2) Clean up the last paragraph a bit -- you state the invoice total as both $400+ and as $200+ which shouldn't confuse him, but gods forbid you have to go to small claims court, you want to make it easy on them.

Any chance I can ask for your magnificent help in rewording it?

Also, an invoice for $402.50 would be an invoice coming from him - I think I'd rather specify that you want to see the actual $800 and change invoice that he paid.

In fact, I might go about it a little differently. I think I'd not get into arguments about what who is charging - just rescind the payment, request all invoices/cc statements backing up what he paid, and let him know you'll pay him immediately for your half of the charges less the money for transport and Joe's time.

I received your phone message and email on May 16, 2007. From this point on, any and all communication regarding this matter will be done via email.

Is this better?

Aimee, I think that the email is a little, um, hostile in tone. I know that he's an asshat and you ARE hostile, but since he's already been a weasel, you might want to dial it back a little in hopes of cooperation, maybe something like this instead:

I received your phone message and email on May 16, 2007. Since there's been so much confusion, I think that we should use email for all communications to avoid any other misunderstandings.

I'm really liking brenda's straight to it approach.

eta: Given that this seems all to be his 'fault', you don't need to 'splain anything to him. It just gives him weasel room he doesn't deserve.

I'd be explicit (restate stuff you've already stated in other messages).

List the Date and amount you paid him.

Explain why you paid him that amount (that it was 50% of estimated total cost).

List the amount of the actual total cost.

List what 50% of what the actual total cost is.

Then, in detail, do all of the math for him again.

Then add in whatever that extra money is that I'm not quite following you on for Joe's labor and for moving some other thing from one point to another. Be as overly-specific as you can possibly be.

The two main problems with chemo brain are short-term memory and shortened attention span. I don't know that you need to dumb things down, necessarily; you just need to make sure she takes notes and/or you also give her a written version of your instructions. She's just going to forget chunks of what you tell her, so don't mention something passing her in the hall and expect her to act on it. The attention span thing was harder for me. I was always easily distracted; after chemo, every five minutes it was "ooh, shiny." I think that things that will help make her focus, like short-term deadlines, might help. I'm thinking of something like, "I'd like 10 of these completed by noon" or "Could you please send me a status report by the end of the day?" Also, caffeine helps.

>I am requesting a refund via Google Payments – the method by which I paid you on May 1, 2007 – of $367.50. If this refund is not received by May 18, 2007, then I will rescind the original payment of $620.00 and will, upon receipt an invoice for $402.50 which represents 50% of the final shipping charges, plus a credit for $150.00 which represents our cash payment to Tom Frizzell, Sr. This invoice should total $252.50. Upon receipt of such, I will issue you a check for this amount.

I think you just need to itemize the $367.50 and then, for your alternative, state that the itemized invoice from the moving company should be X amount, and when you receive that and his proof of payment to them you'll give him the 50% you agreed on, less $150 for Joe's time, etc.

Thanks Ginger. That does help. I want this to work and I feel like such a mean person that I get so frustrated.

Have a shot for me tonight?

Oh, damn. Okay.... I actually found a bar that has all the Three Olives flavors. I could go have a Stephtini!