"Best of the Bay" or "Best Paying in the Bay"?

I couldn't find much when I googled, "best of the bay, cost, becoming a member, pay". I guess not that many people have questioned the impressive "Best of the Bay" title. I've noticed it before; I've seen a few local businesses boasting the title, putting up plaques, mentioning it on their website... For those of you not living in the Bay Area, who are unfamiliar with the term "Best of the Bay", it's used on a short infomercial that runs on KRON Channel 4 TV. Most folks aren't aware that it's an infomercial that receives payment from the businesses that they showcase. I certainly never did!

But then a Best of the Bay rep stopped by The New Deli, saying we were potential candidates. Only then did I discover that it would cost roughly $1,000/month to become a community member; and only then would The New Deli actually qualify for the nomination. I would've been flattered if someone honestly wanted to come in and film the New Deli crew busting out during our lunch rushes because it's so fun to watch. But I wasn't flattered that someone wanted us to invest in something that seems a little like fraud...

Our old friends back in the eighties used to "pay to play", dragging their super-cool rock/punk bands to San Francisco bars; friends like us would offer moral support, cheering them on, and paying the cover and/or bar bills. Eventually, our friends got tired of that scene and found jobs that paid them, instead of vice versa.

Apparently, there still is a sort of "pay to play" going on, with the Best of the Bay awards. But some of us small business owners don't have an extra thousand dollars a month to spend (for 13 months), for a one-minute infomercial that runs twice a week, because we're trying our best to give our customers a valuable product at a reasonable price. If any business has to pay that much to be eligible to even be nominated for their awards, then, as one of our New Deli girls said, "It isn't the 'Best of the Bay', but 'The Best Paying in the Bay' ". No thank you! I'm not impressed by the "Best of Nominee" and "Viewers' Choice" and "Best of the Bay" awards, now that I've heard the story. It's not really about the true status of the business.

A point in their favor: They claim that not just anybody qualifies to be eligible. Perhaps you only qualify if you rake in enough extra profit to pay out for such a service?!