The Better Business Bureau was developed as a non-profit organization to promote consumers and businesses working together for a better tomorrow. If a business meets BBB standards, they can join to promote goodwill and fair business practices. These companies pay to belong and must continue to meet membership standards. Though the BBB cannot "police" a company, they can offer reports on businesses as well as offer dispute resolution and mediation if both sides agree.

Consumers pay no fees to obtain a BBB reliability report, or to file a complaint. Angie's List, however, requires consumers to pay a fee in order to see what others wrote about a company. The paying member then can rate any company from A to F.

The BBB contacts a business once a complaint is received, to try to resolve the dispute. Angie's List does no follow up with the company, once it receives a complaint. Consumers with complaints simply post them on Angie's List site, and no further action is taken.

The BBB reports the number of complaints filed against a business, the nature of those complaints and the resolution. Firms that failed to respond to complaints receive an unsatisfactory rating (and will have BBB membership revoked, if they were a member). Angie's List makes no attempt to resolve the dispute; it only allows the consumer to "submit a report". Angie's List has no procedure for verifying if a report is accurate or factual. They do not even verify that the customer even transacted business with the company in question.

Angie's List does not verify the background of any business posted on its site. It does not verify licensing, or determine the company’s' exact nature of business.

Angie's List gives the impression that it is a great source for information, but its lack of verification and follow up regarding customer complaints contradicts its basic purpose. In fact, Angie’s list “promotes” certain businesses that agree to pay them an “enhanced listing” fee where these companies are then highlighted and put to the front, giving the false impression that they may be a more desirable company to work with. That is NOT the case.

The bottom line - Angie's List is a forum for customers to give their own personal comments about a business. It does not attempt to help the customer resolve an issue, or give factual, impartial advice on a particular business or industry.