20/05/2026
Client: How much will it cost to do this job?
Master: $1,500.
Client: Why so expensive?
Master: How much do you think it would cost if you did it yourself?
Client: Well… $800 max. It’s a pretty simple job, right?
Master: For $800, I’ll offer to do it yourself.
Client: But… I don’t know how!
Master: Then for $800, I’ll teach you how to do it. Next time, you can do it yourself.
Client: Sounds interesting! I agree.
Master: Then you’ll need: a welding machine, an electric saw, an airbrush, a compressor, a drill, gloves, paint, brushes…
Client: Wait! I don’t have all this equipment, and I’m not going to buy it for just one job.
Master: In that case, I can rent you everything you need for $300.
Client: Okay, so be it.
Master: Then I'll be waiting for you on Tuesday morning to start work.
Client: I can't on Tuesday.
Master: Unfortunately, I'm busy on other days. I'm only free on Tuesday.
Client: Okay... I'll have to sacrifice my plans.
Master: I'll get everything ready, but you'll need to arrive at 6am and load the equipment. Please, don't be late.
Client: At 6am?! I don't get up that early...
(After a pause) You know, I've been thinking... I'd rather pay you $1,500. I won't do it as well anyway, and it will cost me more.
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Moral:
When you pay someone for work, you're not just paying for the thing, you also pay for:
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, QUALITY, TOOLS, TIME, TRANSPORT, PUNCTUALITY, PROFESSIONALISM, ACCURACY, DANGER OF WORK, GUARANTEES, TAXES, RENT OF PREMISES, ELECTRICITY - and much more that remains behind the scenes.