Legal Question in Employment Law in California
I purchased an old Wedgewood stove that a guy advertised on craigslist. He wanted $250 for the stove parts or more for complete restoration. I chose the latter and gave him $750 in cash. He quoted me $1500 for the completely restored and installed stove. He wrote up a contract to the effect. I recently called him to check on the status of the stove. After about a week of calls, he finally called me back and said he had the stove 1/3 of the way done. I made a date with him to look at a picture I had of how I wanted the stove painted, and he never kept the date. Again did not return my calls.
Today I went by the house and saw the stove in his backyard. I had been to see it when I first bought it. No work had been done that I could tell. No one answered the door when I knocked so I went into the back yard to see if the stove was still there. It was, so I took as many parts as I could carry. He originally wanted $250 for the parts, and I had already given him $750, so I had paid for the entire stove. I took as many pieces as I could carry. At that point a young man came out of the house; he had not answered the door when I rang. He told me to get off "his" property, and we left.
What are my options to get my $750 back? I know it was wrong to go onto his property, but I had paid for the stove.
Advice?? He does not have a phone, uses his girlfriend's cell. Does not have his own place, stays with the girlfriend.
Thank you.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Sounds like he probably didn't even own the stove. I would report him to the police and file a small claims action against him and hope for the best.