DISQUS

Ben Kunz · 2 months ago

My grandfather, now deceased, sold his house to a Realtor in his 70s. He shook the Realtor's hand and said "you can have it lock, stock and barrel." His wife gasped, because in Vermont that means "everything." My grandfather realized he had misspoke, but he stood by his word ... and sold the house with all of the belongings in it, including antique weather vanes and old family photos. My mom cried at the auction as she saw her family heirlooms being sold by the Realtor (a dick who didn't retrench) to the public.

Crazy? Perhaps. But I remember the honor behind that action. Those days are long gone.

Unfortunately, in a world where businesses are bought out, and where economic times change dramatically every 18 months, contracts are necessary. A promise today doesn't hold unless it is in writing. My grandfather wouldn't need them, but alas, not everyone in business acts like him.