graeme_p - 9:18 am on Dec 5, 2012 (gmt 0)

It all depends on what you are receiving the payment for, where you (and the buyer are) and how solvent and trust worthy you think each other.

Letter of credit for import and export, escrow where there is little trust or likelihood of disagreement, payment in tranches for services (construction, software development, etc.), invoicing and waiting for a cheque or wire transfer if your buyer is solvent and trustworthy, even selling on credit (e.g. finance leases).....