Small Claims · Goods & Product Disputes

Hold a seller accountable.

An order that never arrived, an item that showed up broken or fake, a refund the seller refuses to honor — when a purchase goes wrong and the company won't make it right, it's a small-claims matter you can pursue without a lawyer. Just tell Sophie what happened, and Squabble turns it into the right next step.

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Sophie, the Squabble intake assistant
Free custom demand letter · ~6 questions · No legal jargon

A goods or product dispute is a small-claims case over money for something you bought — an order that never arrived, an item that was defective or not as described, or a refund a seller won't honor. Squabble is a nationwide small-claims platform that turns that dispute into court-ready action — a custom demand letter, the file-ready document set, optional service of process, and support — without hiring a lawyer.

What we help with

You're not alone.

Most product disputes follow a familiar shape. Find yours below — then tell Sophie what happened, in plain English.

Paid, but it never arrived

You ordered and paid — and the item or package never showed up.

Broken, defective, or DOA

It arrived damaged, stopped working almost immediately, or never worked at all.

Not what was advertised

Wrong item, inflated or fake specs, a counterfeit, or nothing like the listing.

Refund or return refused

The seller won't honor a refund, return, or the warranty they advertised.

Wrong or incomplete order

Missing parts, the wrong model, or only part of what you paid for arrived.

A big-ticket purchase gone wrong

Furniture, an appliance, electronics, a phone, or jewelry that failed — or never came.

Every kind of purchase

Whatever you bought, the playbook is the same.

A $40 online order or a $4,000 appliance — if you paid for goods that never came, arrived broken, or weren't what was promised, the path to recovery looks the same.

Online MarketplaceFurnitureAuto PartsClothing & ApparelUsed GoodsMattressHome GoodsCollectiblesAuction / ResaleOnline MarketplaceFurnitureAuto PartsClothing & ApparelUsed GoodsMattressHome GoodsCollectiblesAuction / Resale
ElectronicsAppliancesPhone / DeviceJewelryCustom OrderPower ToolsSporting GoodsSubscription BoxMade-to-OrderElectronicsAppliancesPhone / DeviceJewelryCustom OrderPower ToolsSporting GoodsSubscription BoxMade-to-Order

Don't see what you bought? You're still covered — tell Sophie what happened and we'll take it from there.

When the order goes wrong

You paid in good faith.
They didn't deliver.

An order that never came, a product that broke on day one, a refund they keep dodging — it's infuriating, and you're not powerless. Squabble turns it into a court-ready demand, backed by the filing set, without hiring a lawyer.

Attorney-founded 13,000+ cases processed nationwide Triple-Checked™
Start with Sophie
How it works

From dispute to done — in three steps.

No forms to decipher, no lawyer to retain. Tell Sophie what happened and Squabble takes it from there.

1

Tell Sophie what happened

Answer a few plain-English questions about your purchase — what you bought, what you paid, and what went wrong.

2

We prepare your documents

Squabble generates a custom demand letter and, if you choose, the court-ready paperwork built for your jurisdiction.

3

Send, file, or settle

Put the seller on notice, file with the court, or move toward settlement — with support at every step.

Recommended for goods & product disputes

Know your case before you spend a dollar in court.

Product disputes turn on the details — what the listing or receipt actually said, what you paid, the condition it arrived in, and what the seller promised. The Case Brief (Custom) is a case-education and organization product that helps you understand your dispute and prepare your materials, drawn from your complete intake.

  • Attorney/Professor drafted*
  • Know your case before you settle or appear
  • Generated from your complete intake

* Ordering a Case Brief does not form an attorney-client relationship. It does NOT provide: (i) legal advice and (ii) any opinion on the merits of a case.

Case Brief

$98

Available on its own or with any path.

Pairs with your free demand letter.
Your free first step

Every product dispute starts with a free demand letter.

Tell Sophie what happened and get a custom demand letter generated from your intake — no account, no payment. If you want to go further, you choose your path after you see your case: court-ready pressure, full filing, or dedicated support.

Start with Sophie

Paid paths: Credible Threat $128 · File Now $238 · Dedicated Case Agent $398. Compare paths →

Free to start · ~6 minutes · Attorney-founded · No legal jargon

Build a strong case

What backs up a product claim.

The more you document, the clearer your case. Gather these while it's fresh — and tell Sophie what happened.

The listing or description
What was advertised — specs, photos, condition, warranty, and the return policy
Receipt & proof of payment
Order confirmation, card statement, or transfer showing what you paid
Photos of what arrived
The damage, the wrong item, or the actual condition — dated
Texts & emails with the seller
Promises, your return request, and every excuse
Your return or refund request
What you asked for, when, and how the seller responded
Warranty or guarantee
Any warranty, guarantee, or policy the seller advertised
What it cost you
A replacement, repair, or the value of what you lost
Dates & a timeline
When you ordered, when it arrived, and when it went wrong
Resources

Know your rights in a product dispute.

Plain-English guidance for handling a goods or product dispute — what to do, what to gather, and where to turn.

How small claims works

What small claims court is, how a product dispute flows from filing to hearing, and what to expect.

Read the guide

Find your court & limits

Small-claims dollar limits and the right court vary by state. Squabble identifies your jurisdiction and venue automatically.

Check your state

Your consumer rights

Warranties, refund and return rules, and protections like the implied warranty of merchantability that can apply to a purchase.

Know your rights

Consumer protection agencies

Your state attorney general and consumer-protection offices take complaints about sellers alongside a claim.

Find the agency

Deadlines & statute of limitations

How long you have to file depends on your state and the kind of sale. Don't wait to find out.

Understand deadlines

Document your dispute

A simple checklist of the records that make a product case strong — and when to gather them.

Get the checklist

Squabble is attorney-founded and attorney-supervised. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation; using Squabble does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, filing deadlines, and small-claims limits vary by state — verify the rules for your jurisdiction. This page is general information only.

Questions & answers

Goods & product dispute FAQ.

Can I sue a seller or company in small claims court?
Yes. In most states you can sue a seller, retailer, or online merchant in small claims for an order that never arrived, a product that was defective or not as described, or a refund they won't honor. Small claims is built for disputes you can handle without a lawyer, up to a dollar limit that varies by state. Squabble prepares the court-ready documents and identifies the right court for you.
How much can I sue for in a product dispute?
Each state sets its own small claims limit — commonly between $2,500 and $25,000. If your loss exceeds the limit, you can usually still file for the maximum or pursue the claim in a higher court. During intake, Squabble identifies the limit for your jurisdiction so you know your options before you file.
What if I bought it online or through a marketplace?
Online and marketplace purchases count. You can generally pursue the seller or company that took your money — though where you can sue depends on the parties and your state's rules. Squabble identifies the right court and venue during intake, and a demand letter often resolves an online dispute before it reaches a hearing.
Do I have to accept store credit instead of a refund?
It depends on the seller's stated policy and your state's consumer-protection laws. A seller cannot always substitute store credit for a refund you are entitled to, especially for a defective or undelivered product. A demand letter that cites what was promised frequently prompts a proper refund.
Do I need to send a demand letter first?
A demand letter is not always legally required, but it is almost always the smart first move. It creates a written record, often prompts a refund or replacement before court, and signals you are prepared to follow through. Squabble generates a custom demand letter free from your intake.
What evidence do I need for a product dispute?
The strongest cases include your receipt or order confirmation, the listing or description of what was promised, photos of what actually arrived, every text and email with the seller, your return or refund request, any warranty, and what the problem cost you. Document everything while it is fresh.
How long do I have to sue over a purchase?
The deadline — the statute of limitations — varies by state and by the type of sale, often ranging from two to six years. Because it varies and the clock is already running, confirm your state's deadline early and don't wait to take action.
Do I need a lawyer for a small claims product dispute?
No. Small claims court is built for self-representation, and some states don't allow attorneys at the hearing at all. Squabble prepares your court-ready documents and identifies the right court for you — no lawyer required to start.
We're the ones they hoped you wouldn't find.

Just tell Sophie what happened.

A few plain-English questions. Get your free custom demand letter and see the right next step for your goods or product dispute.

Free to start·Attorney-founded·Plain-English questions