Do I pay beforehand?

Absolutely not as many items are:

1. Too badly bent in important ways.
2. Have internally stripped screws, bolts or nuts.
3. Too badly rusted & pitted in key locations to be made useable again.

Bottom line:  We WANT to make your item SHARP, but previous defects will be a waste of both our time.  In these rare cases, you will receive back your item at 'no charge' or zero cost to you.