This is what happens when you don't get a client to sign a contract before you do the work for them. It's like a lesson learned.
He's just trying to scare you. Getting a lawyer is a couple hundred dollars. He isn't going to do that for $60 especially when you told him you would pay him. He has no case anyway.
People make me laugh when they use the Lawyer excuse, most of these idiots wouldnt know what to say to a lawyer or could afford a lawyer if one hit them in the face. Although he's just bluffing his back side off it still doesnt correct your wrong in spending the money before the job is completed. That money shouldnt even be touched until the customer has said the work done is 120% satisfactory. Pay him back and problem solved, dont get too stressed about his threats , they are as empty as my beer can....time for a top up
Those of you saying "60 isn't that much" and saying it's stupid for someone to get a lawyer...wouldn't you all be mad if you paid for something and didn't receive it? I understand the original poster had Internet problems, but he needs to refund the client's money. I don't know if you're in the U.S., but if you are, the client could sue you in small claims court. If he does, he could sue for the $60 plus attorney costs and filing fees. I would send him even $10 now if you have it, and then send him the remaining $50 ASAP.
You have obviously never been to small claims court and asked for attorney costs. Don't make stupid guesses in the legal section. Now go away.
Let me see if I have this correct... - He paid you $60 to update his VB script. - Your internet went down that night. - The next morning he demanded a refund. Based entirely on this (and assuming there is no more to this story), you should have been given the opportunity to deliver the agreed upon services that he purchased. If money is tight for you then it would have been perfectly reasonable to tell him to either accept your services that have already been paid for or receive a partial refund if he wants out. It seems as though you've already granted him a full refund, so I don't know if you want to go back on that. But I don't think it would reflect poorly on you if you demanded to complete your agreed upon work.
To the OP, I just sent you a PM about some vBulletin work. If you can do the job for me, that would be great then you could make the money to pay this guy off.
Well the guys is an idiot if it really happened that way. Just don't contact him untill you send the money and then say rub it in his face.
OH wow, i was going to continue the work. He was pissed off. Even tried to scare with me with PayPal thing. This lawyer thing is not that scary at all. I cant defend every action i took. I don't have any money at all hope you all read that, not til next month of course. Which as of now is 2 1/2 weeks. Told him i will continue to do the work but he didn't let me, just kept asking for the money. Haven't been in contact with him since the time i posted this. He has no patience what so ever. He even said it was okay that i was going to lose internet connection and all that. Freaking dumb.
This sounds more like buyer's remorse to me. Your internet going down was a very convenient opening for him to demand a refund. With this bit of info, I would tell him to contact you when he wants you to start the work and that he isn't getting a full refund. Since this is only $60, you are in full control here.