UK perspective here: I've not claimed for $43, but I've used the small claims process to recover £65. They replied to the paperwork sent out by the court indicating they intended to defend it, so I paid the hearing fee to take it to court, where the judge was polite, helpful, very switched-on, and didn't seem remotely annoyed by the size of the claim.

The total costs of making the claim were more than the amount I'd claimed, but I'd been careful to provide all the proper notice and offer to settle for the amount of the claim, so they were awarded against the defaulting client.

It was great fun and I think it would have been fun and educational even if I'd lost. Would definitely do it again.