I am looking into contacting the better business bureau, I just don't want my trauma to get any worse, and don't know much about it. It was something that happened on yelp, an online forum. I complained about the way a business owner did business with me back in February - march . the worst thing I said was that I thought the way she handled things was immature and unprofessional. (She is a reiki practitioner, and had encouraged me to take a class of hers, and on the first night there, it was clear it wasn't going to work out for me. I tried to work it out through email, but she was suddenly dismissive and defensive. I asked for my money back then, and got no reply. So I decided to write a review on yelp. That was when things got ugly. I gave her 2 stars, and complimented her art classes and reiki, but also said a little of what I had experienced. She contacted me through Facebook then, telling me to take down the review, because she had been so nice to me in the past - she thought she had helped me for free or something which I completely disagree with - and she had given me discounts on reiki. Honestly, I think thats why it made things so hard for me. Because she had been nice to me, during a time when I needed it. I trusted her.), and she shot back an inaccurate and rude response on yelp but it was also a breach of privacy for me. I think she was afraid that my negative review would tarnish her image, but I also don't see that as an excuse for her to say private stuff about me on an online forum. I ended up taking my review down. If anybody has any info to share about BBB, or just support, I would really appreciate it. I am not completely innocent either. In trying to handle it after being civil, I was kind of a ***** to her. After she bullied me on Facebook about taking my first review down, I called her arrogant and told her to put her big girl pants on, though I did remove the review. The way I asked for my money back was kind of blunt. I might have to suck it up and just move on. But this has hurt me, for some reason, very very much. This is something that has led me into a more skeptical and agnostic place in my life. I have also learned a lot about conflict, and how to handle it.

In my experience BBB's have never been helpful. I doubt people research a BBB before seeking out goods and services.

Block this individual on social media. As for Yelp, I believe you can't remove or edit reviews anyway.

Hi JustAFriend, I blocked her a long time ago. I actually had removed the reviews from yelp before, so it must be possible. I was wondering what BBB does, and how it protects consumers. That part is not clear to me from their website. How were they unhelpful to you if you don't mind me asking? Thanks for your thoughts. I think I have emotional trauma from this.

The BBB is a commerce association. Businesses pay to be members. It's similar to a Chamber of Commerce but instead the public can make input into reviewing the businesses - but a business has to be a member. A business that is sketchy to begin with wouldn't even bother to join. Essentially, the membership is of businesses that have already made a commitment to service. One would turn to a BBB not to see who was bad but who was good. Anytime I have turned to the BBB to make a complaint the business hasn't been a member anyway.

[KarenSue]

So sorry, starrysky. Naturally you would have a trauma reaction to that. Here is my experience with the BBB.

I have been in a position within a company where I was responsible for marketing, among other decisions.

The BBB constantly mailed us to join, and even visited the business on more than one occasion. They were salesmen, plain and simple, and on a salary paid by the non-profit BBB.

They preached the way we could display their logo on our storefront and use it in all of our advertising. "We are having a special price on membership today if you act now and pay 2 years in advance". I certainly never fell for their sales pitch. BBB never did any kind of background check on my company b4 approaching us. I saw them go from business to business down the strip mall in one day.

Also, BBB President, Steve Cox, makes $300,000 in salary alone, I just read. no wonder they were so persistent!

I personally give no heed to the BBB, which has also been under investigation for fraud.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

Those types of services usually don't offer refunds. If you paid with a credit card or PayPal you do have the option of filing a fraud complaint.

Again, I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

I don't have experience of this but just wanted to add as an outsider if I read a combative response to a review it makes me think worse about the business owner. It sounds like she has done herself no favors in writing personal slights about a customer. Hold your head up high, you kept your dignity.

[BipolarMama31]

Sorry about this interaction. I would be upset also. Especially when it involves money.

With big companies i always make my complaint on their twitter. I get answers immediately. Compared to calling customer service or whatever complaint board they have.

Since its a small business i would say go ahead and repost a negative yelp review. If she posts private info about you again, save it, im not sure but it could be illegal.
I am pretty good at these situations, so what i would do is save whatever she writes back and threaten a law suit if it applies.
It sounds like she bullied you into removing your post. Thats ridiculous. I say repost.

And again, im so sorry you are having to devote stress and emotional energy into a problem that she could have fixed months ago.

Thanks everyone! The things you said made me feel better, and I appreciate the info about BBB. BipolarMama, thanks for the sentiment. I'm not sure if that's something I'm ready to do (repost the review), but its something to consider in the future, and I would put stuff about how she bullied me, into it. I'm just really not sure I could handle her lashing back at me in any form if that were to happen right now.

[BipolarMama31]

I understand starry.
It takes a lot out emotionally. Pick your battles I guess.

Good luck!

[notz]

Just a thought... is she required to register or be licensed by your state? That would be a complaint that would probably remain anonymous and have genuine impact if others have reported her as well.

Originally Posted by notz

Just a thought... is she required to register or be licensed by your state? That would be a complaint that would probably remain anonymous and have genuine impact if others have reported her as well.

This is a great idea!

How to Identify a Covert Narcissist | The Exhausted Woman

After reading this article a few days ago, I think this is her. She fits all the criteria from what I've experienced of her, and I was reading another article about how they are really ruthless to you if you have a falling out, disagreement, etc.

I looked up reiki license and registration on google and came up with nothing. I could research more, but I really don't feel like it right now. Kinda just wanna move on.

Thanks everyone.