Hearthlist Digest #155 - Saturday, June 20, 1998
 
Better Business Bureau
  by "Rod Poplarchick" <[email protected]>
BBB
  by "Craig Issod" <[email protected]>
 

(back) Subject: Better Business Bureau From: "Rod Poplarchick" <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 1998 09:09:15 -0400   Recently I added to my site a list of fine organizations we belong to such as PFI, HPA, Fresno BBB and the local chamber of commerce.   The BBB contacted us about joining the Online Better Business Bureau for a fee of around $200 I told them I already belong to the Fresno BBB and pay $312 a year. And asked what would I get for the extra $200 he said the same as the local BBB and a link so I told him No thanks I will stay with the local chapter.   He called back and told me If I did not pay for the Online BBB I would have to take the Fresno BBB logo and the link to the BBS off my web page.   I then called back the BBB President/CEO and asked him about that he said it was orders for the main National headquarter and they have had to tell about 10 other members to take the logo off. I then explained to him the logo on my Web site is the same as the logo on my front door to the store he said no it is not! because my web page is world wide I told him I only sell local and it states that on the web page. I just wanted to show viewers that I am an established store front business and not an online rip off. He said That is why you pay for the On line BBB member ship I told him if I am an local member I should get a discount he said no. I told him to cancel my local membership I will use the $312 for some good advertisement.   So what business is this membership bettering? My business or the BBB's   Did I do the right thing? am I out of line or am I just I tight wad? Give me some input   Rod Poplarchick [email protected] * http://www.surfus.com   Climate Control Systems [email protected] * http://www.surfus.com/ccs      
(back) Subject: BBB From: Craig Issod <[email protected]> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 1998 09:12:22 -0400   >So what business is this membership bettering? My business or the BBB's > >Did I do the right thing? am I out of line or am I just I tight wad? Give me >some input   I found the tactics of our local BBB very closely related to extortion and so have never joined.   The membership dues are MUCH higher than they should be, and the services offered are few. Imagine them wanting more than the HPA for membership!   I think you did the right thing. Their greed is showing.   ------------------------------------------------------ Craig Issod HearthNet at http://www.hearth.com [email protected] Everything your Hearth Desires ------------------------------------------------------ Buddha says "avoid error" ------------------------------------------------------