Is it worth it to go to court?

Question

A friend of a friend told me he would fix the transmission in my car. I asked him how much he thought it would cost, he told me $150-$200 depending on if he needed to rent tools.I gave him cash up front and asked him if he was sure he could fix it and he said yes it would be ready by Wednesday. Weds rolled around and I was told he could not fix it because it needed other things and he didn't have the tools and he suggested I take it to the original shop I had it at. I told him I would be there to have it towed on Monday as well as to pick up the cash and key. He told me he had to buy parts and they cost $125. I asked him to either return the parts or leave the receipt with the parts. When I got there to pick everything up. There was no cash and a bag of random car parts that were irrelevant to a transmission and looked old with no receipt. He has since refused to give me anything. Will I win in court?

Answer 1

Yes you would. but verbal agreements are very hard to prove. This is definitely a "I said, he said, we said, what?" situation. The only real way that you could win is to have a summons issued to that person. That might scare him into settling. If it doesn't, Take him to court. If only for the satisfaction that he is a fraud.

Good luck.

Answer 2

While you could file suit pro se (yourself) I really don't think it would be your time and effort to bring this matter to Small Claims Court.  Depending on the filing fees in your jurisdiction and the time spent for you to take off of work, it would probably exceed the original money amount.  Key his car.  :)

Answer 3

It would cost more to go to court, having to pay for a lawyer and court fees. Nope, not worth it.

Answer 4

File a small claims case and consider this guy no longer a friend.  You should be able to get your money, since he gave you phony receipts.  Do the parts he gave you even go to your make/model of car?  It costs about $40 to file the case, which he  will have to pay if he loses, and you don't need a lawyer in small claims.

Answer 5

You may have a chance in court, but you should consider if you wish to remain friends with this person.  If your answer is yes, forget this ever happened.  If you sue, the one thing guaranteed is you will NOT be friends after the suit.

Answer 6

absolutely.  go to judge judy, she'd definitely take your side.  no matter what, bring any and all documentation you have