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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Complaint about a zombie post of mine

329 replies

Chefwifelife · 15/07/2020 19:06

I had an email from MN report team today to inform me that a post of mine from June 2019 has been reported as possible libel for defamation.

I’ve read the post several times and stand by the post as honest. I’ve informed MN that I don’t want the post deleted.

I can see today that several of the posts by other members on the thread have been deleted.

I was intrigued if there were similar posts on Mumsnet so Googled this company and found that a few days ago there quite an unpleasant exchange on Trust Pilot with a customer who had left a negative review about them.

AIBU to stand by my original (ancient) post or should I just be done with it and delete it? I don’t want to feel bullied into removing an honest post asking for others experiences.

Has anyone been in this situation?

FYI MN have been great throughout.

OP posts:
DarkDarkNight · 15/07/2020 20:39

If it’s the activity bag it looks awful, no way would that be worth £22. It looks like really bad quality 50p sticker books. I’m sure they wouldn’t want people to see the contents of the packs as you could put something much nicer together for a third of the price.

excuseforfights · 15/07/2020 20:40

ah sorry I see it's named in the title.

mcdog · 15/07/2020 20:40

I've just read it, I don't see anything wrong with it. It was an honest review, and you put the resolution at the end of the thread.

As if one of the posters on that thread bought a noisy book for a flight 🤦🏻‍♀️

Bemorechicken · 15/07/2020 20:42

I think your post is very well written. The update is good etc -actually I think your feedback ends up being quite positive for them. I'd stand by it.

Fruitsaladjelly · 15/07/2020 20:42

Please can someone link the original thread

Original poster
Chefwifelife · 15/07/2020 20:42

Before I posted this thread I think my zombie post came up as the third hit on google search for the company.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 15/07/2020 20:43

I think a lot of small businesses are really struggling at the moment, but that's no reason to either intimidate people or for mumsnet to let people be intimidated.
We need a few more name and shames - the company is called "Keep em Quiet"

DarkDarkNight · 15/07/2020 20:43

Wow, just read some replies on Trustpilot. They don’t really have much self awareness. There is a huge markup on those items.

Jobseeker19 · 15/07/2020 20:45

I have just seen on trust pilot they tried to get a review taken and the writer had to prove she had emails.
Then the company replied with a very long reply about hiw they are a family run business and she wrote that in purpose.
They are after anyone who had a negative experience with them.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 15/07/2020 20:46

Considering that a lot of the general public don't actually understand the significance of the star-review system (see Amazon for loads of reviews which say 'Absolutely amazing item - exceeded all of my hopes and expectations, and for such a bargain price as well: 1 Star') and that there are a lot of grumpy-guts out there who deliberately only ever give 3 or 4 stars for a perfect item, because their wonderful new toaster doesn't also pick up their kids from school, one could be forgiven for wondering if a sea of exclusively 5-star reviews might possibly not tell the whole picture.

Also, personally speaking, any company that makes the odd genuine mistake and then graciously and apologetically goes above and beyond to rectify it or compensate the customer actually impresses me more than one that appears perfect in the first place. The former is the mark of a provably reputable company that values their customers; the latter might just indicate one that's got lucky so far but could show their true colours as soon as something goes wrong.

OneForMeToo · 15/07/2020 20:48

I can’t find the original thread

excuseforfights · 15/07/2020 20:50

I'm not sure if we're allowed to link the original thread, but I'm willing to take one for the team and PM to anyone who wants to see the OT.

Jobseeker19 · 15/07/2020 20:51

@OneForMeToo

I can’t find the original thread
On advance search, search op user name then filter by date and pick 01 june 2019 to 30 june 2019.
puffinkoala · 15/07/2020 20:52

Libel is only actionable if it's not true. If what you wrote is true, they can bog off.

WorraLiberty · 15/07/2020 20:53

I can't find your post OP, but I got exactly the same sort of email a year or so ago from MNHQ! Shock

And having Googled the company I can see it's the same one.

All I did was give my opinion on how cheap I thought the contents of the pack looked.

I told them to delete it for a quiet life but blimey, what is wrong with this company that people are being accused of that for simply opining on their product?

puffinkoala · 15/07/2020 20:53

I also refer everyone to: www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-investigates-misleading-online-reviews

Notwiththeseknees · 15/07/2020 20:53

In my opinion, Dan should not be in a customer service position....

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the review and I thought their later contact with you was good customer service. Now I have looked at other (over)reactions, I would never recommend this company in case my friends ended up being ranted at on Trustpilot! Bit of a Ratners moment for 'Em...

JacobReesMogadishu · 15/07/2020 20:54

Well I doubt they’re going to take you to court.......you are allowed the opinion it’s plastic tat and looking at the photo I think they’d struggle to argue otherwise.

Years ago MNHQ were sued in court by SWMNBN for libel for a post an MNet had written about her. Iirc MNHQ had to pay a significant sum to settle.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 15/07/2020 20:54

@excuseforfights I really really do!!!!!

excuseforfights · 15/07/2020 20:56

@mumsiedarlingrevolta check PMs Smile

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 15/07/2020 20:57

Libel is only actionable if it's not true. If what you wrote is true, they can bog off.

I can confirm that this is correct: it is a verbatim quote from the official high court guidelines on cases involving this specific legislation Grin

PigletJohn · 15/07/2020 20:58

It's not unusual for companies wanting to keep a good inline reputation, despite not being good, to throw legal letters around like confetti.

it's been done to me when I commented on a website where traders pay to be listed (i.e. they are Advertisements, not reviews) and can remove unfavourable reviews, even if true, but which tries to give the false impression that it rates the qualifications and compretence of its advertisers, and that the published reviews give a true and fair impression.

When a company, or an annoying neighbour, employs a legal firm to persecute the public, I was told that a good response is to acknowled and reply to them, by letter, admitting nothing, one letter to contest each point they make, a week or two apart. Apparently the client will get a bill "to read and reply to respondent's letter" which with a bit of luck will cost them £50 a time.

I would explain that I can't reply by email because I haven't got a computer.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 15/07/2020 20:58

Good on you for starting this thread, OP. These things need to be talked about out in the open.

To a pp who had trouble discussing a school - did it start with K and end with E by any chance?

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 15/07/2020 20:59

@excuseforfights thank you. it is clearly a lockdown side effect but am clearly over invested in a thread I know nothing about Grin

InTheWings · 15/07/2020 20:59

Trust Pilot Review:
Product:
MN Users.

I am a big fan of MNers, they are a mix of funny, shrewd, rude and experienced. Most are kind. But some seem to show a slight malfunction when in 'find a thread' mode. Can they be turned on and off again before inputting the following function commands:

To find the original thread:
Go to Advance Search.
Put in the OP's username in the box
Go to the dates and search from June 1st 2019 to July 1st 2019 - since the OP clearly says on this thread when she posted.
Clue: it isn't a Conception or Health or Pregnancy thread.

Three Stars.