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LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Taunita Posted:

LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

I recently received an FM from --- (I refuse to post bc heaven forbid I get another fm) and the intent of this is not to reflect negatively on someone merely performing their job and I’m sure it was sent if only to cover all bases and as an FYI (perhaps it was a uniform blanket sent to all those who posted)…?? Anywaze this was in regards to advice for me not to “warn” other brides about a particular limo company in question – supposedly in my best interest and to protect me. I hope y’all know what limo company I’m referring too…

First and foremost – I Luv this website and I think client services are beyond awesome and do an amazing job!!!!!!!!

With that being said - I understand that that may have to protect vendors but what about us?

I did post a response on that thread –two posts to be exact – 1) I stated that I would be sure to steer clear thanking her for her honest review and that she should report them to the better business bureau. 2) She asked for help spreading the word so I recommended she post her review on yelp and the yellow pages and that I was horrified by what she experienced and she should take them to court. (Never mentioned the name of the company) & 3) (Separate thread) A bride was inquiring about a unique car idea and I told her to do research before booking due to prior negative reviews (someone else referenced the company earlier in the thread). (I didn’t mention the name and advised her to research before booking which would call upon her own judgment) and we tell brides to research different photography options everyday so what’s the big deal on this particular company- why should they get special treatment!???… What exactly was I being warned about and protection from what? Because in my opinion – that was an opinion – not even negatively reviewing them except for the fact that I mentioned they had negative reviews (no further details included) on these other sites (which is fact): surprise surprise.

I also sent an fm to a total of three brides who solicited information on another post regarding the aforementioned so I provided them with just the name of the company (and that’s it). But never publicly displayed in any way shape or form unless the content of my fm is assumed– so unless the “right to change policy” (privacy policy page) has been exercised – I don’t see how this was harmful as it was an internal communication, which supposedly is not displayed to vendors.

I felt threatened by this message, even though it was “in my best interest” because it made me apprehensive in regards to stating my opinions and made me feel as though they were in fact looking out for the vendors best interest and that I was simply being warned; actually told to “refrain” from replying in this thread with a thanks for my support and understanding. I understand it may have something to do with compliance but I do not support this stance.

So with that being said I don’t see how I did anything wrong – I thought this was about brides helping brides???

I don't think we should pay the ultimate price for vendors who suc*k and there should be a better screening process for the vendors they choose (or higher standards) to advertise or some sort of contract review and renewal process... their are plenty of viable and honest vendors on waiting list for this site (because vendors I met with have mentioned this before) and someone else should be given the chance to prevail where others have failed! & That’s my three cents! I understand there are often mixed reviews with certain vendors (all subject to oPiNiOn) but they shouldn’t be protected by only good reviews… In my opinion I think this aids a false representation of the company.

Oh and as far as best interest:

These posts are specifically in an area designated for opinion anything other than that is speculation by the vendor. “Long Island Brides helping Long Island Brides!
Come and post your Long Island Wedding concerns, solutions, dilemmas or just blow off some steam. Receive some advice or just hear what other Long Island brides and grooms have to say” That’s the intro before any one logs into BHB. Word for word. Soooooo… what up?

Just because they pay$ doesn’t mean we should pay the ultimate price of tears on our wedding day and after-all -opinions are simply what we have to say based on our personal judgment- brides should be able to make well informed choices through research, review and recommendations, which I’m sure we all do… posts like these merely contribute to decision making but by no means enforces a choice. We make final conclusions and one good opinion may weigh just the same as a negative depiction therefore who’s to say we wont judge for ourselves?

Furthermore, there's a clear difference between libel/slander and opinion. Stating your opinion is a protected constitutional right. It’s not a smear campaign.

I never had an experience with this company and mereley sympathized with the bride as I am sure all of you can understand… I never posted anything against this company nor did I mention them and responded to the inquiry on a post via fm… If my best interest are in fact affected by this – I should sue over freedom of speech – there was no defamation, slander, or offense. I mean Im surprized mcdonalds is still selling burgers god forbid someone sues over a heart attack? Sh*t B*tch next thing you know I’m going to go ape sh*t on someone for breathing on me and take them to court for getting a cold.

…Because after all isn’t that what my “protected interest” boils down too or am I subject to the same crime of assumption and speculation?

Sorry for the rant (actually I’m really not)– and mind you I have not yet had the need to post a thread until today (other than botw week and because y’all are ever so helpful and usually a search does the trick) but I was outraged by this.

I personally think this is a Double standard on an honest opinion – Yay for good nay for bad – what is up with that…

I hope I still get a t-shirt with my 1000th post but I’ve always stood up for what I believe in and my opinion is simply that. My opinion! & No one can take that away.
JLWSJC Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Re: 'What exactly was I being warned about and protection from what?'

CS explained in a post that's floating around somewhere that when they say best interests, it's because they don't want you to get sued for defamation. So since your communications are public generally, even if you FM someone, if it gets back to the company and they ask the person who old you this And that person rats you out, you might be subject to a lawsuit because the company will be able to find you on here. AND, if LIW gets subpoenaed... your communications are archived on here..

They didn't FM you to give you a hard time or to threaten you. They're protecting this site and all of us who use it by advising us that we're subject to liability.
Michi Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

I think that is total bs that you got an FM in regards to the situation. next time we can all trade email addresses and talk about crappy vendors off site...

at the end of the day as much as i love ron and the gang they r here to make money and that can't be denied..this is a business so that will always be the excuse..

we need to learn that every post on here--good or bad should be taken with a grain of salt..
Michi Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by JLWSJC

Re: 'What exactly was I being warned about and protection from what?'

CS explained in a post that's floating around somewhere that when they say best interests, it's because they don't want you to get sued for defamation. So since your communications are public generally, even if you FM someone, if it gets back to the company and they ask the person who old you this And that person rats you out, you might be subject to a lawsuit because the company will be able to find you on here. AND, if LIW gets subpoenaed... your communications are archived on here..

They didn't FM you to give you a hard time or to threaten you. They're protecting this site and all of us who use it by advising us that we're subject to liability.


Im truly curious--r u a lawyer? i have never heard of pple being sued for things they write on a public message board... Freedom of Speech afterall--as long as no threats towards the danger of a person I dont see how ANYTHING we say on here could ever be used in a lawsuit..
JLWSJC Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by SoonToBeMrsSemetis

Posted by JLWSJC

Re: 'What exactly was I being warned about and protection from what?'

CS explained in a post that's floating around somewhere that when they say best interests, it's because they don't want you to get sued for defamation. So since your communications are public generally, even if you FM someone, if it gets back to the company and they ask the person who old you this And that person rats you out, you might be subject to a lawsuit because the company will be able to find you on here. AND, if LIW gets subpoenaed... your communications are archived on here..

They didn't FM you to give you a hard time or to threaten you. They're protecting this site and all of us who use it by advising us that we're subject to liability.


Im truly curious--r u a lawyer? i have never heard of pple being sued for things they write on a public message board... Freedom of Speech afterall--as long as no threats towards the danger of a person I dont see how ANYTHING we say on here could ever be used in a lawsuit..


I'm not a lawyer. But I graduate from law school in May.

The company in question is a LIW vendor. They presumably have a contract with LIW to be an affiliated vendor. If this company gets wind of questionably accurate information and they want to try and prove it's affecting their business, they can file a defamation suit against LIW and potentially its users. And no one wants that. Like I said, it wasn't meant to be a threat, it was meant to keep you from potentially being involved in something you want no part of. Small chance, but a chance nonetheless.

I agree we're here to share info... but LIW has to do what it has to do to protect itself.
Taunita Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by JLWSJC

CS explained in a post that's floating around somewhere that when they say best interests, it's because they don't want you to get sued for slander. So since your communications are public generally, even if you FM someone, if it gets back to the company and they ask the person who old you this? And that person rats you out, you might be subject to a lawsuit because the company will be able to find you on here. AND, if LIW gets subpoenaed... your communications are archived on here..

They didn't FM you to give you a hard time or to threaten you. They're protecting this site and all of us who use it by advising us that we're open to liability.


Hey there! Actually as stated opinion is protected by law - Generally speaking, defamation is the issuance of a false statement about another person, which causes that person to suffer harm. Slander involves the making of defamatory statements by non-fixed representation (usually verbal). Libel involves the making of defamatory statements in a printed or fixed medium. If the person makes a statement of opinion as opposed to fact, the statement may not support a cause of action for defamation.
- I checked my legal facts (in more ways than one), maybe they should as well.

Point being - we express our opinions on this website over 1000' times via this website. There are many websites that allow forums for reviews and opinions - this being one of them. Seriously then, why aren't we recieving daily fms regarding other posts?? If this 'protection' were seriously the case (unless they have to do it for compliance reasons and/or cover a*ss which is understandable) than these forums simply would cease to exist. The message I recieved was a warning to refrain from posting on this particular thread. 1) I only fmed the name that was solicited I didn't give any firther details and it was based on a previous thread. 2) nothing I said in either post can be considered slander - i said nothing negative about them and merely sympathized with her situation. In my opinion, maybe some vendors should focus on services rather than seeking retribution. As for the fm I recieved, I personally felt they were outright protecting the vendor with no regards to the bride or brides who had experienced similar situations. Freedom of speech is in the constitution.

Ps. Nothing meant against you- after all this is open to opinion - just responding.
JLWSJC Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

I'm just trying to tell you why you got the FM and that it wasn't meant to threaten you. The opinions that were stated about the company were based on alleged facts. You can argue opinion but I can guarantee a company filing a defamation suit will have good lawyers who will spin things to use them as evidence. I'm not saying you did anything wrong, but a company who feels they've been defamed might not feel the same way.

madamsireeda213 Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

You should be allowed to express your opinion on the type of service a certain limo service gives. Just like Y*ELP or any other type of chat forum, we should all be allowed to express our opinion on the services of some of these vendors. Unless certain people get some tyoe of throwback for advertising or having advertising with certain companies. we should be able to state however we feel about any company on this site!

I dont think you deserve that FM and that you should not be advised to 'stay clear about stating certain opinions!' i love LIW but that was indeed very rude what they did to u!
Dramatica Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by JLWSJC



I'm not a lawyer. But I graduate from law school in May.

The company in question is a LIW vendor. They have a contract with. If this company gets wind of questionably accurate information and they want to try and prove it's affecting their business, they can file a defamation suit against LIW and potentially its users. And no one wants that. Like I said, it wasn't meant to be a threat, it was meant to keep you from potentially being involved in something you want no part of. Small chance, but a chance nonetheless.

I agree we're here to share info... but LIW has to do what it has to do to protect itself.


However most libel cases are due to gross misinformation in a public forum. Besides, if the consumer did not sign any contract that would include some sort of disclosure about business exchanges the consumer would have every right to discuss their transaction.

No this isn't about LIW worrying about the potential for a libel claim its about losing sponsorship.

ultimately the argument you presented is basically nil in the internet world. Public forums on the internet have been the playground for arguments re: 1st amendment rights.
Dramatica Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by JLWSJC

I'm just trying to tell you why you got the FM and that it wasn't meant to threaten you. The opinions that were stated about the company were based on alleged facts. You can argue opinion but I can guarantee a company filing a defamation suit will have good lawyers who will spin things to use them as evidence. I'm not saying you did anything wrong, but a company who feels they've been defamed might not feel the same way.

I doubt a small private company would spend the money on defense counsel against a public forum libel claim unless its effects were beyond repairable.
alli3131 Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

To the OP I think the problem comes in where you are telling people to research this company because its bad but you have zero personal experience with them.

You are spreading the bad experience even though you do not know the person it happened to personally.....thats where this is a problem.

And yes you can get in legal problems from posting on a public forum. So I would be careful and YES I am an attorney so you dont even have to ask.

My advice is when someone post a bad experience thank them for the information and use it for your own use.....do not pass it on because you have no clue if that information is accurate.
JLWSJC Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by Dramatica

Posted by JLWSJC



I'm not a lawyer. But I graduate from law school in May.

The company in question is a LIW vendor. They have a contract with. If this company gets wind of questionably accurate information and they want to try and prove it's affecting their business, they can file a defamation suit against LIW and potentially its users. And no one wants that. Like I said, it wasn't meant to be a threat, it was meant to keep you from potentially being involved in something you want no part of. Small chance, but a chance nonetheless.

I agree we're here to share info... but LIW has to do what it has to do to protect itself.


However most libel cases are due to gross misinformation in a public forum. Besides, if the consumer did not sign any contract that would include some sort of disclosure about business exchanges the consumer would have every right to discuss their transaction.

No this isn't about LIW worrying about the potential for a libel claim its about losing sponsorship.

ultimately the argument you presented is basically nil in the internet world. Public forums on the internet have been the playground for arguments re: 1st amendment rights.


yes, sponsorship. LIW is protecting itself as a business. Beneficial to us because wihout sponsorship, they can't do what they do. And the problem was that there's no gurantee that the OP about the company was true. So for someone else to prepetuate what the OP said without knowing for a fact it was true opens people up to liability. There's no guarantee it WASN'T misinformation.

I'm not saying I know it all, I'm just trying to say there's another side which may be beneficial to LIW and us in turn, and it's not something to be so upset over if you take that into account.
JLWSJC Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by Dramatica

Posted by JLWSJC

I'm just trying to tell you why you got the FM and that it wasn't meant to threaten you. The opinions that were stated about the company were based on alleged facts. You can argue opinion but I can guarantee a company filing a defamation suit will have good lawyers who will spin things to use them as evidence. I'm not saying you did anything wrong, but a company who feels they've been defamed might not feel the same way.

I doubt a small private company would spend the money on defense counsel against a public forum libel claim unless its effects were beyond repairable.


So if said company sued a small company for defamation, the company being sued isn't going to defend itself? Maybe they'll settle... but it's still not something they want to open themselves up to!
JLWSJC Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by alli3131

To the OP I think the problem comes in where you are telling people to research this company because its bad but you have zero personal experience with them.

You are spreading the bad experience even though you do not know the person it happened to personally.....thats where this is a problem.

And yes you can get in legal problems from posting on a public forum. So I would be careful and YES I am an attorney so you dont even have to ask.

My advice is when someone post a bad experience thank them for the information and use it for your own use.....do not pass it on because you have no clue if that information is accurate.


Thank you.
madamsireeda213 Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

I hear what you are saying, but at the same time, these are (as you said) opinions and we are all allowed to express our opinions on this forum. The facts are, that this said company gave certain people bad services and Tauntia was just giving her opinion on what she heard was bad services. You can not be sued based on your opinion. If any company tries to bring a civil suit to court based on someone spreading an opinion online, the suit would thrown out of court. The only way any company would win that suit is if they showed that the opinion of this one person lead to a drastic financial decline for this company. And from what i heard, many people have expressed bad reviews about this company. Since this is an open forum i think everyone should be open to express their opinion. in any case, we all still love LIW :)!

Dramatica Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by JLWSJC



yes, sponsorship. LIW is protecting itself as a business. Beneficial to us because wihout sponsorship, they can't do what they do. And the problem was that there's no gurantee that the OP about the company was true. So for someone else to prepetuate what the OP said without knowing for a fact it was true opens people up to liability. There's no guarantee it WASN'T misinformation.

I'm not saying I know it all, I'm just trying to say there's another side which may be beneficial to LIW and us in turn, and it's not something to be so upset over if you take that into account.

Which I agree as we do not pay any type of service fee to use the forum. Was Taunita wrong? yes considering she is not the claimant. Is LIW protecting her? Absolutely not, its just a mild slap on the hands to make her aware of the consequences if go unchecked. Their financial support is their concern, not 'poor LIW poster might possibly have a libel claim against her!'
JessNicole7EM Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by alli3131

To the OP I think the problem comes in where you are telling people to research this company because its bad but you have zero personal experience with them.

You are spreading the bad experience even though you do not know the person it happened to personally.....thats where this is a problem.

And yes you can get in legal problems from posting on a public forum. So I would be careful and YES I am an attorney so you dont even have to ask.

My advice is when someone post a bad experience thank them for the information and use it for your own use.....do not pass it on because you have no clue if that information is accurate.


mrsdraskin2009 Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by SoonToBeMrsSemetis

Posted by JLWSJC

Re: 'What exactly was I being warned about and protection from what?'

CS explained in a post that's floating around somewhere that when they say best interests, it's because they don't want you to get sued for defamation. So since your communications are public generally, even if you FM someone, if it gets back to the company and they ask the person who old you this And that person rats you out, you might be subject to a lawsuit because the company will be able to find you on here. AND, if LIW gets subpoenaed... your communications are archived on here..

They didn't FM you to give you a hard time or to threaten you. They're protecting this site and all of us who use it by advising us that we're subject to liability.


Im truly curious--r u a lawyer? i have never heard of pple being sued for things they write on a public message board... Freedom of Speech afterall--as long as no threats towards the danger of a person I dont see how ANYTHING we say on here could ever be used in a lawsuit..


I had an issue with a certain florist and posted about it and I was warned by CS because even though we have the freedom of speech, you can't defame or libel someone. If I had my own MrsDraskin2009.com, no one could touch me because it's my OWN space that I pay for, much like how Perez is sued but it doesn't go anywhere because it's his opinion on a space that he pays for. Here, it is clearly different.
Taunita Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

Posted by JLWSJC

So for someone else to prepetuate what the OP said without knowing for a fact it was true opens people up to liability. There's no guarantee it WASN'T misinformation.


That's one of my main points - No where did I ever further her opinion because I personally didn't encounter this company. In other words, I didn't perpetuate her stance or negative review so to speak - I sympathized with a bride and I personally was horrified by her experience. Thats my judgement call. Other inquiry was in reference to the limo company in question - because the post had been edited to omit the name. No negative slander - mainly the subject of who was being discussed. Simply an fm containing the name they asked about. That's why I feel as if they are protecting the vendor warning me to 'refrain from posting'
...and yes I completley get that they have to cover their a*sses so that comes with the territory but weres the defense for the bride- maybe the site doesn't owe that to us but at the very least if her experience was based on fact (pictures pending) let her speak the truth - plenty of others followed up with their opinions further supporting the stance, I was horrified by her opinion but the surplus of negative experiences other brides had is in actually what turned me completley off.

-Again, just responding. No harm meant and no offense taken.
madamsireeda213 Posted:

Re: LiStEn uP… Read if you will ~!~!~!~

I think we should all be able to express our opinion on this forum and not be told that we should watch what we say about potential vendors because it might hurt us and LIW. Thats like me saying something on facebook and getting sent an email saying i cant say I hate IPODs because facebook is partially sponsored by Apple, you what I am saying?

But it is just an opinion and we are all each expressing our opinion so lets be friendly to each other and allow everyone to express their opinions. :)! Happy Thursday :)!

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