1 00:00:00,133 --> 00:00:02,600 - [Judge Judy] You rescued a dog? - Yes. 2 00:00:02,667 --> 00:00:05,066 And it was not a good fit with your other dog? 3 00:00:05,133 --> 00:00:07,133 There was some snarling going on there. 4 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:08,132 [Judge Judy] You say you called her? 5 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:10,834 Right away, she started ranting and raving at me. 6 00:00:10,900 --> 00:00:12,967 She said, "I want her back here tomorrow." 7 00:00:13,033 --> 00:00:14,467 What did you do with the dog? 8 00:00:16,300 --> 00:00:19,233 What did you do with the dog? 9 00:00:19,300 --> 00:00:22,000 [announcer] This is Judy Justice. 10 00:00:22,066 --> 00:00:25,066 [theme music playing] 11 00:00:39,433 --> 00:00:41,400 [announcer] Lorraina Delatorre is suing 12 00:00:41,467 --> 00:00:44,166 Dog Rescue President Tami Karlsson 13 00:00:44,233 --> 00:00:46,734 for adoption fees and harassment. 14 00:00:47,133 --> 00:00:48,100 [Kevin] Court come to order. 15 00:00:48,166 --> 00:00:49,300 All rise. 16 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:53,266 - Hello, Judge. - Hello. 17 00:00:53,333 --> 00:00:56,633 Case number 1034, Delatorre versus Karlsson. 18 00:00:56,700 --> 00:00:58,367 Thank you. Be seated, please. 19 00:00:58,767 --> 00:01:02,633 Ms. Delatorre, you rescued a dog? 20 00:01:02,700 --> 00:01:04,333 - Yes. - That dog? 21 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,567 - [Lorraina] Yes. - [Judge Judy] And you rescued that dog 22 00:01:06,633 --> 00:01:08,367 from the defendant's rescue... 23 00:01:08,433 --> 00:01:09,300 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] ...facility? 24 00:01:09,367 --> 00:01:11,367 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] And paid a fee... 25 00:01:11,433 --> 00:01:13,367 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] ...of $500? 26 00:01:13,433 --> 00:01:14,266 Yes, ma'am. 27 00:01:14,333 --> 00:01:16,367 - And signed a contract? - [Lorraina] Yes, ma'am. 28 00:01:16,834 --> 00:01:18,667 - Do you have a copy of the contract? - [Lorraina] Yes, I do. 29 00:01:18,734 --> 00:01:19,700 I'd like to see it. 30 00:01:32,066 --> 00:01:33,000 Okay. 31 00:01:33,066 --> 00:01:34,967 Now I fully read this agreement. 32 00:01:35,033 --> 00:01:38,000 So you signed and acknowledged this contract? 33 00:01:38,066 --> 00:01:40,633 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] And this is Maltese Rescue? 34 00:01:40,700 --> 00:01:41,767 [Tami] Yes, Your Honor. 35 00:01:41,834 --> 00:01:43,600 How long have you been in existence? 36 00:01:43,667 --> 00:01:45,033 - Eight years. - [Judge Judy] Explain it to me. 37 00:01:45,100 --> 00:01:46,567 Do you operate out of your home? 38 00:01:46,633 --> 00:01:47,800 - How do you do that? - [Tami] Yes. 39 00:01:47,866 --> 00:01:51,200 So we have fosters spread out throughout California 40 00:01:51,265 --> 00:01:53,834 and we operate the organization out of our home. 41 00:01:53,900 --> 00:01:56,233 When I retired, we decided to do this. 42 00:01:56,300 --> 00:01:59,866 We've rescued approximately 1,200 dogs over the last eight years, 43 00:01:59,934 --> 00:02:01,233 Maltese specifically because 44 00:02:01,300 --> 00:02:04,200 they have special needs with their little bodies, 45 00:02:04,266 --> 00:02:05,834 so special medical needs. 46 00:02:05,900 --> 00:02:08,199 So that's pretty much what we specialize in. 47 00:02:08,265 --> 00:02:12,433 So if somebody were, for instance, from Texas, 48 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:15,066 and they could no longer take care of their dog, 49 00:02:15,133 --> 00:02:17,767 and they found Maltese Rescue online... 50 00:02:17,834 --> 00:02:19,200 Yes, Your Honor. 51 00:02:19,266 --> 00:02:20,466 [Judge Judy] ...how would that work? 52 00:02:20,533 --> 00:02:23,033 If they were from Texas, it's a little more difficult, 53 00:02:23,100 --> 00:02:25,834 unless they were to fly her here or the animal here. 54 00:02:25,900 --> 00:02:28,300 If they're in California, for instance, 55 00:02:28,367 --> 00:02:31,266 in Sophie's case, her owner had cancer 56 00:02:31,333 --> 00:02:32,233 and she was dying, so... 57 00:02:32,300 --> 00:02:34,400 - [Judge Judy] Here in California? - Here in California. 58 00:02:34,466 --> 00:02:37,433 So she called and she said-- sorry, it makes me sad. 59 00:02:37,500 --> 00:02:40,767 Um, she said, "I wanna have Sophie go to you 60 00:02:40,834 --> 00:02:43,966 because I know you come highly recommended and you'll give her the right home." 61 00:02:44,033 --> 00:02:46,233 [Judge Judy] And Sophie is about eight years-old? 62 00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:47,966 - [Tami] Yes. - [Judge Judy] So when she called you, 63 00:02:48,033 --> 00:02:50,266 - do you take her into your home? - Yes, ma'am. Yeah. 64 00:02:50,333 --> 00:02:52,934 [Judge Judy] For how long do you usually keep the dogs in your home? 65 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,200 It depends on the medical conditions of the dog. 66 00:02:55,266 --> 00:02:57,033 Sophie needed serious dental. 67 00:02:57,100 --> 00:02:58,400 She had several teeth pulled 68 00:02:58,466 --> 00:03:01,000 and she didn't eat very well, so we took her. 69 00:03:01,066 --> 00:03:02,400 [Judge Judy] When you took Sophie to the vet 70 00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:05,867 to have her teeth taken care of, who paid for that? 71 00:03:05,934 --> 00:03:08,066 We do. Maltese Rescue California pays for that. 72 00:03:08,133 --> 00:03:11,233 [Judge Judy] And is Maltese Rescue of California a 501(c)(3) corporation? 73 00:03:11,300 --> 00:03:12,600 - Yes, Your Honor. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 74 00:03:12,667 --> 00:03:15,200 - Now, you had another dog? - Correct. 75 00:03:15,266 --> 00:03:16,966 - [Judge Judy] You actually had two? - Correct. 76 00:03:17,033 --> 00:03:18,734 - [Judge Judy] One passed away? - Yes. 77 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:20,533 [Judge Judy] And according to your complaint, 78 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:23,333 you thought that the surviving dog was lonely. 79 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:25,700 Your Honor, Scarlet is a special needs 80 00:03:25,767 --> 00:03:28,200 and she's gone blind in the last-- 81 00:03:28,266 --> 00:03:31,367 about eight months and we had lost our Boxer. 82 00:03:31,433 --> 00:03:35,133 And Scarlet depended on our Boxer quite often 83 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:36,700 because of her going blind. 84 00:03:36,767 --> 00:03:41,333 And when I went and saw the vet to take Scarlet for a checkup in February, 85 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:44,600 I was explaining to her that Scarlet seemed very lonely. 86 00:03:44,667 --> 00:03:46,300 - And then I know she's [indistinct] - [Judge Judy] Got it. 87 00:03:46,367 --> 00:03:47,567 - So they--so they suggested--yes. - So that's the reason-- 88 00:03:47,633 --> 00:03:50,000 That's the reason that you went to rescue? 89 00:03:50,066 --> 00:03:51,200 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 90 00:03:51,266 --> 00:03:53,166 And Scarlet is a Maltese? 91 00:03:53,233 --> 00:03:56,033 Scarlet is a three-and-a-half-pound Yorkie. 92 00:03:56,100 --> 00:03:59,767 But you went to the Maltese Rescue rather than a Yorkie Rescue, why? 93 00:03:59,834 --> 00:04:02,700 Maltese are usually smaller, 94 00:04:02,767 --> 00:04:05,467 and I was looking for a dog under eight pounds. 95 00:04:05,567 --> 00:04:06,400 [Judge Judy] Okay. 96 00:04:06,467 --> 00:04:08,567 And so I was on Petfinders, 97 00:04:08,633 --> 00:04:12,266 and a Maltese happened to come up on Petfinders 98 00:04:12,333 --> 00:04:14,033 with the Maltese Rescue. 99 00:04:14,100 --> 00:04:15,233 [Judge Judy] Okay. I just want to know 100 00:04:15,300 --> 00:04:16,500 - how it came about. - [Lorraina] Yes, yes. 101 00:04:16,567 --> 00:04:19,367 And you took her home on the 29th of April? 102 00:04:19,433 --> 00:04:21,065 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge Judy] Okay. And... 103 00:04:21,132 --> 00:04:22,734 Or no, I'm sorry. It was on the 30th, Your Honor. 104 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:24,600 - [Tami] Yes. - [Judge Judy] Okay. Next day. 105 00:04:24,667 --> 00:04:26,900 And it was not a good fit with your other dog? 106 00:04:26,967 --> 00:04:29,066 - No, Your Honor. - [Judge Judy] So what did you do? 107 00:04:29,133 --> 00:04:31,867 [Lorraina] After three weeks and we were trying to 108 00:04:31,934 --> 00:04:33,933 work her out with Scarlet 109 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:37,567 and there was some snarling going on there and so forth. 110 00:04:37,633 --> 00:04:39,467 - What did you do? Three weeks later? - [Lorraina] I... 111 00:04:39,533 --> 00:04:43,066 I phoned Tami the morning of the 24th of May. 112 00:04:43,133 --> 00:04:47,867 I proceeded to try to explain to Tami that it was not working out, 113 00:04:47,933 --> 00:04:49,266 that they were not bonding. 114 00:04:49,332 --> 00:04:50,600 It was not a good fit. 115 00:04:50,667 --> 00:04:53,800 And I was trying to explain to Tami what all had been going on. 116 00:04:53,867 --> 00:04:57,066 But Tami right away started yelling and barking at me and... 117 00:04:57,133 --> 00:04:58,600 Tell me what she said to you. 118 00:04:58,667 --> 00:05:00,667 After a month, you said it's not working out. 119 00:05:00,734 --> 00:05:02,900 - Right. - And what did she say to you? 120 00:05:02,967 --> 00:05:04,700 She asked me, "What do you mean it's not working out? 121 00:05:04,767 --> 00:05:05,800 What's going on?" 122 00:05:05,867 --> 00:05:06,900 - [Judge Judy] So you told her... - [Lorraina] Yes. 123 00:05:06,967 --> 00:05:08,100 [Judge Judy] ...and then she said to you... 124 00:05:08,166 --> 00:05:09,533 [Lorraina] "I want her back here tomorrow." 125 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:11,700 - Okay. - [Lorraina] So I proceeded to tell her 126 00:05:11,767 --> 00:05:13,033 that that would not work out, 127 00:05:13,100 --> 00:05:14,734 that it would have to be on the weekend. 128 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:17,467 [Judge Judy] Okay. So you said it's not working out here. 129 00:05:17,533 --> 00:05:19,400 - [Lorraina] Correct. - She said, "I'll take her back. 130 00:05:19,467 --> 00:05:22,166 Bring her tomorrow." Do you remember what day of the week this was? 131 00:05:22,233 --> 00:05:23,300 It was on a Monday. 132 00:05:23,367 --> 00:05:24,233 - So May 24th. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 133 00:05:24,300 --> 00:05:26,767 - So you called her on a Monday? - Yes. 134 00:05:26,834 --> 00:05:29,100 [Judge Judy] And she said, "Fine, bring the dog back." 135 00:05:29,166 --> 00:05:32,933 And you said, "I can't bring her back until the weekend."? 136 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:34,033 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] And then... 137 00:05:34,100 --> 00:05:35,967 Well, she said, "I want her back here tomorrow." 138 00:05:36,033 --> 00:05:38,033 [Judge Judy] Tomorrow. Okay. Well, that sounds reasonable. 139 00:05:38,100 --> 00:05:38,933 - She's concerned. - [Lorraina] Right. 140 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:40,500 [Judge Judy] You're calling up and you're saying, 141 00:05:40,567 --> 00:05:42,300 "I don't want this dog anymore. 142 00:05:42,367 --> 00:05:44,233 The dog is not working out in my family." 143 00:05:44,300 --> 00:05:47,100 She didn't say, "It's not my problem anymore, you adopted her," 144 00:05:47,166 --> 00:05:49,332 she said, "Bring her back right away," right? 145 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:51,567 - Right. - [Judge Judy] And what happened? 146 00:05:51,633 --> 00:05:54,667 [Lorraina] I proceeded to tell her that I could bring her on the weekend. 147 00:05:54,734 --> 00:05:57,332 - [Judge Judy] Yeah. - And that was not acceptable to her. 148 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,166 No, she wants the dog back right away? 149 00:05:59,233 --> 00:06:00,300 [Lorraina] Yeah, she wanted the dog back right away. 150 00:06:00,367 --> 00:06:01,500 [Judge Judy] Dog back right away. And so what did you do? 151 00:06:01,567 --> 00:06:05,066 So then I said to her, "Then I would need to meet you 152 00:06:05,133 --> 00:06:09,400 or you could send somebody to come get her, either/or." 153 00:06:09,467 --> 00:06:13,033 So she said to me, "Let me make a couple phone calls. 154 00:06:13,100 --> 00:06:15,300 I'll get back with you in a little bit." 155 00:06:15,367 --> 00:06:16,467 So we left it at that. 156 00:06:16,533 --> 00:06:19,467 So I waited that whole day, I didn't hear back from her. 157 00:06:19,533 --> 00:06:20,633 We went into the next day. 158 00:06:20,700 --> 00:06:22,200 I waited the next day. 159 00:06:22,266 --> 00:06:23,767 Did not hear from her. 160 00:06:23,834 --> 00:06:26,934 Okay. Now so far that's two days later, that would be a Wednesday? 161 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:28,467 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 162 00:06:28,533 --> 00:06:30,600 And by Wednesday, you hadn't heard from her 163 00:06:30,667 --> 00:06:32,166 and you already told her 164 00:06:32,233 --> 00:06:35,933 that you couldn't return the dog until the following Saturday. 165 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:37,767 - [Lorraina] Correct. - [Judge Judy] Wednesday, 166 00:06:37,834 --> 00:06:40,633 prior to the Saturday, what did you do? 167 00:06:40,700 --> 00:06:44,133 Okay. So that afternoon, I had lunch with a friend of mine, Angel, 168 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:47,533 and I was telling her what was going on. And she proceeded to tell me that the... 169 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:50,300 [Judge Judy] Don't tell-- don't tell me what she told you. 170 00:06:50,367 --> 00:06:56,400 As a result of that conversation, you rehome the dog to these people? 171 00:06:56,467 --> 00:06:58,100 [Lorraina] No, I don't even know who that is. 172 00:06:58,166 --> 00:06:59,000 - Your Honor... - [Lorraina] No... 173 00:06:59,066 --> 00:07:00,166 - [Judge Judy] Just a second. - [Lorraina] ...Your Honor. 174 00:07:00,233 --> 00:07:01,734 - [Judge Judy] To whom did you give the... - I didn't rehome... 175 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:03,033 - [Judge Judy] Just a second. - I had not rehomed here. 176 00:07:03,100 --> 00:07:04,567 Who did you give the dog to? 177 00:07:04,633 --> 00:07:06,367 I did not give her to anybody at that point. 178 00:07:06,433 --> 00:07:08,166 - No, that's a lie. - [Judge Judy] Just second. 179 00:07:08,233 --> 00:07:10,767 - What did you do with the dog? - I still had the dog. 180 00:07:10,834 --> 00:07:11,800 [Judge Judy] Until when? 181 00:07:11,867 --> 00:07:15,367 I had the dog until Thursday I believe it was. 182 00:07:15,433 --> 00:07:17,266 - I'd have to look at my notes. - Okay. So you have the conversation 183 00:07:17,332 --> 00:07:19,033 - with Angel on Wednesday. - Hmm. 184 00:07:19,100 --> 00:07:22,433 [Judge Judy] And on Thursday, what did you do with the dog? 185 00:07:22,500 --> 00:07:25,734 I still had the dog until the afternoon when Tami agreed. 186 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:27,367 [Judge Judy] Don't tell me what she agreed to. 187 00:07:27,433 --> 00:07:30,033 I asked you a specific question. 188 00:07:30,100 --> 00:07:33,900 What did you do with the dog on Thursday? 189 00:07:33,967 --> 00:07:35,400 [Lorraina] After I was instructed by my attorney... 190 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:37,600 Don't--what did you do... 191 00:07:37,667 --> 00:07:39,767 - I let my friend come pick her up. - ...with the dog? 192 00:07:39,834 --> 00:07:41,567 - [Judge Judy] Your friend Angel? - Take her to the grandparents. 193 00:07:41,633 --> 00:07:42,467 [Judge Judy] Just a second. 194 00:07:42,533 --> 00:07:44,066 - Your friend Angel. So... - [Lorraina] Correct. 195 00:07:44,133 --> 00:07:46,800 ...you gave the dog on Thursday to this other person? 196 00:07:46,867 --> 00:07:47,834 Correct. 197 00:07:47,900 --> 00:07:49,200 [Judge Judy] And after that, 198 00:07:49,266 --> 00:07:54,266 you assumed that Angel was giving the dog to a grandparent? 199 00:07:54,332 --> 00:07:55,233 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 200 00:07:55,300 --> 00:07:56,367 And then? 201 00:07:56,433 --> 00:07:58,734 [Lorraina] So I had got my attorney involved. 202 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:00,700 - Why? - [Lorraina] Because as I was trying to 203 00:08:00,767 --> 00:08:03,533 explain on Wednesday evening when I called Tami 204 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,867 to see what was going on because she had stated, 205 00:08:06,934 --> 00:08:08,533 "Give me a little bit, I'll call you back. 206 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,166 I'm gonna have somebody meet you tomorrow," 207 00:08:10,233 --> 00:08:11,700 which would have been that Wednesday. 208 00:08:11,767 --> 00:08:14,367 "I'm gonna have somebody meet you tomorrow to pick up Sophie." 209 00:08:14,900 --> 00:08:16,867 So when I did not hear back from her, 210 00:08:16,934 --> 00:08:19,967 I called her that evening and I couldn't get two words 211 00:08:20,033 --> 00:08:23,967 in edgewise except to say I was trying to explain to her and say, 212 00:08:24,033 --> 00:08:27,500 "Tami, I found another home for Sophie." 213 00:08:27,567 --> 00:08:30,332 I wanted to try to tell her they want to do an application, 214 00:08:30,400 --> 00:08:33,232 but Tami did not give me a chance because right away 215 00:08:33,299 --> 00:08:36,100 she started ranting and raving and yelling at me. 216 00:08:36,165 --> 00:08:38,232 So after about 15 minutes of that, 217 00:08:38,299 --> 00:08:41,066 I cut the conversation and I said to her, 218 00:08:41,133 --> 00:08:42,433 "We're not getting anywhere. 219 00:08:42,500 --> 00:08:45,934 You won't even let me speak to explain to you the situation. 220 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,533 So I will--tomorrow morning, will have my attorney friend call you 221 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:52,633 and he could set up a meeting time for us to meet 222 00:08:52,700 --> 00:08:54,533 to make the exchange of Sophie." 223 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:56,533 So I did call my friend the next morning 224 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:58,667 and I said as a favor to me, 225 00:08:58,734 --> 00:09:01,867 "Would you call her and make arrangements for us to meet 226 00:09:01,934 --> 00:09:04,667 so I could return Sophie?" So he made the arrangements... 227 00:09:04,734 --> 00:09:05,633 - [Judge Judy] Just a second. - ...it was agreed that... 228 00:09:05,700 --> 00:09:06,533 - [Judge Judy] Just a second. - ...I was reaching Tami... 229 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:07,734 [Judge Judy] You can't tell me that. 230 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:08,934 That's hearsay. 231 00:09:11,100 --> 00:09:14,266 Well, if you're retired, why didn't you go bring the dog home the next day? 232 00:09:14,333 --> 00:09:15,734 - As I'm trying to explain... - [Judge Judy] Back to her? 233 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:19,400 ...when I have my grandkids, I don't drive that far 234 00:09:19,467 --> 00:09:20,567 - because I'm not... - [Judge Judy] You know... 235 00:09:20,633 --> 00:09:21,934 accustomed to driving in the traffic. 236 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,100 You know, I'm-- actually think you're pretty outrageous. 237 00:09:24,166 --> 00:09:25,300 [announcer] And later today... 238 00:09:25,367 --> 00:09:27,333 Will either of the toilets work? 239 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:29,033 - I don't know. - [Judge Judy] No, just a second. 240 00:09:29,100 --> 00:09:30,900 Ms. Cory, don't think about where I'm going... 241 00:09:30,967 --> 00:09:33,033 - Okay. - [Judge Judy] ...because I would know 242 00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:35,400 in a two-bath house if I was there by myself 243 00:09:35,467 --> 00:09:39,600 whether either one of the two toilets was working after two days. (chuckles) 244 00:09:44,100 --> 00:09:47,165 [theme music playing] 245 00:09:50,667 --> 00:09:54,667 [announcer] Lorraina Delatorre says Dog Rescue President Tami Karlsson 246 00:09:54,734 --> 00:09:58,233 owes her for the adoption fee of a Maltese. 247 00:09:58,300 --> 00:09:59,567 So this is what the case is about. 248 00:09:59,633 --> 00:10:02,166 You made a $500 donation 249 00:10:02,233 --> 00:10:03,834 - to Maltese Rescue. - Correct. 250 00:10:03,900 --> 00:10:06,667 [Judge Judy] And you want the money back, that $500. 251 00:10:06,734 --> 00:10:07,900 That's what this case is about. 252 00:10:07,967 --> 00:10:09,200 - Yes, because Tami agreed... - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 253 00:10:09,266 --> 00:10:10,867 - ...to pay me back. - That's what this case is about. 254 00:10:10,934 --> 00:10:13,433 You want your $500 donation back 255 00:10:13,500 --> 00:10:15,133 because these people, 256 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:16,633 I don't know where they got the dog from. 257 00:10:16,700 --> 00:10:18,166 You're not the grandparents, are you? 258 00:10:18,233 --> 00:10:19,367 They're my grandparents. 259 00:10:19,433 --> 00:10:20,900 - [Judge Judy] They're your grandparents? - Uh-hmm. 260 00:10:20,967 --> 00:10:22,533 [Judge Judy] Just sit. 261 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:26,133 You in effect rehomed to the dog to Angel 262 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:29,200 who said, "My grandparents are gonna take the dog." 263 00:10:29,266 --> 00:10:31,600 - Let's say I left all of that in. - Yeah. 264 00:10:31,667 --> 00:10:34,500 [Judge Judy] That means that you don't know about the home. 265 00:10:34,567 --> 00:10:36,567 You have no idea about the home. 266 00:10:36,633 --> 00:10:39,000 You didn't do an inspection of the home. 267 00:10:39,066 --> 00:10:40,533 You don't know who the grandparents are. 268 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:41,767 - [Lorraina] Yes, I do. - You don't know what... 269 00:10:41,834 --> 00:10:44,734 Uh, he's a pastor, and they're very good Christian people. 270 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:46,900 What's his name and how many times did you meet the grandparents? 271 00:10:46,967 --> 00:10:47,800 George. 272 00:10:47,867 --> 00:10:51,767 [Judge Judy] How many times did you see the grandparents? 273 00:10:51,834 --> 00:10:52,734 Once. 274 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:53,734 Where? 275 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:55,433 At a wedding reception. 276 00:10:55,500 --> 00:10:56,900 After you gave the dog away. Uh-hmm. 277 00:10:56,967 --> 00:10:58,133 - [Judge Judy] Just a second. - I'm sorry. 278 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:00,233 [Judge Judy] That's not a home inspection. 279 00:11:00,300 --> 00:11:02,900 That just means you gave the dog to Angel 280 00:11:02,967 --> 00:11:06,867 to give to grandparents who evidently didn't keep the dog 281 00:11:06,934 --> 00:11:09,367 because they gave Sophie to these people. 282 00:11:09,433 --> 00:11:10,734 - [Tami] Yes, Your Honor. - [Judge Judy] This is your dog? 283 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:12,467 Yes. But there was a reason why that happened. 284 00:11:12,533 --> 00:11:14,200 I don't care why it happened. 285 00:11:14,266 --> 00:11:15,834 That has nothing to do with this case. 286 00:11:15,900 --> 00:11:16,800 - No. - [Tami] Yes, Your Honor. 287 00:11:16,867 --> 00:11:18,000 [Judge Judy] It has nothing to do with this case. 288 00:11:18,066 --> 00:11:19,567 But I did not give Sophie away 289 00:11:19,633 --> 00:11:22,033 until after Tami instructed my attorney 290 00:11:22,100 --> 00:11:23,767 - that it was okay. - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 291 00:11:23,834 --> 00:11:26,967 You can't tell me that. 292 00:11:27,033 --> 00:11:28,367 It's hearsay. 293 00:11:28,433 --> 00:11:29,734 We were on three-way. 294 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:31,400 [Judge Judy] It doesn't matter. 295 00:11:31,467 --> 00:11:32,467 Okay. 296 00:11:33,934 --> 00:11:35,433 Just for my own information, 297 00:11:36,133 --> 00:11:38,200 I assume for the purpose of this question 298 00:11:38,266 --> 00:11:42,000 that you had a conversation with this lawyer friend of hers? 299 00:11:42,066 --> 00:11:43,567 So he was a paralegal, Your Honor. 300 00:11:43,633 --> 00:11:45,165 - [Judge Judy] Just a second. - Oh, sorry. 301 00:11:45,233 --> 00:11:47,400 Did you know that she was on the three-way? 302 00:11:47,467 --> 00:11:49,300 - No. - [Judge Judy] No. Of course not. 303 00:11:49,367 --> 00:11:51,165 Look, this is very easy. 304 00:11:51,233 --> 00:11:52,934 - Do you like Sophie? - Yes. 305 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:54,233 [Judge Judy] She looks healthy. 306 00:11:54,300 --> 00:11:55,834 She's gaining a lot of weight. Yes. 307 00:11:55,900 --> 00:11:57,000 [Judge Judy] You're satisfied... 308 00:11:57,066 --> 00:11:58,400 - Yes, Your Honor. - [Judge Judy] ...that she's okay? 309 00:11:58,467 --> 00:11:59,934 She filled out an application. 310 00:12:00,066 --> 00:12:01,233 - She did all the right things. - [Judge Judy] Just... 311 00:12:01,300 --> 00:12:02,700 And gave you $500? 312 00:12:02,767 --> 00:12:04,100 - No, she did not. - [Judge Judy] She did not? 313 00:12:04,166 --> 00:12:06,567 Because she gave a $500 donation. 314 00:12:06,633 --> 00:12:07,967 - And... - [Judge Judy] Okay, just a second. 315 00:12:08,033 --> 00:12:09,467 So you didn't ask her for another? 316 00:12:09,533 --> 00:12:10,834 - No. That wouldn't have been. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 317 00:12:10,900 --> 00:12:12,367 - Just a second. - Okay. 318 00:12:12,433 --> 00:12:13,433 It's very, very easy. 319 00:12:13,500 --> 00:12:14,500 You signed this contract. 320 00:12:14,567 --> 00:12:15,734 You want me to read it to you? 321 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:17,700 "I hereby acknowledge and understand 322 00:12:17,767 --> 00:12:23,066 that the dog's adoption fee is a donation to Maltese Rescue Organization 323 00:12:23,133 --> 00:12:27,734 and that MRC is in no way obligated to return or refund this adoption fee 324 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:29,500 at any time." You made a donation. 325 00:12:29,567 --> 00:12:31,834 Tami agreed to return the fee to me. 326 00:12:31,900 --> 00:12:33,066 - [Judge Judy] Oh, really? - And she was going to get it... 327 00:12:33,133 --> 00:12:34,600 - [Judge Judy] Just a second. - [Lorraina] ...from this woman. 328 00:12:34,667 --> 00:12:37,600 [Judge Judy] Just a second. Did you agree to return the fee to her? 329 00:12:37,667 --> 00:12:39,367 When I first spoke to her, I explained 330 00:12:39,433 --> 00:12:41,834 if she would return Sophie to me immediately 331 00:12:41,900 --> 00:12:43,200 because I didn't know where she was. 332 00:12:43,266 --> 00:12:45,165 I would then refund her her money. 333 00:12:45,233 --> 00:12:47,700 Just a second. That was in the first conversation... 334 00:12:47,767 --> 00:12:49,333 - [Tami] Yes, Your Honor. - ...when she called you on a Monday? 335 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:51,133 - Yes, Your Honor. - [Judge Judy] Okay. When she called you, 336 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:52,934 did she ask for the adoption fee? 337 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:54,300 - No, she did not, Your Honor. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 338 00:12:54,367 --> 00:12:56,433 It was at that conversation when you say, 339 00:12:56,500 --> 00:12:58,233 "Bring the dog back here immediately, 340 00:12:58,300 --> 00:13:00,133 and I will refund your money." 341 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:01,166 - [Tami] Yeah. - And she says, 342 00:13:01,233 --> 00:13:03,433 "I can't get the dog there until the weekend." 343 00:13:03,500 --> 00:13:06,166 Um, actually, when she first called me, 344 00:13:06,233 --> 00:13:08,400 she said, "You need to get this dog out of here immediately. 345 00:13:08,467 --> 00:13:09,333 I'm sick of her peeing..." 346 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:10,300 Your Honor, I never said that. 347 00:13:10,367 --> 00:13:12,333 "...peeing and pooping all over my house." 348 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:14,367 I said, "Okay. Okay. I will get her. 349 00:13:14,433 --> 00:13:15,900 I can't do it right now. 350 00:13:15,967 --> 00:13:18,000 If I can't do it, I'll find someone who can 351 00:13:18,066 --> 00:13:20,133 or I will get her tomorrow. I will call you back." 352 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,133 And then it escalated from there. 353 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:25,166 She also said she would not drive to me 354 00:13:25,233 --> 00:13:26,700 because she doesn't drive that far. 355 00:13:26,767 --> 00:13:28,900 I said, "You drove to my house to pick her up. 356 00:13:28,967 --> 00:13:30,266 How could you not drive that far?" 357 00:13:30,333 --> 00:13:33,266 [Judge Judy] During what part of the initial conversation 358 00:13:33,333 --> 00:13:36,000 did you say to her, "If you bring the dog back to me immediately, 359 00:13:36,066 --> 00:13:37,433 I'll give you your $500"? 360 00:13:37,500 --> 00:13:39,433 The very beginning when she told me she was sick of her 361 00:13:39,500 --> 00:13:41,000 peeing and pooing all over her house. 362 00:13:41,066 --> 00:13:44,367 I will get her out as fast as I can and I will give you your money back. 363 00:13:44,433 --> 00:13:45,266 [Judge Judy] That any part of the conversation? 364 00:13:45,333 --> 00:13:46,266 Your Honor, that's not what was said. 365 00:13:46,333 --> 00:13:48,066 [Judge Judy] Okay. So you tell me 366 00:13:48,133 --> 00:13:51,165 when she told you she would give you your money back on what day? 367 00:13:51,233 --> 00:13:57,165 On, uh, 25th of May and on the 27th of May. 368 00:13:57,233 --> 00:13:59,133 [Judge Judy] Okay. Tell me about that. 369 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:04,467 On the 25th of May was the day after you say you called her. 370 00:14:04,533 --> 00:14:06,734 You say you called her on the 24th of May. 371 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:08,500 - And the 25th. - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 372 00:14:08,567 --> 00:14:10,900 - You say you called her on the 24th? - Yes, ma'am. 373 00:14:10,967 --> 00:14:14,800 And she didn't mention anything about the return of the money on the 24th? 374 00:14:14,867 --> 00:14:16,767 - No, ma'am. - [Judge Judy] On the 25th, 375 00:14:16,834 --> 00:14:18,300 - very next day... - That was that evening. 376 00:14:18,367 --> 00:14:21,100 [Judge Judy] Just a second. I thought you didn't speak to her the next day. 377 00:14:21,166 --> 00:14:22,600 - I did on the 20... - [Judge Judy] Shh. 378 00:14:22,667 --> 00:14:24,533 - I spoke to her that--I called her... - [Judge Judy] No, no. Shh. 379 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:25,600 - ...because I had not heard back... - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 380 00:14:25,667 --> 00:14:28,367 - Oh. - You told me your initial call with her 381 00:14:28,433 --> 00:14:30,900 was on the 24th which was on a Monday. 382 00:14:30,967 --> 00:14:32,300 - Correct. - [Judge Judy] Right. 383 00:14:32,367 --> 00:14:35,367 And you say, "I waited for her all day Monday 384 00:14:35,433 --> 00:14:38,233 and I waited for her all day Tuesday, 385 00:14:38,300 --> 00:14:40,200 and I didn't hear from her." 386 00:14:40,266 --> 00:14:42,700 So I called her back Tuesday evening. 387 00:14:42,767 --> 00:14:44,400 - [Judge Judy] And? - I have hit my phone. 388 00:14:44,467 --> 00:14:45,367 - [Judge Judy] Go ahead. - Okay? 389 00:14:45,433 --> 00:14:47,433 [Judge Judy] And tell me about that conversation. 390 00:14:47,500 --> 00:14:51,100 So that's when I asked her what she was going to do. 391 00:14:51,165 --> 00:14:54,967 Was she going to meet me or was she sending somebody to pick her up 392 00:14:55,033 --> 00:14:57,200 or did she wanna wait until the weekend. 393 00:14:57,266 --> 00:15:00,133 What did she work out because she was going to phone somebody. 394 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,100 - Don't tell me what she was going to do. - [Lorraina] Okay. I mean... 395 00:15:02,166 --> 00:15:03,600 - I mean you do drive. - [Lorraina] [indistinct] like this. 396 00:15:03,667 --> 00:15:05,100 And you did drive to get the dog. 397 00:15:05,166 --> 00:15:06,300 - So you could've driven. - Yes, ma'am. 398 00:15:06,367 --> 00:15:08,166 [Judge Judy] And if you waited-- what kind of work do you do? 399 00:15:08,233 --> 00:15:09,433 I'm retired. 400 00:15:09,500 --> 00:15:11,767 [Judge Judy] Well, if you're retired, why don't you go bring her the next day... 401 00:15:11,834 --> 00:15:13,233 - [Lorraina] Because I... - [Judge Judy] ...back to her house? 402 00:15:13,300 --> 00:15:14,800 - Because... - [Judge Judy] If you're retired, 403 00:15:14,867 --> 00:15:18,200 why didn't you go and bring the dog home the next day... 404 00:15:18,266 --> 00:15:19,633 - As I'm trying to explain... - [Judge Judy] ...back to her... 405 00:15:19,700 --> 00:15:24,000 ...when I have my grandkids, I don't drive that far because I'm not... 406 00:15:24,066 --> 00:15:25,233 - You know... - accustomed to driving into traffic. 407 00:15:25,300 --> 00:15:28,100 You know, you have no case. 408 00:15:28,166 --> 00:15:29,100 Zero. 409 00:15:29,166 --> 00:15:30,467 Zip-a-dee-doo-dah. 410 00:15:30,533 --> 00:15:32,700 You made a donation to a charity. 411 00:15:32,767 --> 00:15:34,233 Read your contract. 412 00:15:34,300 --> 00:15:36,133 I actually think you're pretty outrageous. 413 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:37,800 Your case is dismissed. We're done here. 414 00:15:37,867 --> 00:15:39,400 - Hmm. - [Kevin] Court adjourned. 415 00:15:42,967 --> 00:15:44,500 Oh, the defendant is nasty 416 00:15:44,567 --> 00:15:46,533 and you could see that it's her way or no way. 417 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:49,533 I think that she made the right choice and she made the right decision. 418 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:51,567 And it's very apparent when I was at their home 419 00:15:51,633 --> 00:15:53,233 that she's just a nasty person. 420 00:15:53,300 --> 00:15:55,734 So I'm not exactly sure what transpired there 421 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:57,767 but, I, she definitely made the right decision. 422 00:15:57,834 --> 00:16:00,433 I made a tax donation and I'll use it on my write-offs. 423 00:16:01,166 --> 00:16:02,300 [Judge Judy] That was relatively easy. 424 00:16:02,367 --> 00:16:04,400 Contract is a contract is a contract. 425 00:16:04,467 --> 00:16:06,166 Taking away all the emotions. 426 00:16:06,233 --> 00:16:07,734 Plaintiff knew what she was signing. 427 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:11,100 She understood what she was signing, and she breached the contract. 428 00:16:11,166 --> 00:16:12,667 Anyway, right thing happened. 429 00:16:13,633 --> 00:16:18,133 Case number 1011, Coit versus Alonzo, please step forward. 430 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:21,567 [announcer] Jennifer Coit claims contractor Robert Alonzo 431 00:16:21,633 --> 00:16:26,266 changed his price quote, causing her to overpay for plumbing services. 432 00:16:26,333 --> 00:16:28,567 - Ms. Coit, you live in Texas? - Yes. 433 00:16:28,633 --> 00:16:30,600 - [Judge Judy] Where is Texas? - Dallas. 434 00:16:30,667 --> 00:16:32,967 [Judge Judy] You had a bad storm this past year. 435 00:16:33,033 --> 00:16:34,667 - A bad one. - [Judge Judy] Hoo. 436 00:16:34,734 --> 00:16:35,934 What was the date of the storm? 437 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:40,600 Around February 16th I think or like that. 438 00:16:40,667 --> 00:16:43,533 [Judge Judy] And I think my memory serves--it got-- 439 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:46,533 as cold as it's been probably in your memory. 440 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:48,900 - Yeah. - And in 20 years. 441 00:16:48,967 --> 00:16:50,967 How cold was it, Mr. Alonzo? 442 00:16:51,033 --> 00:16:52,600 One, zero degrees. 443 00:16:53,700 --> 00:16:56,266 Tell me about your house. What sized house do you have, Ms. Coit? 444 00:16:56,333 --> 00:16:59,467 I have, um, three bedrooms, single family. 445 00:16:59,533 --> 00:17:01,433 About 1,700 square feet. 446 00:17:01,500 --> 00:17:03,667 - And all your pipes froze? - [Jennifer] No. 447 00:17:03,734 --> 00:17:07,800 Both of the toilets in my house stopped up and then my sink, and then the pipe didn't 448 00:17:07,867 --> 00:17:09,032 [Judge Judy] Well, that--just a second. 449 00:17:09,099 --> 00:17:11,467 So you had two toilets, one sink. 450 00:17:11,532 --> 00:17:13,032 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] The sink was where? 451 00:17:13,099 --> 00:17:14,066 [Jennifer] In the kitchen. 452 00:17:14,133 --> 00:17:15,433 [Judge Judy] What about the sinks in the bathroom? 453 00:17:15,500 --> 00:17:18,967 The sinks in the bathroom, no--uh, but the shower in the bathroom. 454 00:17:19,032 --> 00:17:21,967 [Judge Judy] So now all these things didn't know will come together, 455 00:17:22,032 --> 00:17:24,200 they clogged because it was freezing outside. 456 00:17:24,266 --> 00:17:26,532 - Possibly so. - [Judge Judy] Not possibly. 457 00:17:26,599 --> 00:17:30,700 There's too much serendipity in losing two toilets, 458 00:17:30,767 --> 00:17:33,500 one sink, and a shower, all at one time. 459 00:17:33,567 --> 00:17:35,600 I think it started before the storm though. 460 00:17:35,667 --> 00:17:38,433 Before we had the weather, it had already start. 461 00:17:38,500 --> 00:17:40,200 I could see it in the shower. 462 00:17:40,266 --> 00:17:42,000 [Judge Judy] How much before the storm? 463 00:17:42,066 --> 00:17:43,533 [Jennifer] Maybe a couple of days. 464 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:46,166 [Judge Judy] Did you call anybody when you started to see a problem? 465 00:17:46,233 --> 00:17:47,467 [Jennifer] Well, it really wasn't. 466 00:17:47,533 --> 00:17:49,200 - I didn't see a problem until... - [Judge Judy] Okay. 467 00:17:49,266 --> 00:17:50,266 - Yeah. - [Judge Judy] So Ms. Coit, 468 00:17:50,367 --> 00:17:51,533 so we're not gonna play with each other. 469 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,200 The pipes froze in your house because of the storm. 470 00:17:54,266 --> 00:17:55,500 - Okay. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 471 00:17:57,934 --> 00:18:01,934 Do you think that 150 over a four-hour period 472 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,734 by three men is sufficient compensation? 473 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:08,233 Yes. I have [indistinct] yes. 474 00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:09,834 They weren't there for four hours. 475 00:18:09,900 --> 00:18:10,900 Listen... 476 00:18:11,433 --> 00:18:12,500 Sorry. 477 00:18:17,433 --> 00:18:20,433 [theme music playing] 478 00:18:24,533 --> 00:18:28,100 [announcer] Jennifer Coit is suing contractor Robert Alonzo 479 00:18:28,166 --> 00:18:30,367 for overpayment and price gouging 480 00:18:30,433 --> 00:18:32,934 during a natural disaster in Texas. 481 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:35,967 [Judge Judy] Now, Mr. Alonzo, you're in the plumbing business? 482 00:18:36,033 --> 00:18:37,567 I'm a general contractor actually. 483 00:18:37,633 --> 00:18:41,000 So, uh, we subcontract plumbers and other contractors. 484 00:18:41,066 --> 00:18:42,700 You got his name out of the phone book? 485 00:18:42,767 --> 00:18:44,567 Actually, I got it off of, um, 486 00:18:45,166 --> 00:18:47,834 this site--this app that we have called Nextdoor 487 00:18:47,900 --> 00:18:51,967 for your neighborhood so you can go in and get recommendations and [indistinct] 488 00:18:52,033 --> 00:18:53,734 [Judge Judy] Okay. So then--so you got it online? 489 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,333 - Yes. - And did you call him on the 16th? 490 00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:57,500 It wasn't him. 491 00:18:57,567 --> 00:18:58,967 - [Judge Judy] Who was it? - It was his workers. 492 00:18:59,033 --> 00:19:03,133 I only got his name because he's the one that I had to charge my credit card to. 493 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:04,033 - Yeah. - [Judge Judy] Just a second. 494 00:19:04,100 --> 00:19:06,400 - Okay. - Did you ever speak to Mr. Alonzo? 495 00:19:06,467 --> 00:19:08,500 - Not until after the fact. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 496 00:19:08,567 --> 00:19:10,033 The reason that you're here today 497 00:19:10,100 --> 00:19:13,300 is that you think Mr. Alonzo overcharged you? 498 00:19:13,367 --> 00:19:15,333 - Yes, ma'am. - [Judge Judy] And you paid him by 499 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:18,300 both cash and credit card in the amount of-- 500 00:19:18,367 --> 00:19:19,700 I think $1,200? 501 00:19:19,767 --> 00:19:20,800 - [Jennifer] 1,250. - Hmm? 502 00:19:20,867 --> 00:19:22,333 - 1,250. - [Judge Judy] 1,250. 503 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,567 And it was your understanding that they were gonna come out 504 00:19:25,633 --> 00:19:27,900 and do the job for a $150? 505 00:19:27,967 --> 00:19:29,500 $150 is what I was quoted. 506 00:19:29,567 --> 00:19:30,400 - [Judge Judy] Oh, okay. - Uh-uh. 507 00:19:30,467 --> 00:19:32,467 [Judge Judy] Well, I don't know whether that's what you were quoted 508 00:19:32,533 --> 00:19:34,867 unless you have it writing from somebody, do you? 509 00:19:34,934 --> 00:19:36,633 I have it on a text message. 510 00:19:36,700 --> 00:19:38,867 I'd like to see what the text message says. 511 00:19:38,934 --> 00:19:39,834 - I've never seen none of her texts. - [Judge Judy] Shh. 512 00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:40,834 Okay. 513 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:42,900 I have to see who it's from. 514 00:19:43,667 --> 00:19:45,467 This one doesn't show the price. 515 00:19:45,533 --> 00:19:47,367 - [Judge Judy] Well, that's what I need. - [Jennifer] No, I don't have that. 516 00:19:47,433 --> 00:19:49,900 [Judge Judy] So then since you don't have any proof 517 00:19:49,967 --> 00:19:52,934 of what you were quoted both either in a contract 518 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,033 or in a text message that I can look at, 519 00:19:55,100 --> 00:19:57,367 or in an email that I might be able to look at. 520 00:19:57,433 --> 00:20:01,834 Tell me, did workers show up to your home on the 16th? 521 00:20:01,900 --> 00:20:06,266 Actually, they showed up to my home on the 18th and 19th. 522 00:20:06,333 --> 00:20:08,367 [Judge Judy] So neither toilet was working 523 00:20:08,433 --> 00:20:09,934 - for two days? - Right. 524 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:11,700 And the sink wasn't working in your kitchen? 525 00:20:11,767 --> 00:20:13,967 - [Jennifer] Right. - And the shower wasn't working? 526 00:20:14,033 --> 00:20:16,233 - Right. - [Judge Judy] Now, on the 18th, 527 00:20:16,300 --> 00:20:18,200 - how many people showed up? - [Jennifer] Three. 528 00:20:18,266 --> 00:20:20,033 [Judge Judy] At what time of the day did they show up? 529 00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:22,867 Actually, it was about 8:00 PM. 530 00:20:22,934 --> 00:20:25,100 How long were they at the house on 8:00 PM? 531 00:20:25,166 --> 00:20:26,867 I would say 15 minutes. 532 00:20:26,934 --> 00:20:30,433 [Judge Judy] When they left, were the two toilets still broken? 533 00:20:30,500 --> 00:20:32,600 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] Was the sink still broken? 534 00:20:32,667 --> 00:20:34,667 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] And shower still broken? 535 00:20:34,734 --> 00:20:35,934 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] And then they came back 536 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:37,166 on the 19th, 537 00:20:37,233 --> 00:20:39,200 - was it the same three men? - [Jennifer] Yes. 538 00:20:39,266 --> 00:20:40,667 [Judge Judy] And what time did they get there? 539 00:20:40,734 --> 00:20:44,166 I would say they got there maybe 6:00 PM. 540 00:20:44,233 --> 00:20:45,433 And what time did they leave? 541 00:20:45,500 --> 00:20:46,800 [Jennifer] It took 'em a while. 542 00:20:46,867 --> 00:20:49,467 So I would say maybe 10:00 PM. 543 00:20:49,533 --> 00:20:52,233 [Judge Judy] When they left after they were there for four hours, 544 00:20:52,300 --> 00:20:54,133 were either of the toilets working? 545 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:55,600 [Jennifer] I didn't--I don't know... 546 00:20:55,667 --> 00:20:57,300 [Judge Judy] Just a second. 547 00:20:57,367 --> 00:20:59,667 Ms. Coit, don't think about where I'm going. 548 00:20:59,734 --> 00:21:00,767 Okay. 549 00:21:00,834 --> 00:21:03,300 [Judge Judy] Because I would know when a two-bath house, 550 00:21:03,367 --> 00:21:04,834 if I was there by myself 551 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:09,333 whether either one of the two toilets was working after two days, 552 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:11,066 I would know the answer to that question. 553 00:21:11,533 --> 00:21:15,367 So at 10:00 PM when they left, were either of the two toilets working? 554 00:21:15,433 --> 00:21:18,033 They were working but they hadn't bolted them down. 555 00:21:18,100 --> 00:21:19,600 [Judge Judy] So could you use them? Is the que-- 556 00:21:19,667 --> 00:21:20,800 Yes. I could use them but... 557 00:21:20,867 --> 00:21:21,967 - [Judge Judy] You could use them both? - Uh-hmm. 558 00:21:22,033 --> 00:21:24,400 Okay. And what about the sink in the kitchen? 559 00:21:24,467 --> 00:21:26,700 Uh, the sink in the kitchen, it was--I can use it. 560 00:21:26,767 --> 00:21:28,066 - Yes. - [Judge Judy] So it was working. 561 00:21:28,133 --> 00:21:29,233 - And what about the shower? - Yeah. 562 00:21:29,300 --> 00:21:30,533 [Jennifer] The shower was working. 563 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:32,433 - [Judge Judy] Did they ever come back? - No. 564 00:21:32,500 --> 00:21:36,533 [Judge Judy] So they were there from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on? 565 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,367 - The 19th. - [Judge Judy] The 19th. 566 00:21:38,433 --> 00:21:40,734 - Uh-hmm - And there were three men working? 567 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:43,433 - [Jennifer] Yes. - Who finally bolted down the toilets? 568 00:21:43,500 --> 00:21:44,700 Well... 569 00:21:44,767 --> 00:21:46,133 [Judge Judy] Not-not a well thats, that's the name. 570 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:47,233 ...they didn't--they didn't do it. 571 00:21:47,300 --> 00:21:49,734 My--I had to get someone else to come in and bolt them down. 572 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:53,533 I had to buy the pieces because when they removed the toilet, 573 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:56,133 it broke the screws in the toilet, 574 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:59,066 so I had--and I couldn't get them to respond to come back out. 575 00:21:59,133 --> 00:22:02,066 So I had to hire someone else to come back out to put the toilets down, 576 00:22:02,133 --> 00:22:04,233 and I had to buy, I forget what you call it, 577 00:22:04,300 --> 00:22:06,500 for the toilet, for them to bolt it down. 578 00:22:06,567 --> 00:22:08,767 - That little ring that you need? - [Judge Judy] Okay. Uh-hmm. 579 00:22:08,834 --> 00:22:11,033 - Yeah. - But you had the use of toilets. 580 00:22:11,100 --> 00:22:13,633 Do you have the bill from the person that came back 581 00:22:13,700 --> 00:22:15,900 to put them back to bolt them back into the floor? 582 00:22:15,967 --> 00:22:17,200 - No, I don't. - [Judge Judy] Okay. 583 00:22:17,266 --> 00:22:20,233 When they left, did they present you with a bill? 584 00:22:20,300 --> 00:22:22,800 No. They quoted me a price. 585 00:22:22,867 --> 00:22:24,834 [Judge Judy] You can't tell me what they quoted you. 586 00:22:24,900 --> 00:22:26,467 - Okay. - [Judge Judy] Because that's hearsay, 587 00:22:26,533 --> 00:22:27,467 unless you spoke to him. 588 00:22:28,066 --> 00:22:30,400 Who ultimately gave you a bill? 589 00:22:30,467 --> 00:22:31,934 No one gave me a bill. 590 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,433 [Judge Judy] Who told you what to pay? 591 00:22:33,500 --> 00:22:35,533 - That's why you're here. - One of his workers told me what... 592 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:37,700 - [Judge Judy] Was that on the 19th? - Yes. 593 00:22:37,767 --> 00:22:40,300 [Judge Judy] And when he left at 10:00 at night, 594 00:22:40,367 --> 00:22:42,433 what did he say the charge was? 595 00:22:42,500 --> 00:22:44,700 He told me 1,350. 596 00:22:45,166 --> 00:22:46,734 And did you pay him? 597 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:48,200 [Jennifer] Under duress, yes. 598 00:22:48,266 --> 00:22:49,767 - [Judge Judy] You paid him? - Yes. 599 00:22:49,834 --> 00:22:51,367 I wrote him a check for 250 600 00:22:51,433 --> 00:22:53,500 and then the balance of a thousand 601 00:22:53,567 --> 00:22:54,967 - on my credit card. - [Judge Judy] On your credit card. 602 00:22:55,033 --> 00:22:58,100 And then from what I gather from the papers, 603 00:22:58,166 --> 00:23:02,900 you questioned or tried to do a chargeback 604 00:23:02,967 --> 00:23:05,200 for what you had put on your credit card... 605 00:23:05,266 --> 00:23:07,433 - Uh-hmm. - ...which was about a thousand dollars. 606 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:10,533 And the credit card company did it first. 607 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:12,633 - Uh-hmm. - [Judge Judy] And then they did 608 00:23:12,700 --> 00:23:15,500 a further investigation and they charged your credit card? 609 00:23:15,567 --> 00:23:18,000 - Uh-hmm. - So what do you think 610 00:23:18,066 --> 00:23:19,800 the cost was supposed to be? 611 00:23:19,867 --> 00:23:20,700 The cost was... 612 00:23:20,767 --> 00:23:22,233 - [Judge Judy] Supposed to be? - ...supposed to be 150. 613 00:23:22,300 --> 00:23:23,300 [Judge Judy] Okay. Now, 614 00:23:23,367 --> 00:23:25,867 do you think that 150 615 00:23:25,934 --> 00:23:27,633 for what was done in your house 616 00:23:27,700 --> 00:23:29,467 over a four-hour period 617 00:23:29,533 --> 00:23:32,066 by three men is sufficient compensation, 618 00:23:32,133 --> 00:23:34,834 whether there's a blizzard or not, whether there's a storm, 619 00:23:34,900 --> 00:23:38,633 you think that a reasonable price for four hours work for three men 620 00:23:38,700 --> 00:23:41,667 is a hundred and fifty dollars, you think that's a reasonable price? 621 00:23:41,734 --> 00:23:43,066 - At the time, yes. - [Judge Judy] Yes, well. 622 00:23:43,133 --> 00:23:44,800 Because [indistinct] the toilets. 623 00:23:44,867 --> 00:23:48,166 But I paid 250 because of the weather, 624 00:23:48,233 --> 00:23:49,800 that's when I went over and paid more than what Mr... 625 00:23:49,867 --> 00:23:52,667 [Judge Judy] Well, then, Ms. Coit, I'm gonna say this to you. 626 00:23:52,734 --> 00:23:54,333 He doesn't have to say anything. 627 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:57,433 You can't decide what his fee should be. 628 00:23:57,500 --> 00:23:59,166 You can't do that, you know. 629 00:23:59,233 --> 00:24:02,266 Nobody likes price gouging during an emergency. 630 00:24:02,333 --> 00:24:04,667 - Yeah. - [Judge Judy] But what I'm telling you is 631 00:24:04,734 --> 00:24:07,467 if your house is totally frozen 632 00:24:07,533 --> 00:24:09,500 and it took three men to do it, 633 00:24:09,567 --> 00:24:12,266 and they couldn't even get to your job for two days-- 634 00:24:12,333 --> 00:24:13,934 because they were so busy, 635 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:16,800 it is not unreasonable to charge-- 636 00:24:16,867 --> 00:24:19,867 what you were charged for that many men 637 00:24:19,934 --> 00:24:21,800 for that many hours' worth of work. 638 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:25,333 There's a lesson to be learned, I'm gonna tell you what the lesson is. 639 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:30,266 And the lesson to be learned is before you have a job done, 640 00:24:30,333 --> 00:24:32,433 get an estimate in writing. 641 00:24:32,500 --> 00:24:36,667 If they left on the 18th and said, "We now see what the problem is," 642 00:24:36,734 --> 00:24:38,400 because that's what I'm surmising. 643 00:24:38,467 --> 00:24:39,500 You can't tell me that. 644 00:24:39,567 --> 00:24:41,767 But I assume if they came and looked at the problem, 645 00:24:41,834 --> 00:24:44,033 they said, "We'll be back tomorrow to fix it." 646 00:24:44,100 --> 00:24:48,133 And if you were a consumer, you say, "How much is it gonna cost?" 647 00:24:48,200 --> 00:24:50,100 Put it in writing. 648 00:24:50,767 --> 00:24:52,066 - Okay. - I have that bill. 649 00:24:52,133 --> 00:24:54,734 The credit card company did its investigation 650 00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:57,100 and found that he was entitled to his money. 651 00:24:57,166 --> 00:24:58,834 I find the same thing. Your case is dismissed. 652 00:24:58,900 --> 00:25:00,233 - We're finished. Thank you. - Thank you. 653 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:01,700 [Kevin] Court's adjourned. 654 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:07,600 Well, the fact that, uh, actually they didn't complete the job. 655 00:25:07,667 --> 00:25:09,033 They didn't complete the job at all. 656 00:25:09,100 --> 00:25:11,567 That's--I don't think--I don't think that that's true because... 657 00:25:11,633 --> 00:25:14,300 I had to get another plumber and someone else, 658 00:25:14,367 --> 00:25:15,834 they did not complete the job. 659 00:25:15,900 --> 00:25:17,266 The guys were there for a lot longer 660 00:25:17,333 --> 00:25:19,500 because they did some jobs for me personally. 661 00:25:19,567 --> 00:25:22,266 $1,250. 662 00:25:22,333 --> 00:25:23,567 The money that was charged, 663 00:25:23,633 --> 00:25:25,367 that all went to the [indistinct] one penny. 664 00:25:25,433 --> 00:25:26,567 Now we can film again. 665 00:25:26,633 --> 00:25:28,934 Hard times. People were under stress. 666 00:25:29,867 --> 00:25:30,800 You had to do what you had to do. 667 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:32,667 [Sarah] So I know you always say 668 00:25:32,734 --> 00:25:34,967 that it's important to get your contracts in writing 669 00:25:35,033 --> 00:25:37,800 for enforceability and just to hold people accountable. 670 00:25:37,867 --> 00:25:42,734 I think this case showed that especially in times of distress and desperation 671 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:44,266 and natural disasters, 672 00:25:44,333 --> 00:25:46,633 it's even more important to get things in writing. 673 00:25:46,700 --> 00:25:49,800 Yeah. Sometimes when you're in the midst of a problem, 674 00:25:49,867 --> 00:25:51,967 when you (chuckles)--when you live in a house 675 00:25:52,033 --> 00:25:54,734 that has two bathrooms and you don't have a working bathroom, 676 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:56,600 that--that's a real problem. 677 00:25:57,133 --> 00:26:00,467 But when you had come to court, you need evidence. 678 00:26:00,533 --> 00:26:04,433 I didn't actually think that what was charged was that unreasonable, 679 00:26:04,500 --> 00:26:08,100 so it was without a contract and you add the number of men 680 00:26:08,166 --> 00:26:09,567 and the number of hours that they work 681 00:26:09,633 --> 00:26:13,066 and the fact that they worked from 6:00 at night until 10:00 at night 682 00:26:13,133 --> 00:26:14,467 - according to plaintiff. - Uh-hmm. 683 00:26:14,533 --> 00:26:17,533 [Judge Judy] In my judgment, they were entitled to the fee 684 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:19,433 that they charged and if she was unhappy with it, 685 00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:20,867 that was her problem. 686 00:26:20,934 --> 00:26:22,433 She really should've gotten it in writing. 687 00:26:23,066 --> 00:26:25,300 And when in doubt, get a signature. 688 00:26:28,533 --> 00:26:29,900 [announcer] Have you been cheated? 689 00:26:29,967 --> 00:26:32,066 Go to judyjustice.tv. 690 00:26:36,834 --> 00:26:39,834 [theme music playing]