 Becoming A Member
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How much does it cost?
Annual membership dues are base on a number of criteria, including
number of locations and number of full-time employees. For more information, please
contact membership at (602) 212-2240, toll-free at (877)291-6222 x1361, or
click here. |
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Why Support the BBB?
By joining the Better Business Bureau, you are supporting an organization
started by your peers nearly 80 years ago. Your membership dues allow the BBB
to perform a much needed role in the marketplace. The need for BBB services
are clearly evident.
In 2006 alone, this particular BBB gave out over 1,000,000 reliability reports,
had an average of over 125,000 unique
visits to our website each month, and facilitated over 28,000 complaints.
This means if you’re not a BBB member, you may be missing out on key
referrals which could lead to increased sales and revenue. When it is used,
marketed and promoted effectively to customers - membership in the Better
Business Bureau is a valuable tool. By being a member, a business tells their
customers that it manages its operations honestly, fairly and with integrity.
The BBB is one of the most utilized and reliable sources of information
concerning reliability of businesses in the country. Most consumers know,
respect and believe in the BBB, and prefer doing business with Bureau members.
Credibility and integrity in the eyes of the consumer is the Bureau’s
greatest asset, which is shared with all members.
What sets the BBB apart from
other professional business organizations is that member companies must earn
the right to belong to the BBB. Membership approval is not a rubber stamp
process. Sure, it would be easy to accept everyone who applies for a business
license and grab the membership dollars. But it would not be true to our
mission.
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Because the BBB zealously monitors member compliance
with the most stringent membership
standards, consumers are more confident that members will serve them
well, and that any disputes that may arise will be handled thoughtfully and
responsibly. BBB membership is earned every business day. When customers decide
with whom they want to do business, the BBB can make their choice an easy one.
Whether a business or consumer inquires via phone, fax or the Internet –
your company’s membership is mentioned.
The BBB’s reliability is
reflected in the thousands of trustworthy businesses it represents, and the
solid unbiased information it has provided to consumers for decades. BBB
membership can be one of your company’s most valuable assets and a very
effective market positioning strategy.
For more information, please contact membership services at (602) 212-2240,
toll-free at (877)291-6222 x1361, or
click here. |
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Membership Benefits
Business Credibility
Members of the Better Business Bureau receive benefits from the Bureau’s
name recognition. The BBB is rated the highest of all institutions in
credibility and public confidence.
Member Identification
BBB Plaque: Display your Certificate of Membership on your wall, or place it on
your countertops to show your customers that your business stands for ethical
practices and conduct.
BBB Decals: Display the BBB logo in your windows and doors, or on your company
vehicles. Using The BBB Member Logo: By signing the BBB’s Membership
Identification Program (MIP) Agreement stating that your business will use
special
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procedures (such as mediation or arbitration) to resolve complaints, your
business can use the BBB Membership Logo in all print and broadcast advertising
(not relating to the Internet), including directories, business cards,
invoices, stationery, direct mail pieces, newspaper, radio, and television.
Learn more about our member logo program!
BBB
Member Listings
By phone: Every day, consumers call or visit the BBB to request information on
whom to do business with. Although the BBB does not recommend or endorse any
company, we are able to offer consumers with lists of our members in the
requested business categories. Via the Internet: These type-of-business lists
are also made available online. Members are listed by business category on the
BBB’s website and can be hyperlinked from our website to their own home
page. This Member Directory is fast becoming one of the most visited pages on
the BBB website.
Consumer Resource Guide Listing
In addition to giving you an opportunity to identify yourself as a member, the
BBB produces an annual member directory in which you are listed by your type of
business category. This listing is free of charge, and includes all current
members at the time of the books publication. Members are also invited to
advertise in this publication that is demanded and used by more than 1/2
million readers. Our bureau distributes the
Consumer Guide publication at tradeshows and more than 700 valley-wide
locations, plus it is available
online.
Credit Card Processing Program
Offered through Paymentech, a nationally-known credit card processing company,
members have the ability to accept credit card payments at discounted rates.
This program has no monthly or per-item fees, and no reprogramming fees for
existing equipment.
Reliability
Reports
Comprised of several elements, a
Reliability report is often your company’s “first
impression” to a potential customer. It tells them who you are, what kind
of business you have and how long you’ve been operating. It briefly
describes your products and/or services, your customer experience, marketplace
conduct and will indicated if there is any special licensing or regulatory
requirements for your industry. At the end of each report, the BBB shares
general information on doing business in an industry, to help your customer
make the best buying decision they can.
National/Global Access
No matter where your customer lives, as a BBB Member, your reliability report
is always available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. From the Internet, your
customer can access your information in two ways: by visiting our website at
arizonabbb.org or by using the National BBB Information System database at
bbb.org.
Member Direct Line
Need more than a “yes” or “no” option? Have to update your
report? Want to know more about a program? This exclusive line allows you to
bypass our automated system, during regular business hours, and speak directly
to one of our customer services professionals, who can assist you with whatever
questions you may have.
Educational Brochures
The BBB provides members with free business-related brochures on topics like
“Schemes Against Business” and “Effective Customer
Relations,” to name a few. The BBB also has available advertising and
online business practices brochures for your assistance. Additionally, we can
provide members with consumer brochures for your employees or customers, such
as “How To Buy A Swimming Pool”, “Buying a New Car”,
“Choosing a Roofing Company”. Contact
foundation for details.
Educational Seminars
Throughout the year, educational seminars are held with topics ranging from
employer legal issues to protecting your business against fraud. These seminars
are free to members.
Business Ethics
Awards
The Business Ethics Awards is a local program to recognize firms whose business
practices and related activities exemplify the BBB’s mission and
principles of promoting, through self-regulation, the highest standards of
business ethics and conduct. Businesses are nominated for this award, and must
meet minimum entry criteria and complete a formal application. Any company can
be nominated, but
only those that meet the application criteria are invited to apply. See the
Ethics Awards section of this website for more information. It is a
fabulous opportunity, and winners and finalists alike receive well-deserved
visibility and recognition. It can be a very powerful marketing tool. Winners
are invited to apply for the National Program.
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Newsletter/Scam Alerts
Members receive the BBB’s electronic newsletter to keep informed of a
variety of business- and consumer-related topics. Months opposite the Arizona
Bulletin newsletter, you receive the “Scam Alert for BBB Members”
with information on current and relevant scams affecting businesses. Members
have access to the electronic archive of past newsletters, and are welcome to
use content in the newsletter in their publications provided credit to the BBB
is given. Contact our public affairs department for more information.
Sponsorship and Partnering Opportunities
Designed to compliment existing marketing plans, our co-branding programs put
your company name in the forefront by putting right next to ours on some of the
BBB’s most prominent marketing tools.
“Spotlight” your member distinction, add an extra “kick” to
seasonal specials or get the jump on an upcoming promotion by taking advantage
of our “members only” marketing opportunities.
Online Member Secure Log-in
All current members have access to the member log-in on this website. Available
resources include: electronic dues payment, forms to use the BBB member logo,
logo downloads (for those pre-approved to use it), forms to join the online
program, contact information update submittals, complaint response submittals,
sign-ups for available sponsorship opportunities, newsletter archives, seminar
sign-ups, the members-only event calendar, and more.
Dispute Resolution Services
The primary role of the Dispute Resolution Department is to effectively use
alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes to open the lines of
communication between consumers and companies, and assist in resolving their
disputes.
Techniques include facilitation/conciliation, mediation, and arbitration.
Benefits of ADR processes include saving time and money through resolving
disputes more quickly, confidentiality, participating in less adversarial
processes which are more informal, and increased participation by the parties
involved as they create their own settlement. These services are free of charge
to the company and consumer involved. Arbitration decisions are final and
legally binding.
Networking Events
Members have the opportunity to make contacts and exchange ideas with other
members at free networking mixers held throughout the year. You can also meet
and network at events such as the BBB Foundation’s annual
Central Arizona Golf Classic and
Business Ethics Awards. These opportunities are listed on the
calendar for your scheduling convenience.
Local Advertising Review Panel
In partnership with the Phoenix Ad Club, the BBB has implemented a Local
Advertising Review Panel to serve as an appeals body in hearing advertising
issues that remain in dispute following the BBB’s standard review process.
The mission of this program is to build trust in advertising by promoting fair
and truthful advertising.
Online Program for E-Commerce
The BBBOnline Reliability Seal is a special program that allows members to
identify themselves on the Internet as a reliable and trustworthy business,
provided they meet certain program requirements and agree to special
complaint-handling procedures when applicable. Additional fees apply to this
program.
Tax Deductibility
The Internal Revenue Service recognizes the BBB as a reasonable and necessary
business expense, allowing your membership dues to be tax-deductible. Click
here for a PDF of our
membership brochure.
For more information please contact membership at
(602) 212-2240, toll-free at (877)291-6222, ext. 1361.
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