I gave a deposit on a vehicle as the seller was willing to hold it for me until I returned from vacation. I wanted to have the vehicle checked by a mechanic and because we were going away, the seller agreed to hold it for 2 weeks for $500. I was given a receipt with all the particulars date, names (he was selling the vehicle for his neice) so his name and signature is on the receipt as well as his neice, V.I.N., mileage, the date I would be returning and the vehicle purchase price. Upon my return, I made several attempts to contact the seller and finally 4 days later he called back saying he wanted "cash only" and I could come and pick up the vehicle. I indicated that we were on our way and had made an appointment to have the vehicle looked over by a mechanic at which point the seller went balistic, calling me a stupid lady, absolutely NOT was I going to have the vehicle checked etc. Naturally, this raised some red flags and I told him that if he was unwilling to allow for a quick check by a mechanic then something must be wrong with the vehicle. He immediately told me that I would not be getting my deposit back and hung up. He and his neice have spent the money and are refusing to reimburse claiming they held it for 2 weeks etc. They didn't HAVE to hold it, I was willing to take my chances and see if it was available when I returned but he agreed to hold it, and now will not give it back. Do I have a small claims case or should I just consider it gone? They seemed so nice and ended up being so shady, that to me it sems a matter of principal to fight for it back!