OUTSIDE GARDENS DESIGN

The plan that he prepared was helpful. He seemed very busy and some aspects of the plan were not finalized - namely the layout for the stones in the sideyard and the transition from the front into the sideyard. He said he'd have to figure that part out once the actual installation began as that would be the best way to "see how things look". Given that he was very responsive for the first appointment and seemed to have good ideas, I was ok with a little bit of unresponsiveness. Plus I figured he was very busy.
I told him I wanted him to do the installation and he said he'd get me on the calendar and would "work me in". I went ahead and submitted the plans to my neighborhood association. Then we had lots of rain and the install kept getting pushed back. I understood the delay with the weather, and he seemed motivated to do the install - so I didn't pursue other landscapers. Things kept getting pushed and I kept asking and finally he said he was booked solid and I'd just have to find someone else to do the work.
I became frustrated at that given that months had gone by and I could have hired someone else from the beginning. In addition, his design fees were higher than others but I had gone with him because his agreement indicated that he would apply 50% of the design fee towards the installation. I asked for a refund at least for 50% of the design fee since that is what I would have been entitled to if he had done the installation. He never replied to my email, so then I called - multiple times over a period of a few days. I was extremely frustrated by this time so I sent one last email and told him that if he didn't give me a refund I would be forced to submit a bad review. He responded with an email indicating that I had no idea what he was going through and that it was none of my business regarding his reasons for not accepting the work. He further indicated that initially he thought my request for a partial refund seemed fair, but now that I seemed to be asking for a full refund that he'd now be forced to have me talk to his attorney and that he couldn't give any sort of refund after all. 
I have worked with multiple people on various projects at my current home and the home I owned before this one. I have never seen a service provider become so rude and unhelpful when faced with honest criticism. He seemed to take it personally and almost seemed to enjoy denying my refund and referring me to his attorney. In fact, without even talking to me to clarify the situation even though I tried calling him multiple times. As a consumer, when faced with a business owner who completely refuses to cooperate, the only choice you have is to sue. I looked into that, and realized that with the legal fees, it wouldn't even be worth it. So, here I am, cheated out of approx. $500 with no recourse other than to write this review.

See above