A Mollymook motel owner says he has been trolled online and has copped inaccurate criticism over the phone in the wake of an online review scandal involving another business.
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Stephen Manasseh, owner of the Mollymook Motel located on the corner of the Princes Highway and Golf Avenue in Ulladulla, has had to delete multiple reviews since a story involving the Mollymook Ocean View Motel broke on social media.
The Milton Ulladulla Times viewed some of these inaccurate reviews, made via Facebook, linking his motel to an affair where a guest was charged an extra $50 - since refunded - after she left an online review.
Another review on google calls Mr Manasseh's motel Mollymook's 'very own Fawlty Towers' - yet the claims mirror the backlash Mollymook Ocean View Motel has received since the story broke.
"Make sure you love everything about this place when you stay. Also, don't forget about the $50 social media charge and legal threats if you leave a public review they don't like."
Mr Manasseh, who has owned Mollymook Motel for 18 years, says he has never had a problem in the area until now. He's deleted about 30 inaccurate reviews linking his motel to the review furore.
"I'm mainly getting it [criticism] on Facebook, emails," he said.
"I've had calls from locals saying I'm taking advantage of people. I try to explain the story to them, but they won't listen."
Mr Manasseh says he would like people to read reports and stories online thoroughly before posting reviews. For a business owner who lost revenue after the bushfires, it's the last thing he needed.
"This isn't helping us at all. It costs you business."
