Stuff like this really gets my goat. There is absolutely NO excuse for someone taking your money, or promising to do a job, then avoiding you. I've said it a lot of times before, the only time we have any problems building our cars is when we use some outside vendor to do some aspect of the work. We lose control over the quality and time frame.

I would use the new guy Bruce suggested and cut your losses, chalk it up to experience. However, I would also somehow get in touch with the other jerk (preferably face to face) and let him know what a hack he is and also how irresponsiblly he treats his customers. Some people DESERVE it when their business folds.

Don