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Daily Talker: Negative Online Reviews

Businesses could no longer prohibit customers from making negative comments about them under legislation being considered by Congress.

Some companies, fearing the adverse effect of bad reviews, have been including non-disparagement clauses in contracts that customers must agree to when making a purchase.

Many customers don't even read this fine print, and then receive threatening letters from these companies after they post a negative review, even if their observations are true.

At a Senate hearing Wednesday, Jen Palmer of Hillsboro, Ore., described how her husband's credit was ruined after an online retailer, KlearGear, demanded $3,500 after she wrote a negative review about the company on RipoffReport.com. Her husband and ordered a desk toy and keychain as Christmas gifts, but they never arrived. The company claimed the order was never paid for, Palmer said.

Do you agree that businesses should no longer be allowed to ban negative online reviews?

Leave your comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter using #WBZTalker.

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