Resolution was offered, [...]
I see he now offered to pay the $300 fee to use judge.me after you made this comment about resolution. This seems strange as I offered to let him out of the contract for 12 BTC (out of the 27 I paid). I am willing to arbitrate.
I am offering to pay for legally binding arbitration. [...] I suggest judge.me.[...]
I accept your offer and choice (judge.me). Since you're paying the cost ($300).
It seems that unless I accept, I would definitely lose all 27BTC.
I am reluctant to use this service when there are no published cases, but it seems I have no other viable option for recovering my loss.