Second Life Business Bureau

Original post: /invalid_link.html



[left]Hello everyone. I'm pleased to announce the humble beginning of the Second Life Better Business Bureau.
[/left]

This is a non-profit endeavor, and there are no fees in US$ or L$. None at all. I wanted to create a safe place where people can discuss business in Second Life. A safe place where you can discuss things when transactions go bad, customer service is poor or the item you bought just plain doesn't work and you're getting no help from the seller.

My idea for the SLBBB is loosely based on real-life BBBs in the U.S. Buyer files a complaint (in this case, in a forum dedicated to complaints). The seller is then contacted and given a chance to log into the site and respond. They go back and forth and hopefully work out their differences. Whatever the outcome, when there is a conclusion either way, the threads are locked and archived for the public record.

The site will only be successful if its used, and I hope people make use of it. No one can post on behalf of themselve or a company without verifying their identity in-world through the SLBBB-alt Sim Overlord. Once that ID verification is complete, that users forum profile will be marked "ID Verified," and people will know they are dealing with the real person or a designated representative of a company. (Only group officers of a company can designate a company spokesperson, which will also be verified in-world.)

Nothing is automated about this site except the forum signup. All verifications will be completed by real people to lessen the chance of fraud.

So who the hell am I? I've been an active member since June 2004 and love Second Life. I've been disheartened lately by the amount of fraud being reported in the forums and frustrated that people can't express themselves about it as freely as they'd like.I'm starting small and will be handling all of the verifications myself, but will expand and start hiring helpers when the load gets to be too much for me.

I am also in need of someone to design a seal for the SLBBB, similar to the BBB seal, that can be displayed by businesses and individuals who support our strong belief that business ethics should be practiced in Second Life.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me in-world or via email at [email=aaronlevy@gmail.com]aaronlevy@gmail.com[/email].

I notice that slbbb.com is now one of those annoying search engine sites.

I also note that the "original post" linked to above is apparently to a missing thread.

I wonder what happened to that thread.

Perhaps it was finally determined that SL does not (yet) need such a thing? I imagine that it went completely inactive shortly (or immediately) after conception, though I don't actually know that since I never had enough interest to check it out.

I do think that SL will eventually have such a thing as a resource for residents, but I admit to a certain amount of skepticism about it being started as a grassroots kind of deal. If an existing RL BBB-type corporation was behind it, then I could see it happening and being accepted somewhat easier.

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RED FLAG. You added one more b to it than that other group and you both have the same mission statement. Most know about the antics of the other group. I hope this is not a re-hash.

wow, so are you going to extort other players like the current SLBB? You know tell them to pay money or you'll smear their name? GOtta love player run police groups

Wasn't using "Second Life" and/or "Linden" in conjunction with an unofficial inworld group a service terms violation?

I guess I'm wrong, if "Second Life Business Bureau" is okay, but... I thought those were the rules once. How times change.

Maybe I should call myself the "Second Life Land Bureau"? Same level of accuracy...

I think it is time for SL residents to ban together to pressure LL to do something about the rampant fraud. I bought a lot of land in a sim and the owner has absconded and locked all the sim residents out, or so it seems, and will not reply to IM. I have filed an Abuse Report, but from what I hear, LL will not do much about this kind of thing. We, as residents need to find a way to protect ourselves and pressure LL to do more.

Yeah, what's that all about? I went to the site and it looks like some kind of random phishing spam or something.

There has been much misaligned information bounded about, regarding the SLBB.. Before continuing with this post, I declare that I am a member. I became a member because having taken the time to read all their documentation, mission statements and met the founder, listened in on meetings, read up on members, read these forums.. I am convinced that SL needs an organisation that not only offers a variety of business related information, but also help in becoming established.

For the most part, SL resembles the 'Wild West' and is it's own worst enemy. The SLBB is a new organisation with honest goals. It's is true they will/have made mistakes but what is very important, they continue to strive to get it right and deserve support.

For those that think that by paying a fee, gives them a 'sheild' against bad business better think again. Being a member only gives you access to facilities and information. It also balances that by making you accountable, not just to the people of SL, but also other members.

Unless SL finds some way to 'police itself', we could find ourselves being forced to accept other peoples/organisations rules. Those brave enough to take on a role of trying to create a better business platform, do not deserve the easy stance that some seem to take, in simply critising from the sidelines, why don't they join and add their voice in shaping something already started, or start their own organisation.. or are they afraid of others critising them?
It's easy to stand by and watch other fail, it takes a whole lot more to join in and make a difference.

As this group makes up it's ow arbritary business rules of conduct and posts a blacklist of SL Business People. Beware.


Power trips, extortion and character assasination. That's what the game needed: A replacement of the ratings system to be used to harass people.

I make an assumption that you have had a bitter experience with the SLBB. I cannot coment on that, nor should I. What I can say is, the SLBB provide a raft of litrature for those wishing to adopt good business practises within SL, they hold seminars and events, introducing many proven elements to making a business professional. They investigate claims of unfair business, not just on those non-members, but also on its own members.
Given the information supplied by both parties, they offer a mediation and arbitration service free of charge. So often, when business goes bad between two parties, its usually a misunderstanding, or misconception of what was to be provided. Each party is free to work with a mediator to find a solution. In the event that a 'solution' cannot be sought, then arbitration is evoked. This service can be applied by both members and Non-Members. You don't have to be a member to ask for these services!

The 'List' is for those that prefer to deal with other people in an anynonmous fashion. Either deliberately ignoring trying to find a solution, or running away from their responsibility, or not believing they are accountable. The 'List' indicates those companies that fall within those realms and serves as a warning to other potential customers, this is what they may face, should there be a problem.

Everyone has a right to defend themselves, but not everyone shares the need to, or believe they are above any reprisals if they simply rebuff any accusations. Every company/individual on the 'List' is there, because they feel they do not have to be answerable to anyone or in some cases, admit to scamming people out of their hard earnt cash and feel invulnerable.

If any form of status quo for the business platform is to exist, it has to be on a level playing field, as in RL there can be no tollerance for theives and scammers. There is a large proportion of so called 'business's' in SL that resemble vultures, or believe totally that they are always right and thats good enough. In balance there is a healthy proportion that act in a propoer business like fashion. Both them, and the 'general public' of SL, they all deserve to be protected against those that would steal, scam and otherwise act in a fraudulant way. SL cannot continue in a 'Wild West' fashion, no body here has that right to keep it that way, it's not yours.

There are always two sides to any coin. Those that see fair justice, and those that do not. Those that often see no fair justice, are usually those that see the outcome not as they would have liked it. SL is no different to RL, except it's much younger.

I throw down the gauntlet to those that condem what the SLBB is trying to do in SL, if there is something you don't agree with, don't sit on the side lines, join and participate in the moulding and growth of the organisation, make a difference. It is hard work, and you don't always get exactly what you want, but then you don't always in RL either.

No, of course not. Brush any wrong doings that this group engaged in under the rug, pay your protection money and get the lynching party ready for the next unsuspecting victim's public hanging.


They should read that literature themselves, especially the part on internal corruption and corporate CYA (cover your *ss). They engage in both activities.


Not true. They take a claim and post it on their site no matter what. SO the person's busines is placed under a link entitled COMPLAINTS where it will stay until the SLBB Owner decides to remove it. Mediation was never offerred - only editing of my written statement (thank goodness I had e-mailed it to Robin Linden) and then editorial from the owner includng her conclusion on who was wrong and who was right (see my in-world profile and goto the WEB tab to see the SLBB in action).


I don't quite understand this statement but some self appointed group of citizens should not be warning and harassing other residents over unfounded allegations. I know of one business that refused to cooperate with SLBB, The founder took a negative article about this person and covered the entire lobby wall of her office building with it. If you let these self-appointed witch hunters go about randomly attacking people your going to run into some major legal issues.


Guilty until you can prove your innocence.


But absolutely no one in charge of the SLBB has ANY professional experience to make this happen. SLBB claims that none of their members were EVER reported on - and reported people will be removed. A SLBB Board Member was reported on and is not only still a member but also a active Board Memeber. I guess she changed the poilcy to fit the situation (which has been a on-going theme with this group).


Linden Lab says it's mine. I am a resident here and I do not agree that these people should have ANY power over anything. I think that the paying customers of SLBB should be the only people that they 'report on'. These people obviously do not mind proving their innocence in this fashion.


I got fair justice. After rallying and insisting for 45 days the SLBB finally admitted the complaint was unfounded from day one. I only complained because the founder had the audacity to edit my statements in her blog. The outcome is as I had assumed it would be: Just without the orgainzed corrpution from this self-appointed smear group.


AWM, don't be a fanboi. There is a reason a large percentage of the SLBB Board stepped down, mediators quit the group and members walked away. Scratch and sniff. If these people are allowed to run rampant on the grid then another community group that monitors their activities should be formed to keep them somewhat honest. This SLBB concept as it is is a greifer tool with internal corruption abound.

dang I was gonna post last night AWN Careful you will be called a "fanboi" for saying something positive.

Bladyblue I'm only gonna post this short notice. I have never seen someone who is able to use soo many words to not actually SAY anything. Also I notice that you have yet to gain a whole lot of support on the issue and please dont say "they are scared".

One thing is for sure though I have never seen a person who was found to be in the right over something complain about a decision so much

In any event have fun this time you have another guy to try to bully just dont go as far as you did with me and start IM'ing him in game demanding he reply to the posts that was kinda tacky

see you have fun sparring with power words in sentances with no actualy information

What I don't like is how his first post calls it SLBBB but his latest post he repeatedly calls it SLBB. That alone says stay away from this guy.

My initial thought is "here we go again, same drama, slightly different name".

I do like this line also:
"Unless SL finds some way to 'police itself', we could find ourselves being forced to accept other peoples/organisations rules."
Can we say you are trying to force your own organisation and rules upon others?

If I had a business in SL and was approached with this concept, I'd laugh and let the Mafia families in SL know you were trying to muscle in on their territory

slbbb.com is not slbb.biz someone decided to drag up an old post "4 teh dramaz" and its delivering wouldn't you say? lol

Since the website is dead,
so should this thread.

The horse is dead, please don't kick it.

*locks*