Posted by caryn keller on 12/21/06 1:09pm
Msg #167173

collection suggestion

First a question? I have read about other notaries threats to contact the BBB. I contacted the BBB on two outstanding invoices and they told me there was nothing they could do? Here is the suggestion. I have had good luck when I threaten to file at small claims court. The two times I have brought this up, I have gotten paid. The thing is I am perfectly willing to follow up and file if I have to. Just got a call today from the owner of a company saying how mean I was because I told her employee that I would file against the employee (because she was my contact person). Why tip toe around? Yes it is shame to have to hunt down money. But it seems to be a common occurrence. Maybe if notaries got very tough and aggressive, it would help the business. Small claims is cheaper than collections, even if it is a hassle. P.S. the owner that just called me told me a was a loser when I told her I was going after her so harshly because I read about her company on notary/rotary.

Reply by TRG_wy on 12/21/06 1:29pm
Msg #167183

You can file BBB complaints online. They ahave a form that you complete that places them in the recovery process to the extent that they notify the SA of the complaint and solicit a responce. The online complaint does go on record against the SA as well. So, rather than call the BBB, go online to the BBB nearest the SA.

The threat of small claims suit works for me as well. And if it comes to that is does work. Just keep excellent records to back all your claims. The judgement is a very black mark against the SA and their future business.

Reply by Sherri_mo on 12/21/06 2:04pm
Msg #167194

I have to agree with the previous poster that the BBB (in St. Louis anyhow) will not even get involved. They just sent me a return email telling me that they were not a debt collector and only handled product discrepancies.

Reply by TRG_wy on 12/21/06 2:21pm
Msg #167200

Should read they notify the SS (Signing Service or business) not SA, which of course is us.

Use the BBB online service. Don't bother calling or writing them directly because the office people just don't care.
They are not a collection service, but they do handle complaints, that is what they are there for. I have been a BBB business member for many years.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 12/21/06 4:14pm
Msg #167232

Every BBB complaint I have tried to file has been denied. They tell me that they do not do business to business complaints, only consumer.

Reply by TRG_wy on 12/21/06 4:48pm
Msg #167244

Did you complete the online complaint form?
I've never seen this issue. Shouldn't make a difference if you are a consumer/customer (which we are to the SS) or a business screwing over another business - it is still a valid complaint.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 12/21/06 5:03pm
Msg #167245

Yes, I filed the complaint online and that was the response I got. They told me they felt it was also
an employer-employee issue also and I explained that I was not an employee but a independent contractor. Still same answer.

Reply by TRG_wy on 12/21/06 5:29pm
Msg #167247

Wow. I guess that the few times I was forced to utilize the BBB against SS I was lucky. Since I am a member myself, I'll have to contact them on clearification for this - just for future reference. Thx

Reply by PAW on 12/21/06 7:07pm
Msg #167264

I too have been told by local FL BBB's that my beef is not a "consumer complaint".

If you go to the BBB's website (www.BBB.com) and look under "Business", you will find the following information:

Before you begin filing your complaint with the Better Business Bureau, please note:

The BBB's goal is to successfully resolve complaints involving buyers and sellers in a fair and timely fashion. This includes complaints involving consumer-to-business and business-to-business transactions that involve the advertisement and/or sale of a product or service. Information concerning the nature and resolution of complaints filed with the BBB is used in developing BBB reports on companies. The BBB accepts complaints involving both BBB members AND non-members.

Better Business Bureaus generally do not handle complaints which are more effectively handled by other government or private agencies or the legal system, such as complaints involving employment practices, discrimination, or matters in litigation.

Once you tell the BBB rep that, they typically will take your information. However, both times I've been told that my complaint (non-payment of services) needs to be handled by the agency that regulates the title company, DOFR. I went to small claims instead!

Reply by TRG_wy on 12/21/06 8:27pm
Msg #167280

Thanks for the info.
I filed my complaint as business to business I guess and that is why I didn't have an issue.

Just as an aside - I did this once with SOX before I removed them from my list. There were several other complaints listed there for non-payment against them. I do believe that reports filed against business are viewable by anyone.