Agreed. However, I have effectively been coerced into spending considerable additional monies that were not my responsibility, particularly since he knew I had a sizeable escrow in his control. I assumed all along I had to finalize with the Iron Company, as I know I would more than likely be sued - however, just because of the way the new homeowner strong-armed me into spending more than just the $800 additional for the iron handrails, it seems to me that small claims court would be the only legal outlet that would get me reimbursement from him. On that note, what if the homeowner insisted on gold-plated handrails? Because he had my escrow I would have been forced to get that. Small claims court suing the homeowner to recoup my monies seems like the only feasable (and fair) way to settle this. There is more to this story, but I am focusing on just this one topic. Thanks !!!!

If the handrails had been made of gold, then I would completely agree that it was worth fighting on the issue (although I wouldn't have ordered the railings first). Small claims court is certainly an option.

Only problem was I was backed into a corner because my deadline was Feb. 20, after which the new homeowner could have walked away with a $15000 escrow. So it was either succumb to his coercion or lose my escrow.

People suck. And people who try and play fair always get screwed.