One of the ways that companies use to prove their credibility is the number of positive reviews they have. Usually, if a company has a poor rating due to the accumulation of bad reviews, there is a tendency that potential customers will be scared of it.
However, no one would imagine that a company would start suing customers for giving them poor reviews. This is what happened to a couple based in Washington when they were sued by a roofing company.
According to reports, the couple, Autumn Knepper and Adam Marsh reported the incidence of a leak in their home to the landlord. So, the landlord requested that a roofing company, Executive Roof Services which is a family-owned organization, come to their aid.
However, things began to take a downward toll for both the company and the couple when they left a review online.
Knepper and Marsh mentioned that the receptionist of the roofing company was rude and unprofessional. More so, they complained that Executive Roof Services did not follow up on the services that they had been saddled with finishing. The couple also went further to file a complaint with Better Business Bureau.
During an interview granted with KGW News, Knepper mentioned that the receptionist working for the roofing company was reluctant to give any information. Knepper went further to state that the receptionist said that they would have to get any information from the landlord.
Knepper revealed that at this point, she requested to speak with the manager since she was reluctant to divulge any information.
On hearing this, he relayed that the receptionist laughed at his request and reliably informed him that she was the office manager. After she mentioned this, she told Knepper that she was verbally abused by him, and she hung the call.
Knepper’s husband, Adam Marsh, had a similar tale to share when giving his side of the story. Marsh said that his experience with the receptionist was not a pleasant one as she was very rude.
He also said that he was informed that she was the office manager, and she was the only one he could discuss with. Just like what happened to his wife, she hung the call before Marsh could say anything further.
According to the couple, they mentioned that they were not informed on when the company would complete their roof repairs.
Hence, they proceeded to leave some reviews for them. After a short while, the couple was contacted by the owner of the roofing company, Michael Mecham, who ordered them to take the reviews down. He also threatened the couple that their reputation would be damaged if the reviews remained online.
Knepper revealed that Mecham knew her place of residence. He also mentioned to her that as a forensics worker, he would be happy to spend hundred of thousands of dollars to sue her for the negative reviews the company received.
To further stop the harassment, Knepper reached out to the local police to report the case. Then, the police gave Mecham an order not to disturb the couple again. However, the company continued to find ways to take down the reviews by contacting the Jordan Ramis law firm.
Knepper also recounted how she cried when she heard the news that they were being sued in six figures. She also mentioned that there was no money to afford a lawyer, and she was unwilling to file for bankruptcy.
On the other hand, ERS stated that since the couple filed a complaint with the Bureau, it was enough proof that they wanted to provide as much harm as possible. The Lawyer representing the company, David Bowser, mentioned that the couple wanted to intentionally harm the roofing company by giving them one-star reviews.
