I helped start a new business in my town. Along with my time and labor I also invested approximately $1,200.00 in lighting & a hanging system. When it came time to sign on the dotted line and commit to this business I notice some red flags. I also was not able to continue paying half of the rent. Due to my current financial situation. Before my last months rent was up on May 31st I had a conversation with the lady I worked with regarding my end of this business and how I would not be able to continue. She informed me that she was not going to do it if I was not. I was under the impression that I would get the items back that I paid for. Come to find out she had decided to continue this store on her own. So, I asked her about taking the items back that I paid for. I also offered her the oppurtunity to purchase these items. She said she would work with me and pay me back for the items. After sitting down with her 3 weeks ago we had agreed that in 30 days she would at least pay $400.00 and the rest she would try to get to me ASAP. I'm a reasonable person so I agreed to these terms without any documentation.BIG MISTAKE. I talked to her yesterday and she totally denies us even having that conversation and said she has invested way to much money and has no intentions of paying me back. I realize my time & labor, design time I cannot be compensated for. I am willing to chalk that up as a loss. But this lady has my property that I'm still paying for and she it utilizing it in her business. I realize if I was a partner and there was a contract signed between us that these items would then belong to the business and I would have no chance of getting them or being reimbursed. Since I didn't sign anything and I have receipts for these items I should be able to get them back or be reimbursed for them right? I am wondering if this is just a lost cause or if I should try to get back what I paid for by filing a small claims grievance? I also look at this from her stand point and realize that she probably does have a lot of added expenses since I have left but at the same time she is the one that decided to continue this venture. I have talked to people I know and some agree that I should be compensated and others feel these items were give in good faith. I'm very confused and just trying to get a better feeling from a legal standpoint whether this is something worth pursuing or not?
Any help or suggestions with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Any help or suggestions with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
