About

On Your Side is a wiki and blog where you can share the phone numbers, email addresses and names of executives who will help you get the service you deserve.

The site is edited by Christopher Elliott, a consumer advocate for Tribune Media Services, National Geographic Traveler and The Washington Post. Elliott is also the author of the book, Scammed: How to Save Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles and Shady Deals.

If you have a problem — any problem — please email Chris.

While you’re here, why not subscribe to our RSS feed? You can also receive daily updates by email or register for our volunteer newsletter. It’s all free!

  • jeremy deville

    I think you should also include a section about moving companies. I recently had to move from Baton Rouge, LA. to Houston, TX. and I had the worst experience from both Uhaul and Budget truck rentals. First we booked a Uhaul truck and car tow dolly almost 2 weeks in advance. The day before we were supposed to pick up the truck and dolley, Uhaul calls me up and says they have no trucks or dolly’s available in Baton Rouge and that I would have to drive almost 60 mile away to another city to get the truck. I was not in any situation to be able to drive myself that far away and get the truck and dolly because I had to work. I then got on the phone and called around and Budget truck rentals confirmed that they had both the truck and dolly available in Baton Rouge and said I could pick them up the next day. Upon arriving at the dealer location the next day to pick up the truck and dolly the dealer informed me that the day before he had received the order for the truck but did not get the order for the dolly until that morning. He then got very upset with me and said I was supposed to be at the location at 9 am to pick up the truck and I had put him in a bad situation by not getting there until after 4pm. Budget rentals told us to be there anytime between 9am-5pm. He also informed me that he did not have the tow dolly. I had to get my father to then drive the truck to Houston for me while I followed in my car. Then I had to pay $120 for my father to get a rental car to drive back to Baton Rouge. I called Budget’s customer service several times and each time I would tell my story to an employee and kindly asked to speak to a manager and they would kindly transfer me back to the automated message I first got when I called. After several repeated attempts I got in touch with a manager and told her I felt they should compensate me for the rental car and she informed me they could only give me a 10% refund on the cost of the truck. They should have called the dealer and checked with him to see if he had the items which I reserved before telling me it was available and creating a whole new situation for me. I will be making a complaint with the BBB about this situation. Their customer service is next to nothing.

  • Freddiesantiago

    There is a wonderful website that, I believe, is a lifeline for many consumers who desperately need better options from their wireless service provider. The experience I had at http://www.beigephone.com was great.

    I had no idea how to choose between all of these new telecom companies that now offer No Contract pre paid service. I to the U.S. frequently and had not real options other than to pay at&t, what seemed like a fortune for service in the states. Beigephone.com displays all of the carriers and their service options side by side and gave me a responsible recommendation for cell phone service. They even feature companies who offer service for only two weeks.

    I think it is the best website I’ve been on in a very very long time. I would recommend to anyone looking for better wireless options in the U.S.

  • Oxlacey

    I received a bill from a drs. office for services three (3) years ago.  I would expect I paid this at the time of the visit or shortly thereafter (some of the bill is the copay which I would think would have been paid immediately after seeing the dr. and Before leaving their office).  What relief can I get from this?

  • melaaa

    WHAT IS YOUR EMAIL?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://elliott.org Christopher Elliott
  • JB

    Thank you for the contact information about Facebook
    executives.. I will email you the attempts I have made to explain my role
    regarding some of the groups that I belong to, who is trying to become an
    Official Non Government Organization (NGO). We have hundreds of members, and at
    least a 50 or more people in leadership positions. I will explain more in
    detail in an email. I may start out with a phone call to see if you think we
    can get FB to amend their policies regarding friend request and messages for
    group specific purposes to group members from group members.