I BCC'd a Lawyer Friend on My Refund Email. The Company Folded.

I was stuck in a $500 dispute with a landlord. I BCC'd my lawyer friend on the email and wrote: "I have CC'd my attorney on this email. Please respond within 5 business days." My friend was not actually cc'd (he was BCC'd so the company could not see his email), but the company thought a lawyer was watching. They responded within 24 hours and agreed to the full refund. The mere implication of legal representation changed their behavior. This works because companies know that a single legal letter costs them more than your refund. They would rather settle. Again, a gray-area tactic. But if the company has genuinely wronged you and you cannot afford a lawyer, this can level the playing field.