Sounds like you and @dylanr51 both learned that lesson the expensive way. Gotta love when someone acts like a verbal deal is solid, then pretends they have amnesia when the bill comes. Now my policy is to hand them the pen with a smile, even if they say their word is their bond.
Seriously? Maybe I'm too trusting but getting everything in writing for small jobs feels like overkill. Most people are actually pretty decent and follow through. I'd only pull out a contract for a huge project, not for like, fixing a fence panel. The world isn't full of scammers, sometimes a handshake deal is fine. Going straight to paperwork for every little thing seems like a fast way to annoy normal customers.
No way, they actually said "my word is my bond" before pulling that? That's next level. I'm shocked at how bold some people can be, saying the exact phrase that means they're trustworthy while doing the complete opposite.