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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    26

    Default 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?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default 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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Extortion for Free Services

    I'm not sure it's extortion. Coercion, maybe?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default 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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    26

    Default 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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Extortion for Free Services

    Quote Quoting cornelius
    View Post
    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default 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".

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default 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.

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