Will filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) get a company to settle a dispute?

2017-04-02T15:23:33-04:00

I filed a claim 7 months ago for damage to my house during a PCS move. Since the damage is to the house, not the property the claim goes through the moving company. For the past 6 months I've been told the claim has been approved has"gone to accounting". Do you think filing a claim with the BBB will get them to "play ball" and finally pay up?

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Apr 2 at 2017 3:29 PM

2017-04-02T15:29:13-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member sorry to hear, I think you did the right thing, with the BBB, try also the Chamber of Commerce also.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2017 3:51 PM

2017-04-02T15:51:26-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I filed a claim with a moving company about damage to the house, my belongings, and lost items. I was compensated for the damage to the belongings and lost items but not the damage to the house. I did file a complaint with the BBB. I would file with the BBB, as your claim should not take six months in accounting.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2017 4:17 PM

2017-04-02T16:17:36-04:00

You may have a stronger voice on Review sites such as Yelp, Angies List, etc

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2017 5:19 PM

2017-04-02T17:19:50-04:00

BBB is likely a good place to start, if the business is registered with them. Does the military not help with any of this since they contracted the moving company?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2017 6:28 PM

2017-04-02T18:28:59-04:00

Every time I file a complaint with BBB (last resort) the company's leadership will call to settle the issue because the report looks bad on them.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Apr 2 at 2017 11:05 PM

2017-04-02T23:05:02-04:00

Members of the Better Business Bureau pay dues to belong --- the BBB is not going to antagonize its dues paying members, they might quit and stop paying dues. When I worked retail this point was routinely brought up by disgruntled customers. My employer at the time even acknowledged it to the staff.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Apr 3 at 2017 2:11 AM

2017-04-03T02:11:37-04:00

6 months in accounting sounds like them saying "We're trying to wait out the statute of limitations" to me. On top of the BBB, I might seek legal assistance. I'm not sure if JAG handles these sorts of cases but I'd find some sort of lawyer if things don't improve soon.

Response by CPO Bill Penrod made Apr 3 at 2017 9:50 AM

2017-04-03T09:50:03-04:00

Some local TV stations have a five minute bits on their local news that go after companies/individuals for slow moving claims or flat non payment. As last resort you may try that.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2017 11:47 AM

2017-04-03T11:47:47-04:00

Here's the thing about the BBB... It's a club. A club established by Al Capone.
BBB Members pay a membership fee. (Income)
If/when a consumer files a complaint against a BBB Member, the BBB asks the member their side of the story and if they tried to make things right. If the BBB Member says they made an effort (doesn't have to be reasonable or acceptable to the consumer/complaintant) then the BBB considers that "Case Closed." Afterall, it doesn't make financial sense to censor a member, who then may not continue paying membership fees (income), does it? Now, to be fair, if the Member has done something totally and undeniably shady or criminal, then the BBB will take action. But short of that, not so much.
So complaining about one of the "good ol' boys" to the "good ol' boys club" likely won't help you.

If I were you I would complain to the moving company. They stand to lose a lot more than paying a claim if you make a stink with the Army, who then might turn around and not use that moving company for contracts anymore. They know where their money is coming from.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 3 at 2017 2:00 PM

2017-04-03T14:00:49-04:00

BBB is not a bad start. Perhaps there is a consumer protection division within your state's attorney general's office as mine does-I've used the weight of their office to address issues before.

Response by Sam Carter made Apr 3 at 2017 4:34 PM

2017-04-03T16:34:28-04:00

BBB will work with you to understand the situation and nature of the complaint. If that does not work then contact your credit card company. Many of our customers had bad experience with our competitors (we make challenge coins) so we know this because we had a few customers last week say the same thing (a company was not getting back to them on time regarding their order status and left them in the dust).

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Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2017 12:00 PM

2017-04-04T12:00:53-04:00

I'm not as familiar with this area on the Guard side Sir, but maybe Claims with JAG has something that can help you since this was a PCS. AR 27-20. You can call Legal Assistance and ask to get advice on Claims from a JA.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 4 at 2017 12:02 PM

2017-04-04T12:02:44-04:00

In most instances all the BBB does is warn anyone that investigates a business. My interactions with them have proven to be of no value.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2017 8:21 PM

2017-04-07T20:21:36-04:00

UPDATE: I was finally able to get ahold of someone at the company with some actual power. The check was mailed out today and I should have it within the week. I guess persistence paid off.