Negative review - threat of legal action

[letmeeatinpeace]

I recently had a stone worktop installed. The stone has an imperfection which I hadn't spotted when I viewed it at the stone supplier - the slab was 3 metres wide, and the imperfection is 3cm. The stone FABRICATOR (a separate company), unfortunately, positioned this imperfection in a prominent area where it's really visible - right in the middle of the food prep area next to the stove. As well as being an eyesore, the imperfection is rough to the touch and has little holes where food gets in so it's difficult to keep clean.

The day it was installed I asked what they could do to fix it but they were extremely dismissive/aggressive and just said I should use candle wax to fill the holes. They demanded payment (cash in hand) and I didn't feel comfortable pushing back about it on the day. I followed up afterwards, but they refused to fix it or offer advice on how I can fill the holes properly.

My review was going to be about how it would have been helpful if the stone fabricator had flagged the main imperfections before cutting it, and either avoided them or asked me where I'd prefer them to be positioned so they wouldn't be in such a prominent area. I think this is fair, seeing as they decided how the stone was cut. (Obviously, in hindsight, I should not have relied on their 'expertise' and should have gone there in person to check before it was cut - however, my untrained eyes may have missed it as I did the first time round).

I let them know I would be writing a review of my experience and they immediately threatened legal action for defamation if I were to go ahead. They included their solicitor's details, and said they have been instructed.

This company only has 5 star reviews (although the most recent one is 2 years old). I imagine they keep negative reviews at bay by using similar tactics.

I have been burned in the past with poor tradespeople so I feel strongly about warning others re what they could potentially be getting in to. Obviously, I would keep my review factually accurate, but I don't know the technicalities of defamation law... Could I include a screengrab of their email reply? It was so aggressive, they really don't come off well.

AIBU - should I let it go, and just let others walk into this kind of crap?

Or should I go ahead? Do I need a solicitor to check my review before posting??

They won't have a successful legal action against you if your review is honest. No wonder they only have 5 star reviews - they probably threaten everyone and people either remove reviews or don't leave one.
I left an honest review of a local restaurant. A few days later my boss found his firm had a dreadful review naming me with some personal insults but we were confused as the review writer was definitely not a client. When we looked into it he was the owner of the restaurant. He then tried to blackmail me to take mine down and he'd do the same. I didn't though because the firm was closing anyway so his shitty review didn't really matter. Google were appalling though - we sent them the blackmail messages to try to get it taken down and they just ignored all communication.

Wanting payment in cash sounded a bit dodgy.

How much was this stone worktop anyway?

Tell them that you are in no way afraid of their legal threats and that you will be leaving a negative review unless it is resolved in 5 working days….

We had threats of legal action for an Orangery we had installed. The firm was massively delaying the repair of a leaky rrof. I gave them chance after chance to come over they failed to keep appointments etc and then were rue on thr phone to my OH

We left a review on a well-known site used by millions - the threats came got us worried and I said to my OH delete it, leave it - we even had the review site contacting us - our children said to leave it up as its a honest and very fair review - we left it there - they fixed the leak - We updated the review to say it was fixed but would not be using them again due to the stress, waste of time ect they cause - more threats to take it doen - it was stressful - then the CEO rang and was very nice and asked us to take it don - OH was going to when we got another call from a manager that was really rude and told us to take down the review - because of that call we did not but it was a100% honest and very fair review. It can be stressful no matter how honest and right you are

Can you please not quote the whole of the opening post whenever you reply, it's so annoying to have to keep scrolling down the whole thing each time for the point you're making. It's totally unnecessary, we all know what we're discussing. Thanks

UPDATE: I have posted the review just now. Let's see what happens. I stated all the facts, and invited the owner to reply with any further details, or to flag any inaccuracy.

It feels like he's a pretty shady character, so I'm hoping he doesn't show up at our door!

I didn't include a screengrab of his email, as I wasn't sure if it would breach his right for privacy.

In the meantime, I've placed this large pot holder over the offending area so I don't have to think about it!

Hello OP

Just to be clear, you bought the stone by pointing to a piece of it? Was it on a discount, or anything?

With our review, I wrote, "I will update on any developments" and I did and I even thanked them when they finally sort it out, but the rest was like my previous post here.

Any stone masons here - can it be polished out?

Good luck

In that last pic you posted, I can’t even see any caulk or anything in the gap between the slab and the wall. Is it transparent or non-existent? Is that normal?

Yes there's a gap as the tiles aren't up yet.

@DistinguishedSocialCommenator yes I selected the slab in person. It was not discounted / cheaper than other slabs of the same material.

When you picked it - there is/was a notice that warned you about any imperfections.? I doubt it but I thought I'd ask