Donald Brown loved his 1976 Buick Riviera. It wasn’t just a car; it was a rolling time capsule of memories he’d held onto since the year it was manufactured. So, in 2006, when the wear and tear became too much to ignore, Donald decided it was time for a full restoration.
On the recommendation of his brother, David, Donald took the classic car to a “good friend,” Eddie Abraham, owner of a local auto body shop. In the spirit of friendship and “good faith,” Donald handed over $2,000 as a deposit. No formal estimate was given. No contract was signed. After all, they were practically family.
The Year of Waiting
What followed was a slow-motion disaster. For months—and eventually a full year—the Riviera sat untouched. Donald claimed he checked in repeatedly, only to be told Eddie wasn’t ready to start. Eddie, on the other hand, sang a different tune: he claimed Donald was supposed to provide the spare parts and never did.
The friendship finally hit a breaking point when Donald’s brother spotted the prized Buick sitting abandoned on the street. Eddie had literally pushed the car out of his shop, claiming he was done waiting and that the $2,000 deposit had been swallowed up by “storage fees.”
“Like Little School Children”
Fast forward six years later, and the “friends” found themselves standing before Judge Judy. The scene was chaotic—both men brought their brothers for backup, turning the courtroom into something resembling a schoolyard confrontation.
Eddie doubled down on his defense, filing a counter-suit for an additional $1,000, insisting his shop wasn’t a free parking lot. But Judge Judy was quick to cut through the sentimentality.
“How do people do an $8,000 to $10,000 business deal and not think it should be in writing?” she asked, exasperated. “You’re both standing here with your hands raised like school children trying to get the last word.”
The Verdict
Judge Judy’s logic was ironclad. While Eddie pointed to a “storage fees” sign on his office door, the judge noted that such signs usually apply to customers who abandon their cars after work is completed. Since Eddie hadn’t performed a “stitch of work” on the restoration, he had no right to claim the deposit as storage income.
The “good faith” deal ended in a bad way for Eddie. Judge Judy ordered him to return the full $2,000 to Donald.
The Moral of the Story
Friendship and business are often a volatile mix. As Donald himself admitted after the trial, “I’m a businessman and I should know better.” Whether it’s your brother’s best friend or a stranger, if you’re handing over thousands of dollars, get it in writing.
