Being accused of blackmail by B&B owner

Old Jun 16th, 2013, 01:59 PM
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Being accused of blackmail by B&B owner

Being accused of blackmail by B&B owner

Hi all,

Two years ago we visited Madrid. We stayed in a B&B and the stay was horrible - the room was appalling and on top of that we had bugs in our rooms! We took some photos, and in order not to ruin our holiday we didnt say anything to the owner of the B&B during our stay. On our return home, we talked and decided to contact the owner about it as we were very frustrated. It was our custom to write a review every-time we go abroad but this time we decided to send an e-mail to the owner asking them for a small refund to make up for the bad service. They refused and accused us of blackmail! We were very angry and posted a review on this website, stating that we were not given a refund for the bad accommodation and stating true facts. They also said they will report us to the police...

We are planning to go to Madrid again next September - should we worry about the police thing?! We never heard from anyone for these past two years and we even removed the review as a gesture of friendship...

Thanks all
lollyf is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2013, 02:28 PM
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No, I don't think you have to worry, but bring
the photos just in case...
cigalechanta is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2013, 03:03 PM
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Fortunately I have never had a run-in with Spanish police, even during the days of Franco. His is an idle threat. And I am not sure how the Madrid police would know you are wanted felon.
BigAleinstein is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2013, 03:19 PM
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are you serious?
newtome is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2013, 03:29 PM
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Asking for a refund is not blackmail. Blackmail would be demanding money not to send a false negative review.

You already sent the review - which presumably was true.

I can't imagine the B&B owners went to the police - or if they did that the police took them seriously. They might have tried to file a civil suit against you - but they would have to prove that you published lies - truth is an absolute defense.

You are totally overthinking this.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 03:31 PM
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Should such a thing happen again it might be better to find another place rather than stay with the bugs even if it costs you to do it. The owner would be put on notice at the time, not later which seems to me to be the problem.

I've moved for various reasons over the years and never gave it thought when it was justified. Sometimes I was charged anyway, sometimes not, but my intent was to escape at any cost.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 03:35 PM
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If you asked for money to not post a negative review, that is a form of blackmail. It doesn't have to be a false review. Mthen you know something bad about someone, and ask for money to pay for silence, that is blackmail. But itis a petty thing and I seriously doubt the police would be at all interested.

Whyndidn't you deal with it at the time, and give them a chance to correct the problem then?
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 03:42 PM
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Echoing the last couple of comments. As horrible as the conditions may have been, you should have asked to have your concerns addressed on-site or simply sought more livable lodging elsewhere. Blindsiding the owner with an ex post facto complaint from abroad in conjunction with a threat of a negative (albeit true) review and demand for refund just isn't really fair to the B & B owner, regardless of how horrible the room may have been. From their perspective, you stayed in the room, paid your bill, and left without a complaint.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 03:44 PM
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I wouldn't worry about being reported to the police but you should have contacted the apartment owners immediately and discussed the problems with them. There's nothing they can do to fix the situation if they don't know about the problems.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 04:07 PM
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You posted a review on this website?
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 05:08 PM
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You are totally at fault! If you go to a restaurant and order steak, and then proceed to eat it all, and then complain that you want some of your money back because the steak was no good, do you expect a refund? NO. If you tell the owner after you had a nibble of steak that it was lousy , then you are entitled to compensation. YOU ATE THE STEAK AND THEN COMPLAINED! You should have expressed your displeasure right away.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 05:10 PM
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Are you kidding?

You didn't address the problem(s) appropriately to begin with, but there's no way in hell it's going to come back to haunt you. Spanish police have far more serious issues to deal with.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 05:15 PM
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You should have spoken up at the beginning. Instead you remained silent. You could have said something when you checked out.

Then you get home and you decide to ask for a refund in order not to write a bad review?

I'd be ticked off too. That you want sympathy from us is very annoying.

You should have written the bad review and let it go.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 05:16 PM
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Chains being yanked.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 05:16 PM
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To answer your OQ though, I think the police would have a chuckle. Hopefully, you won't do this again. It's smarmy.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 06:49 PM
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Being accused of blackmail by B&B owner
Posted by: lollyf on Jun 16, 13 at 5:59pm


Heck, ignore the owner. Also forget about a refund. Sounds like both of you are barking at each other. No bite. Next time use Amy's approach, http://tinyurl.com/mhch7vm.
spaarne is offline  
Old Jun 16th, 2013, 07:22 PM
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Where was lollyf two years ago? A first post and then this? That and the face that this clown hasn't responded to any questions and it's now been several hours.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 07:56 PM
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I think I going to contact Las Ventas and let the two of them fight it out.
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Old Jun 18th, 2013, 02:44 AM
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Hi all

Many thanks for your replies. Sorry couldn't reply back earlier...

Well the think is that we were stupid enough not to complain whilst there. After all we had the right to do so if the room was not good enough! Moreover trying to rectify things from home was a mission impossible. The negative review was justified though I asked for a refund to make up for the bad experience and not for typing the review. Nonetheless we removed the review.

We are people who worry a lot for nothing and we are still worried that we might find the police waiting for us at the airport in Madrid as the owner had threatened us that he will report for blackmail!!

Cant get our minds at rest on this one :/
lollyf is offline  
Old Jun 18th, 2013, 04:17 AM
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Moreover trying to rectify things from home was a mission impossible. The negative review was justified though I asked for a refund to make up for the bad

It DID sound like blackmail--and maybe there is a language problem. But how silly to try to get a refund NOW--as someone said, you had ALL the amenities and said nothing at the time.Stop whining.
Gretchen is offline  

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