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Elliott Report

Elliott Report

  • Home
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CONSUMER ADVOCACY

Benjamin Marmer, a college student, faced a frustrating situation when his new Dell laptop was marked as delivered by FedEx, but he never received it. Caught in a loop between Dell and FedEx, he sought help. Discover how he ultimately secured a replacement for his lost laptop.

Is this Dell lost laptop a lost cause?

May 24, 2025May 23, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Benjamin Marmer orders a new computer from Dell. But it never arrives, even though Dell ships it via FedEx. Is his computer a lost cause?

Categories Problem Solved

We canceled our Canadian vacation. Why is our travel insurance claim delayed?

January 10, 2026May 19, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Last year, Liesel Dreisbach-Williams and her husband, Roger, planned an epic adventure from Vancouver to Toronto by train. But when Roger’s health took a turn for the worse, the adventure turned into an epic misadventure — an endless series of emails with MSH, their travel insurance company.

Categories Advocacy
When Nicholas Chandler rented an Avis car for one day, a rear-end crash led to a jaw-dropping $7,671 charge for 29 days of “loss of use” — despite the other driver being at fault. His insurance refused payment, citing vague billing. Avis’ claims partner, Sedgwick, admitted a possible error but offered no resolution. Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott uncovered internal confusion: Avis had charged Chandler the maximum daily rate as if he’d kept the car. After intervention, Avis refunded $7,000, admitting the mistake. A cautionary tale of rental car pitfalls and the fight against controversial “loss of use” fees.

Help! Avis charged me $7,671 for a one-day car rental

November 4, 2025May 14, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Nicholas Chandler was rear-ended while driving an Avis rental car. Even though the other driver was at fault, Avis charged him for the entire time the car was out of commission. Can he get a refund?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Shira Newman encountered a frustrating situation when she was charged three times for a single ticket to a Ms. Pat show. Despite the event organizer agreeing to refund the duplicates, Eventbrite's fees remained a hurdle. After escalating her complaint, she ultimately received a full refund, including the fees.

Ms. Pat fan faces an Eventbrite fee fiasco. Can she get a refund?

May 10, 2025May 9, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Shira Newman buys one ticket to a Ms. Pat show but ends up with three. Why can’t she get a full refund for the two unwanted tickets? And why isn’t Eventbrite helping her?

Categories Problem Solved
After Steve Eliason booked a hotel near Glacier National Park, he faced a $169 charge when the hotel closed unexpectedly due to the owner's labor. Frustrated with Hotels.com, he sought help. Learn how he navigated the situation and ultimately secured a refund for his canceled reservation.

How to get a refund after a hotel closure: My $169 battle with Hotels.com

May 8, 2025May 7, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Steve Eliason cancels a hotel booked through Hotels.com after the owner goes into labor and closes the property. But Hotels.com still charges him for the room. What happens when a third-party booking site fails to honor a cancellation?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Corwin Simmonds encountered a frustrating $457 overcharge from Budget after renting a car in France. Despite multiple unauthorized charges and poor customer service, he persisted in seeking a resolution. Learn how he navigated the process and ultimately secured a refund for the erroneous charges.

Budget overcharge: I paid an extra $457 for my car rental in France!

December 20, 2025May 5, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Corwin Simmonds rented a car from Budget in Marseille, France, he never expected a simple transaction to become a frustrating ordeal with multiple overcharges and a bewildering lack of customer service. 

Categories Advocacy
Should airlines limit or ban alcohol on planes? Passengers like Jodi Smith have an opinion.

Should airlines ban alcohol on flights?

November 13, 2025April 27, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Should airlines limit or ban alcohol on planes? Passengers like Jodi Smith have an opinion.

Categories On Travel
It seems airlines are constantly finding new ways to make flying more uncomfortable. But for Mary Ann and David DeMichael, AirTransat succeeded beyond its wildest dreams.

They paid for an extra legroom seat on AirTransat. Then they got a downgrade.

December 11, 2025April 21, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

It seems airlines are constantly finding new ways to make flying more uncomfortable. But for Mary Ann and David DeMichael, AirTransat succeeded beyond its wildest dreams.

Categories Advocacy
If you've ever stored your luggage with a hotel, you probably know the nagging question: Is my bag safe?

How to prevent hotel luggage theft: 5 expert strategies

April 26, 2025April 19, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

If you’ve ever stored your luggage with a hotel, you probably know the nagging question: Is my bag safe?

Categories Safe Travels
Why is RVshare holding Aaron Olbrich's $1,500 deposit after he returns his rental van? And can he ever get his money back?

RVshare is keeping my deposit! Can you make them return it?

April 26, 2025April 16, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Why is RVshare holding Aaron Olbrich’s $1,500 deposit after he returns his rental van? And can he ever get his money back?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
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