On June 15 a contract was signed for $24,500 to construct a 16x24 cabin. The contract called for $1800 down to be placed on a list and 1/2 down by July 1.
There was no specific start date mentioned in the contract, however it was understood that construction could not begin until late July or early Aug.
June 16 I sent a certified letter to contractor informing him the 1/2 was not available until July 4. Even tho the letter was returned. Later in phone conversation the contractor agreed to accept the money July 4.
July 4 a check was issued the contractor for $8000.
July 17 contractor used my trailer to purchase $702.91 of OSB sheeting that sat on my trailer for the nex 44 days which was Sept 10. When he cancelled the contract.
Aug. 4 the contractor and a young helper poured 12 sauna tubes for the footing for the cabin
Aug. 17. Check # 3 was wrtten for $1710
Aug 18 with over $10,000 of my money applied for credit at the lumber yard that carried the specific siding for the cabin.
Aug. 24 contractor left messages on answering machine informing me that he was not interested in completing the cabin and that I should hire an attorney.
Aug 25 contractor was sent a credit denial letter by the lumber yard.
Sept 8 I sent a certified letter asking for return of my monies. The letter was never picked up by the contractor and returned to me.
Oct. 10 a demand letter sent both certified and regular mail and again ingnored by the contractor and returned.
Nov. 18 The summons was served to contractor. Process server stated that the client passed on the message to me that he just filed bankruptsy.
I will wait the 20 days then inform the attorney that I will continue this matter into District Court on my own as I have been informed now by many ligitimat contractors that in this lovely state of Montana there is no law for collection and that the Judge just hands you a judgment and says good luck. I had previously filed complaints with two Sheriffs offices who tell me sorry but it is civil. I could not even get Gallatin County Sherrif office to go with me and do a stand by when I tried to locate this man. I have also contact the Better Business Bureau, Dept. Of Labor and the Attorney Generals office. All to no avail.in other states this would be Grand Theft or so I am told. This man clearly showed intent to steal as he had my cash and the availability to purchase materials with this cash. As soon as he learned that credit was denied he backed out of the deal. One could easily suspect then that his intent may have been to stifff the lumber yard as well.
Tilly
Bozeman, Mt. 59772, Montana
U.S.A.
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