How should I resolve duplicate Google Places listings?

[fastestmanalive]

I am doing work for a local business who has duplicate Google Places listings.  I would like some input from those with experience in this as to how I should go about consolidating these listings.

Listing 1

• created ~3 years ago by someone in the local business.
• They don't have the login/password info for this listing.
• listing has inaccurate info, including the wrong url (it points to their old website which is no longer active, but redirects to the new site)
• 124 reviews associated with this listing
• listing is on 3rd page of Local Business results

Listing 2

• one year old
• All listing info is current and accurate and I have the login info
• 18 reviews associated with this listing
• listing is on 6th page of Local Business results

Up until a week or two ago Listing 2 was ranked between 1-3 in the local business results along side the map.  Listing 1 was ranked around #6.  I assume that the duplicate listings with their conflicting info (different url's associated with each) hit some tripwire in Google and they have now been penalized.  Does this sound correct?

What is the best method for consolidating the two listings and reestablishing the ranking?  Here are my thoughts, please let me know if there is a better way...

1. gain access to Listing 1 by having the business claim/verify the listing
2. update all info in Listing 1 so that it is current and accurate
3. deactivate and/or delete Listing 2

Is this the best course of action?  Thanks!

[BlinkWeb]

Log into your places account and go to your places page. There is a link to "report a problem." Click that link and explain what the issue is.

Here is the google article on dealing with this problem.http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=183009

It can take several weeks for them to get around to correcting this so be patient.

[fastestmanalive]

Thanks Roger.  I considered contacting Google, but given that it can take so long for Google to deal with the problem I was wondering if I might be better off trying to resolve the problem myself.

I'm curious to know which route would get my listing back in Google's good graces quicker.  Would you always recommend going through Google for this problem?  Thanks.

[BlinkWeb]

In my opinion you should claim both listings so you can at least control them until it gets resolved. The problem you with with deactivating either one of them is potentially losing any authority from the deactivated listing. Thats why I recommend contacting Google to merge them. But a good short term fix is to claim both listings and update them to have same/similar info, but you are still potentially splitting citation authority over 2 listings potentially.