CONSUMER ADVOCACY Archives

Carolyn Allen's home in Saint Cloud, Fla., faced unexpected issues when the seals on her hurricane-resistant window blinds started melting and the door handles began to corrode. Despite multiple calls and emails to FAS Windows & Doors, only some handles were replaced, leaving the rest back-ordered for over a year. Carolyn's polite persistence yielded no response until she sought help from a consumer advocacy team. With their intervention, FAS Windows & Doors finally replaced the remaining door handles, highlighting the importance of persistence and the challenges of dealing with warranty issues and unique hardware replacements.

Help! The seals on my window blinds are melting

August 31, 2024August 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Carolyn Allen’s window seals are melting. And now her door handles are corroded too. Can she get them replaced? And if so, how long should it take?

Maxine Biggs booked a flight for her husband from Salt Lake City to Geneva via Booking.com, but United Airlines canceled it and promised a refund. Despite United sending the refund to Booking.com three months later, Maxine is still waiting for her $1,751, six months on. Repeated calls to Booking.com only resulted in empty promises and no concrete information. After contacting both companies on her behalf, it was discovered that United had mistakenly exchanged the ticket instead of refunding it. Finally, after much confusion, Maxine received her long-awaited refund.

Refund confusion after United Airlines cancels his tickets. But where’s the money?

September 25, 2024July 24, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When United Airlines cancels her husband’s flight, it promises Maxine Biggs a prompt refund. So why is she still waiting for her $1,751 six months later?

Susan Thompson booked a fully refundable car rental through Priceline with Sixt but was denied a refund after canceling due to her travel companion's medical emergency. Despite having written confirmation of the refund policy, Sixt and Priceline initially refused to return her money. After persistent efforts and assistance from consumer advocacy, Priceline reviewed her case, leading to a full refund. This situation highlights the importance of understanding car rental cancellation policies, taking proactive steps to secure refunds, and seeking help when companies are uncooperative.

My car rental is fully refundable. Why is Priceline keeping my money?

January 15, 2026July 22, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Can a car rental company just change its refund rules whenever it wants to?

Craig McAllister paid $524 for front-row tickets to a Mets-Yankees spring training game in Port St. Lucie, Fla., only to find his view obstructed by an ESPN cameraman. With 80% of the game blocked, he stood until he found better seats in the sixth inning. Despite contacting SeatGeek for a refund, he was initially refused, as the venue did not consider the cameraman an obstruction. After reaching out for consumer advocacy, SeatGeek reviewed the complaint and offered Craig a $150 credit as compensation, which he accepted.

I can’t see the baseball game! Can I get my money back from SeatGeek?

June 1, 2025July 19, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Craig McAllister can’t see most of his baseball game in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Does he deserve a refund from SeatGeek?

Can you get a refund for your hotel room when your mattress is soiled? Meet one Hilton guest who wanted his money back.

My mattress was soiled. Can I get a refund from Hilton?

September 5, 2024July 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Can you get a refund for your hotel room when your mattress is soiled? Meet one Hilton guest who wanted his money back.

After Laurence Bauman's closet collapses, he hires Beltway Builders to fix it. But soon afterward, the closet collapses again. Now the company wants him to sign a nondisclosure agreement. What's going on?

Overbilled for my closet repair! Should I sign this nondisclosure agreement?

July 13, 2024July 5, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After Laurence Bauman’s closet collapses, he hires Beltway Builders to fix it. But soon afterward, the closet collapses again. Now the company wants him to sign a nondisclosure agreement. What’s going on?

If your airline changes your schedule and you ask for your money back, how do you get a refund? It should be automatic, but it isn't always.

How do I get a refund for my canceled Aerolíneas Argentinas flight?

July 4, 2024July 3, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If your airline changes your schedule and you ask for your money back, how do you get a refund? It should be automatic, but it isn’t always.

Steven Tabet cancels his timeshare, but Citibank won't help him. How do you fix a Citibank credit card dispute problem?

Citibank credit card dispute problem: Did they just short me $550?

January 15, 2025June 28, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Steven Tabet cancels his timeshare, but Citibank won’t help him. How do you fix a Citibank credit card dispute problem?

After American Airlines downgrades Margarethe Hoenig on her flight from Dallas to Auckland, New Zealand, the airline promises her a partial refund. Then it says it can't. What's going on?

Downgraded on my American Airlines flight to New Zealand — do I get a refund?

May 11, 2025June 26, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After a passenger gets bumped to economy class, American Airlines promises her a refund for her flight downgrade. Then it refuses.

Are airlines allowed to downgrade you from business class to economy? And if they do, what do they owe you?

Downgraded from business class to economy on KLM. But they messed with the wrong passengers!

September 12, 2025June 17, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Are airlines allowed to downgrade you from business class to economy? And if they do, what do they owe you?

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