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[Rocket]

I'm wondering if anyone is a Better Business Bureau member and if it actually helps to be a member. Does it increase sales? What is the ROI? I just signed up and am in doubt whether or not I should have. The last time they asked I said no. I don't see the value. This time I said yes for some reason. :feedback

[EZSnow]

I think it's a terrible racket and little else. Basically, consumers call them to complain about you. If you're a member they're on your side. If you're not a member, they just send you a bunch of threatening letters trying to get you to join so you can answer the charge against you. If you haven't become a member to answer the charge, and a new customer calls to check out your business, you'll certainly not get a glowing review... unless, of course... you pay up!!

I wish consumers knew what a crock this deal is. Heck I think some people think they have governmental authority. "I'm gonna call the BBB on you!!":wah

[wyldman]

Same deal here.We were members for years,and it served us no purpose except they got us better discount rates on our Visa\Mastercard\Amex fees.

I have since joined a local Business club,giving us the same rates,with no huge yearly fee.

[JD PLOWER]

I to have been told about the BB as being a giant scam and not worth a penny that you have to pay.

Slightly off topic: How do people feel about C of C's? Same deal with the BB or does it depend on the chamber itself?

[ratlover]

Not debating if they are a scam ect but since I think perception is everything what are customers views of a member and is it worth the expense? From a biz standpoint if you know its a 100% racket and BS and a joke yet you pay x$ to join and you get x% positive return on your investment I'd say its a good idea.

So does the $$$ you pay them get you a positive return on your investment?

[Rocket]

Slightly off topic: How do people feel about C of C's? Same deal with the BB or does it depend on the chamber itself?
I'll assume that it depends on the Chamber. We have one whose leadership is great. They've won all sorts of awards. I didn't fit in with the membership though. I guess it depends on who you are.

[Ecurb]

They are a joke on both ends. I have asked about home contractors and was told no problem. Checked with the docp and told the contractor had a record that was horrable. I was on there end one time with a a -hole customer and finally told them to screw off. DMV came and told the customer Bye Bye. Worthless people BBB. They cant hurt or help you so forget em!!!!:haha

[Rocket]

Dang, I wonder if I can get a refund and drop them. Will they then blacklist me? That is the question.

I'm surprised with the poll results. Must be that the landscapers in these parts are easily sold or BBB has a tough selling group here cause I'd say a majority of landscapers are members (or were previously).

[atgreene]

BBB Always seemed like a scam to me. If you've got nothing to hide, they're worthless.

[SNO]

I joined but I'm not impressed.

After joining I always have them in mind, so when I see another contractors crappy work or a bussiness that is a scam. I check the BBB web page.

Guess what? Most are members with an AOK!

A friend of mine hired a contractor, got totaly screwed, workmanship was the worse I ever seen.

Checked the BBB and they have 13 Complaints in 12 months.. but they are still listed as a reputable company by BBB because they resolved half of them, the other half was "Administraly resolved"

They paid the 450.00 and they are a member so they got things "Administraly resolved" it appears???

Well.. I SEEN THEIR WORK!

Told my friend to call the BBB and let me know what they say or do.

He was screwed so bad, I dont think he is going to do anything out of Embarrasment.

?

I'm VERY disapointed to the point I'm starting to think it should be a crime.
Smells more like a scam to me.

I dont even know what else to say.

[cat320]

Well this is the way i see it if some one calls to complain to the BBB about you then they will have a complaint on you right so why pay them will they lie and say no they have no complaintes aginst you? think about it. All it is ,is another scam if you do good work and you have satisfied customers then who needs the BBB you will have past costomers that your new customer can possably call right ? Amd if there are no complaints filed with the BBB then they will say there is notheing filed agains this contractor .

[apgarconstruction]

I will never join, total waste of money.
I stand behind all my work even if it means i have lost money to make it right for the customer. BBB shouldn't even exist.

[SIPLOWGUY]

I don't think people would look for snow removal there.

[Rocket]

I don't think people would look for snow removal there.
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I wonder if the numbers or opinions would be different in another field.

[cutntrim]

I've looked into the C of C, but not the BBB. Didn't seem worth it to me, seems even less so having read the replies here. I belonged to SIMA but dropped it (my customers and targeted new customers had no idea what SIMA was to begin with), and dropped my membership in the PLCAO (Prof. Lawn Care Assoc. of Ont.). My only membership right now is in Landscape Ontario and I feel it's worthwhile. I would think your State landscape assoc. would be the first choice for you to belong to.

[Rocket]

I would think your State landscape assoc. would be the first choice for you to belong to.
It is funny down here. Our state has several landscape, lawn, arbor, business, network associations for the green industry. To the point that they compete with each other. Even though they are nice to each other in person I have seen some terrible back-stabbing by executives when allowed the opportunity. I have not seen enough of SIMA to know if it is the same case there.

As you said, and it has been researched, customers do not even know what these associations are for, or care, until you tell them.

[Plow Babe]

This is an old poll but I was surprised by the replies, so thought I'd resurrect it and put in my two cents. :)

This may be a regional thing, and it may also have to do with what type of customers you have. A lot of our business comes from residential driveways, and I think that is who checks BBB status more than commercial customers.

We've been BBB members for 12 years, and SIMA members for 5 years. As far as ROI, I view it as part of my marketing plan. I won't disagree with a lot of the objections above. But compared to print ads, the membership dues are cheap, we get a lot of exposure, and customer perception is everything.

I don't have to be a member of the BBB. I also don't have to be a member of SIMA, maintain my CSP designation, have a website, or accept credit cards, and arguments could be made both ways as to the validity of doing any of these things which cost my company extra money.

But when someone is looking for a plowing contractor for their second home, and they are in Texas on Google, they are going to find my website, they are going to see the BBB logo and click through to verify that my company is legit, my stability and professionalism are emphasized by my trade organization affiliation and certification, and when they see they can receive their contract electronically and pay conveniently online with their credit card, who do you think they are more likely to hire - me, or the other guys who don't want to waste money on meaningless organization memberships or on an Internet presence, and can only be found as a listing in the local yellow pages?

That person will be me, not my competition. And to me, that's more than worth a few hundred dollars a year in dues. It's a small price for the marketing exposure and the added shine it gives our professional image.

[Wizard]

Well, since someone else brought it back up... Everyone's seen the latest right? Angies list. They're double scamming. Charging the contractor to join, then charging the consumer to check up the contractor who's paid to have good reviews posted about them. What a joke!