Because I can and you can't.

You, of all people, either already know, or can appreciate Charles Proteus Steinmetz's story: Steinmetz as a consultant.

Yes, I've heard various version s of it over the years, but this is THE one.
Steinmetz was asked what his fee would be. Having no idea in the world what was appropriate, he replied with the absolutely unheard of answer that his fee was $1000.

Stunned, the GE bureaucracy then required him to submit a formally itemized invoice.
They soon received it. It included two items:
1. Marking chalk "X" on side of generator: $1.
2. Knowing where to mark chalk "X": $999.

Bunners

Well put!

I get that from clients fairly often.

"If it took me 20 minutes to route and cement that acrylic, why do I have to pay $32?"

---

My fave though was about 3 years ago when a german accented gentleman complained that what he wanted was really easy to do, why so much?

I replied "Well then, it'll be easy for you to do it yourself."

Gentleman "But I don't have the tools."

I reply "We share a parking lot with Home Depot."

Gentleman "They're too expensive."

I reply "Funny how that works."

I then left him at the counter and went back into the shop.

'Course, it doesn't matter what accent they have or gender they are, I hear it from everyone.

A conservative estimate of the tools and test equipment in the shop is over $500K if I had to buy it new.

Bunners

An additional question would be:
"How much is it going to cost to fix it, now that the client (or his cheaper hire) has already tried?"

Sorry for the double post, but now y'all got me going.

I'm a Computer Scientist; I work in the Insurance industry. My duties usually include writing and maintaining the programs that print their Policies. Friends who found out that I work in computers started asking me to 'fix' their home machines. Okay, I'm a programmer, you want Systems Support. It's like asking your Physician to do your nails. I did favors for some folks who were old friends or were really strapped, but I had to draw the line when they started calling for Systems Support duty... at 3:00 AM. Guys were downloading viruses with their pr0n -- eww. About 15 years ago (yeah, I'm old folks), I started asking for $20/hour for 'free' help. I'm down to only two clients, and I charge twice that now (I'll also work for a meal -- that's paid off really well).

Anyway, around 2000, the owner of local sporting goods store wanted me to write him a highly customized Point-of-Sale (POS) System. I don't know much about them, so I'd have to do a lot of research. I'd have to build it from scratch, because I didn't have any useful code modules for that purpose. It would need a database package (about $150). I was working full-time, so I'd have to give up my nights and weekends. I gave him a very conservative estimate of $1,500 and three months. He called me a lazy f***ing bandit. I walked out and did some research on-line. The ¢heapest package I could find was $3,600.

(* sigh *)

Since I am self employed, I had someone have the gall to say to me, "Well, it's NOT like it is in your spare time.."

Bunners

Self-employed = retired, right?

Semi-retired, I go to work but I don't do anything.

Actually, I manage to keep myself busy with my projects and the occasional customer project.

Bunners

Is there any wonder that I truly like you guys...

V.

This was three years ago, and you're just now replying?

Snurk.

Bunners

for some reason I missed it... no idea why...

V.