Final answer:
The BBB aids customers with defective product issues by helping track down businesses, facilitate communication to resolve disputes, and call out poor business practices to uphold marketplace trust. They provide business profiles and reviews but cannot directly refund customers, shut down businesses, or petition the government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) helps protect customers who have purchased defective products by assisting them in tracking down businesses that haven't upheld their agreements. While the BBB cannot directly refund customers, shut down businesses, or directly petition the government on behalf of consumers, it serves a vital role in maintaining marketplace integrity. Its mission includes setting standards for marketplace trust, engaging and educating consumers and businesses, and calling out substandard marketplace behavior.
When a customer faces an issue with a defective product, they can file a complaint with the BBB who will then work to facilitate communication between the consumer and the business. This helps to resolve disputes and encourage companies to uphold good customer service standards. Additionally, the BBB provides consumers with access to business profiles and reviews, which help them make informed decisions about the companies they consider doing business with, thereby availing better and less expensive products.