Better Business Bureaus
Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) are nonprofit organizations supported primarily by local business members. The focus of BBB activities is to promote an ethical marketplace by encouraging honest advertising and selling practices, and by providing alternative dispute resolution. BBBs offer a variety of consumer services. For example, they provide consumer education materials; answer consumer questions; provide information about a business, particularly whether or not there are unanswered or unsettled complaints or other marketplace problems; help resolve buyer/seller complaints against a business; including mediation and arbitration services; and provide information about charities and other organizations that are seeking public donations.
BBBs may request that a complaint be submitted in writing so that an accurate record exists of the dispute. The BBB will then take up the complaint with the company involved. If the complaint cannot be satisfactorily resolved through communication with the business, the BBB may offer an alternative dispute settlement process, such as mediation or arbitration. BBBs do not judge or rate individual products or brands, handle employer/employee wage disputes or give legal advice.
Want to see if a local business or charity has a BBB rating or accredition? You can use this BBB business and charity lookup tool.
You can also submit a complaint or relate your experience with a local business to the BBB via its website. Before you do, you should learn what kinds of complaints the BBB will handle.
If you need help with a consumer question or complaint, call your local BBB office to ask about its services.
The Council of Better Business Bureaus, the umbrella organization for the BBBs, can assist with complaints about the truthfulness and accuracy of national advertising claims, including children's advertising; provide reports on national soliciting charities; and help to settle disputes with automobile manufacturers through the BBB AUTO LINE program.
Find your local Better Business Bureau office
HSH formerly maintained a list of local Better Business Bureau locations and contact information here, but the national headquarters now maintains an online, geo-located lookup tool to help you locate the office that serves your area. Visit the local Better Business Bureau locator to find the one serving your area or region.
Military personnel and families may need specialized assistance finding and dealing with local businesses, and the BBB has a bundle of things to help. Active military, veterans and military families can find BBB military resources here.