SHANE'S PAINTING

We signed the contract on 7.7.08 for him to paint the exterior trim of a large brick Victorian home for the cost of just under $4,000.00. This man was recommended by a neighbor. I checked that he was a skilled painter by visiting 3 historic homes in my neighborhood and another historic district in town. He had done a very nice job on each. He asked for a rather large deposit for paint and, I assumed, supplies. Of course, in retrospect, I should never have paid such an amount up front but I did. Lesson learned. He cashed my check on 8.12.08 and was supposed to start the work on 9.22.08. He stopped answering my calls the same time he was supposed to start the work. I never heard from him again. He didn't answer calls. The neighbor who recommended him said that he also never finished up a small portion on his house so we assumed he moved away with my money. Probably this robbery was planned from the get-go. I took him to small claims court (from out of state. I no longer live in Ohio) and won. However I have yet to see my money. I will pursue this as time allows. I doubt I will ever find him.