How to get help when dealing with a bad business

Before buying anything these days, perhaps check reviews. Are you getting the best information when you look around? Or, what if you need help with a bad business? We’re exploring what you need to know about promoting a business with the Better Business Bureau.

Greater Houston’s best business office for 100 years

The BBB was the first review site, but now there are dozens of ways to check or get help when you have a dispute with a business, and you should check as many as you can. We sat down with the president of the Better Business Bureau in Houston (South Texas) to talk about how to get the most out of your company’s website.

How does BBB differ from other review websites?

Like a Google or Yelp review, every complaint and review is verified before the BBB is posted, so you know the person posting was a customer. From retail to restaurants, you can see the total number of complaints a business has received in the past three years.

A company’s response to customers who file those complaints is a determining factor in their outcome with the BBB, and that’s why you’re more likely to get a response when you file a complaint with the BBB.

“We’re not going to tell the company you have to do that. We’re not in the bidding. We’re not the judges. We want answers. Can you talk to your customer? We’re trying to bridge that gap. Yes. Now, if the company is one of our accredited businesses, we call it members, OK, and we’re looking through a very tough filter. “It’s because they’re held to a higher standard,” said Dan Parsons, president of BBB Greater Houston and South Texas.

Here’s how it works when you file a complaint with the BBB

Everything you submit will be transferred to the business within two business days. The business will be asked to respond within 14 days, and if no response is received, a second request will be made. Complaints are generally closed within 30 days.

A schedule for resolving your complaint

• A complaint has been filed.

• The BBB will work to process the complaint within two business days.

• The business is required to respond within 14 calendar days from the date of the complaint. If no response is received, a follow-up letter will be sent to the business.

• Upon receipt by the BBB, the consumer will be notified of the trade response and will be prompted to respond.

• If the business does not respond, the user will be notified. Complaints are generally closed within 30 calendar days from the date they are filed.

• If the business responds to a complaint but the customer is not satisfied, the BBB may request a second response from the business. BBB staff will consider whether arbitration or arbitration is required.

Failure to respond to a BBB complaint can have a negative impact on any business’s BBB rating because responding to customer complaints is an integral part of both the BBB Accreditation Standards and the BBB Reporting Standards.

There is a BBB Scam Tracker where you can report scams and see what other people are experiencing.

In the full “Ask Amy” episode, you can hear more from Parsons about how the rating process works and how companies have lost membership for poor business practices.

Useful links:

Better Business Bureau

How to submit a complaint to the BBB

BBB fraud tracker

How to verify charities

Tips for handling the problem yourself

Do you have an issue or question for me? Email AskAmy@kprc.com and I’ll work to find answers!