No Negative Comments Online - Vendor Clause

That's a red flag. You already know that vendor isnt good if they have any sort of clause like that in their contract...

I would be very cautious about posting any negative reviews if you signed a contract where that was a stipulation. If you feel you MUST, I’d consult with a lawyer because you’d be breaking a written agreement.

View Quoted Comment I totally agree.

Did you sign a contract with them?

And if you already signed the contract, you basically waived your rights to write any sort of bad or less than ok reviews. If you do, they could have the right to sue you.

If you signed that agreement then it’s not worth it to risk a lawsuit. Which vendor was it? If the negatives were something your guests experienced (like a caterer running out of food) then you could get around it by having a guest leave a review of their experience.

I don’t think I would. That stinks that you had a bad experience, but if you have a written agreement stating you couldn’t do it, then I wouldn’t. I knew someone who went through a school program and they had to sign a similar thing, she ended up posting a bad review anyway, and was being sued for a crazy amount of money. I don’t think it’s worth it. You could always just let people you know about your experience verbally and maybe spread the word :/

I wonder if you could just leave a review saying, "A clause in our contract states we can't post a negative review. Therefore, we will end our review here." I mean technically you won't have said anything negative 🤔😂

Lesson learned: never go with a company that wants control of your review...

Try to resolve it with them, but this is not typically an enforceable clause. You might check with a lawyer, but I’ve heard of people trying this and they usually lose.

Never heard of a vendor putting a clause like that on the contract but if you accepted and signed. I don’t think you should risk it.

I've never heard of that. I wouldn't risk it. I would just spread the word verbally to people you know who may be looking for a vendor.

Non-disparagement clauses are typically used by vendors who don’t feel the need to actually stand by their work. The good news is, by most accounts, there doesn’t seem to be much likelihood that they’ll get very far if they come after you. So, first, is the service you contracted complete? Example, I’ve heard of photographers withholding photos to get brides to write a good review or retract a bad one. Next, check with a lawyer to see whether it’s fair game to post your review. Last, make sure your review is factual, not angry.

Definitely a good lesson for all of us who have more vendors to book to really dig into the contracts and check for clauses like this!!

I dont think those clauses are enforceable. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/yes-you-can-post-negative-online-review-says-congress-n693001
You generally can post a negative review that is *true*. Be careful about being over the top, stating things that are defamatory. And I would say in the review that the contract contains a gag clause.

Also, you can complain to the BBB and probably your states attorney's general, specifically about that clause.

View Quoted Comment That sounds like a good compromise to me.

Stating facts should not violate any sort of clause in the contract. I would state only facts and leave out “I feel” or “I think” comments. Something like: our contract stated they would arrive at 4pm and they arrived 5:45pm; our contracted stated we would have two photographers, only one photographer arrived at our wedding, etc. Or whatever the facts were.

Ask a lawyer, maybe even a “1” star rating with a statement like “due to their no negative clause in their contract we cannot comment” could be enough of a warning to other couples? But check with a lawyer.

View Quoted Comment That’s a great idea. Doesn’t break the rules but gets the point across. Too bad she would still have to give them high stars.

View Quoted Comment Yes a venue did with us as well. But haven't signed for it yet

View Quoted Comment What if a contract was not signed yet? And being signed later?

View Quoted Comment

One option is to post somewhere that such and such company has the contract requiring you to state you will not give negative reviews about them and then ask if you should sign the contract. Next say that only if they have given you at least decent service, then you will try to get back and share that here (i.e. wherever you post that comment). The other thing is that if you have not signed the agreement, you should be able to state any honest observation you have found so far. But if they are prone to be troublesome, you would need to make sure any complaints you have are well documented -- having good evidence.

Also, I'm not sure if it would work. But you can ask questions like (for a caterer review), "Is it normal for hair to be found in mashed potatoes?" This is not a statement of fact nor an accusation. It is just a question that popped into your head.

View Quoted Comment Can't even state it was decent .. and thank you!!!