Landlord Sent Me My Security Deposit Late, Deducted Hundreds For "cleaning," Now Will Only Meet In Person When I Demand It Back.

I moved out of my apartment in Wisconsin after 8 years. Cleaned it spotless, every square inch was cleaned and documented with photos and videos. After moving out, my landlord postmarked my deposit 24 days later (WI law says I need it within 21 days.)

Once I received the deposit it was only half the $1000 I gave him due to about $300 for "standard carpet cleaning cost as per the lease" and "misc cleaning including window tracks, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, sinks, tubs, toilets, vanities, etc." I have photos and videos of all of these things being SPOTLESS, as in essentially new. The fridge was actually only a few weeks old and the microwave looked brand new. They obviously are lying about all of the cleaning. The carpet is also well past the life and they still charged me to have it cleaned (I had no pets, carpet was perfectly clean but OLD at least 15 years old at this point.)

Now I followed state law, sent a demand letter saying I need the full deposit within 7 days and the cleaning charges were wrong. I keep getting texts, voicemails, and emails stating "let's come in and talk about this and I always thought we were good to you as a tenant." I reply "I don't think an in person meeting is necessary."

What is my strategy at this point? I don't know why they keep asking to meet in person and do I just file for small claims at this point? Do I cash the check for half of my deposit or do I sue for the full amount x2 (as per WI law) and return the check?

UPDATE: landlord agreed to drop the $200 cleaning charges (obviously it was spotless) but says the carpet cleaning fee was in my lease and is non-refundable. I said charging for cleaning carpet over a decade old is against WI law.