Tony says he had a horror experience with his SEO firm — then it requested a ‘five-star Google review’

Tony Griffs paid more than $13,000 to this company to help his business, for little benefit. He finally cut ties — then came another request.

A struggling Melbourne business owner has blasted a digital marketing company for requesting he leave a “five-star Google review” even after alleged poor results led him to terminate his contract early.

Anthony Griffs, 56, claims his mental health is in tatters after what he characterises as a horror experience with MLK Marketing, a Kew-based firm which offers search engine optimisation (SEO) and website design to help businesses “skyrocket your profits” and “propel your ROI by astronomical percentages”.

“I’ve forked out about $13,000,” he said.

Anthony Griffs, owner of JoJo’s Entertainment Agency. Picture: Supplied

Mr Griffs bought JoJo’s Entertainment Agency seven years ago.

But the 30-year-old company, which provides entertainers for a wide range of events including weddings, buck’s nights, house parties and corporate functions, was hit hard by Covid restrictions.

“I was making a good income but Covid hit and it all turned to s**t,” he said. “After Covid I was looking to revamp it and get some more business through, and I came across [MLK Marketing in 2023].”

Mr Griffs paid $880 per month under his contract but says “I was lucky to be making $200 a month out of that”, and eventually tried to negotiate an exit.

Mr Griffs says the dispute has put a strain on his mental health. Picture: Supplied

“I was wanting to pull out after about six months,” he said. “I said, ‘I can’t afford it, I’m struggling, I’m driving a bus, doing odd gigs, struggling to keep afloat.’”

Last year, however, he agreed to sign a new two-year contract “as a last-ditch attempt”, with MLK Marketing offering to build him a new website.

Eight months later, with the website still not complete and Mr Griffs feeling he had gone “backwards and forwards” with the company, he again sought to terminate his contract.

MLK Marketing agreed to let him go if he paid 25 per cent of the remainder, or $3740, as a “final settlement” to be paid on March 5.

He did so, but “two days later they withdrew another $880 from my credit card”, Mr Griffs said.

‘A show of good faith.’ Picture: Supplied

“We had this whole argument on the phone, the [representative] said he wasn’t going to give me the $880 refund but ‘if you like I’ll agree to $200’.”

Mr Griffs said he reluctantly agreed “with all of this going on in my life” to get it over with — but the representative then “had the audacity … to say ‘can you please leave MLK a positive review on Google’”.

In a series of text messages last month, MLK Marketing confirmed Mr Griffs’ contract had been terminated and he would be refunded $200 out of the $880.

MLK agreed to refund him $200. Picture: Supplied

“Additionally we would appreciate a five-star review on Google and Product Review as a show of good faith,” the representative wrote.

Mr Griffs texted back seeking written confirmation that the contract was terminated and that he would not be charged any more money “to put my mind at ease”, adding “I’ll be happy to accommodate your wishes towards a positive review”.

“We will send the credit once review is made,” the representative wrote. “Can you do today.”

Mr Griffs slammed the request. Picture: Supplied

He said in another message, “If you could kindly ensure that the view [sic] has been made before we action the refund that would be much appreciated.”

Other messages read, “Can you kindly leave the review for us? … Just checking if you can leave the review today?”

Mr Griffs slammed the conduct.

Consumer advocate Adam Glezer from Consumer Champion, who is representing Mr Griffs, said the “treatment Tony has received from MLK Marketing has been some of the worst I’ve ever come across”.

‘Kindly ensure that the view has been made.’ Picture: Supplied

“He repeatedly raised concerns that if he could not cancel his contract due to the lack of results, his business would have to fold,” he said.

“MLK only agreed to terminate Tony’s contract if he paid them over $3700 in one lump sum, which he did. Even after payment, they continued to take money out of his account. After his contract was terminated, MLK said they would return a measly $200 out of the $880 that was [deducted]. However, the $200 would not be transferred until he left them a five-star review on Google and Product Review.”

Consumer advocate Adam Glezer. Picture: Wayne Taylor

MLK Marketing currently has a 4.3-star rating on Google — largely glowing five-star reviews, mixed with a handful of furious one-star reviews which are far less flattering.

“I can’t recommend them highly enough,” one review reads.

“Working with MLK Marketing has been a game-changer for our online presence,” another says.

A spokesman for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said “businesses that have concerns” about search optimisation companies “can contact the ACCC or their local small business commissioner”.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) receives around 80 disputes a year related to digital marketing and other services providers.

MLK Marketing did not respond to requests for comment.