Jul 10, 2025
When Steve and Tammy Wright had the idea to renovate their kitchen in 2024, they likely never imagined a civil lawsuit would be part of the process.
The Wrights’s renovation disaster began when they placed an order at Riverwoods Home Furnishings in Tennessee for $16,200 worth of custom cabinets.
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Since the company was well-known for offering custom-made cabinets and handcrafted furniture, the retired couple had no reason to doubt Ronnie Wheelock, the company's owner. In fact, as WATE reports, the Wrights happily gave Wheelock an $8,100 deposit upfront.
But the delivery date for the cabinets came and went before the couple discovered the store had unexpectedly closed in October 2024. And while some people might have given up in this situation, the Wrights took a different approach — one that required a little creativity and some legal expertise.
Taking matters into their own hands
When Wheelock closed his store for good, he reportedly left a handwritten note on the door at his warehouse stating that “all orders will be fulfilled or deposits returned.” But the Wrights’s order was never fulfilled, and despite telling WATE over the phone that he’d give the Wrights their money back, Wheelock never returned the $8,100 deposit.
The Wrights then decided to file a civil lawsuit against Wheelock for breach of contract, and despite the fact that they won, they soon realized their issue with Wheelock was far from over.
“We got our civil judgment, but that’s all they do,” Steve Wright shared with WATE. “So we figured out, hey, we need to do work on our own.”
Taking matters into their own hands, the Wrights decided to do their own reconnaissance, looking for opportunities that could help them enforce the court judgment. Turns out both Steve, a retired firefighter, and Tammy, a retired Sheriff’s deputy, are quite familiar with the law.
“We had actually taken pictures of the vehicle,” said Steve, referring to Wheelock's company van. “I never thought anything about it when I did it.” And to their pleasant surprise, those photos ended up giving Tammy all that she needed.
“From the plate number, I was able to gain the VIN number,” Tammy shared with WATE. “With the VIN number I was able to go to the secretary of state and file a motor vehicle lien. Then took that paperwork to the clerk’s office and filed the execution. Then the sheriff’s department picked it up and sent it to auction, where it sold for $24,000.”
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Wrights get their revenge through a car lien
A car lien is typically used when someone finances a vehicle. When a borrower finances a car, the lender will place a lien on that car until the borrower can pay off the loan. If the borrower were to fall behind on their payments, the lien allows the lender to repossess the vehicle, sell it at auction and use the profits to cover the rest of the loan balance owed.
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But this is not the only use for a car lien, as there are other types of liens that can come from legal claims and unpaid debts. For example, a judgement lien allows a creditor to put a lien on your car if you fail to pay off a court-ordered debt. And since the court ordered Wheelock to pay the Wrights back, the Wrights went about enforcing the court’s ruling by placing a lien on Wheelock's van.
Once Wheelock’s van was repossessed and sold at auction, the Wrights got their $8,100 deposit back — plus $600 for legal fees — while the remaining $15,300 went to Wheelock. The latter was then charged with theft and remains in jail as he’s been unable to make bond ahead of his next court appearance.
“I warned him karma was coming,” said Steve.
How to avoid hiring shady contractors
While the Wrights got their money back, many others who run into similar home renovation issues aren't as lucky.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, a total of 81,925 home improvement scams were reported in 2024, with the average combined financial losses from such scams coming in at $13.8 million per year, according to Inspection Support Network.
The FTC, however, has some tips on how to spot a shady contractor before giving one your business. Here are a few things to look out for:
- People showing up at your door offering their services. These contractors often say they’re already doing work in your neighborhood, or that they have materials left over from another job.
- Someone that pressures you into making a quick decision about home improvement work.
- Contractors that ask you to pay for everything up front or request that you pay in cash.
- Contractors asking you to apply for any required building permits.
- Contractors advising you to borrow money from someone they know.
If you’ve hired a shady contractor for home improvements and they’re refusing to give your money back, you can take a page from the Wrights's playbook and file a civil lawsuit. You have rights, and as the Wrights demonstrated, there are ways to push back when a contractor tries to walk away with your money.
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Christy Bieber has 15 years of experience as a personal finance and legal writer. She has written for many publications including Forbes, Kilplinger, CNN, WSJ, Credit Karma, Insurify and more.
