Hire a money collector?

[chromerims]

Ok so I bought this flatscreen TV for like $4k at a local small private owned 1 man business for a good price. The day after I bought it we had thunder and lightning at night. And of course the day after that when I try to fire my set up its all smoke and no picture. Thing is tho I DID UNPLUG EVERY CONNECTION WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE THUNDER STORM. So im entitled to a new set right? I go down to the outlet and make my claimz. The owner is like: "your fault. lightning did it." And im like: "errr no. i unplugged it". And he's like: "so you did did you? Take me to court then." We argue back and forth and this guy is not giving an inch.

What I do?

I could take him to court of course.

But I could also hire a good collector that I semi know. Let's assume that it will be impossible to trace his actions back to me.

The collector will take 50%

Should I go for it?