The state alleges the hotel violated Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act by enforcing a customer review policy that is “unfair, abusive, and deceptive.”
“Guests agree that if guests find any problems with our accommodations, and fail to provide us the opportunity to address those problems while the guest is with us, and/or refuses our exclusive remedy, but then disparages us in any public manner, we will be entitled to charge their credit card an additional $350 damage,” the policy read, according to the lawsuit. “Should the guest refuse to retract any such public statements legal action may be pursued.”
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National consumer watchdog Jason Brown said many companies still aren’t aware they can’t retaliate against customers for reviewing their business.
“It is illegal, unethical for businesses to charge consumers or threaten legal action,” said Brown. “Currently only Yelp warns consumers of this this practice. Consumers should continue to write truthful reviews.
It sounds funny but it’s a good idea to make things better. By this way hotel will treat the customer as good and if customer feels good they post good reviews
Maybe many won’t be thinking like how I use to think. Hotel people are asking the customer to address their issues if the issue is not fixed then its upto us what to right but it not a good manners to threating customer or charging them
@YK1001 If I read this upfront, I won’t be staying here. What wont be good is to only find out after booking and checking in. It’s almost holding someone to a ransom.
The problem is, there are too many terms and agreements that are hidden. Even when they are not hidden, it is not possible for us to read all of them before engaging with the business.
Thus the overall consumer protection law is very important.
I agree, if I am aware of that policy, I will not stay with that hotel if I have a choice.
