Ripoff Report: A Business With Many Intentions

A business that offers more than one type of product or service is common in recent times.

A computer café that offers printing services and accepts typing jobs and a resume writing company that also provides biography and essay writing and even customized logo designs are but a common practice in the modern business world. There's nothing wrong with them. They may have multiple products or services but these are all somewhat related with one another. These are purposefully put up to help the other venture succeed or flourish in the industry.

How about a business offering two services that are entirely different with each other? Yes, you read that right, TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SERVICES IN ONE BUSINESS.

Well, maybe you have same thoughts as mine. This means two things: firstly, the company is fooling not just its customers but all people, and secondly, the company is involved in an illegal business scheme called profiteering.

Consumers, Beware!

Ripoff Report (ROR), a private for-profit web site that exposes frauds, scams, complaints, and reviews pertaining to certain businesses and individuals' activities, is the main subject of this article. The founder introduces the business as a consumer advocate site "by consumers and for consumers." Initially, it offers services to unsatisfied clients by allowing them to report or reveal their not-so-good experiences with companies or individuals. But later on, it reveals itself as a profit-making business that manipulates its reviews in favor of their member clients.

The web site immediately gained prominence as many customers turn to it to share their thoughts about dealing with particular businesses. But the company has been facing a lot of challenges since its establishment.

Knowing the fact that the business is web-based, it is expected that there will be setbacks. Needless to say, many netizens go to the site to either pretend as unhappy customers or report false and untruthful information. Unfortunately, ROR can't do something about it. What they do instead is post a disclaimer saying that the web site "does not guarantee the authenticity or accuracy of all reports." This scares businessmen so much.

In the long run, ROR also offered services to those victimized by seemingly fake or malicious reports through its VIP Arbitration Program. Yes, that's with VIP. They call you VIP right after your name and reputation have been damaged and tainted with accusations.

Digital Extortion

This program gives opportunity to the reported business or individual to file a rebuttal to certain report to prove its incorrectness and even attest to one's innocence. They call it "justice."

The offering of these two contradictory services make people think that there is a hidden agenda behind its operation.

Why extortion?

What ROR refers to as an opportunity for a rebuttal is obviously a way to get "damaged" businesses pay to actually "bring back" or "fix" their reputation. One more thing: the fact that the report is anonymously posted make people think that it is the ROR that is behind all these accusations to purposefully extort from the victims. Well, maybe it is a mere opinion but it is possible.

This may also be a form of profiteering.

Reminders

At present, ROR also engages in some other activities and offerings regarding consumer advocacy programs. Effective or not, trustworthy or not, one thing is for sure: these are all businesses aiming for profits. Well, don't wonder why. Ripoff Report.com is a for-profit institution.

With the presence of scams and frauds all over the Internet, people are always encouraged to get to the bottom of an issue and weigh in on various things to come up with a sensible judgment.

Be wise. Not all things found on the web are true. Don't get ripped off.

Hannah Lee Tyrone is a business writer and editor covering a variety of industries. She used to work for a reputable think tank as a strategist. In her time off, she grows purples at her garden.

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