Need Advise in Small Claims Court

[sportfisher39]

What is the name of your state? Washington St.
Ok, I just received an order to appear in a small claims case. This happens to be a friend af mine. About 3months ago He loaned me a ladder to wash my house. I then took the ladder to my girl friends house to do some painting. Well finally about 3 weeks ago he came over and said he wanted it back today. I told him I will get it in the next few days for sure. So I did get the ladder a couple of days later and took it to his house. He wasn't home so I put it on the side of his house.I was going to call him and let him know, But I didn't have my phone on me.I'm in school fulltime and forgot to let him know where it was at. Well now he wants to take me to court over it.
Should I tell him to open his eyes and look where I put the ladder or should I save that for court.
What if he says I never returned it or claims that it was stolen or something.
Am I screwed or what. The ladder is worth 400 dollars.
Thanks, any advise will help meWhat is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

 

[longsally111]

you owe him

how do you know that the ladder was not stolen? If you left it on the side of the house and did not tell him and it was in plain view, someone could have seen it and taken it. Tell him where it is and if it is gone, you owe him for it. You said yourself that you borrowed the ladder to wash your home and then decided to take it else where and use it for something else and not return it in a timely fashion.

 

[BL]

Double post .