I has been running a successful cafe for the better part of the last decade. Yesterday a customer (local guide) threatened my staff with a 1- star review if we don’t waive off the bill and give the food for free. When we explained that it is not possible to give free food he said “I am Google Local guide and can ruin your business with my review.” He went on and claimed that he is part of a larger WhatsApp group with highly rated local reviewers. And he would ask all of them to drop us a negative review.
Hello @wrangler26 and welcome to Local Guides Connect.
I am very sorry that, as a restaurant owner, you have to face this situation. However, to add to your knowledge, I would like to inform you that the reviews posted on Google Maps by Local Guides have an option to be reported. By clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the review, you will see the option to report it. From there, you can report the review.
However, I cannot say for certain whether the review will be taken down or not, as that depends on Google Maps.
Anyway, your decision not to offer free food in exchange for a positive Google Maps review is absolutely right, and I truly appreciate it.
For further guidance, I am also tagging my friend and mentor @ErmesT
Hi @wrangler26 , welcome to Connect, the official Community of the Local Guides.
Thank you @KashifMisidia for tagging me.
I am very sorry to hear about your experience, which unfortunately shows that there are people who try to abuse their role, and thank you for reporting it.
Can you please send me a link to this impostor’s profile in a private message, so that Google can intervene?
Just go to my profile and click on the letter icon
In any case, you can also report the review, as Kashif indicated.
Have you claimed your business in Google Business Profile? I ask because, as a business, the appropriate place for you to ask for help is the GBP community: https://support.google.com/business/community?hl=en
In there you can find help, and also a lot of tutorial about how to better manage your issue, like the one here below
[video] How To Use The Flag Review Tool in Google To Remove Negative Reviews - Sterling Sky Inc Local SEO - Google Business Profile Community
I told the business owner that I would make a nice comment about the business owner that I was satisfied with the service I received. He offered to give me the product I wanted to buy for free, but I refused. You can add a profile link of the local guide who says that he will make a bad comment because you don’t give free food. If he hasn’t commented yet, wait for him and his other local guides to comment.
কানেক্ট ফোরামে স্বাগত @wrangler26 আপনার সাথে ঘটে যাওয়া ঘটনা বেশ দুঃখজনক আশা করি আপনি সমস্যার সমাধান পেয়ে যাবেন।