Oh I’ve got the proof.

Not sure i understand this thought. It's the SHOPS decision to destroy his business over not paying a deposit back. This reads like victim blaming.

I 100% would do what it took to either get my deposit back (or some reduced portion understanding there was some work on the shops end for estimating purposes), OR would ensure that no one else makes the same mistake.

Too often this kind of thing happens over and over and shops get away with it because people are to quiet and nice.

I guess it is because the OP stated at no time was a non refundable deposit discussed. This implies a refundable deposit was not discussed either.

I’m not saying that he shouldn’t get it back. I’m saying that based on what I’ve seen I’m not going to participate in an online campaign to discredit the shop.

Don

I can completely understand that. I am more than willing to pay him for his time. But for him to not pay me back anything is completely wrong and he should be called out on it. I’m defiantly not asking anyone to get involved in my issue. I just reached out for advice. If guys want to call him out for it then I’m grateful, if they don’t I’m equally as grateful for the advice.

If he’s a good metal guy there should be something he could do for your project that’s worth 1900.00 and that way he doesn’t need to try and give you money back that he might not have.It doesn’t take long for some aluminium welding or fabbing an exhaust system to eat up your deposit.Just my two cents but I hope it works out for you.

I tried that. Although he’s 700 miles away from me. Last time we talked I said if I wasn’t getting my deposit back I’d change the scope of work we planned to eat the deposit up. Told him to call me Monday. Never heard from him, he blocked me on IG and won’t respond to calls, text or email.

Easy to say when you didn't loose $1900.00

I get it. It’s not an insignificant amount of money. On the other hand, what is that, roughly 20 hours of work, excluding any materials?

I’d be curious what the original scope and estimate of the work was. I’m guessing it wasn’t anything close to $1900.

Anyway, I’m clearly in the minority here. Points taken....

Don

I hear what you are saying Don......

What's the name of the shop? Maybe if you bring this shop into the conversation it will resolve the issue. Tag them on social media, leave a review on their website/google, etc.

Edit: I just found the name of the shop in the thread "Casados Design out of Alabaster, AL". Are they on any of the forums? You could reach out to them that way. You still have some more avenues to possibly resolve this. If he loses business because he won't refund a portion of the deposit he might respond. Just my humble opinion.