Shady Shop

[srode1]

I'm sympathetic to your situation for sure, not a good place to be. Out of curiosity, I went to the shop's web page and found this:

"Once the details are agreed on, paperwork signed and your deposit paid, we get our artists working on the renderings and schedule time to induct your vehicle into the work flow."

Did you see this before sending him money or was it not there? You didn't sign any paper work that included the refundability of the deposit? If not, sounds like the deposit was getting the cart in front of the horse maybe? I would guess signing the paper work comment means they / he has a standard contract that would include something about the deposit.