[IceB415]

I got married in December and my wife paid a videographer to videotape our wedding. We gave him a deposit of $100 with the rest of the money to be paid upon receipt of the video. However, the videographer is no longer returning our phone calls or messages on his cell phone. He spoke with my wife about a month ago and told her he needed 10 more days for our video, and since then he hasn't called nor has he returned my messages. We just want to pay the guy and get our wedding video, what are my legal options here? Can I sue him for anything? Thanks in advance for any advice and help.

[Fr_Chuck]

It would appear that he he did not do or did it wrong, or for some reason has gone out of businness. Did you hire a professional, or someone merely doing it part time ?

You can sue him according to the written contract you have with him for doing the tape.

** I would not pay him anything else until you review the tape.

I would try a suit in small claims court, you have to put the value of the tape into dollar value, the only claim you may have is actually your 100 back, but that may get his attention to get your tape to you

[CaptainForest]

I want to point out something Fr Chuck said:

** I would not pay him anything else until you review the tape.

That is a key point. Don't give him a cent until you review the tape.

What can you sue for? The $100, plus the loss of the video tape.

How much is that video tape worth to you? You will have to determine a quantifiable amount. My advice, make it the maximum your jurisdiction small claims court allows.

So, if small claims court in your area says the max you can sue for is $10,000, say the video is worth $9,900 + $100 deposit and sue him for $10,000.

That might get his attention and he will try to avoid the law suit by finishing your video and giving it to you.