Small-claims court is the final U.S. lever when a store refuses a refund you believe you're owed — usually for a defective or misdescribed game, or a large in-game spend. Each state caps the amount you can claim; limits range from about $2,500 (Kentucky, Rhode Island) to $25,000 (Delaware, Tennessee), and your state's exact figure is on its state page.
Do the math first. Filing fees, your time, and the platform's likely defense mean a single $60 game almost never justifies it; a $400 bundle of broken DLC, a large wallet balance locked by a wrongful ban, or substantial minor spending can. The federal and AG routes (U.S. rights, state AG) are faster and free, so exhaust them and keep the record.
To file, go to your county small-claims clerk (many states now let you start online), name the merchant's registered entity, state the claim and the amount, attach your evidence, and pay the fee. You'll get a hearing date. Bring the paper trail: receipts, the store listing, the defect proof, and every denial. Clear, organized documentation wins far more than legal flourish.
One strategic note: a credible small-claims threat often moves a stubborn merchant to settle before the hearing — which is part of why building the file (via the dispute guide and your AG complaint) matters even if you never walk into court.