KwakNut wrote on 04/06/08 at 12:37:25:I don't know about over in the States, but in the UK we have what's called a 'small claims' legal system, where you spend about $50 to fill in the papers in your local county court then just sit back and await judgement - the guy you sue has the option of defending (which costs him time and money) or paying up. It works a treat for items like this.
The next stage should be a letter stating intent to sue unless he refunds in full, including return shipping costs.
We have the same system here because England established America. The problem is in the collection of your claim. You can win, but if the loser doesn't pay you, you have to go back to court to ask the court to collect from the loser. The loser can drag this out by not appearing or cooperating. You then have to attach his assets, if you can identify them. More court time, more paperwork and research. Then you have to get the court to do a sale of his assets. Just try doing all this correctly without an attorney! The attorney will cost more than the $300.00 you recover, IF you recover it. I never buy anything used unless I see and inspect it first.