Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota

When you mention the Better Business Bureau (BBB), people usually say, “Oh, the place that handles complaints.”  It’s true the BBB works to help resolve disputes between consumers and businesses – they handled over 23,000 complaints for Minnesota and North Dakota last year – but that is just a small part of what the BBB does.

Did you know the BBB began right here in Minnesota back in 1912? It’s true!  Ethical business owners were frustrated having to compete against companies that were using misleading advertising to attract customers. They banded together to challenge these unethical companies and made their findings public. This was the start of the Better Business Bureau. There are now 113 Better Business Bureaus in the United States and Canada.

The Better Business Bureau is not a government agency and does not receive tax dollars.  Instead, it is supported by its 6,500 members called Accredited Businesses. In order to be an Accredited Business, a company must meet strict standards and agree to abide by the principles of the BBB.  There is no charge for most of the services the BBB provides.
Here are some of the services and programs the BBB offers:

• Business Reviews on companies.  Consumers and businesses can receive a report on a company they are considering doing business with 24 hours a day by visiting bbb.org or calling 1-800-646-6222.
• Dispute Resolution.  If you have a marketplace issue with a business, the BBB will gladly work to help you resolve the situation free of charge. If your complaint is one of the few that cannot be resolved through our normal conciliation process, the BBB offers mediation or arbitration for a reasonable fee.
• Advertising Review.  This is a core program of the BBB and they monitor advertising in Minnesota and North Dakota newspapers, television, radio, and Internet each week.   They challenge companies when they see ads that seem “too good to be true.”  Any business can send their ads (pre-publication) to the BBB to be reviewed for adherence to applicable advertising rules and guidelines –this service is free of charge to businesses.
• Industry Review.  When the BBB sees complaints rise within a certain industry, they ask companies within that industry to form a committee, with BBB oversight and input, to discuss issues and create a set of standards they can all live with. 
• Senior Program.  The BBB receives calls every day from senior citizens and their caregivers regarding fraudulent offers seniors are receiving.  The BBB Senior Outreach Program travels throughout Minnesota and North Dakota to talk to seniors, listen to their concerns, and educate them on consumer issues that affect their demographic.
• Military Line. BBB Military Line is a program of the BBB’s educational foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity. Military Line works to promote financial literacy and educate this at-risk population about employment and education scams. They are active at expos and info fairs.
• BBB Torch Awards.  If you know a Minnesota or North Dakota for-profit company that demonstrates ethics and integrity, contact the BBB to nominate them for a Torch Award. Up to four companies are awarded this prestigious honor each year. The BBB also awards students the Student of Integrity Award – for students who demonstrate an ethical lifestyle.
• Business Ethics Summit. The Business Ethics Summit is an interactive dialogue with business and community leaders about ethical challenges facing business today.

All of these programs help maintain a transparent and ethical marketplace in Minnesota and North Dakota.

The Vision of the BBB:

An ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.

The Mission of the BBB:

The BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. They accomplish this mission by:

• Creating a community of trustworthy businesses
• Setting standards for marketplace trust
• Encouraging and supporting best practices
• Celebrating marketplace role models, and;
• Denouncing substandard marketplace behavior

Why Businesses Choose BBB Accreditation

More than ever, people recognize and look for the Better Business Bureau logo. Given a choice, 7 out of 10 consumers would prefer to hire a BBB Accredited Business. BBB Accreditation means that you support an open and ethical marketplace, and publicly proclaim your company’s adherence to the BBB’s “Code of Business Practices.”

In addition to making a positive impression with consumers and supporting the BBB’s mission, BBB Accreditation offers a variety of programs, resources, events and tools to help your company build consumer loyalty and trust. 

Use of the BBB logo

As a business leader, you have worked hard to build your reputation as a trustworthy company.  By being Accredited, you can use the BBB logo, a recognized symbol of trust, on your website, business cards and marketing materials.

Personalize Your BBB Business Review

On average, consumers access more than 8,000 BBB Business Reviews each day from our local BBB.org website! Stand out from your competition by including additional information about your business, including photos and educational videos. With a simple click, prospective customers will be directed to your website. And BBB Business Reviews are search engine optimized (SEO) and available free to consumers, 24/7.

Improve Your SEO

More and more consumers are using the Internet to research and purchase products and services, but before they do, they look for reliable businesses they can trust. The BBB Online Dynamic Seal is a two-way, live link that will connect consumers directly to your company’s Business Review on BBB.org. The BBB website is considered an authority site by the majority of today’s search engines.

Personalized Website & Marketing Tools

Log into your company’s unique BBB Intranet to access a variety of resources, including updating your BBB Business Review and uploading your BBB Online Dynamic Seal. Other tools include:

• Inquiry Tracking.  You will be notified via email every time a consumer views your BBB Business Review and you can easily retrieve the user’s zip code.  Analyze your company’s statistics by “type of business” categories.
• Member-to-Member Discounts.  Great business-to-business marketing to reach more than 6,500 area Accredited Businesses as you post (or take advantage of) special offers and discounts.
• Leads to Your Inbox. With Request A Quote, you’ll receive leads from consumers who are looking to do business now – right to your email!
• BBB Online Accredited Business Directory.  With approximately 60,000 views per month, consumers are using the BBB’s free Online Directory. Consumers are accessing your featured directory listing, which links potential customers to your Business Review, website, and social media sites. 
• Resolve Disputes without Litigation.  Use the BBB’s free mediation and arbitration services with a third-party neutral to resolve consumer complaints. The BBB’s dispute resolution services not only save your company time and money by avoiding litigation, but also help you to retain customers and protect your reputation. 
• Sponsor and Co-Brand with the BBB.  Enhance your marketing efforts with unique co-branding and sponsorship programs that allow your company to reach new customers through a variety of traditional advertising, social media, programs and events. In addition, the BBB has partnerships with key media outlets offering discounted programs for Accredited Businesses.
• Connect at Business Networking and Education Events.  Network and learn at Accredited Business-only programs and events designed to help business owners, executives and employees acquire new skills to improve your company’s bottom line. 
• Help your Business Build Best Practices.  The BBB offers additional resources for businesses to continue to respond to changing marketplace and consumer needs:
  • Accredited Business Hotline. Contact the BBB to reach an Accredited Business representative to help you maximize your BBB Accreditation and achieve your business goals.
  • Advertising Review. The BBB monitors local print and electronic advertisements and challenges unfair or unsubstantiated claims. They will also review your company’s ad prior to publication, ensuring compliance with a variety of advertising guidelines.
  • Use our Space. Book your next event at the BBB office in Burnsville, MN.  You can secure space for up to 100 guests at no cost depending on available dates.
  • BBB Speaker’s Bureau. Look to the BBB for a variety of speakers who can deliver informative presentations and trainings on BBB services; fraud targeting businesses, seniors or military personnel, conflict resolution, complaint handling, ethics; and a variety of additional topics.
  • Business Ethics Summit and Torch Awards for EthicalEnterprising. Join the BBB for their annual signature events to promote ethics and celebrate integrity in the marketplace.