I been on both ends of this I insist payment must be made before I return your PC and cash not check if you pay by check I wait until check clears. I have actually had someone who gave me a sob story and offered to pay me with an homemade apple pie. I took it at the time because she lost her job and was a friend of a friend, bad news is people started calling like crazy wanting me to work on there stuff for pies, cakes, whatever no good deed goes unpunished I guess. Also paid someone to work on my house once he came, and after every job I paid him, then I was going to NY and he was going to work on my house while I was gone I paid him in advance since he had two kids and no money for food (so he claimed) I came back from NY and nothing was done in fact the house was worse because he brought his kids and wife there to play and they did not even flush the toilet or empty the garbage (it was there garbage). He had even called me in NY to tell me house was almost done. It would be finished when I got back. He left me with a $7000 plumbing issue leak I did not have before and his excuse was "Hey man I took another side job and needed your money to finish it soon as they pay me I'll fix your place. I mean ya knew I was not licensed and just working on the side." Worse part is I was dating his mother in law at the time (She did take my side but then told me later He always does this since I was dating you I thought he would do the right thing, Duh) I held his tools hostage and told him "when you finish the job you get them back" He finished and I told him I never want him near me again or I would not be held responsible for his safety. A year later he was in line at home depot buying spray paint he turned saw me and ran out the cashier said; "your change" He yelled back "Keep it" Turning out paint was $6.95 he gave her a $50.00. That felt good funny part is I did not realize who he was until I saw him hop in his truck and burn rubber. "Priceless"
