How to Use the Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau can be a helpful tool in efforts to locate highly respected companies in your area. The bureau monitors its accredited business members and displays statistics about them. Before you hire a contractor to do work at your home, for example, you may conduct research through the bureau's website to determine whether the company has been the focus of complaints. Such research consists of a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Business name(s)

Instructions

1. Visit the Better Business Bureau's website to find the closest office of the bureau.

2. Enter your zip code under "Visit the BBB nearest you." Once you are on your local BBB site, click "Find a BBB Accredited Business."

3. Search by the "type of business" you are seeking, such as landscapers. If you have a specific business name, search by "business detail."

4. Click on the business's name link to view the BBB Reliablity Report for that company. This will show you the company's BBB rating and accreditation status, contact information and customer complaint history, along with other data. Pay attention to how long the company has been a BBB member, how many complaints were filed against them, and how or if the complaints were resolved.

5. Click on "file a complaint" on the homepage of your local BBB website to file a complaint against a company. Answer the questions and submit your complaint.

Tips & Warnings

• You can register your own business with the BBB, check your local BBB website for more information.

References

• Better Business Bureau