nicolia said:
Where did I make any specific recommendation to enlist the aid of police? If you read correctly, you'll note that I recommend the author simply tell the person that he/she will call the police if the books are not returned.
Oh, so when you said, "let him know that you will have no choice but to involve the local police if he doesn't pay for, or bring back, the books.", you really didn't mean it. And you expected us to somehow read your mind (or intention)?? Sorry, but that old crystal ball still isn't back from the shop. Simply, if you mean something, say it. And if you don't want your statements to be misunderstood.... be clear. All you would have had to say was "Gee, not really!". But instead, you get pissed off because I took your statement for what it was..... incorrect.
Most people will work with you to conclude a disagreement if you simply call their bluff and show them that you are serious.
And of course, you have no FACTS to base that on.
studentneedhelp will be best served by using a little tactful force to get the books back...certainly not by waiting close to a year for a trail date
First, I assume you meant TRIAL date (not trail date!). Second, I don't know where you live, but I have NEVER heard of a small claims hearing not being scheduled within a month of defendant answer to a suit. And before you whine 'not true', this would be a no-discovery, no-delay hearing.
Either way, going through the courts on this one to recover such a small amount is clearly not the best answer.
And your wrong. In fact, threatening to call the police, or suggesting that the OP confront the person at work is pretty inane. The best LEGAL answer is to try to negotiate payment, and absent that, considering a lawsuit.