<div>Okay, point well taken <IMG src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/01.gif">.</div> <div> </div> <div>Matthew<BR><BR><B><I>"William R. Monroe" <pianotech@a440piano.net></I></B> wrote:</div> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16674" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>I would disagree Matthew.   I don't think it is the same difference.  If a mentor just takes it off the top, that is one thing, assuming you don't charge more because of that.  I know the principle gets muddied as we all have our own rates, but, assuming a constant for the purpose of example:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>If it costs $X dollars for new keytops if Tech A does it, why should it cost $X plus $Y for Tech B to do it because they need help?  If you need assistance, it should come out of your pocket, not your clients.  In essence, this situation is one in which Tech B is not qualified to do the work.  If you put it all on the table, no client will opt to pay more $$ for an unqualified tech than less $$ for one who is qualified.  Do you see my point?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>As far as tools go, I wouldn't agree with charging a client for a tool that you then keep for your career.  If you don't have the tool, get it, and enjoy it the rest of your career.  If you need a supply that is used up in the job, fine, charge the client.  But if you charge them for the tool, I'd say the client then owns the tool.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>William R. Monroe</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV>Well actually, a lot of mentors just take a percentage of the cost of the whole job, so there wouldn't be any out-of-pocket expenses for myself if this was agreed upon.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But there are techs who need a tool for the job, they do include the cost someway in their quote.  So hiring a mentor would be the same difference in this situation.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Matthew</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>