Small claims isn't terrible, probably about $100-200 investment to file which you will go after for him to pay. No lawyers involved unless he gets one, then you are allowed to get one.
must be filed in the county he lives in. Do you have his home address? If so you can have anyone not related to the case (a friend) serve him the papers or have the sheriff do it for a fee.
then the court date gets set, show up and they send you to an arbitrator, make sure he fills out interoggeries (assets, bank account, employer). If he doesn't have your parts/money with him, I wouldn't settle with the arbitrator, I'd want the magistrate to file a judgement against him.
he could set up payments or return everything and pay your court fees.
id get all documentation together now. Receipts, quotes, pictures, screen shots of text messages, times and dates you spoke, etc.
