Florida Business Deal Fell Thru--can't retrieve property

[sceramics]

Last month, I had the opportunity to purchase a ceramic shop. The owner was going to finance after I put down a deposit, pending bank financing that fell thru. I gave them a check for the deposit which they had to hold till the financing for down payment went thru, which as it turns out didn't. I ran the shop for 3 weeks, paid the rent for a month, and they called me at 11:00 p.m. to inform me that until the financing went thru and the contracts were signed that the doors would be locked, which they then changed the locks. I did have a key given to me by them. I informed them then, that the deal was off due to total misrepresentation of the worth of the shop, their continuing to strip the place and not giving me a inventory of items, last years income, a list of accounts receivable etc. Also, I was told by the seller that the building would not pass inspection, they were to contact landlord, it is a leased space, to make sure I could stay in same location and contact dealers and distributors about my ability to retain them, which they did none of this. Now I can not get the molds, pouring table, greenware, personal items and money in cash draw from them. Their daughter is an attorney who even wrote on the contract about the inventory and accounts, but they did nothing. I want to know if I am going to have to hire an attorney at great cost to me when all I want to do is get my things back and end this mess. It was supposed to be a friendly deal that really went bad, but my items were not part of the deal.

I reside in Florida and any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ALawyer]

If their daughter is an attorney in the locale, that's usually not good as they probably can litigate for close to free using her volunteer services.

This is a matter that possibly can be handled by a simple phone call by you asking for the stuff back and working out a final parting -- you may have to give up on somethings, and they will too. If they say "no" you will need an attorney to contact them on your behalf, and hopefully that will get it resolved. Otherwise it is small claims court.

Also, I hope you stopped payment on that check they were holding for you pending financing.

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