Atlanta, GA - November 19, 2010
Tags: Atlanta BBB Tax Returns Uncovered, BBB Unfair, BBB Rip-off, BBB Scam, BBB Fraud, BBB Complaints and BBB Abuse, BBB harassment, BBB retaliation, BBB sucks, BBB exposed on 20/20, Unethical Behavior of the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Commentary: The BBB must be held accountable for their illegal and unjust actions. Mechanic's Responds.com® News, LLC is VERY aggressive in Investigating, Identifying, Exposing, Commenting on, and Responding to any News Worthy Story specifically involving the unfair BBB, Corruption, Unfair Practices, Injustice, and Consumer Abuses Against Business.
As you may or may not be aware, on Friday November 12, 2010, ABC's 20/20 aired an investigation of the Better Business Bureau. Here is a link for your information:
BBB Makes A Killin While Economy Is Chillin
Talking with my buddies lately who work for the Food Pantry and other charitable organizations and they all say the same thing: times are tough. The Food Pantry is constantly running dry and many families are going hungry. Churches are hurting. Missionary work is pulled back. They all ask me, "Where has all the money gone?"
Well folks, I am here to tell you, I think I found it. The Better Business Bureau.
That's right! The BBB is raking it in from local businesses.
I pulled the BBB-Atlanta Form 990's for the last three years and found some interesting facts.
Atlanta BBB Educational Foundation Tax Return 2009
Atlanta BBB Educational Foundation Tax Return 2008
Atlanta BBB Educational Foundation Tax Return 2007
At the beginning of 2009, the BBB had around $67,000 in cash in the bank. By the end of 2009, they had close to $193,000 cash. That's a $126,000 surplus!
Where is it all coming from?
Line 9 of the BBB's IRS filing says exactly where it's coming from: Program Service Revenue. In 2008, the BBB brought in $1,311,866 in Program Service Revenue. In 2009, they brought in $1,806,067. That's almost a $500,000 increase in one year. A 38% increase in revenue? Wow! In this poor economy?
You bet! And you can imagine the head of the Atlanta BBB was well compensated. They gave Fred Elsberry, the BBB-Atlanta President almost 7% of the Program Service Revenue which added up to $121,674 in total compensation. I'll bet his food pantry is fully stocked!
But how did the BBB do in 2008 the year before they had this huge increase? The answer: Not so good.
In 2008, the BBB Atlanta reported to the IRS that their Program Service Revenue was $1,311, 866 which was down from $1,480,904 in 2007. That means at the end of 2008, the BBB Atlanta executives were sitting there wringing their hands with worry because they had dropped almost $170,000 in Program Service Revenue from the previous year. You see the economy was taking a huge toll on the BBB and they were looking at the looming waterfall approaching ahead as they rowed their sinking boat. So what did they do in 2009 to open up the flood gates of money?
Doing a quick Google search, you can find the answer.
At the beginning of 2009, the BBB flooded the web and media with press releases touting their new grading system. Instead of rating a business Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory, the BBB decided to rate them on an A-F grading system. And according to a recent ABC 20/20 expose and complaints filed with the Connecticut and Georgia Attorney's General, the BBB started a telemarketing scheme to shakedown businesses for pay-for-grades. According the BBB Atlanta's 2009 IRS filing, it has worked in spades! One wonders what the 2010 IRS filing will show?
Now my theory is that with all these businesses hurting and desperate, the BBB used a tool that works in times like these: Fear. The BBB figured out all they had to do was call and says for $425, you can get an A+ rating and improve your business or not join and see how low your grade drops. Fear is a powerful motivator. Just ask the Mafia!
With a $500,000 gain in revenue last year, the BBB Atlanta has drained much needed cash from local businesses. But at least our government will get its share. Right?
Nope. The BBB Atlanta is a nonprofit organization and they pay no taxes. Sweet! These guys are good!
But they do have a slogan that needs changing. Right now it is "Start With Trust." We suggest a change: "Start With Trust....but we will quickly abandon that for cold hard cash."
Clearly, the BBB (Better Business Bureau) is a scam.
Please
contact us at
News@MechanicsResponds.com if you have been the victim of the unfair BBB.
Mechanic’s Responds® encourages all interested parties to visit Mechanic's (Mechanic's Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC) ever growing list of thousands of happy and satisfied customers at this link:
http://www.airconditioningatlanta.com/Mechanic's Atlanta HVAC Happy Customers Index.htm
You can reach Mr. Fred Elsberry of the Metro Atlanta BBB via email at fred@atlanta.bbb.org.
You can reach J. R. Adams via email at News@MechanicsResponds.com.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is believed accurate but is not warranted. We encourage all interested parties to verify the information contained herein on their own. The information contained herein was derived from public information sources, from our records, or from Reports or Complaints filed with us.
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