Trip advisor

[sherrardk]

If I post a less than flattering review on trip advisor can I be done for liable? I'm not proposing to write anything less than my view, including that the staff are rude and unprofessional. Thought I should check before I actually submit my review. Thanks.

[alexanderd]

providing you are telling the truth you can write what you like but they probably wont publish it

[jackthehat]

No, that's precisely what it is for......have you contacted the establishment directly to give them chance to apologise, or explain?

[237SJ]

No. You can post a less than flattering review on Tripadvisor. That is what Tripadvisor is all about. They will publish it.

[sherrardk]

Hi JTH - have been emailing them since May. Finally got an answer from the general manager today and he is 'flabbergasted' by my comments and feels I have treated them 'unfairly'. I did tell them that I would take it further (I expected them to give me some sort of half-ar$ed apology to make me go away). I told him that I would be going to the ASA, etc and he basically said, don't bother I will forward your emails.

[sherrardk]

Hi 237sj - what about the bit where I call the staff rude and unprofessional?

[237SJ]

What is your complaint?

[alexanderd]

If thats what you thought then say so but it might be better if you can give examples

[sophie_1003]

If you word it "it is of my opinion that the staff were rude and unprofessional" I can't see anything wrong with that; especially if it's true!

[sherrardk]

Everything about the place from the price (outrageous) to the complete awfulness of it (it is truly sh!te) - I could do you a full list but fear you would lose the will to live. It was so bad that we threaten the children with a return visit if they are on the verge of misbeahving.

[Buenchico]

Hi Sherrardk:

You can't be done for 'liable'; you can only be done for poor spelling ;-)
(Libel)

'Honest comment' is a defence against a claim for libel but "the comment must explicitly or implicitly indicate, at least in general terms, the fact on which it is based"
(Lord Phillips, Supreme Court, December 2010).

So simply writing: "Avoid at all costs, this place is rubbish" could not be defended against a claim for libel as it gives no indication as to the facts upon which it is based.

But (as long as the statements are true) something like this is OK:
"Avoid at all costs, this place is rubbish. We found bed bugs in every room. The food served was consistently 'tepid' rather than 'hot' and the menu was extremely limited . The manager's only response to our complaints was to shrug his shoulders and walk away".

So (again, as long as it's absolutely true) the more detailed and condemnatory you make your review, the better!

Chris

[sherrardk]

Ok - this is what I have written - We were truly disappointed with our visit to Wookey Hole. Over-priced - £60 for two adults and three children (luckily the youngest two were free or it would have cost £82!). Whilst the caves themselves are ok, we couldn't hear the guide and the 'extravagant light show' was little more than some colored lights. The fairy garden was nothing more than some different sized fairy ornaments and sparkly tatt. The rest of the place goes downhill after that - badly maintained, tatty, disjointed, and under-whelming. The Pirate Island Adventure Golf looked like it might save the day from being completely ruined but attracts a further charge. It was such a terrible day out that we now threaten the children with a return visit if they are on the verge of misbehaving! (If you do go and then feel the need to complain - don't bother, the staff are rude and unprofessional.)

[jackthehat]

Have you used trip advisor in the past?

Put down everything down as you found it. They will have the right of reply to anything you say......but believe me, they will not initiate proceeding for slander/libel, etc. It all falls under the bracket of 'Fair comment'......

[Whickerman]

oooh - that sounds bad. Sounds like you really had a bad time but...

To be 100% honest I'm a bit shocked - we went there a few years back, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. At the time there was a Victorian amusement arcade outside and that was top, the caves were great and the guide was hilarious. I actually wrote to them to thank them for a great day out!

[RATTER15]

Well I must say, I went there about 25 years ago and had a great day, the place has obviously gone down hill.

[welshlibranr]

They're asking for your opinion Sher, so I would give it!.....whatever you think!..............

[sherrardk]

Thanks all for your answers (sorry about the spelling Buenchico!). I went there as a child on a school trip and it has changed beyond recognition. We go on lots of days out and this was truly the worse one ever. I don't think the general manger likes the fact that I have had the audacity to tell him what I think of the place and I am sure that he will look at trip advisor for any adverse comments (I did tell him too after one of his staff members e mailed me that their customers all have a brilliant time - coincidentally there are a number of positive reports after that date from people local to the caves!).

[sherrardk]

To ^ not to (I blame this stupid iPad!)

[welshlibranr]

Oh well sher, he's obviously getting his staff and friends to post positive reviews!.....only to be expected I suppose!...but the truth will come out!.if it's not good then the holidaymakers will review it that way anyway!.....

[Hawkwalk]

I went two years ago and thought it was ok. A bit expensive but a good day out. I guess not every attraction lives up to everyones expectations.

[jno]

you might want to expand a bit on "the staff are rude and unprofessional" - give an example or two. Accusing them of being unprofessional is a different matter from saying the attraction is rubbish, so you should stand both claims up.