Buyers say the practice of using deposits for construction was highlighted in most sales contracts, but they didn't expect the projects to grind to a halt.

WSJ: Caribbean Getaways Ensnare U.S. Buyers

However, all of the industry practice and construction systems are aimed at ensuring that one never has to use that device.

WSJ: The Oil Disaster Is About Human, Not System, Failure

In the 1970s Lamb and Casey's founder, Donald Lamberti, started hiring their own superintendents to look over the shoulders of the contractors building their stores and even bought the construction materials, a practice that continues today.

FORBES: Inconvenience