Can we Say " places to avoid" ??

[tomsdragons]

we have build our site, so respectable reptile breeders/ shops can be shown, and offered trade from people that contatc us.. but..

i also feel its good to let people know of places that have had a few bad reputations...???
could i be charged for "insult" and could it be a good or bad thing?..

your thoughts please, reason i ask, is ive been to a few places, and some are TERRIBLE!... and some good, but i feel mentioning these places could help the reptile trade by "eliminating" the not so good shops/ breeders, and they then have an option.. change the way they are, or close!..

its somthing i have felt passionate about for ages, and i wondered if im allowed to do this, or if i could be charged for it?
Tom

[gtm]

You risk being hammered for libel and / or malicious falsehood.

[TAXI]

Good idea, but you never know if some-one has there own agenda...

[sami]

I would just not include them...

recommend the places that are good, but not advertise the 'not so good' places....

[Razzler79]

you might be able to let people leave a positive rating (1-10) on their satisfaction without leaving comments, then the places that aren't so great won't have a high rating. you'll only be asking customers to identify their positive experiences and not to highlight any negatives.

(e.g. our users rated this service 7/10 stars)

[snakearms]

tricky one that,think you'll always get people that love/hate the same shop n it'll just start arguments....

[Athravan]

To publish any negative opinion that may affect a reputation or business, unless you are absolutely certain of your facts (and willing to prove it in court), leaves you wide open to be sued for libel as the publisher of these statements, even if users wrote them. If you're willing to be taken to court to prove a point then by all means, go ahead... but most people find it a lot more hassle than it's worth.

[tomsdragons]

o.k that fine..

the rating system could be good, the problem is we contact the breeders, so its in OUr power, and it would be us that deals with them..

i agree though, i dont want to cause arguments, so maybe il just leave it for now..
Thanks everyone.
Tom

[GlasgowGecko]

This strikes me as the same situation as giving a reference for a job... Your not allowed to give a negative one (anymore), but instead choose not to give one. If for the establishments you don't want to recommend, couldn't you simply say "We can not recommend this establishment". It implies negativity without rumors, or opinion, and is not libelous...

Andy

[Dextersdad]

Mate, if I want to say to avoid a place and give my frank opinions then I shall do so.

I've done it before and would do so again.