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Better Business Bureau Confirms: Trump University Had a D- Rating
Townhall.com ^ | March 8, 2016 | Katie Pavlich

Posted on 03/08/2016 11:46:54 AM PST by Kaslin

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Over the past week, Better Business Bureau has provided several statements in response to public inquiries about the BBB Business Review for Trump Entrepreneur Initiative (formerly Trump University). These statements remain available on our website. We are issuing a further statement today, in response to a number of inaccurate reports that continue to be repeated.

For purposes of this statement, we will refer to Trump University, which is how it is most often referred to in news stories. There is only one BBB Business Review for Trump University, and we noted the name change to Trump Entrepreneur Initiative  when it was brought to our attention by the company.

1. BBB did not send a document of any kind to the Republican debate site last Thursday evening. The document presented to debate moderators did not come from BBB that night.

2. Trump University does not currently have an A rating with BBB. The BBB Business Review for this company has continually been “No Rating” since September 2015.  Prior to that, it fluctuated between D- and A+.

3. The document posted on social media on Thursday night was not a current BBB Business Review of Trump University.  It appeared to be part of a Business Review from 2014.

4. BBB ratings are based on information we obtain about a business, including complaints received from the public.  The reporting period is three years.  Detailed information about BBB ratings is available on all 5.3 million Business Reviews on our website, bbb.org.

5. At no point did BBB change the rating of Trump University based upon a demand from anyone.  BBB followed its standard evaluation process applicable to all businesses. 

6. During the period when Trump University appeared to be active in the marketplace, BBB received multiple customer complaints about this business. These complaints affected the Trump University BBB rating, which was as low as D- in 2010.  As the company appeared to be winding down, after 2013, no new complaints were reported. Complaints over three years old automatically rolled off of the Business Review, according to BBB policy. As a result, over time, Trump University’s BBB rating went to an A in July 2014 and then to an A+ in January 2015.

7.  Trump University has never been a BBB Accredited Business.  The document handed to the debate moderators on Thursday night could not have been an actual “Better Business Bureau accreditation notice” for this business.

To be accredited, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB Accreditation Standards which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.

BBB publishes ratings for both Accredited and non-Accredited businesses when we have sufficient information and the business continues to operate. While a business may earn an A rating from BBB by improving its customer record over time, BBB Accredited Businesses must meet higher requirements. Businesses must first earn a high rating and confirm compliance with other BBB Accreditation Standards before being eligible for Accreditation.  Once Accredited, they are vetted annually and must maintain compliance with the Standards to continue as a BBB Accredited Business.
Source

1 posted on 03/08/2016 11:46:54 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

was the letter that he produced at the debate forged?


2 posted on 03/08/2016 11:48:59 AM PST by JohnBrowdie (http://forum.stink-eye.net)
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To: Kaslin

Having actually watched the clip of Trump presenting the fax, I can say that he never said it was from the BBB directly. He said it was sent from his office. Any suggestion that it came directly from BBB is a lie (the Big Lie, in this case), and a feeble attempt to in turn accuse Trump of lying.


3 posted on 03/08/2016 11:49:44 AM PST by Little Pig
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To: Kaslin

As a small biz owner, I can tell you BBB ratings are a matter of money.

ABC did a piece on this in 2010. BBB the best ratings money can buy.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/business-bureau-best-ratings-money-buy/story?id=12123843


4 posted on 03/08/2016 11:49:53 AM PST by austinaero
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To: Kaslin

How fast will the Trumpeters foam up and scream fake?


5 posted on 03/08/2016 11:49:57 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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To: austinaero

BBB gave a Hamas front group an A- rating and has also giving Wolfgang Puck an F rating, with no justification. Also gave Ritz Carlton an F rating.

It’s pay for play at BBB, always has been.


6 posted on 03/08/2016 11:51:55 AM PST by austinaero
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To: Kaslin

So if someone anyone complains about any company that is a start up company, automatic D rating by the BBB. Kinda stupid to put whole lot of weight in this.


7 posted on 03/08/2016 11:52:18 AM PST by Red Steel
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To: JohnBrowdie

It’s possible, but I have no idea.


8 posted on 03/08/2016 11:52:33 AM PST by Kaslin (He needed theThe l ignorant to reelect him. He got them and now we have to pay the consequences)
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To: Kaslin

A+ before the real estate collapse in 2008

D- in 2010 due to 14 complaints out of 30,000, 9 of which were resolved and unresponsive

A in 2012 as complaints were resolved

Unrated in 2016 as 3 years passed without activity


9 posted on 03/08/2016 11:52:39 AM PST by Hostage (ARTICLE V)
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To: Kaslin

So, Trump’s a liar.

I wonder if all the TrumpBots who were hollaring “Cruz is a LIAR” will now consider Trump disqualified too.


10 posted on 03/08/2016 11:52:53 AM PST by Boogieman
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To: Kaslin
Trump University did in fact receive a D- rating and didn't improve to an A-rating until nearly 10 years after it was established

Helps to read the story rather then just get all excited over the headline

11 posted on 03/08/2016 11:53:04 AM PST by MNJohnnie ( Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered)
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To: PIF

Cruz’s fault.


12 posted on 03/08/2016 11:53:30 AM PST by longfellowsmuse (last of the living nomads)
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To: Kaslin
Does it matter to you that BBB is big into illegal immigration, and that's why they may be joining the resistance to the restoration of America for Americans?

“Operating under the guise of ‘legitimate authority’ – a title which was never officially given by any government agency, the highly profitable BBB abuses non-member businesses and consumers through intimidation, coercion, bogus ‘ratings,’ favoritism and blackmail. Businesses caught up in this Mafia-like racket have used terms such as shakedown, criminal, illegal, immoral, and unjust when they find out the truth about the BBB, and how their businesses are affected by this fraudulent organization.”

Another source (Orlando Sentinel) claims that the KEL Law Firm sued the Better Business Bureau over rating system. The suit alleges the rating system is flawed, erroneous, misleading and, in short, anything but the unbiased process the BBB claims in its promotional material.

The bureau “intentionally provides biased and inconsistent ratings of businesses, specifically favoring businesses that have chosen to pay money to and participate in the Defendants own accreditation program,” the suit said.


13 posted on 03/08/2016 11:53:32 AM PST by Albion Wilde (Who can actually defeat the Democrats in 2016? -- the most important thing about all candidates.)
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To: Kaslin

In before the Trumper BBB conspiracy theory.

Trump just lied. Happens.


14 posted on 03/08/2016 11:53:35 AM PST by TheThirdRuffian (RINOS like Romney, McCain, Trump, and Rubio are sure losers. No more!)
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To: Kaslin

So the “A+” rating Trump was talking about only came about because the company had basically been forced out of business by the complaints, and since they had not been doing business for more than 3 years, all of the complaints had rolled off the record.


15 posted on 03/08/2016 11:53:41 AM PST by CA Conservative (Texan by birth, Californian by circumstance)
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To: austinaero

As part of the ABC News investigation, an ABC News producer with a camera was present as two small business owners in Los Angeles were told by Better Business Bureau tele-marketers that their grades of C could be raised to A plus if they paid $395 membership fees.

Terri Hartman, the manager of a Los Angeles antique fixtures store, Liz’s Antique Hardware, was told only a payment could change her grade, based on one old complaint that had already been resolved.

“So, if I don’t pay, even though the complaint has been resolved, I still have a C rating?”

Hartman then read off her credit card number and the next business day the C grade was replaced with an A plus, and the one complaint was wiped off the record.

In a second case, Carmen Tellez, the owner of a company that provides clowns for parties was also told she had to pay to fix her C- grade, based on a two-year old complaint that she says had already been resolved.

The C minus became an A plus the very next day after she provided her credit card number for the $395 charge.

“If I’m paying for a grade, then how are the customers supposed to really trust the Better Business Bureau?” she asked.

This is very true. We’ve seen it with our own business which has ZERO complaints...but our rating depends on what we pay.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/business-bureau-best-ratings-money-buy/story?id=12123843


16 posted on 03/08/2016 11:53:44 AM PST by austinaero
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To: PIF

The just can’t face the truuth, and I expect this to be moved to chat with those ridiculous topics any time


17 posted on 03/08/2016 11:54:57 AM PST by Kaslin (He needed theThe l ignorant to reelect him. He got them and now we have to pay the consequences)
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To: Hostage
From the article:

" no new complaints were reported. Complaints over three years old automatically rolled off of the Business Review, according to BBB policy. As a result, over time, Trump University’s BBB rating went to an A in July 2014 and then to an A+ in January 2015."

What what the complaints stopped? ...ME-Gyn and Cruoozers don't want that.

18 posted on 03/08/2016 11:55:27 AM PST by Red Steel
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To: Kaslin
Prior to that, it fluctuated between D- and A+.

so everyone is right?

19 posted on 03/08/2016 11:56:02 AM PST by Raycpa
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To: PIF

Do you own a small business? Are you listed with the BBB?


20 posted on 03/08/2016 11:56:10 AM PST by austinaero
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