Do I have a case?

[sunmoss]

NYC-my friend for for 10 years verbally asked me to buy parts and build a computer for him. The computer was built as well as a 21" moniter bought to complete the computer. The tower of the computer was paid for and recieved by him but the moniter wasn't because he did not have the money for it yet (appx $700) . There were many promises to pay, excuses, stories that he made up where the bottom line is he doesn't have the money for this moniter. Now, one year and a half passes, i still dont have the money for the moniter that is still in my house.. If he had told me within the month i paid for it, i could have returned it to the place i bought it from or sell it at the time but he insisted for the year and a half to keep it and that he would pay for it. I cant sell it now because the value of this item has depreciated in more than half the price i paid for. The only proof that i have is the credit card bill i paid for and a copy of the invoice i had created for him when i built the computer. A case of my word against his. Do I have a case here? Thank you in advance.

 

[JudgeJudy]

Sigh, another verbal contract.

Taking your word at face value, you have a case. But you will have to convince a judge that you indeed did have a verbal agreement with terms that BOTH parties agreed to.

One problem may be that if you knew enough to assemble this system, you should have known enough to realize the incredible depreciation of the monitor, yet did nothing to mitigate your damages (should have sold it sooner). Regardless, IF you can sway a judge that your agreement included reimbursement for the monitor, you should be able to recover what you paid.

Next time, write a simple contract, and have your friend sign it.
If you don't feel that is necessary, then you take the risk of running into the same ordeal...and have no one to blame but yourself.

good luck.