How to File A Complaint With The BBB Better Business Bureau

If you are having trouble with a company or business with any reason whether it may be about employment, a scam, or just horrible service - you can file a complaint with the BBB to get the problem straighten out in no time. This also will go on the business's record and warn others about problems that may occur when dealing with that business.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Before you file your complaint against a certain business with The BBB, you need to have proof, dates, record numbers, serial numbers, or any other documentation ready that might help the case. Gather all information before filing the complaint. Make sure you have the business's name, address, phone number, and preferably the owner or manager's name.

2. Once you have all the information you may need, you need to go online and go to The Better Business Bureau official site. (Below in resources.) Type in your zip code to locate the nearest BBB location near you. This should have all businesses in your area. To locate a business, you must type in your zip code and then the business name, address, or phone number. You can also look up businesses by URL and website addresses.

3. Once you get to that home page for the nearest BBB, you need to go to Check out a Business or Charity, or straight to File A Complaint. You may want to locate the business first on The BBB to see what other complaints have been made to see if your the first or newest complaint. It may be a misunderstanding, and you may want to contact the company before filing the complaint if your the first customer to complain.

4. If not, you should go ahead and file a complaint with the business. Once you have gone through the first few steps, which asks you the nature of your complaint, you must give the ACCURATE contact information. You cannot submit anonymous complaints - they will not look over them.

5. Once you start to write your complaint - there are two types of information you need to give them. The first is a SHORT summary of the problem. It should be 1-3 sentences informing them of the most important information. In the next section - you may go into detail. Be sure to include the information I mentioned in the first step about any serial numbers, dates, or payment problems.
   
   Next, they will ask what sort of resolution you prefer. You can choose none, or other options. Be specific and include proper instructions.

6. File the complaint. It's in your best interest to save and print out a copy of the complaint for further issues and use. The company will have a week to respond to you, personally, to get the issue resolved. If they fail to do so, the company's rating will go down and will be filed under the BBB for everyone to see. You may take further action, if you want which may require a lawyer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure all information is correct.
• It's permanent, once you file the report - there is no going back. Make sure you are willing to go through with it.
• Try every effort to make things right before resorting to this action.
• Never be offensive or use a form of slander when filing the complaint.