What is a BBB?

Better Business Bureaus are private non-profit organizations supported largely by membership dues paid by business and professional groups in each Bureaus' service area.

History

On February 24, 1950, a group of Baton Rouge's most prominent business leaders met in the board room of the Chamber of Commerce to organize a committee for the development of a Better Business Bureau in the Baton Rouge area. In May 1950, the BBB of South Central Louisiana began providing services to it's twelve surrounding parishes from the offices at 444 Florida Street. The Bureau was located for a short time on Lafayette Street. Then, following the movement of businesses, the BBB offices moved to Wooddale Boulevard to which they remained for twenty-four years. Most recently, the Better Business Bureau has made its home in the Heart of Baton Rouge at 748 Main Street. The BBB has recently celebrated 50 years of service to the Baton Rouge area and will proudly serve businesses and consumers well into the future.

How do Better Business Bureaus serve their communities?

Better Business Bureaus:
  • Provide reports on business firms that will be helpful to you before making a purchase. The BBB system responds to millions of such inquiries each year;
  • Provide information about charity groups and organizations;
  • Help resolve consumers' disputes with businesses through telephone conciliation, mediation and arbitration; and
  • Promote ethical business standards and voluntary self-regulation of business practices.

How do I join my local Better Business Bureau?

Better Business Bureaus are independently supported by the business communities within their designated service area.

If you have a business in a BBB's service area and qualify under the BBB Membership Standards, your support is encouraged. Your BBB membership dues are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes, but may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses.