what to do about a little slander

[tunes4046]

I have a bride who gave me a very positive review start bad mouthing me on facebook after loosing a court case with the venue, I was originally contracted until midnight at our final planning meeting she asked if we could move everything up an hour start time and end time thus being done at 11pm, I made the changes and had her initial the contract where changes were made, she sued the venue saying they kicked them out at 11:45, I don't know I was long gone by then, I provided a written statement to the courts about what happened and my timeline of events, she lost and is know personally attacking me on Facebook stating that I did not play until the contracted time. I have blocked her, it's just a little frustrating

 

[sonic-vision]

Sorry about the bad mouthing. Drama both you and I don't need. Some people seem to have a negative outcome planned in their mind & this is what happens no matter what you do?! Let's place blame on someone no matter what or find fault !!
Had a bride I bent over backwards for and wedding & reception went very well. Worst review I have ever had (so far). Groom couldn't say enough good about my services. You would think if you tip of $150.00 for my services all went great?? Not from the review I was given from the bride.

 

[B-Sharp]

Do nothing. If she complains enough about everything to everybody, everybody will figure out that SHE'S the crazy one.

 

[SEDJ]

Sorry to hear about the drama, I am sure she will tire herself out soon and move along to the next thing to bitch about.

But, I did get an idea to combat the "stating that I did not play until the contracted time", maybe this is already being done, but I think I am going to add a line on my contract for the bride/groom to sign at the end of the night that states that I have performed all services paid for and upheld my end of the contract and fulfilled it.

 

[B-Sharp]

But, I did get an idea to combat the "stating that I did not play until the contracted time", maybe this is already being done, but I think I am going to add a line on my contract for the bride/groom to sign at the end of the night that states that I have performed all services paid for and upheld my end of the contract and fulfilled it.

Seems kind of irrelevant, if you ask me. How often has something like that happened to you that it needs to be part of every contract? And further, what happens when a party simply wraps up early and they tell you it's okay for you to pack up and leave? If you're contracted until midnight and they're giving you the universal "cut it" sign at 11:00, why bother breaking out the contract again? Nothing like reminding them that their party didn't last as long as they'd planned - maybe due to a lame crowd, maybe because nobody liked your music - and reminding them that they paid you to play later.

Just throwing some scenarios out there.

 

[Jas]

I might post a jpg of only that part of the contract. You have documentation that shows she is wrong. Just don't take on her emotions. Be calm about showing the facts. It seems many clients never even look at their contract.

 

[ittigger]

Also sorry to hear. Sometimes when one starts crying, they will cry about everything (it was all so horrible) to try to get someone to help. Being that you didn't defend what she wanted you to, you are the bad guy.

I might post a jpg of only that part of the contract. You have documentation that shows she is wrong. Just don't take on her emotions. Be calm about showing the facts. It seems many clients never even look at their contract.

I wouldn't post anything. If this is a legal action in court, let it play out there.

 

[SEDJ]

Seems kind of irrelevant, if you ask me.
Just throwing some scenarios out there.

Maybe so, maybe not, it just all depends.

 

[djrox]

If she is publishing and making false statements AND you believe her actions are having a sufficient effect on your reputation, hire legal counsel and begin the process to either have her cease and desist or seek civil punitive damages in a court of law.

Otherwise, ignore her selfish, immature, immoral behavior and chive on.

 

[Scott Hanna]

I wouldn't block her. I'd simply be extremely professional. Post the good reviews and offer to post the documents showing what you have. Explain the facts. She won't care. But others reading will.

 

[rickryan.com]

Sorry to hear about the drama, I am sure she will tire herself out soon and move along to the next thing to bitch about.

But, I did get an idea to combat the "stating that I did not play until the contracted time", maybe this is already being done, but I think I am going to add a line on my contract for the bride/groom to sign at the end of the night that states that I have performed all services paid for and upheld my end of the contract and fulfilled it.

Don't do this. A nut-case like this is a rare, rare thing. If you start asking every couple for a signature you're going to throw a damper on all your good events. You'll make the good customers feel like you don't trust them. Don't do it.

 

[rickryan.com]

If she is publishing and making false statements AND you believe her actions are having a sufficient effect on your reputation, hire legal counsel and begin the process to either have her cease and desist or seek civil punitive damages in a court of law.

Otherwise, ignore her selfish, immature, immoral behavior and chive on.

I would do a combination of WifeDJ's and Scott's advice. Send her a copy of the contract with her initials on the time chance and a stern "cease and desist" letter. Threaten legal action if she does not remove those immediately. Do NOT block her but go refute the dings with short and sweet (and professional) rebuttal and attach a scan of the document with her initials on it. If you play it right, these nut-case jobs often will play to your favor and win you business, based on the level of professionalism shown. Make no mistakes about it, people easily see through drama queens like this. Don't miss an opportunity.

 

[DJ Bobcat]

I would probably post a short, professional rebuttal as suggested previously, and leave it at that. Legal action is expensive, and would likely cost more than you'd lose as the result of a negative review.
This is the problem I have with online reviews. I've run across too many people who relish confrontation and like to talk about how they chewed out this guy or that guy. Somehow it makes them feel superior. Right now, I don't have anyplace for someone to post a review of my performance. I ask clients to send me an email to tell me how I did. I've had several guests send me complimentary emails... never had a negative one yet, but most of my gigs are for people I've known and worked with for years (before I retired and started my DJ business). I know online reviews have some value, but more times than not, I think the bad reviews are unduly harsh or downright unfair.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Proformance]

This is a problem you solve with empathy not evidence. I would not respond on Facebook. If you want to try and resolve this do it in person or over the phone - NOT online.

You may believe you can prove yourself to be right however, she is posting because she's angry not because you were wrong. Don't play the game of online catch with someone who's throwing their anger around. No one cares how well you can throw it back.

It's not slander to post bad reviews, although Facebook is not really a review site - if you have a page for you business you are essentially without such recourse since you are inviting comment. Just block her and if the problem persists contact her kindly and directly. Act confused not angry and defensive, and remain calm - question instead of argue. Place the burden on her to explain herself rather than simply counter your retorts.

If she can't get fuel from you she'll wind down her engine.

 

[SEDJ]

Don't do this. A nut-case like this is a rare, rare thing. If you start asking every couple for a signature you're going to throw a damper on all your good events. You'll make the good customers feel like you don't trust them. Don't do it.

I see your point, and I did not look at it that way( not trusting)

 

[rickryan.com]

Don't play the game of online catch with someone who's throwing their anger around. No one cares how well you can throw it back.

Since you claim to have no online presence and no online reviews, I fail to see how you'd venture to give advice. In fact, I've had a number of bookings, and have heard plenty other DJs say they got bookings precisely because of the way they responded, online, to a nut-case. People get a weird kick out of reading bad reviews, and a good web fight can be quite entertaining. This forum is proof enough of that.

Anytime you get a hand grenade tossed your way, you're being given a prime opportunity to display your professionalism and integrity. If you get into the mud and roll around with them, you'll look bad but if you respond politely you'll often gain the respect and the attention of other valid prospects. Now if you're getting a constant stream of complaints all bets are off. But if you get the occasion rock tossed at you, your respond well, it can and will work in your favor.

 

[steve149]

Bob has an online presence and there are testimonials on his site .. it's not hard to find with a Google of Proformance and DJ ... Proformance Disc Jockey & Special Events

 

[Proformance]

Since you claim to have no online presence and no online reviews, I fail to see how you'd venture to give advice. In fact, I've had a number of bookings, and have heard plenty other DJs say they got bookings precisely because of the way they responded, online, to a nut-case. People get a weird kick out of reading bad reviews, and a good web fight can be quite entertaining. This forum is proof enough of that.

Anytime you get a hand grenade tossed your way, you're being given a prime opportunity to display your professionalism and integrity. If you get into the mud and roll around with them, you'll look bad but if you respond politely you'll often gain the respect and the attention of other valid prospects. Now if you're getting a constant stream of complaints all bets are off. But if you get the occasion rock tossed at you, your respond well, it can and will work in your favor.

My advice was to respond in person, not online.

You cannot have top notch customer service if you insert layers of third party websites to handle your customer feedback and community image. If you have a complaint about a Proformance DJ you need to take up the issue with Proformance, not Yelp, Facebook, Wedding Wire, etc. Your router or modem is not an effective communication tool - it's just hardware.

The DJ is upset because the customer failed to first contact him directly. That is a mistake that should not be repeated on his end.

 

[Proformance]

I've had a number of bookings, and have heard plenty other DJs say they got bookings precisely because of the way they responded, online, to a nut-case. People get a weird kick out of reading bad reviews, and a good web fight can be quite entertaining.

Those will be customers I do not want, and you'll have to admit you generally post repeated complaints about the people you end up working with (including your own DJs) so, I don't see value in your approach.

YOU may enjoy a good fight - but, the customer is acting out of frustration and the desire to be heard. Personal sympathetic contact answers that need. Firing back only adds to their frustration and escalates their resolve. I would rather listen to the complaint and satisfy (or at least pacify) customers than win fights and produce angry detractors. Not every case will end with a Cumbia song but, that is only more reason not to handle these publicly online.

 

[djrox]

My advice was to respond in person, not online.

Ditto but only as a first salvo.

If the misinformation campaign continues, other avenues of recourse are warranted and more likely to garner beneficial results.

If she can't get fuel from you she'll wind down her engine.

Unless she hasn't or doesn't or won't.

the customer is acting out of frustration and the desire to be heard.

Which serves as reliable evidence into her immaturity. Neither "frustration" nor any selfish, self serving "desire to be heard" is validation for using blogtelligence to disseminate lies, deception, disrespect, antagonism or slander.

Individuals that first seek to use the www to vent their unfounded, irrational, and self serving immaturity are individuals that rely on passive victims/targets.

I would rather listen to the complaint and satisfy (or at least pacify) customers than win fights and produce angry detractors.

No one is promoting negative or confrontational responses. But your passive, empathy based advice coupled with your inexperience with online reviews is weak advice, at best.

A private and polite but stern response and request to correct and cease any and all misinformation is a more prudent course.

If, a term purposefully penned by many here offering sage and considered advice, rickryan "believes her actions are having a sufficient effect on his reputation" pacifist methods of response allow the damage to progress and may provide evidence of future claims of habitual, contributory passiveness.