List, We just had some heating system & plumbing work done at our home. Now, the guys we chose for the jobs were much more professional and skilled than the ones who we have previously used. It's not surprising that they expect to be well compensated for work well done. But .... $175.00 per hour, Master Plumber $ 85.00 per hour, #2 guy (presumably Journeyman plumber, quite young) Using "cheeper" contractors in the past only lead to the problems that these guys had to fix. So, $6K later, one reflects ... perhaps it's time to adjust my own rates (or tune more pianos). Meanwhile, zillions of jobs (software, banking, customer service) are going overseas thanks to this cool internet technology I'm enjoying at this very moment, and considerable numbers of previously well employed past customers are downsizing their employment expectations. Hoping for a Happy New Year, Patrick
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