Bear Forge Blacksmith / Metal Arts

My parents, both in their 80's, contacted a local blacksmith, Richard Merrill, to install some wrought iron railing on their front steps. They placed a $250 deposit by check in March of 2107 which he cashed that afternoon. He scheduled a date to install the railing in April and never showed up. They tried contacting him during the months of April and May with no success. They left messages and he never returned the call. When they called in June, his voicemail was full and has remained this way ever since. At the beginning of August, I sent him a text message posing as a "new" customer and he responded that he was available for work. I replied that he needed to contact my parents to resolve the situation. He contacted them and assured us them that it would be taken care of within the next two weeks. They never heard back from him. I have since tried to contact him by phone and email with no reply and sent one last text requesting that the deposit be returned by September 15th of 2017. We are currently beginning the process to take this issue to small claims court. Avoid Richard Merrill with Bear Forge Blacksmithing / Metal Arts!