On several occasions I've made verbal agreements with a handshake and every time they have been broken. Does anyone now a days keep a promise?

nope.... only a written contract is worth anything these days. sad.

In my line of work, often a handshake is all you need. I saw a business started and prosper this way.

I struck a deal with a guy last week and all we put on it was a handshake. Only a few grand, but still went right through. I bought/traded a gun on Saturday with a handshake.

Maybe it is where you live? Maybe it is the people you associate with? Maybe it is your age? Maybe it is how you present yourself?

I just know, they are still alive in well in my life and industry.

------------------
Have you seen my bear Tibbers?

I am kinda simple and naive at times.... I take people at their word. or meybe just expect very little from people, and are pleasantly surprised when they DON'T eff me over...

But when someone promises to do something, it's the money which seals the deal.... No way I'm going to put up too much up front...
and have them not finish the job...

Sorry man.

There are a few folks I shake hands with when I see them, and we do it like this:
http://www.primermagazine.c...al/forearm-handshake


and we know what it means.

quote Originally posted by TheDigitalAlchemist: I am kinda simple and naive at times.... I take people at their word. or meybe just expect very little from people, and are pleasantly surprised when they DON'T eff me over... But when someone promises to do something, it's the money which seals the deal.... No way I'm going to put up too much up front... and have them not finish the job... Sorry man. There are a few folks I shake hands with when I see them, and we do it like this: http://www.primermagazine.c...al/forearm-handshake and we know what it means.

the start of the fore-arm shake was to see if the other person had a hidden dagger

its sucks that people are stiffing you Celthora your a straight shooter when we met but dishonest people unfortunatly can see that as well as us good folks. i know i have a problem with that from time to time but if you ever get that gut feeling that your gonna get stiffed just have the agreement in writing that usually keeps people honest.

[This message has been edited by Niterrorz (edited 09-05-2012).]

quote Originally posted by TheDigitalAlchemist: I am kinda simple and naive at times.... I take people at their word. or meybe just expect very little from people, and are pleasantly surprised when they DON'T eff me over... But when someone promises to do something, it's the money which seals the deal.... No way I'm going to put up too much up front... and have them not finish the job... Sorry man. There are a few folks I shake hands with when I see them, and we do it like this: http://www.primermagazine.c...al/forearm-handshake and we know what it means.

Good one. It’s far more hygienic, but I wonder how would that work with a business women? Might be getting a bit too fresh.

Plenty do.

much has to do with whether or not the person has intentions of an extended relationship.
If so - the gentlemans agreement is fine. If not - a handshake wont mean squat.

and, the other side of this is: you only remember when you get screwed over. When it goes OK - its easy to forget. Much like "drivers today". or "Kids today". or anything else which is skewed by only remembering the few trouble ones, while the majority of the good ones go unnoticed.

MANY-MANY times a "handshake/ verbal agreement" is the result of somebody who wont take "no" for an answer and keeps pushing and pushing until they get their own way....so people tell them what they want to hear just to get rid of them, and as soon as they are 4 paces away it becomes EFF YOU.

quote Originally posted by MidEngineManiac: MANY-MANY times a "handshake/ verbal agreement" is the result of somebody who wont take "no" for an answer and keeps pushing and pushing until they get their own way....so people tell them what they want to hear just to get rid of them, and as soon as they are 4 paces away it becomes EFF YOU.

Mike, I you and I must live in vastly different worlds. When I tell someone "no" we don't have anymore discussion. I don't tell someone things to get them to bugger off. I look people in the eye, tell them my intentions, then follow through with what I say.

Maybe this is all just a region think, guess we have to wait for Don to get here and see if he has a similar experience in Texas. Hope his trip up north is safe and uneventful.

The "handshake deals" are alive and well around here. We got a bank loan on a handshake several years ago, still had to go later and sign the paperwork, but the money was in our account before we left the office.

It's a regular thing for the local guys, but I'll be honest, people from other parts of the country have almost destroyed it with either ignorance, or flat out greed.

Brad

It has been working out ok for me very well until I started the rental business and I always have a contract that goes with that.
I have been marginally screwed otherwise(and it happened here) but, I knew it was a high risk deal.

Come to think of it, I have been doing and have done for me a lot of things on a handshake. Dropped off tires to be repaired and replaced, handshake.

quote Originally posted by FriendGregory: It has been working out ok for me very well until I started the rental business and I always have a contract that goes with that. I have been marginally screwed otherwise(and it happened here) but, I knew it was a high risk deal. Come to think of it, I have been doing and have done for me a lot of things on a handshake. Dropped off tires to be repaired and replaced, handshake.

Never did your the laptop from Brian? I wonder if Steve or anyone else has heard from him. Shame. I think he was complaining about Christians hosing him over something fierce too. The irony.

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: Mike, I you and I must live in vastly different worlds. When I tell someone "no" we don't have anymore discussion. I don't tell someone things to get them to bugger off. I look people in the eye, tell them my intentions, then follow through with what I say. Maybe this is all just a region think, guess we have to wait for Don to get here and see if he has a similar experience in Texas. Hope his trip up north is safe and uneventful.

A lot of it IS region, and a lot IS cultural....remember, 70% of my time the past 5-6 years has been dealing with arabics and aisans as customers, and sales-types as co-workers/bosses...arabic and aisian culture IS to hagger endlessly..and sales culture IS to keep talking and overcome objections...LMAO, I have been joking for a long time I am gonna start wearing a .45 in a thigh holster...ya get one "no" for free, and if ya argue its a kneecap. If ya want to keep talking its a gutshot, and if I need to fire a 3rd one.....

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: In my line of work, often a handshake is all you need. I saw a business started and prosper this way. I struck a deal with a guy last week and all we put on it was a handshake. Only a few grand, but still went right through. I bought/traded a gun on Saturday with a handshake. Maybe it is where you live? Maybe it is the people you associate with? Maybe it is your age? Maybe it is how you present yourself? I just know, they are still alive in well in my life and industry.

Depends on the people involved, I guess.

There are some I do business with that a verbal OK is more than enough and others that I have my attorneys go over everything with a fine tooth comb before I agree to anything and insist on 75% payment before I consider leaving the house.

I have to admit there are more in the latter category than the former nowadays.....and that's sad IMO.

quote Originally posted by MidEngineManiac: A lot of it IS region, and a lot IS cultural....remember, 70% of my time the past 5-6 years has been dealing with arabics and aisans as customers, and sales-types as co-workers/bosses...arabic and aisian culture IS to hagger endlessly..and sales culture IS to keep talking and overcome objections...LMAO, I have been joking for a long time I am gonna start wearing a .45 in a thigh holster...ya get one "no" for free, and if ya argue its a kneecap. If ya want to keep talking its a gutshot, and if I need to fire a 3rd one.....

Mike, that isn't racist at all.
I do carry a .45ACP, not on my thigh though, I'm not a woman... I also work sales. Industrial sales. Stainless specifically. Our entire company was built on a handshake and trust. Closing 5 years. We are doing QUITE well.

quote Originally posted by Doni Hagan: Depends on the people involved, I guess. There are some I do business with that a verbal OK is more than enough and others that I have my attorneys go over everything with a fine tooth comb before I agree to anything and insist on 75% payment before I consider leaving the house. I have to admit there are more in the latter category than the former nowadays.....and that's sad IMO.

Doni, lawyers have their place. Contracts are important. For me though, in most transactions, it would be more offensive than beneficial. Two different industries, for sure. Shame that is the way of the Dodo.

I am standing by my regional and how each party presents themselves.

------------------
Have you seen my bear Tibbers?

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: Doni, lawyers have their place. Contracts are important. For me though, in most transactions, it would be more offensive than beneficial. Two different industries, for sure. Shame that is the way of the Dodo. I am standing by my regional and how each party presents themselves.

I'm not disagreeing with you. Ethics in business are probably the same in any venue.

I wish I could again be as trusting as I once was and could just say "Sure, man...no problem" like I used to.

quote Originally posted by Doni Hagan: I'm not disagreeing with you. Ethics in business are probably the same in any venue. I wish I could again be as trusting as I once was and could just say "Sure, man...no problem" like I used to.

Less recreational use of drugs on everyone's part. Accredit it for it's real detriment.

[This message has been edited by ls3mach (edited 09-05-2012).]

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: nope.... only a written contract is worth anything these days. sad.

Tell that to the American Airlines pilots.

quote Originally posted by ls3mach: Never did your the laptop from Brian? I wonder if Steve or anyone else has heard from him. Shame. I think he was complaining about Christians hosing him over something fierce too. The irony.

BUMP

Did Steve or anyone else hear from Brian? Anyone know if he is alive and okay?

Wow more responses then I had thought.

Everything has worked out the person I was angry at has right the wrong. And he is a member on the forum so I'm glad I could stay in good graces.