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Elliott Report

Elliott Report

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CUSTOMER SERVICE

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 12, 2025February 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.

Categories Advocacy
The touchscreen on Satoaki Omori's new HP Envy laptop doesn't work, and the computer has been discontinued. Can he get a full refund -- or a replacement?

Help! My HP Envy doesn’t work. Can I get a replacement or a refund?

November 8, 2024February 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

The touchscreen on Satoaki Omori’s new HP Envy laptop doesn’t work, and the computer has been discontinued. Can he get a full refund — or a replacement?

Categories Problem Solved
Justin Brog was abruptly banned from Airbnb and all his upcoming reservations canceled, accused of falsifying his Airbnb account identity, though he claimed innocence. His appeals were quickly denied. It turned out someone had created a fake Airbnb account impersonating Brog, likely triggering Airbnb’s automated security systems to deactivate his real account. After contact from our advocacy team questioning the ban, Airbnb reinstated Brog upon realizing their mistake. But with largely automated customer service, could false bans of Airbnb accounts happen more easily? The system seems prone to abuse or error without sufficient human oversight.

The secret of disabled Airbnb accounts: Is it sabotage?

August 24, 2025February 5, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Why is Justin Brog banned from Airbnb? He’s been a model guest and receives excellent reviews from Airbnb hosts, so there’s no reason Airbnb would disable his account.

Categories Advocacy
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?

Categories Problem Solved
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?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Caught in a financial tug-of-war, Alejandro Soler faced a daunting challenge retrieving his $286 refund from PayPal and Chase. His money, seemingly lost in a maze of corporate bureaucracy, became a symbol of the struggle consumers face when large corporations mishandle transactions. This narrative underscores the complexities and frustrations in recovering misplaced funds.

PayPal and Chase missing refund problem: “My money is nowhere to be found”

October 27, 2025January 29, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If you’ve ever had to go toe to toe with a big company over a missing refund, then you’ll relate to Alejandro Soler’s recent problem with PayPal and Chase.

Categories Advocacy
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?

Categories Problem Solved
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?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Flooded bathroom.

She left her “unsafe” Vrbo rental. Can she get her money back?

January 30, 2025January 22, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Nicole Morin wants her money back for the “unsafe” vacation rental she booked through Vrbo. And she wants me to help her get it.

Categories Advocacy
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?

Categories Problem Solved
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