Better Business Bureau of Middle TN Arbitrator sided with the member company. I requested BBB hearing recording and verified improprieties. Notified BBB and National office no response. Nashville Tennessee

I had an arbitration hearing August 2014, to resolve an issue I had with a time share advocacy group. I attended the hearing via telephone and the company owner and his attorney attended in person. This hearing was a farce and waste of my time. Obviously, the arbitrator was newly trained and the only thing she remembered was find in favor of the BBB member. Before I proceed, I would like to make note of the fact that I requested, and recceived, a copy of the arbitration hearing recording that will substantiate and prove my accusations.  To date, the Middle TN BBB has never responded to my letter of complaint regarding this hearing.  I sent a complaint to The Council of Better Business Bureau in Arlington, VA. 

They returned my large manilla envelope unopened. What is most upsetting is the FACT the arbitrator had a private meeting with the company before or after our Hearing.  There are situations in the "Reasons for Decisions" not brought up or discussed during the Hearing that I attended.  For example, there are references to people and statements that were not discussed during the Hearing.  The arbitrator relied on statements, as truth, attributed to a company employee, who did not attend the meeting, nor was he conferenced in. Although he was my primary contact at the company.  Thus, he should have been present in some form. I presented tons of emails sent to the company as acknowledged by the arbitrator. She asked were there any emails sent by the company to me because she didn’t see any. 

Questions went unanswered by the company owner and not once was he directed to answer the questioin. There was no reference to this issue in the Reasons for Decisions.  The company was always present and able to respond to all of my statements.  Part of my proof of non-service by the company was a series of correspondence I wrote.  I was beyond shocked when the company claimed authorship of my correspondence. The owner stated, I was provided with the wording for the letters. I received one letter from the company that was so unprofessional and badly written I used the "send to" information only. Although, I sent copies of every piece of correspondence sent and received to the company for their records.

In addition, I was to recieve 308,000 vacation points, that I paid for, and didn't get. I was offered them at the hearing and I declined.  The money I was refunded for these points ($2,695.00) was also an insult. Had I known beforehand, accepting the points would have been a beter option.  Although, the company handling the points was in court on racketeering charges. So, I just envisioned myself continuing the battle for the points.  I was awarded this pittance by the arbitrator and didn't receive a check, as expected, until my hearing complaint letter to the TN BBB. This was the only part of the complaint letter that was responded to.  I notified the BBB that I considered the decision, as rendered by the arbitrator, null and void due to the improprieties and membership bias.

The arbitrator went overboard in trying to justify and defend her decision. It reminded me of a defense attorney making closing arguments. She even included a point, she felt valid for the company, but stated it was not included in the issues, yet was included in her determination letter.  There was no thought given to the fact that verbal statements were made and accepted as truth when I was not present. I had a right to refute the company's statements that had an impact on the final decision of this hearing, had it been a true impartial hearing. I engaged the services of this company after they approached me and upon checking their rating with the BBB.  I will never, ever trust the BBB in any state and have learned my lesson.  Don't trust the rating the BBB gives it's members becuase they are purchased with membership dues.