FLORIDA CLOSET & CABINETRY

The contract I signed May 13, 2008 stated "50% deposit required on all orders, balance due in full upon delivery." Sam stated he would start the work in 2-3 weeks and it would take 3 days to complete. The 50% deposit was placed on my Visa. There were NUMBEROUS no shows, late shows, appointment cancellations, (mostly me calling him-pinning down the date & time, etc.) over the next two months. Sam began the work and proceeded in "bits & pieces." (eg. The doors came in but there was no glass in them--it hadn't been ordered yet.) On July 11, when he was about 75% complete/delivered, he took the balance of payment from my credit card without my authorization. I confronted him stating I'd been more than patient with the work "trickling in," the no shows, etc, but I could not tolerate him keeping my card # on file, then helping himself to the final payment before completion. When he refused to credit my account, I called & began a dispute with my Visa. I filed all the paperwork they requested from me, but the charge remained on my account without interest charges. By September 29, when there was yet another no show for the final work, I insisted the charge be credited to my account which my Visa did. Thursday Oct. 2 he finally completed delivery of the last items, the work was good quality, I called my Visa and authorized the charge be placed on my account. It was; it showed on my statement, and I paid it off in full. Sam continued to call me that he didn't get his money, I should write him a check. I refused stating I already paid it off fully on my charge. The MONTHS of hassel, calling his Paypal people, my Visa people...each saying it was the other holding the $4,000. Paypal requested I sign an affidavit, which had to be notarized, stating it was OK to release the funds, which I did. Later Paypal stated the affidavit had the date incorrect and I would have to fill it out again & have it notarized, which I did. Still the funds were apparently not released. Mid December Sam placed a LIEN for $4,000 on my home!! Apparently now, even though he finally received the funds from his bank Jan. 7, 2009, he states I owe him $700 in interest, cost of attorney, cost to file the lien, etc. He wants this before he will removed the lien. I've been working with Seniors vs Crime (Florida Attorney General's Office) but to no avail. Looks like I'll be forced to hire an attorney to get the lien removed.