Better Business Bureau

The Northeast California Better Business Bureau handles complaints for businesses located within Northeast California. In a dispute, the BBB works to facilitate communication between the company and the consumer, to help both sides come to a satisfactory resolution. The US Better Business Bureau (BBB) system extends across the nation, including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. Founded in 1912, the Better Business Bureau provides the following core services.

1. Business Reliability Reports

2. Dispute Resolution

3. Truth-in-Advertising

4. Consumer and Business Education

5. Charity Review

It is important to note that Better Business Bureaus are funded by accredited businesses. Because BBB accreditation in good standing is valuable to businesses, there is some motivation for BBB accredited businesses to resolve consumer complaints amicably. While it is not necessary to first attempt self-resolution in business disputes, such attempts are looked upon favorably by both the Better Business Bureau and the court system, should the matter escalate. When a BBB receives a complaint, the complaint is presented to the business and the BBB stands as mediator. BBB accredited businesses must respond to consumer complaints presented by the BBB or lose their accreditation — most non-accredited companies will cooperate with the BBB as well, so your complaint doesn't have to involve a BBB accredited business. Because the BBB has no enforcement authority aside from its agreement with accredited businesses, it can neither force a business to respond to complaints nor administer sanctions. However, a company's unwillingness to respond is noted in the company's reliability report the BBB provides to the public.

Complaint Guidelines

• Complaints must include the complainant's name and postal address;
• Complaints must include the company's name and provide sufficient information to determine the company's location — a mail address or phone number (unless toll-free) are usually sufficient;
• Complaints must be seeking assistance from the Better Business Bureau;
• Complaints must be from a customer of the company or the customer's authorized representative, e.g. lawyers, guardians or caretakers;
• Complaints must relate to a marketplace issue;
• Complaints must allege a problem experienced with services or products provided or agreed to;
• Complaints must not be in litigation and must not have been resolved by a previous court action, arbitration, or settlement between the parties; and
• Complaints must not contain abusive language.

Inappropriate Complaints

• Employer/employee disputes.
• Complaints relating solely to debt collection when no other buyer/seller issues is involved.
• Complaints against government agencies except commodities and services such as electricity, water or public transportation, and the complaint involves administrative or customer-related service issues, such as billing.
• Complaints against individuals not engaged in a business, e.g. personal sale of a vehicle.
• Complaints alleging discrimination or a violation of similar statutory/constitutional rights.
• Complaints alleging criminal violations by employees with the exception of complaints alleging theft in the performance of services.
• Complaints raising issues concerning competency or malpractice.
• Complaints challenging the validity of local, state or federal laws.
• Complaints solely based upon consumer dissatisfaction with a price;
• Anonymous complaints.