Reader Stories: Have You Been in Small Claims Court? Were You the Plaintiff, the Defendant?

Have you ever been to small claims court, as a plaintiff or a defendant? Did you take your business dispute to small claims court? What was your experience? Tell us your story.
Small claims court is intended for businesses and individuals to settle disputes quickly and easily, without needing to pay attorney fees. If your claim is under the small claims limit in your state, you can go to the Clerk of the District Court and file a notice against a defendant and start the action. But is it really that easy? And what about getting paid if the Court awards you the judgment?