CONSUMER RIGHTS Archives

When Don Kelly triumphs in a credit card chargeback, he unexpectedly faces an Uber ban. His odyssey through automated customer service and complex policies highlights the intricate battle between consumer rights and corporate rules in today's technology-driven world.

Uber banned him after he won a credit card chargeback. Is that allowed?

May 17, 2025January 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Can Uber ban you if you file a credit card dispute against it and win? It happened to Don Kelley. Here’s how to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

Jim Ogden faced a frustrating ordeal with his new BMW M240i Coupe. Despite a full warranty, the car's persistent issues remained unresolved by the dealership. With the service department unable to fix the vehicle and lemon lawyers hesitant to take on a used car case, Ogden sought external help.

My BMW doesn’t work! Why won’t they fix it?

August 31, 2024December 28, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Jim Ogden’s new BMW is a lemon, but he can’t get his dealership to fix it or take the car back. What are his options?

Hertz hits Joseph Meisinger with an $850 bill six months after he returns his rental car. Wait, six months? Yes, six months. Does he still have to pay?

Help! Hertz hit me with an $850 repair bill six months after I returned my rental car

January 2, 2025December 27, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Hertz hits Joseph Meisinger with an $850 bill six months after he returns his rental car. Wait, six months? Yes, six months. Does he still have to pay?

Michael Lavender faced a frustrating ordeal with Barcelo Maya Palace Resort over a nonrefundable hotel booking. After canceling his original reservation and rebooking a cheaper room, he struggled for four months to get a refund of $1,692. Despite promises from various agents, the refund process proved lengthy and complex, highlighting the risks of nonrefundable hotel reservations and the importance of persistence and self-advocacy in resolving such issues.

Oh no! Will I ever get my money back from Barcelo?

December 27, 2023December 26, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

It’s been four months since Barcelo Maya Palace Resort promised Michael Lavender a refund for his nonrefundable $1,692 hotel reservation, and he’s beginning to think he may never get it.

Erin Mahoney, banned by Airbnb without explanation, faces the opaque world of customer blacklists. Discover how to navigate and resolve such bans in the secretive travel industry, and what happened when she appealed...

Blacklisted by a travel company? Here’s how to avoid it — and what to do if you’re banned

February 5, 2024December 16, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

If you’re banned by a travel company, how do you get unbanned? It’s happening to more people than ever. Here’s what to do.

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?

When Robertann Usher's home security company merges with ADT, he discovers he has a five-year contract with a higher price. Getting out will cost him $527. Is that legal?

I want to cancel my ADT contract. Can I get out of this $527 fee?

October 30, 2025June 20, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

When Robertann Usher’s home security company merges with ADT, he discovers he has a five-year contract with a higher price. Getting out will cost him $527. Is that legal?

Sears promises to cover the cost of Wanda Warren's dishwasher installation. Then it offers her a check for $180 -- which isn't enough. Does it owe her more?

Help! Sears won’t cover the cost of installing my replacement dishwasher

March 24, 2025June 6, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Sears promises to cover the cost of Wanda Warren’s dishwasher installation. Then it offers her a check for $180 — which isn’t enough. Does it owe her more?

What is the Booking.com refund process, and how can you get a refund when the company makes a mistake? Here's what to do.

What’s the Booking.com refund process? The company took my money!

March 27, 2025April 24, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

What is the Booking.com refund process, and how can you get a refund when the company makes a mistake? Here’s what to do.

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