Your concern is duely noted, but I did not get bashed because of my business acumen, I get bashed because people have assumptions to make about people with no ground or basis.
I come in, I set the terms just like anyone looking to hire a freelancer, after all, I am the customer, you are the performer. If you agree to the terms, there is deal, if not, there is no deal.
Especially@Just think about it this way, if I shelf out initial payment, it puts me in a very disadvantageous position, I don't care if you an executive member not no, there is no actual recourse if you walk away and scam me, after all this is the internet. You may say the same thing about, that if the payment is made after delivery, which will put you in a very disadvantageous position, but if you I am posting and thinking from my position, which position would I rather be in. Hence I set forth the terms from the get go as bluntly as possible, and you will decide for yourself whether you want to do it.
Listen my Friend,
I understand you FULLY and agree with you partially, at least in principal..
Yes you do have the right to set your terms. Yes you have the right to stand firm on that decision..
Now as for the security aspect of asking for complete delivery before you pay a cent, c'mon Brother
you know your chances are very low of this materializing, but more importantly there are ways to secure a fair exchange of payment and goods that protect both parties, that being, via a Professional and Respected intermediary. So to not wanna budge on that issue or even pursue that as an option would probably make me shy away from doing business with you all together, I mean with that off the table...
Maaaakes you look Kiiiiiiiiinda...Ummmmp...
...Just a LiiiiittLe bit Shady.
Not saying you are... Not saying that you Aren't.
And as you so eloquently stated yourself.."AFTER ALL THIS IS THE INTERNET!!" {Look up top, In your quote..in the red}.. well that works both ways, so I know you understand the politics of this type of online business transaction. To know that this intermediary option is available an to not even think about utilizing it, well, some people will probably call "BULLSHIT" (excuse my French) Just on that alone.
I think you realize this my friend,really, and as most businessmen are, Probably just Kinda Bullheaded -lol
Gonna stand Firm on your decisions...on what you believe in!
Listen, a Wise man once told me, Yeah I know It's Clich'e, But so is Breathing

He said to me....
"Son, being right does't mean being Successful, You can Be right at Predicting you will not when the Lottery this week. Now While you have successfully predicted your Lost You have Failed Miserably at Winning ....Failed Miserably at obtaining your objective"
That wise Man is ME

-lol. I talk to myself and examine my thoughts a lot.
C'mon Man you know what I'm saying here. I can see you are a pretty clever cat.
"Don't Bite off your Nose to spite your face".....
"Don't Let your Stand on Principals Punch Holes In your Pocket"
Unless of course your true intentions was/is to SCAM, in which case you should have 2 fingers inserted in your nose snatched off your scamming face and Holes punched through your scamming eye socket
BUT-
I still have a bit of faith in my fellow man and don't think this is the case..
Prove me right
Have a Good day Brother
PEEEEEEAAAAAACE !!!
BACK TO THE LAB>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>