The Bekins/BBB Controversy
The other day I wrote about how horrible a reputation that Bekins Van Lines had. Now to add to that there is one hell've controversy brewing.
When I was looking at the BBB (Better Business Bureau) reports of Bekins I couldn't understand how a moving company that has a higher than industry norms of complaints against them can have such a high BBB score (click here to see their report). It just doesn't make sense. Everyone from J.D. Powers and Associates to MovingScam.com all say that this company is not to be trusted or rates below standards yet the BBB says that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Well I now know why.
Greg Hoover, the man the Bekins hired last year to be their CEO, has also been appointed to the Board of Directors for the BBB.
Talk about conflict of interest!
Of course, from Bekins and Greg Hoover's perspective it is a great move. Bekins admits that they are not up to standard in the moving industry, so where else to get your foot in the door and influence the public's mind than the venerable BBB. Of course the BBB is not going to give Bekins or their agents bad BBB reports when their CEO is on the Board of Directors.
Here is the BBB's press release about this appointment of Greg Hoover:
Chicago, IL – July 12, 2010 - Greg Hoover, Chief Executive Officer of Bekins Van Lines, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. Hoover joined Bekins in September, 2009, with the company’s recapitalization and restructuring, and has been charged by Bekins’ new board with redefining the strategic course for the country’s oldest van line.
A veteran of the transportation industry since 1985, Greg was previously the Chief Operating Officer at Atlas World Group. Other roles in his tenure at Atlas included Chief Marketing Officer for Atlas World Group, and several roles at Atlas Van Lines including President, Senior Vice President of Sales Development and Vice President of Sales. He is best known for strategic product and market development, and in addition to a corporate re-branding and the development of the expedited containerized product, Atlas Accel, he led the team that created the Atlas subsidiary Avail Resource Management, of which he was subsequently named President. He also served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of A.B.C. Moving & Storage, a multi-branch Atlas agent headquartered in St. Louis.
“We are very pleased to have Greg Hoover, with his deep background in the development of corporate strategy and market driven solutions, on our Board of Directors,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “As a long-time supporter of the BBB, Greg understands the importance that ethical business behavior has in creating and sustaining a successful business. His knowledge and active participation in BBB programs continue to be an even greater benefit and example to our 7,000 current northern Illinois Accredited Businesses, along with those wishing to apply for Accreditation.”
Greg holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Huntington University and is a participant of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), Employee Relocation Council (ERC) and is a member of the Bekins Board of Directors.
Based on the BBB's on mission statement they are there to promote ethical standards in the business community. But, let me ask you this: How can they do this when a horrible company like Bekins is given an "A+" rating when everyone else is saying the complete opposite? How can they have a CEO of company be on there Board of Directors where they can influence there own BBB report?
Here is the BBB's mission statement taken fro their website:
As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.
I don't know about you, but I know that I can never trust the BBB again when they will allow a bad company have their highest rating and they will appoint the CEO of that company to their Board of Directors. Appalling!
Hello, I am Jae Burnham. I started this business a little over 4 years ago. And it has been a wild ride ever since. I truly hope you found what it was that you were looking for, but if not I would love to hear any questions or comments you may have. Email me at usavemovingandstorage@gmail.com or call me at 330-887-2834. Thank you, and good luck with your move.
Related posts:
- Bekins Van Lines Hires New CEO; Admits They Are Lacking.
- Bekins Van Lines Suck…
- Bekins Van Lines: Bekins Moving Company Review
Tags: atlas van lines, atlas world group, bbb, Bbb Reports, Bekins, bekins van lines, better business bureau, Greg Hoover, jd powers and associates
