going to court

[Kaw]

so has anyone been to court , over what and what was your cost to do so. Was it worth all the time and money?

 

[creekbend]

The costs associated with the various issues in regards to taking someone to court, fluctuate greatly. It depends if the case enters the arena of Federal, State, County, or local municipalities. Whether or not the services of an attorney is needed should also be considered.

 

[Pete Judd]

Only for jury duty. I know that some of the company's I have worked for have paid dearly and sometimes rewarded in the courtroom but it took years, and the lawyers made a poop load of money.

 

[ultrarunner]

I've never lost in court... have a drawer with judgements to prove it.

The problem with going to court is "winning" is much easier than collecting.

I've also helped co-workers file small claims cases and served people...

I've found a properly presented demand letter followed a few days later with a court summons has a better than 50% of settlement without actually going to court.

It all depends on how strong a case you have... is this a good use of your time and your ultimated chance of recovery...

Small Claims in my county is not expensive for the occasional user and the limit is quite high... I think it just went to 10k... it was 5k last time I used it.

If you are going... preparation with documentation well organized will impress... at least this is my experience... just be factual and have copies in triplicate of everything I present.

It is easy to spend 4 to 6 hours in prep and court filing time just to get to court...

 

[Kaw]

Thanks ultrarunner that is more what I want to hear.. I know there are so much that will depend on outcome and cost. Thats why I think I asked for examples from you all if you had a case or what have you..

 

[Cat_Driver]

I love going to court.

I sued a tractor dealer for quoting me $500.00 in repairs and then trying to make me pay $800.00 upon picking it up. I refused and he held my tractor hostage. With no tractor I hired out the tractor work. I sued him for $3,500, the price of the contracted work. He lost the $3,500 he had to pay plus he got no payment on the $500.00 for holding my tractor hostage. Cost me $35.00 to sue him, he paid all costs.

I sued a car manufacturer and got a new vehicle 3 years later with a extended warranty. That cost them 65K me in legal fees didn't cost me dime. I got to drive a car for three years for free.

I sued a camera dealer for selling me out dated film where he promised it was fresh film ( back in the film days) He lost $800.00 cost me $35.00 he paid all my costs.

I sued a commercial land lord for not making repaired to a building I was in. Cost me $235.00 I got three months free or $4,500.00. I paid the $35.00

I sued landlord for $35.00 and it cost me $35.00 and I won. He was a jerk and lied and It was worth it to me to haul him into court and have him sit there all day wasting his time. My time was worth nothing at the time so It was just a way to aggravate him for aggravating me - legally. That time it was on principal not a money issue. I paid the costs, so it was a wash, but I won so I was paid in something other than money.

I sued a Auto parts store who refused to return my money on a part they screwed up on.
They lost and paid me my money back.

I'm sure there are more, but those are what I remember now.

I can't stand people that treat people like jerks and say thing like..."well then SUE ME"..OK I WILL and I do.

All these people had the opportunity to do the right thing but since they get away with jerking people around, very few will sue, so in the long run they will make out, because they screw everyone and only a few will sue.

My next court date in is a few weeks. Customer refused to pay his invoice. I was with the process server while he served him papers while he was having dinner with his wife and kids. From what others have told me this guy is known for not paying vendors. So far I ruined his dinner, in a few weeks I'll ruin his day. My cost $150.00 for process server etc. To be determined how much he will end up paying me. But I can guarantee he will lose.

 

[Depmandog]

I love going to court.

I sued a tractor dealer for quoting me $500.00 in repairs and then trying to make me pay $800.00 upon picking it up. I refused and he held my tractor hostage. With no tractor I hired out the tractor work. I sued him for $3,500, the price of the contracted work. He lost the $3,500 he had to pay plus he got no payment on the $500.00 for holding my tractor hostage. Cost me $35.00 to sue him, he paid all costs.

I sued a car manufacturer and got a new vehicle 3 years later with a extended warranty. That cost them 65K me in legal fees didn't cost me dime. I got to drive a car for three years for free.

I sued a camera dealer for selling me out dated film where he promised it was fresh film ( back in the film days) He lost $800.00 cost me $35.00 he paid all my costs.

I sued a commercial land lord for not making repaired to a building I was in. Cost me $235.00 I got three months free or $4,500.00. I paid the $35.00

I sued landlord for $35.00 and it cost me $35.00 and I won. He was a jerk and lied and It was worth it to me to haul him into court and have him sit there all day wasting his time. My time was worth nothing at the time so It was just a way to aggravate him for aggravating me - legally. That time it was on principal not a money issue. I paid the costs, so it was a wash, but I won so I was paid in something other than money.

I sued a Auto parts store who refused to return my money on a part they screwed up on.
They lost and paid me my money back.

I'm sure there are more, but those are what I remember now.

I can't stand people that treat people like jerks and say thing like..."well then SUE ME"..OK I WILL and I do.

All these people had the opportunity to do the right thing but since they get away with jerking people around, very few will sue, so in the long run they will make out, because they screw everyone and only a few will sue.

My next court date in is a few weeks. Customer refused to pay his invoice. I was with the process server while he served him papers while he was having dinner with his wife and kids. From what others have told me this guy is known for not paying vendors. So far I ruined his dinner, in a few weeks I'll ruin his day. My cost $150.00 for process server etc. To be determined how much he will end up paying me. But I can guarantee he will lose.

Ummm, not sure where you are located, or what you do for a living, or what your hobbies and interests are.... But wherever it is and whatever you do.....STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!! I NO WANNA GET SUED!!

 

[wdchyd]

Ummm, not sure where you are located, or what you do for a living, or what your hobbies and interests are.... But wherever it is and whatever you do.....STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!! I NO WANNA GET SUED!!

x 2 here also.......You can stay out of my life too......

 

[strum456]

I have a court date coming up. This is the first time I've had to do something like this. I had a body shop do some rust repair on the fenders for my 1934 Chevy. I took the fenders back for multiple reasons, and they still weren't much better. I tried using the BBB, but they are a joke of an organization. I think I have a good case, becasue anyone with functional eyes will be able to see what I am unhappy about.

Any advice on how hearings like this work? What are the chances I will be able to collect from this business.

 

[bironacad]

so has anyone been to court , over what and what was your cost to do so. Was it worth all the time and money?

All I can say is that representation would have saved me money in the long run. Don't depend on the honesty of the law it is a game with rules that the insiders know.