When is telling my experience about service from a business considered libelous?

[edprush]

Let's say hypothetically I took my car into a repair shop to get a new windshield installed and now the windshield leaks profusely. They don't want to fix their work but they are willing to install a new windshield and NOT give me any credit for the first install three weeks ago.

Can I post that negative experience on the internet? If so, how bad are they going to sue me if I name them?

I'm sure someone will say get a lawyer but that is likely to cost as much as another windshield.

 

[Encryptic]

Why couldn't you post it on the Internet? Witness the website BestBuySucks.com, for example.

Libel constitutes writing stuff that is untrue (or is that slander? I can't recall the difference at the moment). If you really got screwed by this place, that doesn't make it libelous to post it on the Internet. People bag on Best Buy, UPS, and god knows what else constantly on ATOT as it is.

 

[BigJ]

I'd take them to small claims court and file a complaint with the BBB.

 

[dullard]

If it is true, it isn't libel.

 

[tweakmm]

Well, libel is defined as written defamation, although I want to say that I remember hearing about people being sued for saying true negative things about a company on a yahoo messageboard, although these might have been ex-employees.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Encryptic
Why couldn't you post it on the Internet? Witness the website BestBuySucks.com, for example.

Libel constitutes writing stuff that is untrue (or is that slander? I can't recall the difference at the moment). If you really got screwed by this place, that doesn't make it libelous to post it on the Internet.

I believe slander is oral misrepresentation and libel is written misrepresentation.

 

[hop12]

Just to clarify - you said they are willing to install the new windshield. Are they making you pay for the new windshield?

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: Encryptic
Why couldn't you post it on the Internet? Witness the website BestBuySucks.com, for example.

Libel constitutes writing stuff that is untrue (or is that slander? I can't recall the difference at the moment). If you really got screwed by this place, that doesn't make it libelous to post it on the Internet.

I believe slander is oral misrepresentation and libel is written misrepresentation.

Indeed.

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: Encryptic
Why couldn't you post it on the Internet? Witness the website BestBuySucks.com, for example.

Libel constitutes writing stuff that is untrue (or is that slander? I can't recall the difference at the moment). If you really got screwed by this place, that doesn't make it libelous to post it on the Internet.

I believe slander is oral misrepresentation and libel is written misrepresentation.

Bingo. Thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: dullard
If it is true, it isn't libel.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: hop12
Just to clarify - you said they are willing to install the new windshield. Are they making you pay for the new windshield?

Yes they are making me pay for both.

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: hop12
Just to clarify - you said they are willing to install the new windshield. Are they making you pay for the new windshield?

Yes they are making me pay for both.

That is beat and I'd be pissed.

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: tweakmm
Well, libel is defined as written defamation, although I want to say that I remember hearing about people being sued for saying true negative things about a company on a yahoo messageboard, although these might have been ex-employees.

I'd have to agree here. There was quite a stink some time back on this car-related forum I lurk on about some guy who got sued by a car dealership for bitching about the piss-poor treatment he received from them.

I can't recall what the outcome was, however.

 

[azazyel]

An easy way to avoid it is to clarify the statement as an opinion. "I think that this place sucks donkey."

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Encryptic
Why couldn't you post it on the Internet? Witness the website BestBuySucks.com, for example.

Libel constitutes writing stuff that is untrue (or is that slander? I can't recall the difference at the moment). If you really got screwed by this place, that doesn't make it libelous to post it on the Internet. People bag on Best Buy, UPS, and god knows what else constantly on ATOT as it is.

I didn't find a bestbuysucks.com...that would have to be considered libel.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Encryptic

Originally posted by: tweakmm
Well, libel is defined as written defamation, although I want to say that I remember hearing about people being sued for saying true negative things about a company on a yahoo messageboard, although these might have been ex-employees.

I'd have to agree here. There was quite a stink some time back on this car-related forum I lurk on about some guy who got sued by a car dealership for bitching about the piss-poor treatment he received from them.

I can't recall what the outcome was, however.

Just my luck, the place that replaced the windshield was a car dealership. Crap. I'm gonna get sued and pay for a second windshield.

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: Encryptic
Why couldn't you post it on the Internet? Witness the website BestBuySucks.com, for example.

Libel constitutes writing stuff that is untrue (or is that slander? I can't recall the difference at the moment). If you really got screwed by this place, that doesn't make it libelous to post it on the Internet. People bag on Best Buy, UPS, and god knows what else constantly on ATOT as it is.

I didn't find a bestbuysucks.com...that would have to be considered libel.

Yeah, looks like it got taken down. Beats me if Best Buy had anything to do with that.....

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: Encryptic
Why couldn't you post it on the Internet? Witness the website BestBuySucks.com, for example.

Libel constitutes writing stuff that is untrue (or is that slander? I can't recall the difference at the moment). If you really got screwed by this place, that doesn't make it libelous to post it on the Internet. People bag on Best Buy, UPS, and god knows what else constantly on ATOT as it is.

I didn't find a bestbuysucks.com...that would have to be considered libel.

Actually, it might be copyright infringement or certainly pursued by Best Buy as such.

 

[element]

http://www.bestbuysux.org/

they have disclaimers on their site

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: element
http://www.bestbuysux.org/

My bad....

 

[n0cmonkey]

Screw it, post it anyways. There can't be a law forbidding you from explaining something that happened to you.

 

[mwtgg]

That's not cool. They screwed up so you have to pay for their mistake?

 

[dquan97]

It's not libel if it's true

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Screw it, post it anyways. There can't be a law forbidding you from explaining something that happened to you.

Sometimes, after reading a post by one of our less intelligent members, I wish there WAS such a law.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Encryptic

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Screw it, post it anyways. There can't be a law forbidding you from explaining something that happened to you.

Sometimes, after reading a post by one of our less intelligent members, I wish there WAS such a law.

Not me, I just want permission to beat them.