Your going to hear every end of the spectrum, I have been ripped off by the best and in both cases greed on my part was responsible. When the deal seems too good to be true, it most often is. Somebody once said "You pays your money and you takes your chances." The contractor we hired many years ago came highly recommended, we just caught him at the wrong time and he was running from another job gone sour. He had all of the credentials, business license, etc. but they were all in his father's name as was his business site. It turned into the perfect storm for him, we did prosecute him, received about 10% of what was owed before he lit out. We have also been rewarded by guys doing work for us paying them in cash, I am thankful to say more good than bad. I got along ways with the Canadians I had help me with a restoration of a lake cabin by paying them in cash and stopping at the duty free to pick up a 24 of soda pop Kokanee they drank to stay hydrated.
Cash is still king when dealing with workers on a job, its worthless in most retail purchases. Its funny but all purchases used to be cash or check...I guess cash purchasers got a discount because of the check recorded, haven't given that much thought. I never had a credit card until I bought a house in '74, I did have checking account that payed most of my bills, don't recall taking it with me to the hardware store but I must have. I know that well into the mid 70's I could get a discount for cash even at the hardware store, that is where most of my purchases were made, that and groceries, paid cash for gas...which was my first credit card a Conoco gas card.
. It also feels good to get rid of a lifetime of accumulations (all guns are staying home) through sales and donations. The next house will be smaller and not have as many closets, I hope.
