Can I get in trouble for this?

***UPDATE:

I'm not going to do this. I have another idea I'm brewing... It will be a surprise though. Something that won't detract in any way from LIW and something positive. And helpful!***

I have had personal experiences with some really terrible companies and posted my opinion about them wherever I could. Epinions.com, BBB, resellerratings.com, and my own blog even.

Seeing how some of you ladies have gotten totally scr*wed by vendors who don't stick to their contractual agreements, I was considering asking you to email me your situations to provide a web-based 'shame on you' type of thing. It's a way I can vent my frustration at the way companies treat consumers these days, and give people some consumer empowerment.

But could I get in trouble for this? I don't know what the legalitites of this is, if I only have to provide the vendors with a way to rebut the info I put up (which would be easy; I have a comment feature on my website). I wonder if they could threaten litigation, and want to guard against that before I decide what to do.

Any thoughts?

I absolutely LOVE the idea and think you should go for it. The wedding industry can be very sleazy and a forum needs to exist where girls state their true opinions on vendor experience. Its done for EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY: eopinions, tripadvisor, etc. etc. I thought this place was such a forum but now I know that it is not.

Im SURE you have to have 100000 disclaimers like 'opinions on this site do not reflect opinions of webmaster.. yadda yadda yadda'.

Great great great idea. This is what a free market is all about. You need to have people make informed decisions. If a girl says 'my proofs stunk, I was really disappointed in the quality of work'... I WANT TO KNOW! Thats not slander, just stating dissatisfaction with service.

do it

you can include my shoe drama if you want...

Sadly, you can't include my hair drama since we had no written contract (didn't think I need one with someone who's been my mother's haridresser for 15 years!!!

Hmmm good points ladies, you're giving me more to consider. Keep it comin!

I was thinking of doing a blog article myself on specific situations but only if I gathered detailed, indisputable information from multiple people. Like if one photographer or DOC or hair person just didn't show up to 2 or more bride's weddings. That, to me, is a clear case of a valid consumer complaint.

The opinions on work completed that wasn't what was expected, it was late, people were rude etc, could be done as blog comments from the consumers themselves. Pretty much what we have here - an open forum.

It's not being presented by me, so I can't be held responsible for the information. I would ask again for specific information, photos if possible, links.

I do have complete control over comments and can hold them in a queue until approved also. So if a certain piece of info is 'required' and not given, it would be held indefinitely.

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Posted by curliegirl

Don't do it. Even if you post true, honest information, you can get sued and they will win for loss of business due to your statemants. Take it from me, I have experience....

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I agree, and it's really a shame... because I would LOVE to use my horrific no-show vendor as an example!

I think if someone asks a question about a vendor you have had an experience with, then an FM is OK. I think if you post many negative things about different vendors when they are unsolicited it is a bad refection on you as well as on the website here. JMHO


(I do understand the desire to help out future brides, though. The truth is someone may love a vendor that you have had a problem with & that won't make anyone feel good.)

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Posted by HearzBellz

I think if you post many negative things about different vendors when they are unsolicited it is a bad refection on you as well as on the website here. JMHO

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I don't understand what you mean. I wouldn't involve the LIW name. I just wanted bride's opinions on my thoughts.

To clarify, I'm not out to get any vendors or trying to create negativity. I feel so bad for brides when they hear about a bad history of their booked vendor that they never knew. It's something I could do for them. If they find my site through a google search on their vendor, there is information there that is useful so you can make a informed decision. Instead of kicking yourself later when it's too late.

I don't see it being any different than a website like epinions.com except that it's by me. Wouldn't you want to know if one of your vendors had a history of not showing up for weddings?

I don't know. Maybe I should change my approach here. I wanted to compile something, do something for brides on my site too. Something useful that LIW can't give. The only thing that LIW doesn't allow is open criticism of vendors, I thought I could help.

Don't get me worng, I think it's a great idea....BUT....you WILL get in trouble with it. Why do you think Ron doesn't allow criticism on here? Because vendors will call, threaten to sue, and then he's screwed...

I am sure if you felt like it, you could get through to someone at epinions (which I have never visited) and find out how many lawsuits they currently have going on, it will shock you, I'm sure....

I support you all the way! Will send you FM about this... You will be doing a wonderful deed for brides who may be potentially scr*wed by these bad seeds...

Go Greenfreak!!!

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Posted by curliegirl

Don't do it. Even if you post true, honest information, you can get sued and they will win for loss of business due to your statemants. Take it from me, I have experience....

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I have to agree with her! But I think you have a VERY good idea.. its too bad!

What's that saying? There are no original ideas anymore?

Check it out:

For A Better Wedding . com

It's exactly what I was talking about. Good or bad reviews, doesn't matter.

There is almost nothing in the 'NY' section for any of the reviews. We could change that though.

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Posted by greenfreak

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Posted by HearzBellz

I think if you post many negative things about different vendors when they are unsolicited it is a bad refection on you as well as on the website here. JMHO

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I don't understand what you mean. I wouldn't involve the LIW name. I just wanted bride's opinions on my thoughts.

To clarify, I'm not out to get any vendors or trying to create negativity. I feel so bad for brides when they hear about a bad history of their booked vendor that they never knew. It's something I could do for them. If they find my site through a google search on their vendor, there is information there that is useful so you can make a informed decision. Instead of kicking yourself later when it's too late.

I don't see it being any different than a website like epinions.com except that it's by me. Wouldn't you want to know if one of your vendors had a history of not showing up for weddings?

I don't know. Maybe I should change my approach here. I wanted to compile something, do something for brides on my site too. Something useful that LIW can't give. The only thing that LIW doesn't allow is open criticism of vendors, I thought I could help.

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Sorry I misunderstood, I though you were going to post here. Sorry about that!

you risk the chance of slander and or liable. if you get sued (i should really say when you get sued. all businesses sooner or later get sued) one of two things will happen. they will own your house, car, first born, garnish your wages for life or you win. if you win - litigation will cost you at least 100 grand for EACH case. so in the end you never win. it is much easier to just look for positive things said about people and take that into careful consideration. and never ever forget there are always three sides to every story. so although some stories sound like someone is being royally screwed - there are the other two sides to the story. for those not familiar with the three sides there is their side, your side and the truth!

The only thing that LIW doesn't allow is open criticism of vendors, I thought I could help.

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LIW does not allow open criticism of paying advertising vendors

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Posted by LIWeddings NYCityWeddings

screwed

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OOOOoooOOOo! Look what you said!

I'm tellin!!

Jus' kiddin. Thanks for the explination. It would appear it's much easier to use that other link I posted to express your feelings on a vendor. We'll all be better off that way.

Thanks!!

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Posted by FallBride05

The only thing that LIW doesn't allow is open criticism of vendors, I thought I could help.

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LIW does not allow open criticism of paying advertising vendors

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Since when?