I sent an unfinished bass body to a shop for painting back in January. The shop and I agreed on $295 + 8 to 10 weeks for a turnaround time. I have not heard anything back from them in over four months, and calling or emailing is proving pointless. Last email I got said they had lost all of their order notes and asking what I sent them and what paint job I wanted, and this was after the 8 weeks was up.
The Better Business Bureau has gotten involved and been unable to contact this guy as well, but he recently did a job for someone I know on another forum so I know he didn't drop off the face of the earth.
I used PayPal back in December (outside the 45 day window to dispute the charges) to prepay for his services and as of right now he has my $295 for the paint job + my $205 Warmoth P body and apparently isn't planning on giving it back.
The problem I'm running in to is that this comes up to exactly $500, generally small claims court territory, but this involves two states. I am in Kansas and the shop is another state. I'm coming up empty handed looking for a way to press charges on this guy.
Has anyone been in a similar situation that could provide some feedback here? I'm leaving the shops' name out of it on purpose as at this point I am really just interested in getting my property back and don't want this turning into a mess about its reputation or whatever else.
Any and all help is appreciated.
The Better Business Bureau has gotten involved and been unable to contact this guy as well, but he recently did a job for someone I know on another forum so I know he didn't drop off the face of the earth.
I used PayPal back in December (outside the 45 day window to dispute the charges) to prepay for his services and as of right now he has my $295 for the paint job + my $205 Warmoth P body and apparently isn't planning on giving it back.
The problem I'm running in to is that this comes up to exactly $500, generally small claims court territory, but this involves two states. I am in Kansas and the shop is another state. I'm coming up empty handed looking for a way to press charges on this guy.
Has anyone been in a similar situation that could provide some feedback here? I'm leaving the shops' name out of it on purpose as at this point I am really just interested in getting my property back and don't want this turning into a mess about its reputation or whatever else.
Any and all help is appreciated.
