Auto Forum Moderator Sued For Highlighting Problems With Aftermarket Maker
from the can't-take-the-criticism,-so-we'll-sue dept
It really amazes me when we see companies go out of their way to sue critics or those who post negative reviews of their products or practices. If those companies put the same amount of effort into actually treating their customers right and taking the criticism as feedback, they'd probably be doing a lot better. Instead, companies that treat customers badly usually discover that suing critics only helps turn more people off to the company. Reader Crash70rs points us to a post on the HotRodders.com forum, where one of the moderators at the site is being sued for defamation by an aftermarket manufacturer named Streetbeasts.The moderator had written a wiki article about the company, highlighting the fact that the company was connected to another company that had been found guilty of wire fraud and defrauding customers. Streetbeasts seems upset about a bunch of things that were said about the company -- though, some of them clearly seem to be opinion-based, and others hardly seem defamatory. The moderator notes that this is basically a SLAPP lawsuit designed to silence him rather than to win a defamation case, and he's decided to fight it (good for him). Maybe, one day, companies will realize that dealing with your problems is better than suing those who point them out.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: cars, defamation, slapp
Companies: streetbeasts
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
But which one do you think requires more effort?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
it seems to me that Streetbeasts is doing just that, sad fact is it thinks the problem is moderator.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anti-SLAPP laws, meet Streetbeasts.
You two play nice now, 'kay?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
Yes, I love watching a good lynch mob at work. :)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
suing is expensive
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
suing is expensive
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Thank you Streetbeasts
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
They just don't get it
So the upset company gets a double whammy -- bad publicity for its product (the original complaint) and bad publicity for a crappy response. And its viral.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Streetbeast low quality
All Jon has done is gathered the public information on Streetbeasts and placed it in one place for easy viewing. This information is documented with court documents and newspaper articles.
So far there have been many contributions of money towards this legal fight against the SLAPP lawsuit against free speech brought by Streetbeast.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Let them sue, maybe they will get sued themselves.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Won't make it past summary judgment.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Street Beasts
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
StreetBeast
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: StreetBeast
"Due to the current economy, we are down sizing our 50,000 square foot factory. If you don't pay the remaining $10,475.87 within 90 days from the date of this letter..."
WELL, you can guess the rest. Bye bye $5,000.00.
Sad, sad day.
Bruce Houghton
Markham Ontario,
Canada
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: StreetBeast
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
my experience with streetbeast
I EVEN WENT TO FACTORY in miami and the workers in shop had nothing good to say about managment. My left fender stuck out 1.5 in. more than right side. gell coat on hood bubbled up like huge pimples. They told me to send pictures. they did not offer new one. I spent my money and time to repair. I would not deal with them for any reason again, when there are other good companys out there, who know there product,and can anwser questions.beware.and im less than 9 years ago TOM
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Law suit
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
awtoys
www.awtoys.net
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Streetbeast SUCK!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
You Are Right
His nephew Steven is in charge of the day to day operations of the company.
Allof the tooling and equipment came from CMC unless it was purchased new since the demise of CMC. The Cobra and Street Rods are basically the same as the CMC cars that have been around since the late 80's. Any intrested party can find one for less than half their current price if the search the web ebay craigslist etc. In many cases they have motors and other parts that are not included in the kit. If building is not for you you can find one of their cars for under 1/2 of what it would cost to build one without labor.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]