A potential customer told me 'I don't need a contract, my word is my bond' when I sent over the paperwork. Is this a major red flag?

4 comments

4 Comments

Oh man, that's the classic line. I hear some version of that all the time now, not just in business. It's become a thing people say to avoid being held to anything specific. The louder someone talks about their honor, the faster they usually run when it's time to pay up or do the work. A contract just makes sure everyone remembers what their word was supposed to be.

-1

aaronw591mo ago

So what's your worst "my word is my bond" horror story?

kelly.pat1mo ago

Ugh, reminds me of my cousin's "handshake deal" disaster.

maryr4320d ago

Oh, that's so true. I read an article about how "gentlemen's agreements" really only work when both people have the same power and the same things to lose. Most of the time, it just protects the person who has more to give from having to actually give it. A contract isn't about distrust, it's about making sure you're both talking about the same deal. It saves friendships more than it hurts them.