Problem Solved Archives

Leah Davidson faced a frustrating situation when she returned her iPhone 11 to a third-party seller on Amazon. Despite having a receipt proving her package was delivered, the seller claimed the box was empty and refused to refund her $319. Amazon's AI-driven customer service only complicated the matter, bouncing her between departments without resolution. It wasn't until a human finally reviewed her case that she got her money back, leaving the mystery of the missing phone unsolved.

I returned my iPhone, but Amazon is charging me for it. Is that fair?

November 1, 2024September 13, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Leah Davidson returns her iPhone 11 to a third-party seller on Amazon. But the seller claims the box is empty. Does she still get her money back?

Mirella Veen, a resident of St. Maarten, faced a frustrating situation when her $430 Amazon package, containing computer equipment and shelves, went missing after being handed off to a freight forwarder. Despite Amazon's claims that the package was delivered, there was no proof of receipt, and the company refused to issue a refund or replacement. Mirella's persistence in dealing with automated responses and unhelpful customer service finally led to a resolution. But who was truly at fault, and what does Amazon's policy mean for international customers?

My Amazon package never arrived. Now they’re hiding behind a freight forwarder

September 27, 2024September 6, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Mirella Veen orders $430 worth of computer equipment and shelves through Amazon. But her freight forwarder loses it while shipping it to St. Maarten. Who’s responsible?

Maria Jacobson was shocked when she received a $3,437 bill from Quest Diagnostics for a routine blood test, despite providing her health insurance information at the time of the visit. It turns out that Quest Diagnostics mistakenly used an old insurance code, leading to the full amount being billed directly to her. Despite repeated attempts to correct the error, the issue persisted. The situation highlights ongoing concerns with Quest Diagnostics' billing practices, where errors like these can leave patients with unexpectedly high charges, causing unnecessary stress and financial strain.

Quest Diagnostics overcharge: $3,437 for these blood tests?

September 5, 2024August 30, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Why is Quest Diagnostics sending Maria Jacobson a $3,437 bill for her blood test? Her insurance company should cover it — or should it?

Inna Zaychik ordered a nightstand from Amazon, but despite the company marking it as delivered, she never received it. After multiple chats, emails, and calls with Amazon's customer service, she was left without her nightstand or a refund. Although Amazon initially refused to process a refund, claiming the package was delivered, Inna's detailed paper trail proved otherwise. With the A-to-z Guarantee on her side, and after some advocacy, Amazon finally returned the $95 to her account.

Amazon order problem: Where’s my nightstand?

November 1, 2024August 23, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Where’s the nightstand Inna Zaychik ordered from Amazon? The company says it’s been delivered, but she doesn’t have it. Can she get a refund?

Deirdre Stewart ordered six bras online and paid with PayPal, but received only two bras in the wrong size and a hideous shower curtain. Despite providing all required documentation, she has been waiting six weeks for a refund through PayPal’s Purchase Protection plan. After numerous frustrating interactions with PayPal’s customer service, including a disturbing call with a supposed supervisor, Deirdre reached out for help. With assistance, PayPal finally resolved her case, refunding her purchase. This bizarre experience highlights potential flaws in PayPal’s protection plan and the importance of documented communication.

I ordered bras, but they sent me a hideous shower curtain

August 20, 2024August 16, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Deirdre Stewart orders six bras online but receives only two — plus a “hideous” shower curtain. Will PayPal’s protection plan help her?

Carolyn Allen's home in Saint Cloud, Fla., faced unexpected issues when the seals on her hurricane-resistant window blinds started melting and the door handles began to corrode. Despite multiple calls and emails to FAS Windows & Doors, only some handles were replaced, leaving the rest back-ordered for over a year. Carolyn's polite persistence yielded no response until she sought help from a consumer advocacy team. With their intervention, FAS Windows & Doors finally replaced the remaining door handles, highlighting the importance of persistence and the challenges of dealing with warranty issues and unique hardware replacements.

Help! The seals on my window blinds are melting

August 31, 2024August 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Carolyn Allen’s window seals are melting. And now her door handles are corroded too. Can she get them replaced? And if so, how long should it take?

Vicky Cordes faces a frustrating battle to use her $3,157 airline ticket credit from a canceled Virgin Atlantic flight during the pandemic. Despite booking through GBV Travel Services and payment via Expedia, she's caught in a cycle of finger-pointing between her travel advisor, the wholesaler, and the airline. With her credit set to expire soon, Vicky has spent countless hours on the phone with no resolution. The crux of the problem appears to be her unpaid membership fee with GBV, complicating the situation further. Will Vicky manage to reclaim her flight credit in time?

What happened to my $3,157 flight credit? And how do I use it?

November 24, 2024August 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Vicky Cordes is trying to use a $3,157 airline ticket credit from the pandemic. But her travel advisor, wholesaler and airline are all pointing fingers at each other. Who’s got her money?

Joan Cassell sent her iPhone XR to Gazelle for recycling, but a disagreement over its condition led her to request its return. Gazelle claimed the phone was mailed back, but Joan never received it. Tracking information showed it was sent, but no delivery evidence was provided. Gazelle insisted the phone was stolen and advised filing a police report. After contacting the company on her behalf, they admitted USPS lost the device and compensated Joan with $170, exceeding the original offer. This story highlights the challenges of returning used electronics.

Gazelle lost my iPhone. Can you help me find it?

August 2, 2024July 26, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Where is Joan Cassell’s iPhone? Gazelle says it sent it back to her, but there’s no evidence it was delivered. Whose responsibility is this lost phone?

Craig McAllister paid $524 for front-row tickets to a Mets-Yankees spring training game in Port St. Lucie, Fla., only to find his view obstructed by an ESPN cameraman. With 80% of the game blocked, he stood until he found better seats in the sixth inning. Despite contacting SeatGeek for a refund, he was initially refused, as the venue did not consider the cameraman an obstruction. After reaching out for consumer advocacy, SeatGeek reviewed the complaint and offered Craig a $150 credit as compensation, which he accepted.

I can’t see the baseball game! Can I get my money back from SeatGeek?

June 1, 2025July 19, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Craig McAllister can’t see most of his baseball game in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Does he deserve a refund from SeatGeek?

When Alaina Chargois orders an outfit from an online marketplace called Afrikrea, she receives the wrong item.

I returned my custom outfit to Afrikrea, but they kept my money!

July 15, 2024July 12, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Alaina Chargois orders an outfit from an online marketplace called Afrikrea, she receives the wrong item. Why can’t she return it?

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