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.

I’m really steamed about a quilt I can’t return

January 23, 2024May 9, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

SmartBargains.com won’t respond to Peter Zapalo’s request for a refund on a quilt he purchased through the site. How do you get the company to listen?

Summer road hazards your government won’t warn you about

January 23, 2024May 8, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

With the frenetic summer travel season just around the corner, here’s a little warning about a road hazard you might not expect: a checkpoint staffed by Transportation Security Administration workers.

Delta Economy “Comfort” fell short — can we get a refund?

January 23, 2024May 7, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Rod and Carol Mourant recently flew from Seattle. Amid their list of complaints is one that stuck, and do they have a case?

Kicked off my cruise for getting sick

January 23, 2024May 4, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Shortly before her cruise to Mexico sets sail, Regina Hatfield and her family are ushered off the ship. The reason? She’s experiencing sharp pains in her kidney. Now her cruise line wants to keep her money. Is it allowed to do that?

Downgraded on Air France, but where’s their refund?

January 23, 2024May 3, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

“I feel like Starbucks is stealing money from me”

January 23, 2024May 2, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Peter Volpe’s Starbucks account is frozen, and he doesn’t understand why. Is the company allowed to just confiscate his credits?

Who’s afraid of the TSA?

January 15, 2025May 1, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Today’s tale of TSA inefficiency comes from the Atlantic Avenue subway station in Brooklyn, NY. Who’s afraid of the TSA?

Can I fix this Avis “fantasy” rental charge?

May 15, 2025April 30, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

No name change on a dead passenger’s ticket?

January 23, 2024April 27, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

After Robin Johnson’s husband is killed in a tragic accident, she tries to salvage his United Airlines ticket credit. But the carrier says it can’t change the name on a ticket – it’s against the rules. Is there any hope for her?

The rate error story that got away — in a big way

January 23, 2024April 26, 2013 by Christopher Elliott