Here is the scenario: Large rental company, unhappy tenant. Tenant Tweets that the rental company does not have a problem with its tenants sleeping in moldy apartments. Large company sues because the tenant has made defamatory statements and permanently injured its reputation by passing this statement around the internet.
This is exactly the kind of statement that can get you/us/me into a whole host of trouble. The Tweet (with the name removed to protect me from similar trouble) read, "Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? XXXX XXX thinks it's okay."
In the days before social media, this Tweeter would have called Mom, Dad, Best Friend or other to vent about the situation. Mom, Dad, Best Friend or other would have provided advice and sympathy and that would have been the end of it.
Today, the feeling of anonymity that accompanies typing a sentence in to your phone and hitting SEND is a facade. The very nature of Tweeter is to send your message out to the Public--and the world.
This is not a post about this particular situation (and I deliberately left out the link to the article because I doubt either party needs any more negative publicity swirling around). It is a gentle reminder that Twitter, Facebook and even ActiveRain are very public venues and while the act may seem simplistic, the outcome can be quite significant.
So next time you feel like venting, and it must be on Twitter or another social media platform, don't name names (or companies). Really.
Better yet, give your Mom a call...
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC
Even if the tenant does prevail - it is such a nuisance to go through that misery - better to find a less inflamatory platform to complain - but how sad that venting now gets you sued. Argh!
Jul 30, 2009 06:31 AM
Realty World Wichita - Wichita, KS
I saw that. It was pretty amazing how fast that spread around the internet. Should be interesting to watch.
Jul 30, 2009 06:39 AM
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR
I agree with Lise, "how sad that venting now gets you sued." I'm curious of the outcome of this case.
Jul 30, 2009 06:40 AM
Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA
Monterey Real Estate
If the rental company had any sense they would have immediately resolved the problem and asked the tenant to post it had been resolved!! But yes, you do have to be careful what and where you post! Thanks for the story!
Jul 30, 2009 06:46 AM
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience
Thanks for all your comments...can't address each one, but a couple of things I would like to add:
I agree that just because someone brings a suit doesn't mean the suit has merit--but it sure can waste your time and money! It is best to avoid situations that are likely to put you on the defensive side of a suit.
There is another message in this for all of us as business people. As Jason mentioned, someone could do the same thing to us, too, and quickly damage our reputations. The only real protection for this is to do your best and try to resolve issues before they become problems.
I love your Mom's quote, David!
The best thing to do if you feel like venting, and must do it in a public forum, is write it down, walk away and re-assess when you are feeling calmer--before you post it.
Of course, there is the rare case when a Tweet can force an issue to be resolved, such as the situation that Maureen mentioned.
Finally, someone wrote and let me know that it is possible to get a rider on your homeowners policy that protects you from libel and slander suits. If you tend to 'post before you think' or don't like to 'edit' yourself, this might be something to consider.
Jul 30, 2009 06:47 AM
Coldwell Banker Select Professionals - York, PA
Times are changing. To tweet or post is now the same as putting it on the front page of the paper. Be carefull what you say. Remember, if it's OK for you to rant about another then it's OK for them to rant about you.
Jul 30, 2009 06:53 AM
Prudential California Realty - South San Francisco, CA
I think I take the opposite view of the situation. It used to be that a company could treat a client/customer/tenant any way they wanted and get away with it because it was only going to go as far as the folks you could call. With platforms like Twitter, Facebook, even blogs like this, the playing field is a bit more level. I've heard and read stories of people who had problems corrected and were contacted by a company because an unhappy customer tweeted about their experience. I'm all for any additional consumer tools.
Jul 30, 2009 07:30 AM
Real Estate Brokers of Alaska 907-720-4663 - Anchorage, AK
Anchorage Real Estate 907-720-4663
Universal Realty, Inc. - Las Vegas, NV
Desert Homes in Las Vegas and Henderson
I've had a Twitter account for quite some time but haven't used it much because of the fact that I don't want to impulsively post something that I'll regret later. So my Tweets end up sounding very vanilla and i sometimes wonder why people would even bother reading them. :) I use Twitter more as an event announcement than an emotional journal of the day. I think as professionals we just have to be extra careful not to give too much information because this stuff is viral!
Jul 30, 2009 07:37 AM
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes
JP & Associates Realtors - Bastrop, TX
CRS, Broker-Associate 512-721-6320
Did you know that they have Radon Health Mines in Montana and that some people think it cures cancer? I believe that one too!
Jul 30, 2009 08:06 AM
Sky Realty, Inc.- 512HomeStore.com - Austin, TX
Austin Texas Home Sales
This reminds me of the KB Homes scandal where instead of addressing the building issues and providing customer service they tried to shut the home owners up - all it got them was some very angry home owners with very loud voices - it attracted the media and their reputation instantly went down the drain.
Your right - we're on the internet and our words will follow us forever, good or bad. But let's be honest you can get sued over anything!!!! The McDonald's coffee suit showed us that.
And we don't know - they may have filed a complaint- they may have done everything in the world and it got them no where. I find it interesting that as soon as they "went public" they got the attention of the company in a BIG way -if the company could rally their lawyers this quickly, where were they when this person was trying to get his mold taken care of?
Jul 30, 2009 09:06 AM
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR
You can still vent, and still Tweet . . . just don't name names. But I thought if it was TRUTHFUL it won't meet the test of libel or slanderous in nature. Lies hurt. But the truth is the truth. WAS there mold in the apartment?
Jul 30, 2009 10:26 AM
Leugers Real Estate Experts - Naples, FL
Doug Leugers Real Estate Advisors
I operate by the rule "never put anything in writing unless its a offer", usually if I'm angry and I type an email, I'll wait 24 hours before I hit send.. I find that I never end up hitting send!
Jul 30, 2009 01:28 PM
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy
On the flip side, some companies are monitoring Twitter and FIXING the issues that their customers bring up.
And yes, one needs to be careful about their Tweets... they need to be factual.
Jul 30, 2009 02:13 PM
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate
Hi Holly -- Solid advice. I used to live in the Lakeport Cluster on Lake Thoreau -- small world!
Jul 30, 2009 02:17 PM
RE/MAX Trinity Northeast Ohio Real Estate Specialist - Hudson, OH
330-990-4236 Hudson & Northeastern Ohio
Hi Holly - I agree - even though we have free speech, it's risky to be negative on twitter. I have done it and I will continue to speak my mind, but I am very aware that while most tweets are buried, at any time they can turn into worldwide messages with consequences. Very good post and food for thought.
Jul 30, 2009 03:09 PM
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville
I do think there are times for public vents. But I don't use names. Although if I make an accusation... I usually have great documentation to back it up. But in theroy I agree with you post. If you must use the name... call your mom.
Jul 30, 2009 04:06 PM
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235
Mom usually gets the call anyway, Holly. LOL. But, I think you have a very good point. Although, sometimes some companies/people/situations need to be called to the carpet. Most of the time, though, it's best to leave out the names.
Jul 30, 2009 04:12 PM
Home Loan Search Online - Newnan, GA
I agree that we need to be careful what we put online. That includes comments on AR.
Jul 31, 2009 12:26 AM
Rainmaker
652,216
652,216
Holly Weatherwax
A Great Real Estate Experience
Comments(56)