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Elliott Report

Elliott Report

  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
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    • Problem Solved
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    • The Travel Troubleshooter
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Problem Solved

Problem Solved is a weekly consumer column that fixes reader problems. From broken laptop computers to faulty kitchen appliances, nothing is off limits for this feature. Each story brings a fresh problem and solution in an engaging and succinct Q&A format.

As the author of How To Be The World's Smartest Traveler, I can confirm that smart travel can make you a better consumer.

7 consumer secrets from the world’s smartest traveler

January 26, 2024February 19, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

Can being a smart traveler make you a better consumer? As the author of How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler, which is being published next month, I can confirm that it does.

Categories Problem Solved
After a 45-minute wait, Mark Dixon gets the wrong order at a Popeyes restaurant in Buffalo. He discover the mistake at home.

Always check your order before you leave Popeyes

January 26, 2024February 13, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

After a 45-minute wait, Mark Dixon gets the wrong order at a Popeyes restaurant in Buffalo. Just one problem: He doesn’t discover the mistake until he’s home.

Categories Problem Solved
If you have a gripe with a company — and let's face it, at some point, everyone has a gripe — here's a cautionary tale about complaining.

The biggest complaint mistake you’ll ever make

February 11, 2025February 12, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

If you have a gripe with a company — and let’s face it, at some point, everyone has a gripe with a company — here’s a cautionary tale about complaining.

Categories Problem Solved
Geri Bain's "hot" computer is missing in action. Why won't Dell repair it? And why won't it return her laptop?

Help! Dell is holding my “hot” computer hostage

May 24, 2024February 6, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

Geri Bain’s “hot” computer is missing in action. Why won’t Dell repair it? And why won’t it return her laptop?

Categories Problem Solved
Is this story a fake? 5 ways you can tell. Do you accept sponsored content and if so, how much you charge?"

Is this story a fake? 5 ways you can tell

January 26, 2024February 5, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

Not a day seems to go by that I don’t receive an email that commends me for my “well-written” site and asks, “Do you accept sponsored content and if so, how much you charge?”

Categories Problem Solved
Patricia Wilson's TVs are blown out. DirecTV blames her internal wiring, but she thinks the company has something to do with it.

A shocking problem with DirecTV

January 26, 2024January 30, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

Patricia Wilson’s TVs are blown out. DirecTV blames her internal wiring, but she thinks the company has something to do with it. Now they’re at an impasse. Or are they?

Categories Problem Solved
A new study of hotel frequent-guest programs suggests they increase their share of room nights by anywhere from 150 percent to 500 percent.

Study: Loyalty programs make you buy more

January 26, 2024January 29, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

For years, consumer advocates like me have been warning consumers like you that loyalty programs aren’t the “win-win” propositions companies claim they are.

Categories Problem Solved
Latonya Holloway's TV stopped working. Good thing she bought the extended warranty from Wal-Mart. Or is it?

Where’s my replacement TV from Wal-Mart?

January 26, 2024January 23, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

Latonya Holloway’s TV stopped working. Good thing she bought the extended warranty from Wal-Mart. Or is it?

Categories Problem Solved
No one wants to overpay for a product or service. But how do you know you're getting the best rate? Negotiate the best price.

5 Secrets for negotiating the best price every time

January 26, 2024January 22, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

No one wants to overpay for a product or service. But how do you know you’re getting the best rate? And if you’re not being offered the lowest price, how do you negotiate it?

Categories Problem Solved
Olga O'Hara wants to return the shoes she bought at Sears, but she's getting mixed signals from the company about how to do so. Is she stuck with her purchase?

Stuck with a pair of shoes – and confused about Sears’ refund policy

December 13, 2024January 16, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

Olga O’Hara wants to return the shoes she bought at Sears.com, but she’s getting mixed signals from the company about how to do so. Is she stuck with her purchase?

Categories Problem Solved
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