All Fence Design

Description of Work: After seeing their impressive Yellow Pages ad, I hired All Fence Design's Steven Partyka to repair my wooden backyard fence. He came to my home, scoped out the job, and had me sign a "statement" specifying work to be performed and total cost; 50% of $500 cost to be advanced by me for cost of materials. He had me make the check out to him personally. I did not check them out ahead of time because it was a relatively small job, and he promised to perform all the work the very next day. Also, he and his wife "Debbie" looked like they really needed the money, and I felt sorry for them. Also, they had travelled a long way to get to my home. I gave him a check for $250 on Friday, and he promised to bring materials and do the work the next day (Saturday). Saturday afternoon he telephoned, saying he was on his way to my house and had the materials with him, but he wanted me to run out before he arrived and get the balance in cash from the bank.He also blurted out something about needing more cash for a permit.When he arrived, he asked me for money so that he could get a permit, and insisted that he could obtain a city permit before 5pm on a Saturday.I said he never told me he needed a permit, and that giving him more of an advance wasn't part of our deal.I also asked to see the wood in his truck, and he admitted he didn't have it, but said he had already paid for it at Home Depot and was going to pick it up. I asked to see his receipt, and he didn't have one. He eventually admitted that he had spent my money on materials for another job (which was virtually impossible because he left my home after 4pm the previous day). I asked him to return my $250, and he said he'd get the money to me "sometime".