The Better Business Bureau: Dispute Resolution Process

The BBB is founded on the principles of self-regulation through conceptual guidelines of ethical behavior provide by the BBB itself. However, the case study paints a different picture of how ethical the BBB organization is as a whole. Taking a step back, I find the Better Business Bureau does, in theory, try to uphold standards at which each company participating can better serve their customers. Unfortunately, with the issues of unethical behavior presented throughout the case study, it is hard to determine if the BBB is a force for positive change or a force for selfish gain.

Which form of alternative dispute resolution occurs when the parties choose an impartial third party to hear and

Disputes between individuals can be resolved through mediation, tribunals and courts are sought depending on the complexity and nature of the dispute. Their effectiveness in achieving justice for and between individuals to varying extents will be assessed by their ability to uphold notions of fairness, equality, access, timeliness, enforceability and resource efficiency.

Mediation happens when a 3rd party comes in and helps improve the relationship, enhances communication, and uses effective problem solving techniques. Administrative or managerial approaches and procedures are used if conflict is between employees or members of an organization. The 3rd party, doing the mediation is allowed to make a decision if need be. This approach reminds me of how the military handles conflict within their ranks. Being in the military I have seen this process being conducted, they will allow the parties to try to resolve their own conflict, but if they cannot the authority figure does it for them. Arbitration is a private process still including a 3rd party that helps resolve the conflict. Arbitration comes in two forms med-arb and mediation then arbitration. Med-arb uses mediation as the first step to resolve the conflict, if mediation does not work they move on to arbitration, while the mediation then arbitration uses both with a different 3rd party for

Mediation happens when a 3rd party comes in and helps improve the relationship, enhances communication, and uses effective problem solving techniques. Administrative or managerial approaches and procedures used if conflict is between employees or members of an organization. The 3rd party, who does is allowed to make a decision is doing the mediation and is allowed to make a decision if need be. This approach reminds me of how the military handles conflict within their ranks. Being in the military I have seen this process conducted, they will allow the parties to try to resolve their own conflict, but if they cannot the authority figure does it for them. Arbitration is a private process still including a 3rd party that helps resolve the conflict. Arbitration comes in two forms med-arb and mediation then arbitration. Med-arb uses mediation as the first step to resolve the conflict, if mediation does not work they move on to arbitration, while the mediation then arbitration uses both with a different 3rd party for

Consumers filed complaints regarding the disputes and complaint procedures (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2015). BBB were charging high rates for its disputes and resolution services. This discredited the consumers as most could not respond due to high rates (Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2015). Furthermore, lack of responses led to the case being closed and marked as

According to the National Law Journal, 88% of lawyers prefer mediation as a way of resolving disputes. Mediation is a popular process to resolve conflicts between businesses (Jennings, 2006).

Better Business Bureau – a system of nongovernmental, independent, local regulatory agencies supported by local businesses that helps settle problems between customers and specific business firms.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a well known self-regulatory trade association in the United States. Companies that adhere to self regulation standards meaning the business will exhibit best practices and social responsibility. The BBB creates self regulatory programs for its members and uses the internet, newspaper, and media to inform the public of businesses who have violated self regulatory rules. The BBB's membership dues are around $425. The BBB's purpose is to establish a place of trust between business and consumers, as well as, dispute and complaint resolution services, reliability reports, and arbitration.

There are a handful of advertising and sales issues, as well as one complaint regarding a delivery issue. The disturbing thing about these complaints is the fact that only 22 of them are listed as being resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant. Most of the billing and collection issues are involving the customer not being able to cancel their services as they continue to be billed for services they have tried to cancel. It appears that involving the BBB does eventually prompt the company to respond with a cancellation and full refund of any amount that was paid after the initial cancellation date. However, we feel a customer shouldn't have to resort to launching a complaint with the BBB in order to get results and that The Company Corporation should attempt to correct this issue that continues to blemish their

* Given a business situation, evaluate the various options for resolving a business dispute from a legal perspective and develop an optimal course of action to resolve the dispute.

To protect the profitability and reputation of one’s business, scheduling commercial mediation to handle disputes is a wise decision.

The arbitration method consists of the selection of an impartial third party called an arbitrator that will hear and decide on the dispute. In the case of AMF v. Brunswick the ruling was that the parties were required to seek arbitration for their dispute.

“Grievance mediation is an alternative dispute resolution procedure which promises many of the advantages of arbitration in less time and at lower expense” (Roberts, Wolters, Holley, & Field, 1990). Mediation is less time consuming and the least expensive method of resolving a complaint than going forward with the arbitration process. If chosen by the complainant, grievance mediation is a completely voluntary step. This is the step prior to going forward to the arbitration process. The mediation step provides an opportunity for a

Arbitration is legal technique used to resolve any disputes outside of the courts. Arbitration allows for speedy and cheap resolution of any disputes, the parties involved in a dispute agree to appoint a third person (arbitrator) who will hear their testimonies, and look into the evidence they provide. The arbitrator's decision cannot be challenged in a law court as it is considered final and the parties involved have to accept the decision (Brams & Merrill, 1986). There are only very limited circumstances where the decision of an arbitrator can be challenged, and this is mostly if there can be proof from one of the parties showing that the arbitrator was biased in their decision or ruling. The chosen arbitrator will be an experienced person in the area of the dispute.