I can see both sides of the problem. My parents ran a small florist business out of our home and my father also had a full time job. Their worst customers were those who came and ordered lots of flowers for a funeral and even had the nerve to ask for rare flowers or extra expensive arrangements and then were late or forever coming up with the money. Under the circumstances my mother hated to hound them for payment but she had four children to feed. The shops I deal with don't require a deposit but I wouldn't mind if they had a sign that said unclamined machines would be sold after a certain period of time. Small business people often walk a thin line between success and failure.