CONSUMER ADVOCACY Archives

I canceled my cruise, but my $19,148 credit card claim is lost at sea

August 8, 2024February 14, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Brent Feinberg and his wife cancel their cruise after a medical emergency. Why won’t their credit card cover their $19,148 loss?

Look out! This Booking.com scam is coming for you

August 11, 2025February 10, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Travelers face a new wave of hacking threats,. This Booking.com scam is just one of them. Here’s how to protect yourself.

When Nancy Epstein rented a BMW through Turo in San Diego, she paid for basic insurance coverage. After returning the car, she received a $3,000 bill from the owner claiming damage to the interior panels. Epstein was suspicious since the amount matched her deductible and the photos were inconclusive. She turned to consumer advocate Christopher Elliott for help. He reviewed the details and thought there were too many unanswered questions, so he contacted Turo. After further investigation, Turo informed Epstein that she would not be held responsible for the damages.

A $3,000 bill for minor scuffs on my car? Is this Turo bill a scam or what?

September 16, 2024February 7, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Nancy Epstein gets a repair bill for $3,000 after renting a Turo. But what’s it for? And does she have to pay?

Roy Gregston's Hoover Steam Mop, purchased from Amazon with an extended warranty, breaks down months later. Navigating a maze of customer service from Asurion, Hoover, and Amazon, he faces a restocking fee and limited support. Despite policies and warranties, he's left with a defective product and mounting frustration. Will his persistence pay off, or is he stuck with a costly, unusable mop and half his money gone?

My steam mop broke! Amazon won’t clean up this mess — and now there’s a restocking fee

March 29, 2024February 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Roy Gregston’s Hoover Complete Steam Mop breaks down only a few months after he buys it from Amazon. Even though he has a three-year extended warranty, no one will cover it. And then there’s a restocking fee, too. What’s going on?

Dollar doesn't have the rental car Beth Bonness reserved in Atlanta, but that's not stopping it from charging her $82. Can it do that? And how does she get a refund?

Dollar didn’t have my rental car — but it still charged me $82!

June 5, 2025January 31, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Dollar doesn’t have the rental car Beth Bonness reserved in Atlanta, but that’s not stopping it from charging her $82. Can it do that? And how does she get a refund?

Ronald Crossley faces a challenging situation with his Hamilton Beach toaster oven, experiencing both functional issues and poor customer service. Despite his efforts to return the appliance and request a refund, he encounters unresponsiveness, leading him to seek advice on how to navigate this frustrating consumer predicament.

“Burned” by my Hamilton Beach toaster oven. Why can’t I get a refund?

August 31, 2024January 26, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Ronald Crossley’s Hamilton Beach toaster oven doesn’t work. And apparently, neither does the Hamilton Beach customer service department. How does he get this appliance fixed?

In this intriguing case, Evonne Hopkins faces a dilemma after booking a room without a private bathroom through SuperTravel. Despite their no-refund policy, she challenges the lack of disclosure. Find out how this situation unfolds and if SuperTravel adjusts its stance in this captivating travel troubleshooter story.

Help! My bed & breakfast doesn’t have a bathroom!

February 5, 2024January 24, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Evonne Hopkins books a room at a bed & breakfast that doesn’t have a bathroom. Can she get her money back?

In this detailed account, John faces a challenging transaction dispute with PayPal over a $2,600 fraud. The incident highlights significant flaws in digital transaction security, prompting a deep dive into PayPal's handling of unauthorized activities. Learn essential tips for safeguarding your online transactions and understand the complexities of resolving such disputes in the evolving landscape of digital finance

How do I get PayPal to reverse a fraudulent charge for $2,600? Can you help?

September 25, 2024January 19, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

PayPal won’t refund an unauthorized charge on John Boham-Cook’s account, even though it reversed two others by the same fraudster. How can he get the company to see things his way?

Krishnamurthy Viswanathan's hotel room in London is smaller than he expects and has poor ventilation. Can he get his money back?

This hotel is too small and I have a headache! Can I get my money back?

November 17, 2024January 17, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Krishnamurthy Viswanathan’s hotel room in London is smaller than he expects and has poor ventilation. Can he get his money back?

Lillian Kohler faced losing $36,000 after Vantage Travel's bankruptcy. Unlike others, she discovered a potential path to a refund. This story explores the complexities of cruise line bankruptcies and offers insights on protecting your travel investments, highlighting the crucial role of consumer advocacy in navigating these turbulent situations.

Will she get a $36,000 refund for her canceled Vantage Travel cruise?

January 16, 2024January 15, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Lillian Kohler never imagined she’d get stiffed for $36,000 by a supposedly reputable cruise company like Vantage Travel.

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