All articles tagged with #consumer complaints
Colorado officials received over 200 complaints about tainted fuel sold at several Denver-area gas stations, including Costco, Murphy Express, and King Soopers, leading to potential costly repairs for affected drivers, with issues linked to Sinclair's fuel supply. The state is investigating the incident, and consumers are advised to contact retailers and report issues to authorities.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted to maintain high profit margins for utilities like Southern California Edison, despite consumer protests over rising electric bills and claims that these profits are inflated. The decision slightly reduces the utilities' return on equity, but customers will see little immediate impact as infrastructure costs continue to rise. Consumer groups argue that the profits are excessive and advocate for lower returns to reduce energy costs for Californians.
A man in his 40s shares his two-year regret after purchasing a $70,000 Ford Explorer, which he claims was inflated by dealership tactics and has experienced early issues like chipped paint and dirty filters. The story highlights concerns about dealership practices, warranty coverage, and the importance of thorough vehicle inspection and understanding warranty terms before purchase.
Chipotle denies claims from TikTok users that its food portions have shrunk, asserting that portion sizes remain unchanged and customizable. The company refutes allegations that employees serve larger portions when being filmed, emphasizing their commitment to consistent customer experience.
Auto insurance rates are soaring in Nevada, with an average annual cost of nearly $3,000, and hundreds of thousands of drivers are facing an almost 20% increase in their rates. Customers, like Robert Diaz, are frustrated by the lack of notice and substantial rate hikes, with some attributing the surge to the rising cost of new and used vehicles and the complexity of vehicle repairs. The Nevada Division of Insurance, which must approve all rate increases, is seeing unprecedented price hikes, with large carriers submitting increases annually due to the losses they are experiencing.
A Disney fanatic criticized the Magic Kingdom park for its steep price hikes, noting that a visit has become more expensive due to the removal of complimentary services and the introduction of new paid features. The fan documented the costs for a day at the park, revealing a 44% price increase since 2017. He expressed frustration over long wait times, additional charges for ride queues, and the overall expense, comparing it unfavorably to overseas vacations.
Major airlines are increasingly adopting an à la carte pricing model, charging passengers for services like seat selection, baggage, and in-flight amenities, which now account for about 20 percent of airline revenue worldwide. The Department of Transportation is fielding consumer complaints and investigating whether these practices constitute deceptive pricing, while the Biden administration is proposing rules to increase transparency in airline fees. Despite concerns, as long as consumers continue to buy into this pricing model, it is likely to persist. Additionally, a federal judge recently blocked the merger of JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, highlighting ongoing consolidation in the airline industry.
Consumer complaints against US airlines have more than doubled in the first five months of 2023 compared to the same period last year, indicating another record year for complaints. Flight cancellations have significantly dropped, but delays remain an issue. The surge in demand has left airlines and air traffic control centers short-staffed. The top complaints address delays, cancellations, missed connections, refunds, and lost or damaged items. The Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection is behind schedule in releasing data due to the high number of complaints.
Consumer complaints against U.S. airlines are set to reach a new record in 2023, with the number of complaints filed in the first five months of the year more than double compared to the same period last year, according to a report by U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The complaints primarily revolve around flight delays, mishandled luggage, damaged wheelchairs, and the lack of refunds. Frontier, Spirit Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines received the most complaints per 100,000 passengers, while Republic Airways, SkyWest, and Alaska Airlines had the least. With the holiday season approaching, travelers are advised to download airline apps, use bag trackers, know their legal rights, fly in the morning, avoid connecting flights, pay with a credit card, and document their belongings to mitigate potential issues.
A Minnesota woman, Kelly Witter, has been receiving Target packages mistakenly delivered to her for the past year. In the span of four days, she received 140 packages, totaling approximately $3,000 worth of items. Despite reaching out to Target multiple times, the issue persisted. Target has apologized, stopped the shipments, and arranged for the mistaken packages to be picked up. They are also donating the mistakenly shipped glasses to charity and offering Witter a gift card for the inconvenience.
Kraft Heinz is recalling over 83,000 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices due to a potential choking hazard. The recall was initiated after the company received consumer complaints about a thin strip of film sticking to the slice, causing gagging or choking in some cases. No injuries or serious health issues have been reported. Consumers are advised not to consume the affected products and can return them for an exchange or refund.
Kraft Heinz is recalling over 83,000 cases of Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices due to a potential choking hazard. The company discovered that the wrapper on the individual slices could stick to the cheese, posing a risk to consumers. The recall was initiated after several consumer complaints and reports of choking or gagging. Consumers are advised to either discard the affected products or return them to the store for a refund or exchange.
People frustrated with unwanted telemarketing calls are using AI software and voice cloners to simulate distracted individuals who are willing to stay on the phone indefinitely. With the average American receiving 14 unwanted calls per month, call centers using automated dialers can make hundreds of calls per second. By employing voice modulators and software, telemarketers can remove accents and use prerecorded English phrases. One individual, Roger Anderson, has developed a call-deflection system called Jolly Roger, which uses chatbots to engage telemarketers with preset expressions and distractions. Anderson's system has gained thousands of subscribers who pay $24.99 per year for its services.
Some fans who purchased Taylor Swift concert tickets from third-party sellers like StubHub were left disappointed and frustrated when they found out the tickets didn't exist or were not as advertised. One fan filed a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General's office to prevent others from experiencing the same issues. Despite this, Taylor Swift's takeover of Nashville was a huge success, leaving fans thrilled with her live performance.