My jurisdiction is: Connecticut
I own an auto parts wholesale business in CT. I have a customer who recently purchased two parts. He took delivery in brand new condition, signed for them, and gave us a check. I was recently informed that his check had a stop payment put on it.
When I contacted the customer about this issue, he essentially told me that he had ordered these parts with the intent to put a stop payment because he was unhappy over the fact that I had refused to give him a refund on a completely different part he had purchased in August, which would have amounted to about $105.
Seems to me that he should have taken me to court over the $105 August purchase if he was unsatisfied. Instead, he essentially stole nearly $300 of my inventory on a fraudulent purchase completely unrelated to the event that had made him dissatisfied.
My decision not to accept the return on the part he bought in Aug. was very justifiable, by the way. It was modified (cut), had been installed, and used for three weeks. His reason for the return was that I had sold him the wrong part to begin with (a point I would dispute). FWIW, I have a disclaimer on my invoices stating that no refunds will be given for parts that have been installed.
Do I have any recourse here?
Thanks.
I own an auto parts wholesale business in CT. I have a customer who recently purchased two parts. He took delivery in brand new condition, signed for them, and gave us a check. I was recently informed that his check had a stop payment put on it.
When I contacted the customer about this issue, he essentially told me that he had ordered these parts with the intent to put a stop payment because he was unhappy over the fact that I had refused to give him a refund on a completely different part he had purchased in August, which would have amounted to about $105.
Seems to me that he should have taken me to court over the $105 August purchase if he was unsatisfied. Instead, he essentially stole nearly $300 of my inventory on a fraudulent purchase completely unrelated to the event that had made him dissatisfied.
My decision not to accept the return on the part he bought in Aug. was very justifiable, by the way. It was modified (cut), had been installed, and used for three weeks. His reason for the return was that I had sold him the wrong part to begin with (a point I would dispute). FWIW, I have a disclaimer on my invoices stating that no refunds will be given for parts that have been installed.
Do I have any recourse here?
Thanks.
You probably can't get one in small claims court. But you should make it clear to him in no uncertain terms that he should review the legal consequences of any communication he makes to third parties regarding unfounded allegations of shortcomings on the part of your business. You would regard any attempt by him to damage your business's reputation as actionable. If you settle out of court, the settlement should be subject to him agreeing to keep the dispute confidential.