I agree that an handshake on a deal means nothing now. In the past a man's word and a hand shake was his bond. That is how I was raised; that I was to honor my word.
I had to change with the times here too. I no longer let repairs out on partial payment as they seldom if ever finis paying their bill. At I tried to get at least the parts paid for the release. That policy has changed to full payment before release and they pay within a reasonable time I sell their equipment to recover the repair bill.
I had one those guys show up wanting me to do another repair for him after 18 months. I required him to pay the last bill first before even starting the new repair job. He also knows that he causes this policy change as he has been informed that he will need pay in full to get his mower back.
