Small claims filing fees are tiered by claim size, and the tiers differ by county. Put your number in and see the fees as a share of what you are chasing.
Certified mail is cheaper where the clerk offers it, but not every county does, and it fails more often. Ask the clerk which methods they accept for your case type.
Collectability. A judgment is a piece of paper saying you are owed money. Turning it into money means a wage garnishment, a citation to discover assets, or a lien — each of which costs more in fees and time. If the defendant has no job, no bank account you know of, and no property, a winning judgment can be worth very little. This is the single biggest reason people regret filing.
A demand letter is free. A large share of small claims disputes settle when the other side realizes you are serious. Sending a dated, specific written demand before you pay a filing fee costs you a stamp.
Your time is a real cost. Filing, serving, appearing, and possibly appearing again. For a small claim, the hours can outweigh the fees.
That is information, not advice. We report what the fees are. Whether to sue anyone is your decision, and if the stakes are high enough to matter, it is worth an hour with a lawyer or a call to your local legal aid office.