In my experience, the Anderson Small Claims Court is biased in favor of businesses, no matter how wrong the business is. On three occasions, with three different businesses — a car dealer, a heating and air conditioning company and a landscaping service — I went to small claims court and lost.

My car was leaking power steering fluid and I told them to be sure and check the hose. They said I needed something else. They did the work ($700) and a few days later, the car still leaking, they determined it to be the hose. The judge ruled I should be refunded the money for the part I did need, but not for the part I didn’t need.

I had a 10-year warranty on parts and labor for our heat pump ($4,500) and had problems after a year’s time. The new owner (a relative of the first) would not honor the warranty. I pointed out in court that this company still had the same name, same location, same telephone number, even the same ad in the paper. The judge ruled that this company did not have to honor my warranty.

A landscaper assured me he could clear up several bald spots in the yard. We bought the materials he recommended and he did the work. Between my sprinkler system and the rain, the yard got plenty of water. After six weeks, not one blade of grass. He promised to give me $100 of my money back, but never did. I asked the court for a partial refund of $400 but despite all the pictures I showed the judge on how my yard looked after six weeks, he ruled for the defendant.

Johnnie Phelps, Anderson