Customer Threatens a Bad Review if I Don't Provide Free Service
My question involves defamation in the state of: california
Lately I have had customers at a store come in to get this and that services for free
or else they will post bad reviews on yelp.
Also, we have rules and regulations here and customers wish to break them or else they will post
bad reviews.
What can I do about this? Is this extortion?
Re: Extortion for Free Services
Yes, it's extortion.
But, realistically, there's nothing you can do about it except refuse to do business with them.
I don't think too many people pay much attention to Yelp anyway.
Re: Extortion for Free Services
I'm not sure it's extortion. Coercion, maybe?
Re: Extortion for Free Services
I think the CA extortion statute can be stretched to cover the customer's threats:
518. Extortion is the obtaining of property from another, with his
consent, or the obtaining of an official act of a public officer,
induced by a wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of
official right.
519. Fear, such as will constitute extortion, may be induced by a
threat, either:
1. To do an unlawful injury to the person or property of the
individual threatened or of a third person; or,
2. To accuse the individual threatened, or any relative of his, or
member of his family, of any crime; or,
3. To expose, or to impute to him or them any deformity, disgrace
or crime; or,
4. To expose any secret affecting him or them.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/di...0&file=518-527
Good luck getting the authorities involved at that level.
Re: Extortion for Free Services
They are threatening us to steal our products,
but I dont think people or authorities take these kinds of things seriously.
Re: Extortion for Free Services
Quote:
Quoting
cornelius
They are threatening us to steal our products,
but I dont think people or authorities take these kinds of things seriously.
You're right.
But if this is one or two people once in a while develope a thicker skin and tell them to get lost.
Re: Extortion for Free Services
They are not threatening to steal your products. They are trying to coerce you into giving them free products. You are free to say "No".
Re: Extortion for Free Services
so, if you continue to knuckle under, it is what it is. If you refuse the services, you defend the bad reviews. If they libel you, you may be able to take legal action. So, either continue to give away whatever or tell them know and deal with whatever they do. Not much else to tell you.