- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
On Wednesday, I received the following email from a photographer:
I would appreciate if you would remove the negative feedback ASAP about my studio on your blog web site.
It was written by a person who was never a client and this type of negative commentary is VERY damaging to my long standiong reputation.
You should think about taking a more responsible position with your weddingbee web site. The fact that you allow this type of slanderous commentary means that you also support the lies and misrepresentations of anyone who has an agenda.
NOT COOL AT ALL JUST TO PUT A FEW BUCKS IN YOUR POCKET….VERY IRRESPONSIBLE MRS. B!!!!!
Because I was working on our comment policy, I thought it’d be interesting to get reader and vendor feedback on how we should deal with negative vendor reviews/comments by readers.
I wasn’t aware of the comments the photographer was referring to, but found them after a quick search.
Before I responded, the same vendor followed up with this email yesterday:
GUESS MY PREVIOUS EMAIL DIDN’T INTEREST YOU…..MY ATTORNEYS WILL BE IN TOUCH IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE FOR YOUR IRRESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICES. I WILL ALSO BE IN TOUCH WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU…..GOOD DAY!!!!!!!
I apologize for the large font, but I copied both emails in their entirety and pasted them here.
Now we don’t want to delete negative comments about vendors because we have no way of verifying whether or not they’re true, and we want to protect the rights of brides. At the same time, we know negative vendor reviews could potentially be viewed as defamatory. If you google the name of the vendor above, the Weddingbee comments about him show up as the second result! So negative comments left on blogs and messageboards can definitely impact a company’s business.
As a compromise, we were thinking we could offer vendors an opportunity to respond to any negative comments. We’d post it as a separate post, and link to the vendor’s response from the old post with the negative comments.
As a bride or as a vendor, do you think this is a fair way to handle this situation? What other suggestions do you have for tackling this sticky situation?
Looks like no one wants to comment since they’re so blown away by this vendor’s total ‘tude. How tacky of them.
Hmm… that makes me think about the establishment of an Internet BBB… interesting…
I think that an addendum to the post comment would be appropriate - labeled simply as “vendor response.” That way, the comment stays and the vendor has a chance to CALMLY respond to the allegations… and it would be closely linked to the original google-able site. It’s a very responsible and proactive response to the tricky vendor situation that is very very courteous to extend.
Um, he sounds like a bully to me. He can’t report you to the BBB….this is a bridal board, right?? This site is geared for brides and brides only. I’ve been on other boards where brides have detailed reviews on vendors they hire. As a bride myself, it is up to me as a reader to make decisions based on feedback, good or bad. On your previous post about vendor policy, I originally commente that it should be an open forum. Now, I’m not so sure anymore — we don’t want to hear from BULLIES like this photographer. I don’t want to hire someone who talks to someone the way he did to you. Just my 2 cents.
If the reviewer was never a client — remove.
If the reviewer was a client — Well, even if this were the best photographer in the world, he seems like a jerk based on his own snide and sensationalistic emails. So I’d say any legitimate negative reviews have likely been CONFIRMED by the source!
Wow! I am… Wow. Mrs. Bee, my personal opinion (from a bride’s perspective) is that “buyers beware” of the nasty vendor(s). Brides carefully research vendors on the internet–the Knot, blogs, reviews, etc. It is up to the buyer to have the information and decide how to proceed.
How are we, as consumers, supposed to know the truths and falsities of the information we find on the internet? Well, it is impossible because there are always 2 sides to the story. In the case of the photog who is upset with this blog, maybe the other side of the story should be told. A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US (love Seinfeld) maybe? But, this is a happy blog… not a place to air grievances.
I’d suggest a separate area to have vendor reviews. The information is vital to our wedding successes, and should not be banned entirely. I understand the photog’s business may be hampered by such a posting. But, maybe that photog should contact the aggrieved person to clear up the situation instead of using you as a message board. Just a thought.
Mrs. Bee, that is a pretty good idea to implement but I believe that in the long run, no matter what, there will always be issues about vendor reviews, true or not, defamation or praises.
On another note, my two cents, I guess this photographer isn’t secure about his own skills otherwise, he wouldn’t have thrown such a fit about it. Let your work be a representation of you. Don’t let someone’s negative feedback (true or not) throw you into a hissy fit. Any smart bride would judge a photographer mainly by his work, not by others feed back.
Just from the perspective of a photographer, this is a more than ample solution. A lot of bridal sites don’t even give vendors a chance to respond, and I’ve had friends who’ve had false things spread about them without a chance to respond. Great solution. 
I love when people send emails in all caps. It really gets the point across. Notice any sarcasm?
As for future comments and negative reviews I think they are quite helpful when true. Like others have said how do we know what the real story is. If a negative comment is left about a vendor would it be possible to put a disclaimer below?
If the vendor would like to counter the negative post with a professional and calm explanation that should be allowed as well.
I know that I value Weddingbee and all the brides on this site have to offer. It would be a shame to delete or cancel out anyones comments if they are written in a manner fitting of Weddingbee.
Let me start by saying, I would NEVER use a vendor who write in all caps and that large of a font. It’s disrespectful no matter who you are and what you are talking about.
Moving on, I think you should do it like Tripadvisor does. Reviews are posted and then the vendor (or hotel) has an opportunity to post feedback as well. I know this is what you already said, but I guess I’m not understand how you are going to do it. Is it going to be a completely different blog post all together? I’m not sure I like that idea, because some people just won’t see the vendor’s rebuttal. Is there any way to put it directly after the user’s post?
I second Miss Lemon’s idea for the “Vendor Response” button for the future.
The Vendor-in-Question is understandably upset (if it indeed was a false representation on the comment boards), but taking such a drastic move certainly does show the vendor’s true colors doesn’t it?
Mrs. Bee I’m with you! Let me know when it’s all goin down!
well, it the photographer is in SoCal, I’d like to know who it is… because anyone that gets that worked up and threatening to a bridal blog isn’t someone I would hire. Of course this person’s business is important to them - which is great - but my goodness, it always pays to be nice! Personally I think it is very classy that you didn’t post Photographer X’s name. Their huge font size and threats? Not so classy. Reviews are opinions, and opinions differ.
My only concern would be the possibility a “back and forth” of he said/she said.
I think it makes sense to treat it like Angie’s list where they have a chance to respond.
With that said, I don’t believe this photographer’s issue is his photos, but rather his manner.
and, seriously just a question because I dont know the answer…but when brides review vendors at the knot, and in their bio’s, isn’t it the same thing?
I’d like to add I have even angrier font than the vendor’s (it flashes).
I think Miss Lemon’s idea sounds good–that way, the vendor gets the chance for fair & equal response, which I think might be part of the issue in defamation/libel types of situations.
But you might also add a disclaimer under or above the comments that says something to the effect that Weddingbee doesn’t vouch for the accuracy of the comments, and the ability to comment is only provided as a means of communication/education…
Also, it would seem like the less you moderate comments, the less responsible weddingbee might be…
maybe?
First, I must disclose that I am a photographer too.
I think first of all, you probably need a legal discliamer somewhere on your site (if you don’t have one) that the comments of the bees or readers are their opinion, and do not necessarily reflect your opinion or experience. Probably touch based with a lawyer to make sure that anything that gets posted which is legally defamation is the responsibility of the writer….
2nd - Having an opportunity for vendors to respond is very generous.
3rd - Whoever this person is….he/she needs a little more business training! Based on the tone and nature of the emails you received directly, I don’t think he/she has the proper tempermant for this business, in my humble opinion.
just to clarify - I *do* think the bees should go on giving honest and open reviews of their vendors!! No matter what!
I’ve read both positive and negative comments about my own vendors. It’s the bride’s decision to do the research and come up with the company or person that is right for their wedding. This person’s bullying tactics would outweigh a negative review in my decision to hire them.
As a lawyer, I have to say that I hate it when people threaten legal action in this kind of manner.
First of all, an aggrieved person should courteously attempt to resolve the situation before threatening legal action. This isn’t a legal requirement per se, but it’s a demonstration of good faith to the court, if it even gets that far. Calling someone irresponsible in all caps and giving someone about a day to address their grievances will probably be considered unreasonable.
Second, defamation is extremely hard to prove. Truth is a defense, and even if the person making the comments was really never a customer, any credible person that could attest to the comments would defeat his claim.
Finally, any damages from lost revenue, which are probably too speculative to enforce, would not make up for his lawyer billing him around $300-400 per hour to prepare his case. It basically isn’t worth his time.
So, in summary, don’t worry about it.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Bee, New York Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet Engagement Date: May 7, 2004 Wedding Date: March 5, 2005 Venue: Westside Loft, New York About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Latest Gallery Pics