in the matter of Tobosa vs. Breslin, step forward. >> Announcer: Ashley Tobosa is suing artist John Breslin for the return of her deposit for a custom-made dining table. >> Judge Judy: Mr. Breslin, is your sole business making custom furniture? >> Yes, ma'am, it is. >> Judge Judy: How long have you been in the business? >> I've been doing this for 6 years now. >> Judge Judy: What kind of furniture do you make? >> It's all one-of-a-kind natural, live-edge slab furniture. >> Judge Judy: What kind of wood do you use? >> Everything from walnut to American elm to maple. Pretty much hard woods. >> Judge Judy: Did you find him online, Ms. Tobosa? >> Yes, we did. >> Judge Judy: And you ordered a table, a dining table? >> Yes, a custom dining table, yes. >> Judge Judy: How large? >> It was about 9 feet, I believe.
>> Judge Judy: Let me see the contract. >> There was no actual contract. It was a lot of verbal… >> Judge Judy: Well, what kind of work do you do? >> I'm a student. >> Judge Judy: You bought this together with your husband. >> Yes. >> Judge Judy: What does he do? >> He's in the military. >> Judge Judy: What kind of student are you? >> Pursuing my bachelor's in business and management and leadership. >> Judge Judy: If you're pursuing a degree in business, the first thing you're supposed to know is, when you're dealing with somebody that you've found on the Internet, you're supposed to have a contract.
>> Y >> Judge Judy: …a written contract with specificity as to exactly what you want, how much it's going to cost, the time frame that you want it made. All of those things are delineated in a contract, but, Mr. Breslin, if you've been in business for 6 years, you should know that. >> This is the first time I've experienced anything like this since I've been in business. >> Judge Judy: Well, I don't care whether you've experienced anything like this. Do you do written contracts with your clients that you get from the Internet? >> I send an invoice, and that's pretty much how I basically deal with people verbally, just like Ms. Tobosa said. >> Judge Judy: Very good. Well, it didn't work out this time. She hired you to do a table, and how much money did she give you and when? >> Fifteen hundred dollars down.
>> Judge Judy: Which was half the amount of the table. The table was $3,000 according to what I read, correct? >> Correct. >> Judge Judy: Okay. She gave you $1,500 on what date? >> Not quite sure what the date was. >> Judge Judy: No, don't ask her. If you're not quite sure, she'll tell me. What's the date that you gave him the $1,500? >> September 21st is when we wrote the check. >> Judge Judy: And when was the table supposed to be ready? >> The receipt says by October 22nd. >> Judge Judy: I'd like to see it. >> Sure. >> Judge Judy: So a month. >> Yes. >> Judge Judy: It says estimated complete date is October 27th. That says estimated, not complete. >> Yes. >> Judge Judy: Deposit of $1,500, and you signed it.
>> Correct. >> Judge Judy: Correct. So on October 22nd, was the table complete? >> It was not. >> Judge Judy: Okay. I'd like to see a photograph of what stage it was on October 22nd. Do you have that? >> I do not. >> Judge Judy: Well, on October 22nd or shortly thereafter, you asked for your deposit back. >> Yes, on November 7th, we contacted John. And at that point, we asked for our deposit back because we never received any updates or any pictures. >> Judge Judy: Well, what did he say to you? >> In the text message, he said, at this point, he's not going to give us our deposit back. >> Judge Judy: Well, I'd like to see what it says. >> Sure. >> Judge Judy: I don't know what work he did on your table. He doesn't have to have your table ready for you on the 22nd.
You do understand that? >> Yes. >> Judge Judy: It says estimated completion date. >> Right. I also have pictures… >> Judge Judy: Shh. Well, your texts are unreasonable, Ms. Tobosa. He is perfectly reasonable in his response to you for a custom-made piece of furniture. You said, "We're way past the deadline." There was no deadline. >> Right, but in person, he did say four to six weeks. And, Your Honor, we never got any updates, any communication. >> Judge Judy: It doesn't say that you have to have updates. >> We do have updates. He texted my husband saying that he's going to provide updates and pictures are coming soon. >> Judge Judy: But it doesn't say. Do you have a picture of the table now? >> In my phone. I did send them pictures of the table, of the progress. >> Judge Judy: Well, I'd just like to see what the table looks like now. >> I don't have it currently with me. >> Judge Judy: Why not? Where did you think you were coming today, sir? Where is the table? >> The table's at my shop.
>> Judge Judy: I'm not quite understanding you, Mr. Breslin. >>.