When looking to have work done around the house, making major purchasing decisions or doing any kind of business with a company, it's always good to know that a trustworthy business has been chosen for the job. One way to find out if a business is trustworthy is to see if they are Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited.
BBB gathers and compiles information about businesses of all sizes, then uses that information to prepare Business Reviews on each business. These reports are made available to consumers and businesses, with the intent of establishing a trustworthy business community. Businesses are given a grade between A-plus and F, depending on multiple factors that affect reliability and trustworthiness. Checking out a business with BBB is valuable because it shares information with people that can assist in the decision as to whether or not to do business with an organization, such as its complaint history, customer reviews, BBB rating, length of time in business and more.
"BBB Accredited Businesses strive to do the right thing in all they do," said John North, president and CEO of BBB serving Dayton and the Miami Valley. "They have contractually agreed to live up to the BBB's standards for trust -- a comprehensive set of policies, procedures and best practices on how businesses should treat the public in a fair and honest manner. The bottom line is Accredited Businesses strive daily to advance marketplace trust. When you choose to do business with one of these companies, you can be confident, knowing the company has been in business for at least one year and has committed to work with your BBB to resolve consumer disputes."
"Upon being invited to BBB Accreditation, businesses must complete an application. BBB does background checks on the company's time in business, licensing and complaint history and how it has handled complaints," North said. "It also takes the reputation of the owners or principals into consideration. Our staff looks at company websites, advertising and marketing materials to make sure they are truthful in their dealings with the public. Before accreditation is extended, it must be approved by BBB's board of directors. Becoming accredited gives a business the opportunity to show its level of commitment to being a company customers can trust."
Businesses considered for accreditation must earn a 'B' or higher rating and meet BBB's Standards for Trust. BBB Accreditation can be withdrawn at any time for failure to maintain these standards. North explained that, in this day and age, companies can't afford to economize on their reputations – BBB Accredited Businesses have the competitive edge over companies that may not be accredited.
According to a recent survey of BBB Accredited Businesses, the one thing most valued is the enhanced credibility experienced through BBB Accreditation. This led to BBB launching its "Look for the Seal" campaign, which compels Accredited Businesses to proudly display their BBB Accreditation and encourages people to "Look for the Seal" as they select businesses to work with and make purchases from.
Recent economic challenges have prompted people to spend money wisely, reevaluate their values, and make decisions based on those values, including their purchasing decisions. Consumers and businesses are spending cautiously by selecting businesses that not only set themselves apart from the competition, but are ones they can trust. A recent survey found that 70 percent of consumers say they will be more likely to buy from a company that's a BBB Accredited Business.
BBB's mission is to set standards for marketplace trust, encourage and support best practices by engaging with and educating consumers and businesses, celebrate marketplace role models and calling out and addressing substandard marketplace behavior to create a community of trustworthy businesses and charities. To learn more and to search for BBB Accredited Businesses across the Miami Valley, visit the BBB Dayton and Miami Valley area's website.
