Becoming A BBB Member

wilsongc

How exactly do you go about becoming a member of the BBB?

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Website Professional
General Contractors - Chattanooga, TN

rbsremodeling

Evaluate it before you make a decision. Check out their website

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kjung

I don't understand why everyone says that joining the BBB isn't worth it. We've gotten quite a bit of work through them, way more than enough to justify the cost.

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www.luxurydecksoftx.com

-Kevin

rbsremodeling

Have you ever had a complaint with them?? Just asking I never have.

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DavidC

The bas*ards will call, make it sound real urgent and say you must respond immediately. Then I panic and start wondering what happened where. So I call and they go right into a sales pitch to sign me up.

Tip of the day: If you want to sell to me, don't try underhanded scare tactics.

If I did want to join I would just wait for the next rep to call, then fall for that scheme. At least I would go in knowing what their motivations are.

Good Luck
Dave

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www.CookContractingLLC.com

BACKWOODS

In my area it is $300 a year for a window sticker and the privledge to use their logo on my business card. My referal business keeps me quite busy as it is. I just look at it as $300 still in my pocket, not theirs paying people to call me.

BKFranks

Man, the day my license number was issued the BBB was on the phone calling me trying to get me to join. I got a bunch of calls from them. I didn't have to look for them, they were looking for me.

b b b. o r g

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silvertree

They call me a couple of times a month, for the last few years.
The pitch

"Paul, we have had inquiries about your business, we can't tell them you are a member of the BBB, so we are asking you to join (This is by invitation only), so would you like to pay by check or credit card"?

Same pitch every time.
Invitation only?
Got a check, your invited

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Vote for Pedro
Kitchen, bath, St Paul remodeling
Minneapolis Remodel Blog
203K Loan Consultant Minnesota

Remodel Bud

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MattCoops

I highly respect the Better Business Bureau.
People get a good feeling when they work with a member of the BBB.
I think every lead we got from them we've sold.
Aside from referrals you get through the BBB, there's a few other perks:

They offer arbitration handlings for you.
When you sign up you can include a clause from them in your contract for those "in case sh*t happens" times.
They have people on their end that will help resolve any issues before they go to court.
And by signing your contract with your BBB pre-arbitration clause, all matters must go through their arbitration before any matters go to court.
This route will save you a lot of money if by chance you need to settle a dispute.

And they have debt collection services. And they DO NOT withhold a percentage of money collected for you.

Plus, you can use their "BBB Accredited Business" logo to make a certificate for your sales package.
I mean, ain't it comforting for a homeowner to know that they're dealing with a contractor associated with their organization?


Oh, and by the way, it only cost us about $300 for a year's membership. Not really much to weigh down the overhead load.

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Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

SLSTech

Back to the OP's original question - go to BBB.org, check to see if you are listed (which should bring you to your local groups web site) & update your information as required. There is a check box there for " I am interested in becoming a member" or something like that. They also have a link for becoming a member under the Business tab.

They will ask you (hopefully) for your license #, etc, have you sign some forms & of course your CC # or check. Done

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Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

BKFranks

Has anyone here actually reported a business to the BBB? I reported a bank that I used to bank with and the response by the BBB was a joke!

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mark the coach

A couple of years ago I held seminars at the Worcester Home Show with The Better Business Bureau, The Mass Attorney Generals Office and a consumer advocate on HOW to Hire A Contractor. The homeowners who attended felt it was important that a contractor be listed with the Better Business Bureau. I also received many referrals from the BBB and sold at least half of them.
Over the years I heard many complaints that the Better Business Bureau lets almost anyone join. Many people don't realize that the BBB is a for profit entity. There salespeople make commissions on memberships. Most homeowners think the BBB is a government sponsored agency. The BBB doesn't really look to deep into the background of companies. So there can be companies with the BBB logo who are fly by nights.

Many consumer advocate groups recommend checking with BBB before hiring a contractor. This doesn't guarantee that the contractor will be good. The BBB also suggests you check out other criteria as well.
What you have to ask yourself is, are you missing out on business because you aren't listed with the BBB? Whether or not the BBB is effective, many homeowners believe in it and if they do, it would be important to be listed or you may not be considered for the job.
Fees in our market are 495.00.

mark the coach

www.thecontractorcoachingpartenrship.com

Snow Man

cant hurt.....................

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DECOSnowRemoval&IceControl
Serving Delaware County & Philadelphia Pa
610 457-9721

Publisher1

The BBB system seems to have local/regional inconsistencies. A few years ago, I served on the Board of Directors for the BBB in Ottawa-Eastern Ontario. Truly, everyone there adhered to the highest ethical standards and membership in the BBB in our community represented a worthwhile and valid contribution.

But we were dealing with problems out of Toronto, where, it seems, less than savory people had managed to gain control of the BBB, causing all kinds of problems. I'm not sure how the problems were resolved, but it surely proved to be messy.

In Canada, at least BBB is non-profit and operates with voluntary boards, but they use commissioned sales reps to sell/renew memberships and of course this can cause some challenges. I'm not sure this is the best method for membership soliciation/attraction.

Membership isn't that expensive and you might find participating at the board of directors/committee level connects you with some interesting and relevant people -- and gives you real insights into your local business community.

wilsongc

Thanks for all your responses. It seems to be a divided topic and I have had this debate with a photographer friend of mine for quite some time. He thinks the BBB isn't worth it b/c they do nothing anyways. However, most people don't know that, and will choose BBB over non-BBB. That is why I am pursuing it, it looks good on your business cards, and website. Provides a level of comfort.

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Website Professional
General Contractors - Chattanooga, TN

mark the coach

Great job considering your options.
You are right that it is important to have it on your card and documents.
I have learned, based on running over 8000 leads in my remodeling career, that most homeowners do not know the structure of the BBB. However, they do perceive that a BBB listed company appears to have a better level of professionalism on the surface. When a company is not listed they run the chance of being disqualified. A competitor that is listed can use this to scare a homeowner that it is risky to do business with a non-BBB company. The investment is low and can be considered one of the basics of setting up a business that provides services to the residential market.

mark the coach

www.thecontractorcoachingpartnership.com

Remodel Bud

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RidgeWalker

The thing that really really PISSED me off about the BBB when they called me was they wanted to know right away how many employees I had. This is of course so they can know how much they are going to charge me for being a member. I once told them I had 500 employees and the rep about creamed his jeans on the phone. FU BBB I hate you and will never ever be a member.

NailPounder

I agree. For the cost its worth it for my company.