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Add "What happens if we give you negative feedback?" to the list of questions to ask before you book a venue. According to The New York Post, New York's Union Street Guest House fines couples $500 if anyone in their party publishes a bad review online. From the Post:
“'Please know that despite the fact that wedding couples love Hudson and our inn, your friends and families may not,' reads an online policy. 'If you have booked the inn for a wedding or other type of event . . . and given us a deposit of any kind . . . there will be a $500 fine that will be deducted from your deposit for every negative review . . . placed on any internet site by anyone in your party.'
For any bad reviews that do make it online, the innkeepers aggressively post 'mean spirited nonsense,' and 'she made all of this up.'"
Wow! Sounds like the owners are being rather defensive. And though the original policy has been removed from the hotel's website, some of it still remains:
"Please know that despite the fact that wedding couples love Hudson and our Inn, your friends and families may not. This is due to the fact that your guests may not understand what we offer - therefore we expect you to explain that to them. USGH & Hudson are historic. The buildings here are old (but restored). Our bathrooms and kitchens are designed to look old in an artistic 'vintage' way. Our furniture is mostly hip, period furniture that you would see in many design magazines. (although comfortable and functional - obviously all beds are brand new) If your guests are looking for a Marriott type hotel they may not like it here."
We understand being frustrated if people have the wrong expectations of your business and then write a bad review because it doesn't meet their needs. But threatening to fine anyone who says something negative is...a bit much. (Apparently, the $500 is refunded if the review is taken down.) And the fact that this story is making national headlines is likely going to do more damage than any bad Yelp reviews would. In any case, consider this a good reminder to read all your wedding contract very carefully!
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