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| Guest |
 Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 4:58 am |
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Look these companys up with the BBB before doing business with them..
The BBB does a full background check on companys before letting them in.. THEY DO NOT JUST LET ANYONE IN. Unlike many other organizations..
Before you sign a contract, let someone into your home.. Look them up at your local BBB!
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| Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 8:39 am |
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I beg to differ.
My experience with the Better Business Bureau revolves around the talent agency/modeling agency/casting industry, and it has been a negative one.
Elizabeth Savage Talent, an organization in Arizona that has been a member of the Better Business Bureau for seven years. It, like most other businesses like it here in Arizona, has a satisfactory record with the Better Business Bureau, but there are many caveats listed below the rating on the reliability report.
For example, for Elizabeth Savage Talent, these caveats are listed:
"For those interested in becoming a professional model, few decisions are as important as the choice of modeling agency. Incompetent or fraudulent agencies can cost you hundreds of dollars without any prospects of obtaining modeling work. Therefore the Better Business Bureau recommends that before making any agreements with a modeling agency, prospective models should carefully evaluate all offers and make an informed decision.
The BBB advises prospective models to consider several points:
Nearly all legitimate modeling agencies make money only by taking a commission from payments to clients. One exception to this involves 'agency books' which the agency sends to potential model employers. If an agency requests you pay money for this, make sure that you are only paying your share and make sure that the 'agency book' actually exists. Ask to see past books and confirm with those potential employers on the mailing list that they actually receive, and use, the 'agency books.' Find out if they have ever hired someone from such books.
According to The US Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) "be suspicious if a company requires an up-front fee to serve as your agent."
Remember to think critically and ignore flattery. The FTC further advises you to "ask yourself, 'why me?' Don't let your emotions -and the company's flattery- take control. Avoid high-pressure sales tactics. Never sign a document without reading and understanding it first. Ask for a blank copy of the contract to take home and review with someone you trust. If the company refuses, walk away."
You should ask for references and confirmation for all the agency's claims. Request addresses and phone numbers of current clients and contact them to see if the agency is providing adequate service. Also be sure to get all the agency's claims in writing.
Be aware that a common modeling agency scam involves in-house picture taking. Many agencies may offer photographer referrals, however, the BBB advises caution if the agency uses their own, in-house photographer. The BBB suggests when compiling your portfolio that you pay the photographer and the printer directly.
Contact the Industrial Commission of Arizona at 602.542.4515 to see if a modeling agency is licensed. Also check with the BBB to see if there is a history of unresolved complaints.
It also is wise to ask an agency, before making any agreements, what percentage of their models make more money as models than they spend on portfolios."
This company and companies like it use shady tactics to rope the naive people of the world into paying money for their services which produce no results, but they get a satisfactory rating, because the customer didn't keep his head together while being flattered and told how great he was and how much money he could make.
I say, if the company is that great, and if it really deserves a satisfactory rating, there shouldn't have to be any caveats on that BBB rating page.
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| Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 2:01 am |
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That possibly means they are in a suspect industry in which the BBB has had many complaints.. Often the BBB gets invalid complaints and some are not valid.. If the company is a member they have signed arbitration agreements to respond to any problems that might occur.. So atleast if they are members consumers have a recourse of action instead of a law suit verses a company that is not..
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:07 am |
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I don't know why people go to this site and not report it to the Better Business Bureau..
The BBB actually works with the Attorney General and actually keeps records of scams and complaints..
The BBB actually has an arbitration program that if you do business with a company that is a member and something goes wrong..
You actually have a recourse of action with out going to court..
Its called Arbitration and is free to the consumer..
This program is called the BBB Customer Care program..
Most of the BBB membres participate in this..
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:51 am |
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Quote: Originally Posted by CowboyJimmy Yes, you are right.. There are alot of business and consumer advocacy groups that do lie about their affilation with the BBB...
But, the BBB is one of the only groups that does a "business background" check on a company before allowing them in.. They can't just buy their way in..
The BBB actually checks, contracts, advertisements and partners of the company, public records and many others things before a company is allowed in.. Agreed, the BBB is good at what they do. But too many companies here are flying below their radar.
PSB
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:57 am |
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Quote: Originally Posted by Phinnly Slash Buster Agreed, the BBB is good at what they do. But too many companies here a flying below their radar.
PSB
Yes, I get annoyed at some of the other agencies out there that try and promote their companys are ethical business when they do not do any background checks on companies at all..
For example some of the Christain Yellow Page Companys, Chambers of Commerce, Home Builders Assocations, and many others..
People need to do their homework... I have been burned too many times myself..
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| Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 6:00 am |
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The BBB may seem slow but, it is often because the consumers don't follow up with complaints and the mediation programs does take time..
Some BBB's around the nation get more complaints then others and may not have the number of staff as others..
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:42 am |
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The BBB tracks how companies respond to their conflicts.. Do they run from them or do they respond in good faith and try to resolve the issue..
People will learn after they get burned a few times that they need to look companies up with the BBB before they do business..
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| Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:04 am |
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The BBB is the only organization I trust.. I have been burned too many times..
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| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 5:59 am |
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Companys have to meet the BBB standads to join.. The BBB only lets those companys in that meet their high standards.. They do a full business background check on them.
A company can not just buy their way into the BBB..
The BBB is a non-profit organization that essentially takes the roll of consumer complaints off of the goverments hands.. The AG does not respond to every consumer complaint they get.. They refer a good deal of them to the BBB..
You can go to the FBI , any state AG's website and they all reccommend you check with the BBB before doing business..
With out the BBB we would all be getting taxed much more.. The BBB prevents thousands of lawsuits each year with their arbitration programs..
The BBB is the only organization that does such a detail background check on a company..
As educated as I am.. I have learned over the years not to trust my gut instinct.. I am too nice and people are trying to make money any way they can.. Honestly or not!
It is hard for me to believe that you do not use an outside source before doing business with a company... Would you just do business with anyone?
Would you work for just anyone? Would you not like to look up a company before you sign a contract or let someone into your home or before you spend 20,000k plus on a car..?? I would hope so!
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| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 6:00 am |
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The BBBOnline Seal of Reliability is the ONLY internet trust seal that I would trust..
The rest don't do 1/10th of the background check the BBB does before allowing them to post that logo on their site..
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:40 am |
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Did you officially file a complaint?. You have to have evidence to support you case. They do not take certian claims.. You did not give much evidence to support your claim..
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:38 am |
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at my telemarketing job two years ago, in which MANY shady things were happening given that is was for selling home improvements for low-income housing, the levels of screwing people over and complaints and everything bad about business was very high. Numerous complaints and shady agreements between teh telemarketers and contractors existed that in teh end screwed teh customer...most of it legal , much of it not.
in teh end the customer ALWAYS lost as either my company qouted some dirty and vague policy or contractor agreement that would screw over teh customer, of course after which contracts were signed and agreements made which prevented teh customer any recourse (incomplete contracts and missing documents).
given the clientele of very low income famalies, absolutely no recourse was available as in court matters.
My boss was in charge of much of the operations, and i often asked him how he did so much shady stuff, and his reply much of the time was ...
"who cares, were on teh BBB, we can do what we want"
and i say "how are you on teh BBB with so many complaints and problems with customers getting taken for a ride"
he responds "pfff, teh BBB is a joke...u just sign some papers, pay a fee, and ur in"
hahhaha some organization that does its background checks and whatnot......i disagree with you people who lout teh BBB like its some great org thatll help customers and consumers shy away from bad companies....
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| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:14 am |
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Quote: Originally Posted by umdkook at my telemarketing job two years ago, in which MANY shady things were happening given that is was for selling home improvements for low-income housing, the levels of screwing people over and complaints and everything bad about business was very high. Numerous complaints and shady agreements between teh telemarketers and contractors existed that in teh end screwed teh customer...most of it legal , much of it not.
in teh end the customer ALWAYS lost as either my company qouted some dirty and vague policy or contractor agreement that would screw over teh customer, of course after which contracts were signed and agreements made which prevented teh customer any recourse (incomplete contracts and missing documents).
given the clientele of very low income famalies, absolutely no recourse was available as in court matters.
My boss was in charge of much of the operations, and i often asked him how he did so much shady stuff, and his reply much of the time was ...
"who cares, were on teh BBB, we can do what we want"
and i say "how are you on teh BBB with so many complaints and problems with customers getting taken for a ride"
he responds "pfff, teh BBB is a joke...u just sign some papers, pay a fee, and ur in"
hahhaha some organization that does its background checks and whatnot......i disagree with you people who lout teh BBB like its some great org thatll help customers and consumers shy away from bad companies....
UMDKOOK-
Your boss or old boss or what ever was wrong.. The BBB holds its companies accountable for its members. They could get revolked.
Why don't the people posting on here post evidence, the companies name, or anything. Give me some sort of proof to support your case.
Your boss is sorely mistaken.. Membership to the BBB DOES NOT GIVE companies the right to be unethical nor does it protect them.
What is the name of this company and where are they located..??
Give me proof of this?
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:25 am |
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This is funny. The BBB checks on one thing before admitting a member. Did their check clear the bank. Now, not all business members are shady but it's a real big tree to hide under for the shade it provides. In Raleigh, NC you can find company after company with answered compliants resolved per the BBB and the you check the Department of Justice (that's the Attorney General's office southern style saying) and find they have numerous open violations of law. See as long as they pay the BBB and answer the compliants - the BBB doesn't close the loop seeing if the complainer has been satisfied. Even the local 'trouble shooters' on television know this angle is being done...
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