How to re-claim Google Places listing?

[DonB]

I have 2 new clients whose Google Places pages were claimed & edited by other SEO companies. No info is available to me on the Google Accounts used to claim them.

Both Places listings need significant edits. Is there a way to re-claim these listings with new Google Accounts, in order to edit/optimize them? Or, do I have to create new Places listings and then ask Google to delete the old ones?

This situation must be occurring every day, it seems....

[MonsterWeb28]

When you go to the places listing, does it still say "Business Owner -?" ? If so, you should be able to put into your places account. I'll be looking into this very soon as I would like to consolidate some places accounts that we have.

[wojkwasi]

That's right - and then they will send you a postcard containing a PIN number to verify. Once you enter the PIN in Places, you will be able to take control.

[DonB]

One has a check-mark next to the statement "Owner-verified listing" in the upper-right, not "Business Owner-?"This is the problem.

(The other I was able to claim-edit-and-PIN yesterday, after having set up a 1) new Google Account, plus 2) new AdWords account pointing to the site, 3) new Analytics account and 4) new Webmaster Tools account - all linked via #1. Since I needed direct website access to validate #3 and #4, Google may've decided the new Google Account is legitimately tied to the business.)

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Don,

Thanks for coming to Q&A to ask your question. Please, check out this post by Mike Blumenthal on exactly this process:

http://blumenthals.com/blog/2011/02/03/basic-places-practices-how-do-you-claim-an-owner-verified-listing/

You are quite right. This happens all the time!
Good luck!