious it would be profound and reveal a system of fraudulent behavior that has remained unchecked for years. Good luck.
FYI - we've been experiencing a high surge of people falsely using our emblems on their doors and websites so I would caution anyone to check credentials of those that claim they are BBB members.
Cincycompany
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
I agree!
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, October 25, 2007
I plan on filing my own report but I wanted to let you know that you are 100% correct. I am also a busines owner and am experiencing similar difficulties with the Bureau. Good report one day, bad report the next when I decide to become a member. Our company has processed no complaints however we are being investigated by the bureau and harrassed on a daily basis because we choose to not conform. Best of luck, if you ever consider a class action lawsuit I believe you will be supported. Who watches the watchers?
Cincycompany
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
I agree!
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, October 25, 2007
I plan on filing my own report but I wanted to let you know that you are 100% correct. I am also a busines owner and am experiencing similar difficulties with the Bureau. Good report one day, bad report the next when I decide to become a member. Our company has processed no complaints however we are being investigated by the bureau and harrassed on a daily basis because we choose to not conform. Best of luck, if you ever consider a class action lawsuit I believe you will be supported. Who watches the watchers?
Cincycompany
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
I agree!
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, October 25, 2007
I plan on filing my own report but I wanted to let you know that you are 100% correct. I am also a busines owner and am experiencing similar difficulties with the Bureau. Good report one day, bad report the next when I decide to become a member. Our company has processed no complaints however we are being investigated by the bureau and harrassed on a daily basis because we choose to not conform. Best of luck, if you ever consider a class action lawsuit I believe you will be supported. Who watches the watchers?
Cincycompany
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
I agree!
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, October 25, 2007
I plan on filing my own report but I wanted to let you know that you are 100% correct. I am also a busines owner and am experiencing similar difficulties with the Bureau. Good report one day, bad report the next when I decide to become a member. Our company has processed no complaints however we are being investigated by the bureau and harrassed on a daily basis because we choose to not conform. Best of luck, if you ever consider a class action lawsuit I believe you will be supported. Who watches the watchers?