My Experience with Business Bureau: A Cautionary Tale
check_circlePros
- You'll get some experience, but it's not worth the cost
- The managers are friendly, but that's about it
- They'll show you some businesses, but they're not always what they seem
- You might learn a thing or two, but it's not enough to justify the cost
- The support is good, but it's not worth paying for
- You'll get a fancy website, but it won't make you money
cancelCons
- The experience will be negative, and it'll cost you
- The businesses they show you are often unprofitable or don't exist
- You'll be pushed into buying a pre-made online store or franchise from their 'marketplace'
- The upfront fee is steep, and you'll regret it
- The whole thing is a scam, and you'll lose your money
- You'll waste your time and money on a business that won't succeed
Editor's Summary
I'm sharing my story with Business Bureau in the hopes of saving others from making the same costly mistakes I did. I signed up thinking I'd get a profitable business and deal support, but what I got was a bunch of unprofitable businesses and a hefty upfront fee of 70,000 rubles. I'm still trying to make sense of it all, and I want to warn others to steer clear of this company.
Specifications
I'm sharing my story with Business Bureau in the hopes of saving others from making the same costly mistakes I did.
At first, everything seemed too good to be true: friendly managers, supposedly vetted businesses, guarantees, curators, and support – it all sounded like a dream come true. They promised me a profitable business and deal support, and I, like many others, fell for the 'pretty picture' and signed a contract, paying a hefty upfront fee of 70,000 rubles.
That's when things started to get really interesting.
They showed me 2-3 businesses that, upon closer inspection, were either unprofitable or existed only on paper. In some cases, the business owners couldn't even explain the key financial aspects during consultations. But the managers kept assuring me that everything was under control, just 'this isn't your cup of tea, we'll find another one.'
It soon became clear that their real goal wasn't to sell me a working business, but to eventually push me into buying a pre-made online store or franchise from their 'marketplace,' which they'd get a double commission from – both from me and the seller. These offers often turned out to be thinly veiled junk that wouldn't bring in any income.
Trying to terminate the contract was almost impossible: they'd claim 'work is being done' even when it was just a demo of clearly unsuitable projects. They'd drag their feet when it came to refunds, and you'd be lucky to get a fraction of your money back.
The Verdict: A masterfully crafted scheme of psychological pressure, beautifully presented, but with no accountability in sight. If my review saves just one person, it'll be worth it. Be vigilant, and don't fall for their 'sweet promises.'
