Hooskers Direct Allusion

What a year it's been. I decided last year to start an online business. Yeah me...now what?
Well, I didn't want to use a free tools for a site that "Can get you selling online in 5 minutes". It's not that I have anything against these sort of things, it's just that I have an idea of how I want to present my business...and nothing "Instant" ever seems to fit.
So, I begin by learning some rudimentary coding, decide what type of design I want my site to have...and move forward.
I don't want to get into all of the details of what I needed, like, site certificates, Site scanning, SSL or HTTPS certs, a working store, Credit Card acceptance, and so on...But I do want to focus on 1 detail in particular, and that would be a BBB Certificate.
Not only do I believe that having a BBB Certificate is helpful, but it only takes a bit of googling to see that some others believe it's helpful as well. Some may say it's less helpful...but helpful nonetheless.
Not only that, but I've worked hard, and for many years, on running an honest business, I want to show it.
Hundreds of hours later (almost a year) and I'm about 35 days out from opening my store.

Site -check
Blog -check
Catalog -check
Hundreds of products with descriptions, images, -check
SSL certificate -check
Authorize.net credit card payment gateway -check
BBB Site Seal with my company A+ rating -che... hmmmm...it was there a minute ago...wait just a ...where did it go?

So, thinking there must be some kind of glitch on the Better Business Bureau Web servers, I contact BBB of Los Angeles. You can imagine my surprise when I find that this can no longer be done. You can imagine my greater surprise when I find that the Better Business Bureau expelled the Los Angeles BBB for Failure to meet its standards. (possible understatement). Upon googling the news, I read more.
Okay...maybe I should have googled the more part last year...didn't even enter my mind to be honest. Never heard a thing before now.

While these revelations came to me last week, and I came to realize, I may not have a BBB seal on my site, it was what happened this week that has me really concerned. You see, I pay over $400.00 annually, and $39.00 monthly to have this accreditation. All are automatically deducted from my business account (ACH is required by BBB). And while one might assume that these funds would stop being taken after the BBB was expelled...one might wrong.
You see, I received the following email:

Dear Member,
Business Consumer Alliance is in the enviable position of being a "new" organization with over 75 years of history behind it, and since last week it has been business as usual as we continue to serve you. We are grateful for the overwhelmingly positive response to our decision to become independent of the BBB--it is clear you understand that we must keep pace with the changing marketplace by expanding both the business benefits we can offer and by giving our organization a national reach.
Understandably, we've also received inquiries from members with common questions about their membership with the BCA, so we will answer those questions below. If you have a question that is not addressed below, BCA staff are available to respond to it, and to assist you in building out your new Virtual Storefront.
QUESTIONS:
What happens to my BBB membership?
As a member of the Better Business Bureau of the Southland, you are automatically a member of Business Consumer Alliance (BCA). In fact, you are a Charter Member of BCA, which is a special designation given to members who were with us during our inaugural year.
Do I have to do anything to transfer my membership?
No. You have a Business Review with BCA and a Virtual Storefront; your business is rated and you’re being shown as a Charter Member of Business Consumer Alliance.
What is the cost to be a member of the BCA?
Your membership dues will remain the same.
What happens if I am up for renewal?
The renewals will be handled the same way as before; if you pay annually, you’ll receive an invoice from BCA and if you’re on a recurring payment program, we’ll charge your credit card as we have in the past.
What do I get as a member of the BCA?
You’ll get far more benefits with BCA. We have invested an incredible amount of time, money and resources to create new products and services that will keep pace with current market trends and your business needs.
Some of the new services available to you as a member of the Business Consumer Alliance include:
· An updated and sophisticated business rating system using AAA through F.
· New, more robust Business Report.
· New, more attractive website including many new features.
· Online platform to facilitate the posting of customer reviews.
· Special processes for mediating consumer complaints
· An improved process for businesses to respond to criticisms and complaints.
· Online referral service and lead generation tools.
· Search engine-optimized content for maximum exposure to potential customers.
· Virtual Storefront which allows businesses to showcase their products and services.
What is different about the BCA?
The BCA is more inclusive and accommodates a much larger group of businesses across the United States. In addition, our services and products are up-to-date and employ new technologies to help attract new customers and retain existing ones.
What happened to my company’s reports?
You can continue to access all your company data on our website, just as before.
How do I post photos and manage the information on my virtual storefront?
Before you can start managing your storefront, you must link a user account with your business. You can start by searching for your business on our website and clicking on the “View Storefront” link to get to your virtual storefront page. Under your company information section, click on the blue “Claim Business” button and fill out the required information. A user account will be created for you and your storefront will be linked to it either immediately if we have your email address on file or we will have to link it manually, which can take a day or two.
If the button to claim your business is not visible, you probably have an existing user account. Email info@businessconsumeralliance.org if you need further assistance.
Will I receive a dynamic seal from BCA?
Yes, the code for the new seals is available at www.businessconsumeralliance.org under the “For Business” tab. The seal will allow you to embed it on your website so customers can easily see your BCA Charter Member status and have access to your report with a click of a button.
Will you still serve the LA, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange Counties?
Yes, but BCA now serves a much larger area—all of North America. This expansion of our service area will provide your business with national exposure and potentially national leads.

Please call (909) 835-6096 and we’ll assist you in adding photos and other important content to your Virtual Storefront. We’ll also answer any additional questions you may have.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,

Kiry Peng
President/CEO

Oh, your going to keep taking money from my account. How lucky I am, because I was concerned you weren't going to do that.
Oh, I'm a member of an organization I (or probably anyone) has never heard of, with a total of 27 facebook likes...feeling even luckier I am.
Oh, you've recieved " overwhelmingly positive response to our decision to become independent of the BBB"
Really??
I call B.S. and I call Shenanigans.

Well, I tried to call my bank and have the ACH Payments stopped. Little did I know that a complete nother kettle o fish awaited me.
The conversation with Bank of America would have been amusing for the fact that I couldn't do anything.

I think I'll save the whole ACH Transactions, and how to stop them, for another day. But in essence, I will need to close my business account and start another. For those that are in business, you will light a candle for me...to show solidarity.