Judge Judy it ain't gonna be....

[Frantic Freddie]

But I'm going to see how Small Claims Court works in Real Life

Here's the background,the court ordered mediation for our case,which meant that the owner & I would sit down with 2 mediators to try to work out an agreement which would then become a valid & enforceable contract.

We met today & it didn't go well....

A few highlights:

Me: "You chose to ignore me for 10 days"

Him: "This has nothing to do with it I know,but....*cue a 5 minute disjointed & rambling story about Mom/Dad/Uncle/sister/??? being deathly ill & him having to leave town,along with tears*...."

Me: *Sitting in stonefaced silence looking at him during this the 1st of 3 such outbursts*

Him: "This is a personal attack on me,you're throwing knives at me!!!"

Me: "No,this is business,I have nothing against you personally,I don't even know you very well.You made a mistake,I've asked you to make it right & you haven't,that's why we're here now"

Him: "You went to the Big Box Store,they...." *cue some really lame,nebulous complaints,including some printouts he wouldn't give me of supposed FCC violations...hell even McDonalds has run afoul of the FCC*

Me: "That's because they're experts at what they do,they specialize in 4WD off-road vehicles"

This went on for about an hour,until I asked him for the 4-5th time "So why does my WJ handle & ride so much better now?" & he retorted with "Well Freddie if you didn't drink & drive"

(Full disclosure: I had a DWI 7 years ago,I learned my lesson)

I just closed my file & said "We're done here,I want $2500 or we're going to court"

So the 2 mediators had him leave the room & they asked me if it was over & was I willing to go to court so I agreed.They talked to him for about 10 minutes & I went back in & he was pissed off,crying again (WTF?) "I'll fight this if it costs me $50,000,I'll close the shop if I have to!!!"

The guy ain't real bright ,like I said,I walked all over every one of his arguments.I'm hopin' his lawyer,if he has one,will just tell him to settle,it ain't worth it.But if he's dumb enough to go through with it I'm up for it,I think it'll be interesting & educational.

[MoonCat]

So he's willing to spend $50,000 and close his shop just so he doesn't have to pay you $2500? Wow, unclear on the concept or what?

[Sapphire Silk]

Keep us updated!

[draggar]

Good luck, he surely doesn't seem too bright. I do agree, hopefully his lawyers are smarter and advise him to settle - when it goes to court most states allow you to tack on legal fees. That $2500 can easily go up over $10,000.

[Kogarashi]

So he's willing to spend $50,000 and close his shop just so he doesn't have to pay you $2500? Wow, unclear on the concept or what?

Because Heaven forbid he admits he's wrong.

Keep us updated, Freddie! ::makes extra popcorn::

[taxguykarl]

So he's willing to spend $50,000 and close his shop just so he doesn't have to pay you $2500? Wow, unclear on the concept or what?

Definately.
Do keep us posted.

[Trishlovesdolphins]

"I'll fight this if it costs me $50,000,I'll close the shop if I have to!!!"

Money well spent!

[Frantic Freddie]

Right now I have to wait 'til the court notifies us with a date,I'm kinda hopin' he'll talk to a lawyer that'll tell him to just settle & file an insurance claim.That's exactly what would happen in my business,my E&O insurance (which I'm required to carry) would just pay it.