Editing Better Business Bureau (section)

===Dispute resolution procedures===
BBB handles complaints from consumers about their marketplace experiences with businesses, and also publishes customer reviews both positive and negative. The organization provides dispute resolution through procedures established by the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, and implemented by local BBBs. Usually, disputes can be resolved through mediation; when appropriate, low- or no‑cost arbitration may also be offered and provided through the BBB.  BBB acts as a neutral party when providing dispute resolution services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbb.org/us/Dispute-Resolution-Services/Process/ |title=Dispute Resolution Processes and Guides – U.S. BBB |publisher=Bbb.org |access-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402220704/http://www.bbb.org/us/Dispute-Resolution-Services/Process |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Complaints about the practice of professions like medicine and law are usually not handled by BBB and are referred to associations regulating those professions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roos |first=Dave |url=http://money.howstuffworks.com/better-business-bureau4.htm |title=HowStuffWorks "File a Complaint with a BBB " |publisher=Money.howstuffworks.com |date=December 10, 2008 |access-date=March 29, 2012}}</ref> BBB does not handle complaints that have gone to court or are in the process of going to court as the complaint is already being handled by an alternate entity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peoples-law.org/node/901 |title=Alternatives to Going to Court &#124; The People's Law Library |publisher=Peoples-law.org |access-date=March 29, 2012}}</ref>

If BBB receives a consumer dispute, BBB contacts the business in question and offers to mediate the dispute. A business does not need to be a member of BBB to use its mediation services. BBB accreditation, or membership, is completely optional for a business to accept and participate in through the payment of dues. Past complaints allege that BBB compiles ratings based upon their ability to collect money from businesses, and not entirely upon business performance.<ref name="nbc4i1">{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |author1=Patrick Preston |url=http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/nov/19/better-business-bureau-changes-ratings-system-foll-ar-296803/ |title=Better Business Bureau Changes Ratings System Following Criticism |website=nbc4i.com |date=November 19, 2010 |access-date=May 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130002526/http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/nov/19/better-business-bureau-changes-ratings-system-foll-ar-296803/ |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  However, since 2010, no relationship exists between a business's rating and its accreditation status.{{fact|date=May 2024}}