The BBB operates on the same model that Yelp is (allegedly) operating on: i.e., a consumer-driven account of a business, until the business pays up. There have been credible accounts of businesses being offered a higher BBB grade, and even entire complaints dismissed from the pool for being a paying member. Conversely, there have been reports of the BBB threatening to lower grades for businesses that won't play ball.
Even ignoring these allegations, the BBB's system is broke in a number of ways, the most egregious of which is that they admittedly give paying businesses a higher default grade than non-paying businesses. So, disregarding any consumer complaints, a paying member is automatically rated higher.
And like the controversy surrounding Yelp, usually when these things come to light and indisputable proof is presented, the whole thing is easily swept under the rug as a rogue sales agent not sanctioned by the organization - the issue of creating an environment where this sort of activity is de facto encouraged and abuses are deliberately ignored is, of course, never addressed.
Even ignoring these allegations, the BBB's system is broke in a number of ways, the most egregious of which is that they admittedly give paying businesses a higher default grade than non-paying businesses. So, disregarding any consumer complaints, a paying member is automatically rated higher.
And like the controversy surrounding Yelp, usually when these things come to light and indisputable proof is presented, the whole thing is easily swept under the rug as a rogue sales agent not sanctioned by the organization - the issue of creating an environment where this sort of activity is de facto encouraged and abuses are deliberately ignored is, of course, never addressed.