Beanmetalworks
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do we think its right to name and shame a business if you think the service you was given was crap?
- Thread starter Beanmetalworks
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Beanmetalworks
Member
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what happened to free speech haha i understand wouldnt want anyone to get same servce thats all
Paul.
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As it seems naming and shaming isn't allowed here, I would suggest the legally acceptable route you would take when asked for a reference. Something along the lines of "I'd like to offer feedback for 'company x', who I've recently had dealings with but, unfortunately, I feel unable to do so". Nothing libelous with that, but the message is loud and clear.
cumbriasteve
Moderator
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I don't think 'name and shame' is acceptable on the forum, it is one person's view and the other party has no chance to defend themselves, even if they did the last thing we want are threads consisting of 'he said, they said' arguments.
On the other hand, if a member mentions they are considering a certain supplier or brand of tooling then a personal view of past experience is helpful as long as you are prepared to stand by what you state.
The internet has in the past been an avenue for individuals to attack others using the safety of anonymity, we are now seeing regular news articles that this is no longer the case.
On the other hand, if a member mentions they are considering a certain supplier or brand of tooling then a personal view of past experience is helpful as long as you are prepared to stand by what you state.
The internet has in the past been an avenue for individuals to attack others using the safety of anonymity, we are now seeing regular news articles that this is no longer the case.
Dev
8th generation, Weyland type
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You can't slander someone on a web forum. There should be no problems posting something negative provided its accurate and factual but I can see why a forum would prefer an easy life by avoiding legal action.
There's probably already case law on this though, a uk company trying to hold an open forum liable for publishing defamatory remarks and failing.
There's probably already case law on this though, a uk company trying to hold an open forum liable for publishing defamatory remarks and failing.
Could you then I say: I recommend company x if you're looking for high quality rubbish welders and great provision of poor customer service.
Only joking. Even without naming and shaming it's been possible to get the general measure if who's good and who's not so good on here.
Only joking. Even without naming and shaming it's been possible to get the general measure if who's good and who's not so good on here.
malcolm
& Clementine the Cat
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There are a couple of legal issues regarding naming and shaming on the forum.
First it's me who has to prove it's not slander (not the poster). I'm the "publisher" so am liable for any damages but I don't have the info or experience to back up any complaint.
Second anyone naming and shaming does tend to be ****** off and a bit of actual slander does often slip in which makes it more difficult to defend. That's why we don't allow naming and shaming threads.
Worth being careful legally for those reasons. Other forums might not be that fussy but could be more likely to be shut down. Should post risky stuff on them.
First it's me who has to prove it's not slander (not the poster). I'm the "publisher" so am liable for any damages but I don't have the info or experience to back up any complaint.
Second anyone naming and shaming does tend to be ****** off and a bit of actual slander does often slip in which makes it more difficult to defend. That's why we don't allow naming and shaming threads.
Worth being careful legally for those reasons. Other forums might not be that fussy but could be more likely to be shut down. Should post risky stuff on them.
KemppiFrog
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I think you do a sterling job by hosting this forum. And dodging the legal stuff can be difficult. BUT. slander is verbal, while written is libel. So what is applicable on the web?
Libel I think now you mention it.
mike os
just a little insane.....
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libel
and while it may never even get to court the legal costs of defending a case against a cash rich company would mean end of forum and possible loss of business and home for the site owner.... who's only hope of reclaiming that loss is to continue the case and win
and while it may never even get to court the legal costs of defending a case against a cash rich company would mean end of forum and possible loss of business and home for the site owner.... who's only hope of reclaiming that loss is to continue the case and win
Dev
8th generation, Weyland type
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The first is only a problem if You are asked to remove a post AND refuse AND they take it to court. I reality you'd probably just remove the post.
Your second point is well made though, most people do tend to give the version of events most sympathetic to themselves.
For an example of a website that DOES contain many many examples of naming, shaming and possibly libel look at trip advisor. Several people have tried and failed to even get posts removed let alone get any legal remedy or damages.
But who wants the hassle; if I'm asked and I have personal experience I'll share it. I think that's reasonable.
mike os
just a little insane.....
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places like trip advisor google etc can afford the legal defence, without casting any nastursums, I doubt the forum owners could, I know I cant for the several sites I own.
it is the basic legal process that kills, it is rare for a company (once lawyers are involved) to simply ask for the material to be taken down.... they want costs and damages from the off, (depending on the nature of the claim and how widespread the content... so a claim that xyz ripped me off on a busy site & you could be looking at a claim of thousands for loss of reputation, sales etc as an opening gambit) it may not be upheld in court but it will cost you several thousands before it even gets there with no guarantee of even recovering costs.
it is the basic legal process that kills, it is rare for a company (once lawyers are involved) to simply ask for the material to be taken down.... they want costs and damages from the off, (depending on the nature of the claim and how widespread the content... so a claim that xyz ripped me off on a busy site & you could be looking at a claim of thousands for loss of reputation, sales etc as an opening gambit) it may not be upheld in court but it will cost you several thousands before it even gets there with no guarantee of even recovering costs.
the snooper
getting older by the day
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the simplest way around this is, to ask on the forum does anyone have any experience of (xyz Company), if you have a bad experience to report then send a PM to the person asking stating you experience of the company that way the op gets their info and the forum stays clear of any trouble
good reports posted
bad reports via PM
good reports posted
bad reports via PM
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Those who have been on here a while may remember the way UKW was shut down, forum members were accursed of arranging wildcat strikes against immigrant labour via the site, It even hit the national news, nothing exactly stuck but Im sure the forums owner had a few sleepless nights especially as it was BP who was making the claims.
Not exactly the same, but it shows the prudence of a sites owner, not to sail too close to the wind.
Not exactly the same, but it shows the prudence of a sites owner, not to sail too close to the wind.
Legal reasons aside, it is not often you can rely on what exactly is posted or who is posting it.
A car forum I'm part of allows negative reviews but moderates them very very heavily, allowing the company to defend themselves and what happens more often than not is that the customers expectations are well beyond the service they were purchasing, or the customer neglected to mention some very key details in their review.
The internet is a great place for people to anonymously say what they want whether it is truth or not.
A car forum I'm part of allows negative reviews but moderates them very very heavily, allowing the company to defend themselves and what happens more often than not is that the customers expectations are well beyond the service they were purchasing, or the customer neglected to mention some very key details in their review.
The internet is a great place for people to anonymously say what they want whether it is truth or not.
