Are Consumers Disadvantaged or Vulnerable? An Examination of Consumer Complaints to the Better Business Bureau

Authors

Dennis Garrett, Marquette UniversityFollow
Peter Toumanoff, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2010

Source Publication

Journal of Consumer Affairs

Source ISSN

0022-0078

Abstract

Questions have emerged recently about the appropriateness of defining disadvantaged consumers based on their membership in certain demographic categories, such as income, age, education, and race. This study assessed whether these traditional classifications are useful for understanding consumer complaining behavior with the Better Business Bureau. Results of analysis of more than 24,000 consumer complaints filed with a local BBB office during a 13-year period do not provide consistent support for this disadvantaged consumer perspective. Instead, the emerging vulnerable consumer perspective may provide a more promising basis for future research.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Consumer Affairs, Volume 44, No. 1 (Spring 2010): 3-23. DOI. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Garrett, Dennis and Toumanoff, Peter, "Are Consumers Disadvantaged or Vulnerable? An Examination of Consumer Complaints to the Better Business Bureau" (2010). Marketing Faculty Research and Publications. 30.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/market_fac/30