CONSUMER PROTECTION Archives

When Jane Huang transferred $1,264 to her brother through PayPal, it never reached his account. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, including contacting PayPal and Xoom, and filing complaints with financial protection agencies, her money remained missing for six months. After persistent efforts and seeking help from a consumer advocacy site, PayPal finally refunded her the full amount plus $100. Her experience highlights the importance of verifying recipient details, monitoring transaction statuses, and the challenges of resolving lost money transfers with online payment services.

PayPal money transfer problem: What should I do if the money never gets there?

September 25, 2024September 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Jane Huang transferred $1,264 to her brother through PayPal, she expected him to get the money. But he never did.

Companies often use release forms to silence consumers when addressing complaints. For instance, Lowe's offered a settlement to a customer for a botched kitchen installation but required her to destroy evidence and stay silent. These agreements, similar to nondisclosure agreements, prevent consumers from sharing their experiences, thereby protecting the company's reputation. Consumers should be wary of such agreements, which may restrict their rights to criticize or pursue further claims. Consulting a lawyer before signing is advisable to understand the full implications. Refusing these agreements could push companies to resolve issues transparently.

How companies try to silence you when you have a problem

September 5, 2024August 26, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

The document seemed harmless enough — a “release of all claims” in exchange for a cash settlement. Lowe’s sent it to one of our readers when she asked it to fix a botched kitchen installation.

Ronald Duben is ready to give his credit card. He thinks there's something better out there -- and there almost certainly is.

As rewards credit cards face regulation, what are the alternatives?

August 10, 2024May 18, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Ronald Duben is ready to give his credit card. He thinks there’s something better out there — and there almost certainly is.

The new airline consumer protection rules target junk fees and guarantee refunds for significant delays. Yet, implementation hurdles and potential conflicts loom. Will these regulations truly benefit travelers this summer? Read on for insights.

Will new airline consumer protection rules help you when you fly this summer?

May 17, 2024May 11, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

You’ve probably heard about the new airline consumer protection rules that rolled out with a one-two punch last month. There were so many, it’s almost hard to keep track. And maybe you’re saying to yourself: Finally, I’ll have some rights when I fly.

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?

When faced with a hotel room downgrade, it's crucial to document everything and communicate your concerns to the hotel immediately. If unresolved, escalate the issue by writing to customer service or the hotel's higher management. For unresolved cases, consider contacting consumer protection authorities. Booking platforms often lack rigorous quality control, leading to discrepancies in room descriptions. Advocacy and persistence can help secure fair compensation or refunds, emphasizing the importance of knowing your rights and the hotel's obligations for a satisfactory resolution.

Chased out of his hotel for complaining about a small room. Is this enough compensation?

February 14, 2024February 12, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Jimmy Lim thought he’d booked a suite for his family in Hong Kong through Booking.com. He ended up getting chased out of the hotel after complaining about the size of his rooms. Now he wants a refund — and, of course, he isn’t getting it.

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?

Britt Lane's ordeal with Ashley Furniture began when her new bed arrived missing crucial parts. Despite repeated efforts to resolve the issue, including requests for a partial refund and a copy of the contract, she faced unhelpful customer service and was left sleeping on the floor for over a month.

My bed from Ashley Furniture is missing a few parts. What should I do?

January 13, 2024January 12, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

What’s wrong with Britt Lane’s bed? And why won’t Ashley Furniture fix it for her? She’s been sleeping on the floor since she ordered the furniture from the retailer.

Ling Lu Yamaki navigated a $28,000 timeshare entanglement with Hilton Grand Vacations after feeling misled. Her journey uncovers the intricacies of timeshare agreements, the importance of consumer rights, and the unexpected twists in resolving such disputes. This tale serves as a cautionary lesson for anyone considering or trying to exit a timeshare.

How do you get out of a $28,000 timeshare mistake? Definitely not like this

November 6, 2023October 13, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Ling Lu Yamaki wanted to get out of her timeshare with Hilton Grand Vacations after she discovered a serious problem with it.

Here's a lost Pixel puzzle: UPS misplaced our reader's Amazon return. Can he get his $518 back from Amazon? Or will he lose his money?

Help! Amazon lost my Pixel phone and now it won’t refund me

August 26, 2024August 16, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

When Jack Price tries to return his Google Pixel 6 phone to Amazon through UPS, the phone gets lost. Will he ever get his $518 back?

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