Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Michigan

I bought ferrets off Craigslist back in February the lady said she was going through a divorce, she was pregnant and giving the baby up for adoption and that her kids were living with their dad so there is nobody to play with the ferrets and she couldn't take care of them anymore. She charged me $100 and added $20 for a ferret ball. I've had them all this time but now have no time to take them out to play, so I posted them on Craigslist asking for $100. I got a call at 1am saying she wanted her ferrets back. I asked her questions and she was giving me the wrong answers to some and the right answer to others. Anyway, she said that she wasn't paying $100 that she should get them for free...she was trying to say that we entered into a verbal agreement saying that if I were to get rid of them, I would give them back to her for free....why anyone would agree to pay $100 and give them back for free? I have no idea...but I do know I would not have made such agreement. Now she is trying to threaten me with taking me to court, she said she has the supposed agreement on phone recording, that she recorded it and that her husband knows law and says verbal agreements hold up in court, that she talked to her lawyer and if I sell the ferrets before court I will go to jail, I will have to pay all fees, that I have to take them to her vet and get blood work done, blah blah blah. I just want to know what I should do, is any of this legit? Is this a scam? What do I do if she harasses me? Can I block her number? Wouldn't it be illegal for her to record me in the first place? Any information you could give me would be great, please help! Thanks


Asked on 8/10/13, 2:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Stern William Stern, P.C.

It's only $100 so tell her that if she has a recording establishing that deal, you will comply with it. Otherwise, it is your word against hers and she has the burden of proof if she sues. She will not sue over $100. Oral agreements are generally okay but she still has to prove her case.

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Answered on 8/11/13, 4:20 am


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