I'm wondering, if any of the defenders of poor business would offer the same consideration if it were, let's say, there pick-up truck? All the parts that were needed for an engine upgrade/rebuild were purchased and delivered to an engine shop, a full agreement was made on the work to be done, a contract with completion date was signed, and yet when the date rolled around, no truck. I would not be happy, obviously there are a lot of guys on this very board that wouldn't mind one bit. I can only imagine the mechanic threatening to have your truck shoved out into his lot, will all the parts in a box and a bill for the work he had already do, because you had the nerve to expected the work to be done as contracted!! If the smith in question was running behind, due to unforeseen circumstances, a phone call, an email-some kind of contact with the customer prior to the pick-up date, with an explanation, would go a long way in keeping the problem from becoming a pissing match. If you've ever borrowed money, and had a contract (payment agreement) with a bank, see how they treat you if you just don't deliver your payment on time (and do not take their phone calls, etc.). What are contracts for in business? I've always thought it was so both parties knew what their responsibility was, and in the case of a written contract, to have proof of the agreement. It appears that some on this board feel a gun smith's word, or signature on a contract does not/ and should not hold him to the agreement as he is a gun smith, now if he were a auto mechanic that would be a different story. just saying.