If you've paid an advance to a businessman for custom-made machines and now need to cancel the project, getting your money back can be tricky. The advice suggests that if the machines were made specifically for you, a settlement might be the best approach due to potential losses for the manufacturer. However, if the goods are standard items, you may have stronger grounds for a refund. Options include issuing a legal notice, filing a suit for recovery, or attempting an amicable resolution, especially if a significant amount of time has passed since the payment.