The Better Business Bureau has always been an important player in the continuing effort to encourage business self-regulation in New York and in America.
Our vision: An ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other
Combating Deception in Business Communications
Almost a century ago, the BBB system was founded in New York City by the Gentlemen’s Advertising League, now known as the Ad Club of New York. The initial purpose was to curb deceptive advertising practices, which hurt legitimate business communicators as well as consumers. The Better Business Bureau is a long-time leader in business communications review, fraud prevention, and education.
Nine out of ten consumers (90%) agree that if they saw a deceptive advertisement, they would ask the Better Business Bureau to investigate. - Internet survey on perceptions of BBB
Your Better Business Bureau still actively educates businesses about advertising best practices through its BBB Code of Advertising. It also helps consumers learn more about smart shopping and buying habits. In 2001, the BBB released a new set of guidelines, created to embrace issues raised by e-commerce, the BBB Code of Business Practices. The BBB system is a widely -recognized leader in international efforts to promote business self-regulation online.
Keeping Consumer Dollars in the Legitimate Economy
In 1922, the Metropolitan New York Better Business Bureau was founded by the New York Stock Exchange to fight investment fraud, a problem that is still topical and being addressed by this Bureau today. Dollars that are lost to fraudulent investments, as well as other types of scams, cannot be invested in the legitimate economy.
All reputable companies in the New York area have a stake in keeping consumer dollars circulating among firms that do business responsibly. This is an important part of the Better Business Bureau’s work.
About BBB serving Metropolitan New York
The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York is a privately-funded not-for-profit corporation serving New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, and Rockland counties. Over 1.3 million times a year, businesses and consumers contact the Metro New York Better Business Bureau via website, telephone, and by mail, seeking business and charity information. Our website at newyork.bbb.org receives over 15 million hits per year and more than a million unique users.
An impressive 81% of the general public is aware of the BBB. The BBB is the first resource identified by consumers when asked to name organizations that provide information about the reliability and reputation of businesses to help consumers decide to buy from them. The Metropolitan New York BBB is widely recognized by the news media as expert in consumer, nonprofit and business issues.
The BBB:
- Provides information on businesses and charities
- Resolves consumer-business marketplace disputes
- Educates the public on consumer and nonprofit issues
The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York has three locations:
- Manhattan, New York City
- Farmingdale, Long Island
- Tarrytown, Westchester
The Metropolitan New York Better Business Bureau, a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation, is governed by a Board of Directors and has over 6500 business members. The Long Island and Mid-Hudson communities each have an Advisory Board that provides important information, advice, and connections to the businesses located in those areas.
BBB serving Metropolitan New York Key Staff
Executive Office:
(212) 358-2803
Administration/Operations:
(212) 533-7500