The BBB

The Better Business Bureau (BBB), a  well-established organization for consumer information and dispute resolution, but it is not reliable. Its credibility is often debated due to its funding model and the fact that it is not a government agency. The BBB is primarily funded by annual fees paid by its accredited businesses. Critics argue this creates a conflict of interest, as businesses that pay may receive preferential treatment, such as higher ratings, compared to non-paying businesses. In my experience, the BBB makes little effort to vet customer reviews and complaints to ensure they are genuine. The BBB continually calls and sends email, “opportunities” to join by requesting money. They are outdated and now simply a “money-making operation. The definition of  Bureau is, a division of a government department. The BBB wants to create the perception of being a governmental agency which it is not. Having “bureau” in their name is very misleading and confuses people into thinking the BBB is something it’s not. So….let’s put the shoe on the other foot and review the BBB.

Why Is Haywire Custom Guitars Not A Dues Paying Member Of The (BBB) Better Business Bureau?

Over the years the BBB has turned their sights from an actual useful consumer based organization to one that is more about protecting businesses who apply liberal amounts of “cash” to their coffers, rather than helping consumers.  They are bought and paid for by businesses vying for top spots on the BBB review lists.  Haywire Custom Guitars is not a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) because businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB approval or accreditation. Membership is voluntary, and a business must apply, agree to the BBB Standards for Trust, pass a vetting process, and pay annual dues to become accredited. 

The BBB is now primarily a marketing or review platform, rather than an impartial consumer protection entity. By continuing to use of the word “Bureau” in its name it can then mislead people by seeming to “pass themselves off” as an official government agency, which it is not. As far as “business” is concerned, member fees are their business.  Businesses are “invited” to join the Better Business Bureau (BBB) because they “seemingly” meet the organization’s high standards for ethical practices and trust to be eligible. This special “BBB” invitation is a way to praise a businesses for meeting so-called tough standards. Giving praise just to get what you want is manipulative and insincere, using flattery as a tool to achieve a personal goal of collecting dues.  This is a form of social manipulation is sometimes called ingratiation, where someone fakes positive feelings to influence another person’s or in this case, a business’s behavior. 

They favor, “dues paying businesses” vs. businesses who refuse to be a part of the BBB. If, as a business, you pay dues, they will protect your reputation. If you don’t “participate” in their dues collecting protection racket, they will review your business unfavorably when a consumer complains.  Therefore it is to a businesses benefit to pay money to the BBB and get protection from complaints. Sounds a bit like extortion?  Yes, and is one of the main reasons why Haywire Custom Guitars has refused to be a part of it.

The ‘pay-to-play’ criticism of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) alleges that businesses can buy better ratings and preferential treatment by paying for BBB accreditation, creating a significant conflict of interest. This criticism gained widespread attention following a major investigation in 2010. I have found this to be true.

• Financial Incentive: The BBB is a private organization and generates the majority of its revenue from membership fees paid by accredited businesses. Critics argue this structure inherently compromises the objectivity of their ratings.
• 2010 ABC News Investigation: A prominent investigation by ABC News’ “20/20” program found evidence that businesses were promised, and received, improved letter grades immediately after paying membership fees.
• “Hamas” and “Stormfront” Stings: As part of the investigation, a group of Los Angeles business owners created a fictional company named “Hamas” (after the militant group) and applied for accreditation. After paying $425 in fees, the non-existent company received an A-minus rating. A similar stunt involved a white supremacist website called “Stormfront,” which received an A-plus rating after payment.
• Attorney General Involvement: Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (later a U.S. Senator) investigated the practices and found that BBB members’ grades included extra points that were not available to non-members. He called the system “potentially harmful and misleading to consumers” and demanded an end to the practice.
• Punishment for Non-Payment: Business owners have claimed they were pressured to pay for accreditation and “punished” with poor ratings if they refused to do so.

Several years ago we had a customer try and scam us. After Haywire Custom Shop repaired a head-stock on an acoustic guitar.  A shady customer whom we’ll call him Thomas Jay B****** wanted some work for free. The repair was done professionally, quickly and accurately. In an effort to have it done “free” the customer initiated a charge-back on his payment with his credit card company. A technique he’d used successfully many times before.

This customer had a history of paying for goods and services with a credit card then stated to the card company he didn’t receive the product or service. He would complain to the credit card company and they would claw the payment back from the merchant so he gets it “free”.  A common scam among thieves that works until they “over-use” it and the bank refuses to take any more action after a few times repeating this dishonest behavior. So, they bust themselves by using this scam too many times.

In the case with Thomas Jay B******.  His bank had enough and after we presented our side. They found we had credibility. As well, Jay’s history of scamming people was finally outed and he had to get another bank.

Not only did he have to actually and finally “pay” for something, but he was angry about it.  So, Jay complained to the BBB. Haywire Custom Guitars has always refused to become a member of the BBB. Simply because we don’t want “participate” in their deceitful profiteering dues collecting protection racket. It’s not honest!  The BBB gladly took Jay’s complaint and gave us a poor rating. In my mind they have no business rating businesses who are not members. Why do they do it?

The BBB wants to force businesses to join, pay to have the “poor ratings” removed which they will gladly due upon receipt of your payment.  So, in the meantime, why not stop reviewing businesses that don’t join?  Simply indicate those businesses are not members and have NO rating at this time. That would be much more honest would it not?  Yes, if the BBB was honest. That’s the answer, they’re not. What they are is an antiquated, archaic, obsolete, out-of-date and outmoded business model. Fees are their way of making money.

We will not register our business with the BBB or ever respond to any of their emails. It’s a protection racket. Business owners that pay the BBB are actually doing a harm to society by supporting a corrupt organization. We don’t support corrupt organizations trying to pass themselves off as government services.

Why would Haywire Custom Guitars want to pay dues to a dishonest organization existing only to collect funds for themselves in exchange for “positive” reviews?  We don’t. Please don’t look for us on the BBB ratings as we will never be a part of a scam perpetrated by an organization called The Better Business Bureau.

The BBB may be a well-established organization for consumer information and dispute resolution, but it is not reliable. It exists solely for itself. 

Consumers rely on accurate reviews and the BBB is neither accurate nor unbiased.

Haywire Custom Guitars Reviews