Price gouging, dangerous products, bait and switch issues | February 2023

Hi all,

Thank you for your interest in consumer alerts. Here I’m sharing the trending issues spotted across consumer reviews on PissedConsumer.com platform for the past month.

Please let me know if you’d like more details about any specific topic. I’d be happy to research reviews, provide more data, and help you contact consumers.

Issues in real estate

The top companies by the number of reviews in February 2023 are RentCafe, Streetlane Homes, Zillow, and Morgan Properties.

The recent complaints concern low-quality maintenance, repair services, issues with rentals, and poor customer service. Please see the examples:

Invitation Homes: “Unreliable contractors”?

A consumer complains about low standards the company holds for hiring contractors,

“…The current issue is a recurring roof leak. We have had it repaired 4 times now by the same company every time, and it continues to leak…”

Read full review

Lennar: “We wanted a safe forever home for our kids”

Another reviewer complains about poorly built property and repairs,

“...I have cracks throughout the house that never been fixed…The grout is literally turning into dust, and in the shower mold is growing… the nails are picking threw the walls… a stack of stuff that isnt getting fixed.”

Read full review

Price gouging and shrinkflation:

We receive more and more reviews showing how frustrated consumers are with price gouging and shrinkflation at the stores and restaurants. This has been especially disturbing for elderly consumers.

Denny's Restaurant: “55+ BREAKFAST”

“Ate 55+ breakfast, 2 eggs w/ cheese 2 pancakes 2 sausage 2 bacon $7.99 coffee $3.49 Total: $13.48+ Tax @ 8.25%= $1.11 total of $14.59. I'm 72 Y.O. on a fixed income… I can understand with the supply chain and prices going up, but this seems to be price gouging...” Read review 4330237

Kellogg's: “Is this shrinkflation?”

The following consumer noticed a size change in his favorite crackers, “The sleeves of Krispy crackers have shrunk a lot. I don't believe there is a full pound in each box. Once again, the consumer gets screwed by a big corporation...”

Read review 4136749

Goodwill: “From Goodwill to Greedwill”

A consumer noticed that the store consistently raises prices.

“Overnight, literally, almost everything in the store doubled, tripled and in some cases (toys) jumped 6x the previous amount…”

Read review 4370932?

Bait and Switch alerts

We’ve received several consumer complaints, in which posters believe they’ve been a victim of bait and switch.?Below is one of the many reviews left on Aspen Dental alerting that the company lures its clients into services and never performs what promises.?

Aspen Dental: “lied about treatment plan, and refuses to produce dentures”

A consumer reports that they never received the treatment paid for in full,

“...cannot chew solid food, smile or relax due to the painful, broken partial… Aspen Dental of Vero Beach runs local TV commercials making promises that, at this location, are the antithesis of such claims…”

Read full review

Sursell: “Stay away”

A consumer says the company scams customers, “They bait and switch the consumer. I had to call my credit card company and put a claim in. They immediately refunded me my money, which tells me they are aware of this company.”

Read review 4386329?

Issues with cars

The most discussed companies by consumers in the auto category are Ford, Mazda, and Infiniti. The top companies by the number of reviews in February 2023 are Kia Motors, Tesla, Jeep, and Carfax.

The recent complaints alert scams when purchasing a vehicle, issues with auto services,? and car fails. Please see examples of reviews:

Carvana: “Sold a flooded vehicle”

A year after purchasing a vehicle through Carvana, it showed electrical problems. The inspection confirmed it was flood damage but Carvana refused to do anything,

“...we notice the spare tire was completely white from salt water and sand in the tire compartment… we are stuck with a flood damaged vehicle that was overpriced to begin with and problems are getting worse.”

Read review 4378502

eBay: “Scammers”

This consumer never received his vehicle, “I tried to buy a truck from eBay motors they took my money no truck…” - read review 4391081

Dangerous products

This past month, we received several reviews, in which consumers say the purchase is dangerous:

BlendJet: “Very dangerous design”

The consumer was satisfied with a blender until it turned itself on without the cup on it.

“...It subsequently fell into the sink (from the vibration) and started smoking.. it would not turn off when I hit or even held the power button… The blade spun feverishly until the motor finally burned...”

Read full review?

City Furniture: “Hazardous Furniture Chemical”

Consumer reports that the piece of purchased furniture has a chemical, “they need to be totally ashamed of themselves To let their Hazardous Piece of furniture make two Seniors sick… I cannot keep it in my home and have our health affected…” - read review 4384318?

Alerts in travel

The top companies by the number of reviews in February 2023 are Hopper, Expedia, Booking, Opodo, and Traveldenio. There is a particular case reported by consumer about traveling with a dog.

Lufthansa: “Im emotionally destroyed”

Consumer was separated from his dog at the airport,

“...My dog was confirmed in the booking…They simply said sorry your dog cant make it in this flight… my dog is still in Vancouver with strangers while I'm away from him.”

Read review 4387516?

Other most recent complaints are in regard to no refunds, poor service, and overcharges. Please see the examples:

Expedia: “Unsatisfied with room”

This consumer complaints about conditions of they stay. “Roaches crawling on walls and table, roach in ice bucket, floor was wet and my belongings got wet and stink some had throw away.” - read review 4397073

Hopper: “Overcharged”

It’s one of many complaints left about charges on Hopper: “I was charged multiple times and am have a very hard time getting my money back” - review 4396687

For more information on any other industry or topic, please send a message or email at [email protected].

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