Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

It's been four months since Brigitte Yvon bought her garage shelving along with installation from Home Depot. But no one has installed it yet. Can she get a refund?

Home Depot can’t install my garage shelving. Can I get a refund?

January 19, 2024March 20, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

It’s been four months since Brigitte Yvon bought her garage shelving along with installation from Home Depot. But no one has installed it yet. Can she get a refund?

Julie Duteau noticed something strange on her last two phone bills: a surprise $10 fee for a "modem lease." Problem is, she already owns her modem.

This surprise fee made her phone bill skyrocket

January 19, 2024March 18, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Julie Duteau noticed something strange on her last two phone bills: a surprise $10 fee for a “modem lease.” Find out how to avoid unwanted surcharges like this on your bill.

The start of the summer travel season is only a few weeks away, but people in the know have already identified the most pressing problem: dangerously cramped airline seats.

Airline passengers brace for the big summer squeeze

January 19, 2024March 16, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

The start of the summer travel season is only a few weeks away, but people in the know have already identified the most pressing problem: dangerously cramped airline seats.

Budget charged me $250 for calibrating a windshield camera. Is that legit?

Budget billed me $250 for calibrating a windshield camera. Is that legit?

January 24, 2025March 14, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Budget sends Tony Parise a $250 bill for recalibrating a camera on the windshield of his rental car. But he says nothing happened to it. Does he still have to pay?

Debbie Kim is shocked to find a $150 charge from Lyft on her credit card. What did she do -- and is there a way to undo it?

Lyft charged me $150 for mud stains in a car. But I didn’t do it!

January 19, 2024March 13, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Royal Caribbean charged me $1,556 to leave my cruise early. Can I get my money back?

Royal Caribbean charged me $1,556 to leave my cruise early. Can I get my money back?

March 1, 2024March 12, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Can a cruise line charge you more to leave your cruise early? As a matter of fact, it can. But should it charge you? That is what we’re here to find out.

What new airline fees will be introduced in 2023? Will dynamic pricing take hold? Brace for impact. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Warning: More airline fees are on the way

January 19, 2024March 9, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

What new airline fees will be introduced in 2023? Will dynamic pricing take hold? Brace for impact. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Celeste Rubanick loses 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when she books a hotel in Scotland. Why won't the company restore the points?

I lost 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Can you get them back?

January 19, 2024March 8, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Celeste Rubanick loses 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when she books a hotel in Scotland. Why won’t the company restore the points?

Victoria Sims's Frigidaire refrigerator has never worked. It's been almost a year since she bought it -- can she get a replacement?

This Frigidaire refrigerator never worked. Can I get a new one?

December 30, 2024March 7, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Gerry Bauer had high hopes for an easy refund process with Vrbo, but will he be left empty-handed for his canceled vacation home reservation?

He tried to cancel a reservation and receive a refund. Vrbo charged him $31,995 instead

January 19, 2024March 5, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Can a Vrbo take $31,995 from your bank account and leave you with nothing? It happened to Gerry Bauer. Here’s how to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.