The BBB states that it evaluates members and non-members of the Bureau objectively and equally. It states that it does not support or recommend any rated business. In recent years this aspect has been questioned in the eyes of consumers and the media. The question of how the BBB can remain objective in rating companies when they receive money from some of them has been asked since the BBB now offers a membership. Like most organizations that must meet standards that provide accreditation, the BBB charges a company a fee for the time and costs associated with reviewing and monitoring your organization. By purchasing a BBB annual membership, or accreditation fee as they call it, of $425, the company is then able to display the BBB logo at their business and on their products. website to demonstrate that they comply with the BBB to attract more customers. However, businesses that don't purchase the subscription can't advertise the logo and then wonder whether or not they are being evaluated on the same basis as the others? Enter the BBB "Pay-for-Play" scandal uncovered by the ABC network in 2010. Wolfgang Puck is a world-famous chef. He also owns several restaurants. There is also the Ritz-Carlton, a world-renowned high-class hotel. Both companies have been given good and bad ratings by the BBB due to various types of customer complaints. This is confusing since both Wolfgang Puck and the Ritz-Carlton are known for their excellence in service and product. How can BBB grades and Fs be assigned? In the case in question Wolfgang Puck claimed that some BBB employees gave higher ratings to companies that paid to be members of the BBB and gave lower ratings to companies this didn't do... half the paper... BBB should take into consider expanding internationally. E-commerce is the future of retail and the future is here! More and more consumers are shopping all over the world thanks to Internet commerce. When we make these purchases now, we mostly rely solely on consumer ratings. I believe there is a great economic opportunity in expanding into the global market. The BBB is already a household name. It makes sense to expand into international markets and expand the trust consumers already have globally. The backup plan would be to maintain business as usual. I don't think the BBB will go out of business anytime soon. It still has a solid reputation. However, I don't see their business growing unless they expand their business into the world of e-commerce or diversify their services in some way to meet the needs of consumers and businesses of the future..