by J.L. Scott, phD.

[Ed. Note] This is Part 2 of this series...

Surprise! I still have not been able to get anyone at the Council of Better Business Bureaus to return my calls regarding the BBBOnline. So, I'll proceed with my own observations. Based on what I've found this week - I'm not even going to try to call them again.

From my local BBB, I understand that now BBB sends a "business representative" out to your place of business when you apply for BBB membership. This is supposedly to be sure you ARE in business - even if it's in your spare bedroom. What they going to do there? I suppose they could ask to see your business license - but a copy of that could easily be mailed to them.

Since I can't imagine why a non-business would apply for membership, I can only imagine that this representative could more rightly be called a "sales representative." This is further supported by experiences of my own and others as reported last week and earlier in this issue.

Yet now we know that, if this is the case, the BBB had to have visited ProBoost's place of business. (See ON THE CARPET, April 17, 2000 http://www.MondayMemo.org/ezine-4-17.htm)

How is it that they went out there (to the SAME address) but still didn't know that ProBoost was the same company as WorldSubmit? I'm sorry, but I can't help but believe they MUST have known. Why else would the report against WorldSubmit have been completely ignored?

Ooopps! As I was writing this, I suddenly had one of those "heads up" feelings. So I paid another little visit to WorldSubmit's web site. Now, remember, this is the original company who was found taking money to do online ad submissions then submitted a report to their client that showed they were posting to x-rated websites - as well as to other sites which don't even take submissions!

They are now proudly sporting the BBBOnline Reliability Seal! In SPITE of this report against them! The seal WAS NOT THERE when our original article was published!

BBBOnlne has two available programs - the BBBOnline Reliability Seal - and the BBB Privacy Seal. You will pay separately to join each of these programs. And, for the Reliability Seal - this is AFTER you have paid to join your local BBB first.

Now pay attention ...

BBBOnline Reliability annual fees range from $100-$200 for the smallest companies and up to $3000-$5000 for the largest companies. PLUS the application fee. PLUS the fee to join the local BBB.

Well, let's see. Does this mean that WorldSubmit/ProBoost (which is a LARGE company) paid two application fees PLUS several thousand dollars TWICE - both to join their local BBB AND to get that Online Reliability Seal for each business? The BBB Seal confirmation states, "This BBBOnLine Reliability seal, and the commitments that this seal signifies, pertain ONLY to WorldSubmit."

Now, note this: An announcement on the WorldSubmit site states that they are the "provider of web site registration and promotion tools for AT&T WorldNet subscribers.

Okay folks - are we beginning to understand now what the Better Business Bureau is all about?

Another quote from the BBBOnline web site:

For the BBBOnline Reliability Seal, "We review advertising claims made on the websites of applicants to see that they meet basic BBB truth-in-advertising standards." Note that this only covers what is on the web site - not any other form of advertising.

Interesting that the ProBoost site (which originally had the BBBOnline Reliability Seal) carries the EXACT same advertising - on the web site - as WorldSubmit (their other company), which made inappropriate ad submissions - was reported by a client with proof - and now also has the seal!

BBBOnline states their "commitment to ethical business practices and customer satisfaction." They also note that BBBOnline is recommended by President Bill Clinton! Well, <sigh> I won't even go there.

Please remember that it isn't only U.S. businesses who are affected by this. The client who got taken for a ride down the river by WorldSubmit has his business outside the USA.

And, I'm not finished! Next week I'll fill you in on the BBB Privacy Seal. That one really makes me crazy - and I'm betting you're not going to like it either! I'll also tell you why I'm making such a big issue of this. Stay tuned ...

Part III