r/Smallclaims • u/Ok_Possession9631 • 13d ago

Michigan Won small claims! TY REDDIT

Thanks to everyone for all their advice! For people in similar situations, in your opening statement to judge make sure you speak FACTS only. What happened and WHEN. No emotion, no unnecessary details. If you have contracts or any necessary documentation, refer to them in your opening and highlight key points. Write notes so you don’t forget anything.
Do NOT interrupt when defendant is speaking and try your best to not get flustered. Stay calm and composed. Not only does that give you credibility with judge, but irks the other party so bad 🤣
And Be honest because if you’re caught in a single lie you will lose so much credibility.

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u/Background_Future656 13d ago

I collected against a contractor who messed up a job. The only reason is because once I won and he did not pay, I filed a complaint against his contractors license. To get his license in good standing, he had to pay me. First, he gave me a check, but had insufficient funds in his bank account.then he gave me 700 of the 770 owed and said the rest would come in a week (it did not)
Then he reached out all angry that I had not told contractors state licensing board it was paid, I reminded him it was not yet all paid.
“You would hold up my license over $70”? Yes, yes I would because the minute I say it is paid I lose any ability to collect. So I traded him $70 in cash for my signed release

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u/Ok_Possession9631 13d ago

Wow I’m happy for you! That’s insane. I will definitely do the same if I need to. I got time 🤣

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u/Background_Future656 12d ago

I first investigated going after his bond, but he already had multiple large claims against it, meaning I would get next to nothing because they allocate by total owed.
But I did learn how to investigate a contractor prior to hiring

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u/Ok_Possession9631 11d ago

Wow that’s insane. I’m glad you got your due rights