FabSwingers.com forum: Not swinging related but small business

By *NV14INV OP Couple
6 weeks ago

Inverness

We have a small business that is mainly advertised on facebook. We are currently being attacked by a so called competitor who is posting personal pictures of staff and management and spreading lies and false information about our highly rated business. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you resolve it? We are in Scotland where laws are different than England. We are all blocked from the competitor and have to rely on friends informing us. We report these post to facebook but they don’t get removed and the police say they can’t really do anything as they are not threatening us personally. We are at our wits end with it. Any advice would be appreciated. Sorry to rant. C&V

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By *heRingerMasterMan
6 weeks ago

Glasgow

You could possibly sue them for defamation .

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By *NV14INV OP Couple
6 weeks ago

Inverness

"You could possibly sue them for defamation . "
it would cost an absolute fortune though.

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By *heRingerMasterMan
6 weeks ago

Glasgow

Depends how much harm they are doing to your business and the financial impact it’s having if the cost of a defamation would be worth of.

A solicitors letter threatening that you are going to go down that route if they don’t take the posts down and a

Refrain from doing it in future would cost about £150-£200 a s might give them enough of a fright to stop.

The other option is to just publicly rebuke every time they post lies, though this sounds hard to keep up on if you’re blocked from seeing their posts.

What was the nature of the photos? If they were private photos (for lack of a better word) then surely that is breaking the law?

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By *NV14INV OP Couple
6 weeks ago

Inverness

"Depends how much harm they are doing to your business and the financial impact it’s having if the cost of a defamation would be worth of.

A solicitors letter threatening that you are going to go down that route if they don’t take the posts down and a

Refrain from doing it in future would cost about £150-£200 a s might give them enough of a fright to stop.

The other option is to just publicly rebuke every time they post lies, though this sounds hard to keep up on if you’re blocked from seeing their posts.

What was the nature of the photos? If they were private photos (for lack of a better word) then surely that is breaking the law? "

Photos are personal images that they have taken off our personal social media pages. Nothing at all to do with our business.

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By *ucka39Man
6 weeks ago

Newcastle

You need a solicitor who deals with civil matters then take the matter to the civil court in Scotland it's justice of peace

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By *NV14INV OP Couple
6 weeks ago

Inverness

Thanks Buka

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By *ucka39Man
6 weeks ago

Newcastle

"Thanks Buka"

Welcome

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By *urrey Dave 69Man
6 weeks ago

Epsom, Surrey

Post the truth on your own Facebook page and let folks know about the tactics being used. Explain the situation rationally and without emotion but clearly show how wrong and damaging the other business is being by making the posts they are making. Ask for suggestions and help in defending your position.

If your case is strong then the community action of other users may actually turn this situation in your favour and create a strong backlash against the other company.

If you have truth on your side and you fight you will win

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By *ouple_For_BuddyCouple
6 weeks ago

Newport

First of all you need to know the actual person(s) behind this internet attack.

If you are able to physically identify who they are, it might be quicker and easier to send the Boys around!!!!

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By *ildatheart30Couple
6 weeks ago

Gorebridge

It sounds like the smear campaign of a narcissist so giving reactions will fuel the fire

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By *i3p0Man
6 weeks ago

Elgin

"We have a small business that is mainly advertised on facebook. We are currently being attacked by a so called competitor who is posting personal pictures of staff and management and spreading lies and false information about our highly rated business. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you resolve it? We are in Scotland where laws are different than England. We are all blocked from the competitor and have to rely on friends informing us. We report these post to facebook but they don’t get removed and the police say they can’t really do anything as they are not threatening us personally. We are at our wits end with it. Any advice would be appreciated. Sorry to rant. C&V "

This sounds very similar to something that happened to a very good family friend with their gardening business, also in Scotland.

They were being completely barraged with abusive and defamatory remarks and posts by a competitor on social media as a means simply to spread misinformation and reap the customers that jumped ship.

It took a letter of cease and desist from a solicitor and notice of court action should they continue to stop before everything was cleared up. I think the terms of the letter also required the purpertrator to correct the record publicly.

No idea how much it cost, but the company is still in business and now has a solid and much broader customer base.

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By *ust-a-GuyMan
6 weeks ago

Keep a record, it will get over the threshold of harassment in the end, then remind the police that it is now criminal (or malicious communications)

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
6 weeks ago

Central

Have you suffered harms, to more than your reputation? Definitely keep comprehensive records, which may be of use at any point, including if you change strategies.

Certainly, issue them with legal notification, of pending action.

It's atrocious abuse and you have my sympathy

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By *ertcoupleCouple
6 weeks ago

Hatfield

"You could possibly sue them for defamation . it would cost an absolute fortune though. "

Yeah but the threat of suing usually puts people off.

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By *teinsGateDuoCouple
6 weeks ago

Newcastle under Lyme

A letter from a solicitor warning them you'll take action for defamation if they don't stop would work. That said think hard about what personal pictures they're posting as not everything would be defamation.

For example, if they post pictures of you from a fox hunt (hypothetically) and say you're killing defenceless animals its a little hard to argue that as defamation. What we mean is if what is in the actual pictures is factual as to what they're asserting. Does that make sense?

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By *a1970Man
6 weeks ago

East cork

Keep going to the police and get a record of the number of your complaint including the officer you deal with.... Make the police do their job

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By *lex46TV/TS
5 weeks ago

Near Wells

Most sensible people would support your business rather than the one that’s criticising yours.

It’s never a good look when you criticise the competition. I know this may not help much but they are just looking like idiots.

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