Contractor took your deposit and stopped responding?

Answer six questions to explore general options based on how you paid, with timing information and official resources to check. It's free. Want help preparing a request? Get an editable letter draft, evidence checklist, timeline and follow-up guide for $19, once.

See my options — free

US only · No account · No subscription

Also for wedding vendors, agencies and custom orders that didn't deliver.

Fictional example · $4,900 paid by credit card, contractor stopped showing up

1
Ask your card issuer about a dispute
Planning estimate: 31 days · confirm with your issuer
2
Consider a written refund request
Review the facts before sending
3
Check the licensing board's process
Requirements vary by state
4
Learn about small claims
Check court rules before deciding

Illustrative options, not a case assessment or prediction of success.

How it works

Explore general information, then decide whether you want help preparing a draft.

1
Answer six questions
What you paid for, how much, when, how you paid, what went wrong, and whether there's a written agreement.
2
Explore options, free
General information organized by your answers, with timing notes and official resources. The order is not a prediction of success.
3
Prepare a draft — $19
An optional refund-request letter filled in from your details, an evidence checklist, a timeline and general follow-up options. You review everything before use.

How you paid changes the options and the clock

Different payment methods have different processes. Eligibility and deadlines also depend on the transaction, what happened and the applicable rules.

Credit card: Ask your issuer about a billing dispute; Generally 60 days from the statement that first showed the charge
Debit card: Ask your bank about its dispute process; Set by your bank and card network, not federal law
PayPal (Goods and Services): Check PayPal's Purchase Protection terms; Generally 180 days from payment; sooner for not-as-described claims
Zelle, cash or bank transfer: Ask your bank about options; consider a written request; Usually hard to reverse; contact your bank promptly
Check not cashed yet: Ask your bank whether stopping payment is possible; Only before the check is paid, so call today
Licensed contractor (any method): Check the state board's complaint process; Time limits vary by state board

General rules, not every option. Your issuer, bank or platform confirms what applies to you.

Prepare your refund request for $19

The options tool is free. If you decide to write to the vendor, the optional pack prepares an editable letter from your answers.

See an example pack

Letter pack

$19

An editable refund-request letter based on your answers
Edit it before you download: PDF and copy-paste text
An evidence checklist for your case
A dated timeline of events
General follow-up options to review

Small-claims preparation packGeneral information, a summary of your details, and a preparation checklist. No filing, representation or state-specific court forms.

+$9

One-time payment for preparation materials, not a recovery service. Full refund of our fee within 14 days, no questions asked. It doesn't cover money you paid the vendor.

Questions

Is this legal advice?

No. We're not a law firm and don't provide legal advice, representation or an assessment of your legal rights. The tool organizes general information using your answers. The pack contains a template-based draft that may use AI and may contain errors. You check, edit and decide whether to send it yourself. Using the app does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Will this get my money back?

We do not guarantee a reply, refund, successful claim or any other outcome. The app does not verify your facts or decide whether you have a valid claim. The letter pack is an optional preparation tool; you can contact your bank, platform or an attorney without buying it. We do not send letters, file claims or contact the vendor for you.

How accurate are the deadlines?

Dates are estimates from limited answers and public rules, not a determination of your legal deadline. Exceptions and different rules may apply, and an elapsed estimate does not establish that your rights have expired. Confirm promptly with your issuer, bank, platform, court or a qualified attorney. Sending a vendor letter does not pause other deadlines.

What does it cost?

The route finder is free. The letter pack is $19 once, with an optional $9 small-claims preparation pack. No subscription, no account.

What if it doesn't help?

Email us. Full refund of our fee within 14 days, no questions asked. It doesn't cover money you paid the vendor.

What happens to my information?

We use your answers and details to provide the tool and pack. Our app database is scheduled to remove answers and letter content once they are over 90 days old. Payment and other operational records, browser drafts, and copies held by service providers have different retention. Read the Privacy page for details. We do not sell your data.

Check your options before a window closes.

Free, with deadline estimates and the official pages to start from.