Wine cellar business hit with fake reviews after The Block dispute
A Mornington Peninsula wine cellar maker is being review-bombed with fake one-star Google ratings after contestants clashed over pricing on The Block.
Cellar Creations built two wine cellars for The Block contestants. One cost around $20,000 and the other cost $14,500.
The Wagners claimed their rivals paid only about 10 per cent of the standard retail price by calling their cellar art, which skirted the show's 50 per cent discount rule. The judges awarded a tie.
Angry viewers then flooded the small business with fake one-star reviews and hostile Facebook comments. Most of the reviewers had no experience with Cellar Creations.
Google has since removed some of the false ratings. Business director Robert Rolls said the reviews came entirely from strangers with no connection to his family operation.
- 20,000 dollars
- Wagner cellar cost
- 14,500 dollars
- Kain and Keser cellar cost
- About 10 per cent of retail value
- Percentage Kain and Keser claimed to pay
Why it mattersSmall businesses have little protection against fake online reviews, even when the reviews harm their reputation and drive away real customers.
AustraliaAustralian small businesses relying on Google ratings face growing vulnerability to review bombing by viewers upset over reality TV decisions, with limited legal protection.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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