Hello all,
I recently sold an item on Craigslist and received my payment promptly. However, the buyer made excuses as to why he hadn't shipped out the separate check to cover shipping costs. The excuses went on for about a month or so until the buyer stopped responding to my emails requesting shipping reimbursement. We agreed on transaction terms in various email exchanges, and I have records of those. On multiple occasions he explicitly states that he still owes me the money.
The shipping is a measely $38, but it's $38 that I'm rightfully entitled to. What can I do about this? I've been told by many people just to forget about it, but right before the guy stopped responding to me he became belligerent and said that there's nothing I can do to get the money . . . that he has decided not to pay me. He had no valid reason for this refusal to pay.
I am located in San Francisco and he's in Los Angeles. I have reviewed basic information regarding California Small Claims rules, but I'm hung up where I would file the small claim. It says that I must file where the defendent lives or where the contract took place. Is a mutual agreement via email considered a contract? I don't want to get screwed on a technicality. Also, if an email agreement IS considered a contract, can I file a valid claim in my own county?
Thanks,
Bob
I recently sold an item on Craigslist and received my payment promptly. However, the buyer made excuses as to why he hadn't shipped out the separate check to cover shipping costs. The excuses went on for about a month or so until the buyer stopped responding to my emails requesting shipping reimbursement. We agreed on transaction terms in various email exchanges, and I have records of those. On multiple occasions he explicitly states that he still owes me the money.
The shipping is a measely $38, but it's $38 that I'm rightfully entitled to. What can I do about this? I've been told by many people just to forget about it, but right before the guy stopped responding to me he became belligerent and said that there's nothing I can do to get the money . . . that he has decided not to pay me. He had no valid reason for this refusal to pay.
I am located in San Francisco and he's in Los Angeles. I have reviewed basic information regarding California Small Claims rules, but I'm hung up where I would file the small claim. It says that I must file where the defendent lives or where the contract took place. Is a mutual agreement via email considered a contract? I don't want to get screwed on a technicality. Also, if an email agreement IS considered a contract, can I file a valid claim in my own county?
Thanks,
Bob
