WARNING WARNING WARNING Don’t be fooled by their cheap oil changes and friendly demeanor. I have a 2008 Tundra with a lift. It was squeaking quite a bit. I thought it might need new control arms, tie rods, and ball joints. I asked Steve’s Automotive to provide me with an estimate (see below). They decided to throw a heck of a lot more into what I asked for. My warning lights went off when they recommended the brake service for replacing the fluid. I had it done last year and only put 6,000 miles on since the service. In addition, I have the receipts from the previous owner that changed the differential and transmission fluids less than 15k miles ago. Differential change recommendation every 30-60k miles and transmission every 60-90k miles. I spoke with a friend about getting a second opinion and he recommended EP Auto on 400 N and 800 W. He told me it might be a week or two before they have availability. It was and well worth the wait. I let EP Auto know I needed an alignment as my tires weren’t wearing correctly. Explained I was concerned about the squeaking and told them the same thing I outlined to Steve’s. The squeaking was coming from dry sway bar bushings. They greased them up. Not a sound now! They didn’t even charge me! (see receipt below) Steve’s Automotive Specialists are flat out crooks!!! They will never get a dime from me again. Do not trust them! If you dare go there, get a second opinion. ——————————- Unreputable companies can sometimes achieve and maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) through a combination of strategic behaviors, despite having questionable business practices. Here’s how they often do it: ⸻ 🔧 How They Get an A+ Rating: 1. Timely Response to Complaints (Biggest Factor) The BBB rewards companies that respond promptly and professionally to complaints — even if the customer isn’t satisfied. Simply responding (not necessarily resolving to the customer’s satisfaction) can maintain a high rating. 2. Low Volume of Complaints (Relative to Business Size) A company with few complaints relative to its size and years in business can still maintain a high rating. If complaints are infrequent or spread out over time, the BBB algorithm sees them as less significant. 3. Transparency & Business Info Accuracy Keeping their profile up to date with ownership, address, and licensing details helps boost their credibility score. This includes proper use of their real business name, not aliases. 4. Longevity Businesses that have been operating for many years are viewed more favorably by the BBB. Time in business can offset other negative elements. 5. BBB Accreditation (Optional but Helpful) Paying the BBB to become an accredited business does not guarantee an A+ rating, but it does mean the company has agreed to uphold certain standards. Accreditation also lets the company display the BBB logo, adding perceived legitimacy. 6. Avoiding Government Action or Lawsuits The BBB rating can drop significantly if a company has been subject to government investigations, lawsuits, or major regulatory actions — so avoiding or settling these quietly helps. ⸻ ⚠️ Tactics Unethical Companies Might Use: • Flooding Reviews with Fake Positives While BBB reviews aren’t part of the rating algorithm, a company can post positive reviews to appear more legitimate. • Handling Complaints Privately Some businesses proactively contact complainants outside of the BBB to resolve issues quietly and avoid public complaints. • Using Shell Companies or Rebranding If a company has a tarnished history, it might rebrand or spin off as a new entity, allowing it to start fresh with the BBB. ⸻ 🎯 Bottom Line: The BBB rating system heavily favors appearance of cooperation and complaint management, not necessarily ethical practices or customer satisfaction. That’s why savvy — but potentially shady — businesses can maintain an A+ rating by playing the system carefully.