Business owners: how important is the BBB to your business?

In My Humble Opinion
1

And, I suppose, consumers too–how much attention do you pay to the Better Business Bureau and whether or not a company is a member in good standing? Does it make a difference what type of business? Is it more important for, say, contractors and less important for gift shops?
I became a member today. Their fees suddenly became a significant part of my yearly operating budget, and I started to wonder if it was money well spent. I feel personally proud of being a member and my good status, but I’m curious about how often people check a company’s ratings and whether or not BBB membership affects where you spend your money. In other words, is it more an idealogical benefit, or is it likely to have good financial payoffs, too? Are there any downsides to being a member?

2

I was a member for a year it didn’t feel it was worthwhile at all and I let it lapse. I think there’s a couple others on this board as well that did the same thing. meh.

3

As a passive marketing tool, I’d say worthless.

However, if you include the BBB Logo in your yellow page ad, circulars, postcards etc etc I think there may be some incremental benefit. From my experience, people do call the BBB to inquire, and I know that some customers put trust in the BBB affiliation. But I think you must include the BBB logo as often as you reasonably can to get the full benefit, imo.

But if it is a significant part of your budget :confused: , maybe it is premature for your business. IMO, your BBB dues should never be much more than an insignificant part of your budget.

There are better ways to drum up business than BBB membership if money is tight.

4

BBB is a useless and obsolete anachronism.

If you are a retailer of expensive items (average ticket >$150) AND most of your customers are over age 65, then maaaybe it’d be valuable, PROVIDED you mention BBB in all your advertising, signage etc.

5

Well, it’s a very small budget. :stuck_out_tongue:

6

I tend to use it for service jobs, mostly, and especially for services that involve people touching my stuff. Movers, upholstery cleaners, plumbers, contractors, etc.