What's On Your Mind? UPS, Government Grant Scam, Sprint, Priceline.com

We often come across consumer issues that are a perfect fit for a small claims suit. Michael, of Yukon, Okla., may have just such a case against UPS.

“I recently shipped a Crafters Maple Flathead banjo through the Staples shipping center via UPS and paid for extra insurance to cover the sale price,” Michael told ConsumerAffairs.com.

Michael said it was properly packaged and wrapped but arrived at its destination with the box broken open and retaped and the contents damaged. Michael had insured the package, so it seems he should have been compensated.

“Staples managed to delay the claims process by requesting only one piece of information at a time, waiting for me to call to request information, and threatening to close the claim if I did not call regularly,” Michael said. “The claim was for $336 for Elderly Instruments to repair the resonator. After a month, UPS simply denied the claim, confident that I would not sue for a few hundred dollars.”

But Michael could sue in small claims court and it would only cost him a small filing fee. The court would notify UPS of the trial date. UPS could either pay someone to travel to Yukon, Okla., to represent them in court or pay Michael the $336. Small claims court is for claims of $1000 or less. Find out more about the process here.

Don't play with scammers

Stephanie, of Mesa, Ariz., must be bored because, when she got a call from someone pushing a government grant scam, she pretended to play along.

“He asked for my bank information to deposit the money in 45 minutes, and than he would give me a grant approval number and call back number,” Stephanie said. “I kept asking him what I have to buy? Why does he need my date of birth and address if he is with the government? Can I have the call back number now? I was curious so I proceeded to give him a prepaid account, my address and date of birth, however I mixed numbers up so they were not accurate at all.”

This is a very bad idea, Stephanie. You should cancel that pre-paid card ASAP and never give scammers any information, even if you think you are outsmarting them. Just hang up.

Credit where credit is due

Gabriella, of Oakland, Calif., says she has been a Sprint customer since 2003.

“Today I called to cancel my service and a lady named Mikila said that because I was cancelling, she was going to reverse a $29.00 credit that I got from last month,” Gabriella told ConsumerAffairs.com. “This was a credit given to me and now, because I cancelled my service, they are taking this credit back. I do not feel that this is correct.”

Without knowing what the credit is for, it's hard to know whether it is or not. But if it's a credit that Gabriella has earned through her past patronage, or a credit that is owed to her, it seems like she should get it. Gabriella needs to speak with a Sprint supervisor for a fuller explanation.

Tell me again why I'm using this site?

Nichole, of Carmel, Ind., says booking a hotel room with a third-party booking site isn't always a good deal.

“I booked a hotel room for $100 with Priceline at a Quality Inn,” Nichole said. “Quality Inn gave me a receipt for $70. Called Priceline and they confirmed that if I called the hotel directly I would have only paid $70.”

Nichole thinks she should get a $30 refund, but she shouldn't hold her breath. Instead, when booking travel, make a little extra effort and search online for hotels in the area you are visiting and book directly. You might even save money.