What to do about bad on-line reviews?

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What to do about bad on-line reviews?

I’m a seller on a major on-line retail site. My business was been moving fast recently, however one day 2 unverified buyers left bad reviews on my product at almost the same hour. I only have 6 reviews, though I have sold over 200 products. These bad reviews killed my business. I’m sure they came from one competitor. I want to press legal charges on those people because they didn’t own the product but wrote the fake review to damage my business. Yet, the on-line site doesn’t want to release the reviewers’ email addresses. Is there any way that I can force them to release it?

Asked on August 17, 2013 under Business Law, New York

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 10 years ago | Contributor

There is a level of privacy that the on-line review site must maintain in order to give validity to the good reviews and a lot legally for you to have to prove to get them to release the information to you or remove the reviews. You are going to have to speak with an attorney and give him or her more than just supposition but concrete evidence that it is your competitor and then maybe you can even go after them.   Maybe.  But it may be best for you to deal with the review in a calm and professional manner, same as you would if that customer came in complaining. Maybe offer the customer a replacement or refund if they were not satisfied.  Depends on the product and review.  But ask your satisfied clients to write positive reviews and that will help tremendously.  Good luck.


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