Questions About the BBB

I have praised the Better Business Bureau several times here at the Show-Me Institute, particularly in discussions about occupational licensing. So, in the interest of fairness, I want to highlight this disturbing AP article in the Columbia Daily Tribune (the Post-Dispatch is also carrying it today), about recent concerns over strongarm tactics by the BBB.

The issues raised are serious. The BBB should not give higher ratings to businesses who are members than they do to nonmembers. (Although focusing their search engine toward member businesses seems fine to me.) Any insinuation to businesses from the membership staff that their ratings could be downgraded if they don’t join must be eliminated. The issues raised in these articles are serious and important, but the BBB does appear to be taking strong steps to address the problem — such as firing people.