Member Business Assistance Program

For over 75 years, the Bureau has been recognized as the place people turn to resolve disputes. We developed the BBB Business Assitance Program to help members who have business-to-business disputes with another company. Often, disputes of this type result in non-payment for goods and services or past due accounts.

While the Bureau isn't a collection agency, we will contact the other party by certified mail with your dispute and offer mediation. In order to use the program the debt must be at least $200 and 45 days past due.

Experience tells us that a certain percentage of the accounts won't pay, no matter what. But there are those businesses that are concerned about the BBB reliability report or may feel that they have a legitimate reason for withholding payment. The Business Assistance Program can open up a line of communication that has otherwise deteriorated.

Complaint processed by the BBB- When a business-to-business complaint is received from a BBB member, it is sent by certified mail to the company named in your complaint, for review and resolution. The company has 15 days to respond. If the company responds to the complaint, a copy of the response is sent to the member. If the complaint is resolved or the member wishes the case closed, we take no additional action.

Complaint answered but not resolved- If the case is answered but not resolved, and if the member requests it, the Bureau will contact the company named in the complaint to offer mediation and/or arbitration.

If mediation fails, and an agreement is reached, an arbitration hearing is set. The case will be heard by a trained arbitrator.

Complaint not answered, or mediation/arbitration is declined- The dispute statistic will be made part of the company's BBB reliability report. It will be reported to the marketplace for a 3 year period and given to callers, as well as being reported on the BBB website.

We will process complaints ONLY for companies located in Upstate New York.

To file a Business Assitance Program complaint, please fill out the information below or call the regional Members Direct Line at 800-828-5000 ext. 230, Cynthia Braun.

In compliance with the BBB Privacy Policy, the Upstate New York BBB will use the information you provide below only for the purposes for which you have given permission.
Your Company Information:
Your Company Name   
Your Company Address
City   State   Zip
Company Contact Name
Contacts Email Address  
Contacts Phone Number

Information On The Business In Dispute With:
Their Company Name   
Their Company Address
City   State   Zip
Company Contact Name
Contacts Phone Number

Complaint Description:
Briefly describe your dispute:

Settlement Being Sought:
What settlement would you consider fair?

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