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.

Edward Marks buys a "cancel for any reason" American Cruise Lines protection plan, But when he has to cancel, he finds that it's worthless.

Help! My American Cruise Lines protection plan isn’t protecting me

March 11, 2024November 10, 2022 by Christopher Elliott

Manuel Harris's Electrolux microwave oven stops working. Fortunately, it's still under warranty. Frigidaire won't honor the warranty.

My Frigidaire microwave stopped working. Why won’t they honor my warranty?

December 23, 2025November 10, 2022 by Christopher Elliott

Robert Cipriani returns his Avis minivan only to find that Avis has charged him double of what they should have. Find out what happened.

Double-billed by Avis for a van returned after hours

April 8, 2024November 9, 2022 by Christopher Elliott

When Robert Cipriani returns his Avis minivan, he expects to pay $1,770. Instead, Avis charges him twice. What happened — and how can he get his money back?

Steven Pearson's Whirlpool refrigerator doesn't work and caused $4,200 in damage to his kitchen floor. Why won't Whirlpool respond or help?

Help! My Whirlpool refrigerator caused $4,200 in damage to my kitchen

January 19, 2024November 9, 2022 by Christopher Elliott

Natuzzi sold her a defective sofa set, they could not resolve the issue even after multiple visits from the repairmen. Here is what happened.

Help! My Natuzzi sofa set is falling apart

January 19, 2024November 8, 2022 by Christopher Elliott

Russ DeVries was charged $450 by Budget for a pet cleaning fee on his rental, the problem his that he did not have a dog on the rental car.

Budget billed me a $450 cleaning fee for dog hair. I don’t have a dog.

May 6, 2025November 8, 2022 by Christopher Elliott

When Budget charges Russ DeVries $450 for a pet cleaning fee on his rental, he has a problem paying: He doesn’t have a dog. Can he get this charge removed?

How do you get Hertz car rental Five Star status, and how do you make it stick? What can you do when you reach status, but the company won't recognize it?

This is how not to get Hertz car rental Five Star status

January 19, 2024November 8, 2022 by Christopher Elliott

How do you get Hertz car rental Five Star status, and how do you make it stick? What can you do when you reach status, but the company won’t recognize it?

It didn't for Shirley Justice when she bought an Apple Watch from Amazon. She received a dead watch. Justice returned the timepiece, but Amazon sent her another Apple watch that didn't work.

The ultimate guide to Amazon product returns

July 7, 2024October 31, 2022 by Christopher Elliott

Here’s what happened to one frustrated customer who tried to return an Apple Watch Series 7 to Amazon. I have foolproof strategies for handling Apple and Amazon returns and explain the return policies of each company. If you’re looking for tips on how to handle product returns, this article is for you.