So you're saying that if they have a verbal agreement about a written set of terms, they have an agreement?

It sounds like exactly what I'm saying...other (nonverbal) evidence supports the existence of the verbal agreement.

Saying that a verbal agreement is a contract is like describing gravity as an apple falling from a tree. It's technically true but ignores the complexities that go into what can make a verbal contract enforceable.

(And I say this based on actual practice litigating contracts...)