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Does Honesty Exist Anymore for Services Rendered ?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Jenkins rentals

Before you make any snide comments about the words "services rendered," I assure you I am not referring to any clandestine pay-for-play sexual encounters. Tonight, I feel like actually being nice. I am taking the night off from dredging through the misdeeds of any specific public figure and pointing the dirty part of the shoe at the rank and file worker. When I say rank and file, I am also referring to myself. Confused? Don't be.

According to the USA Today, 3000 New York city cab drivers allegedly overcharged their customers. I am saying allegedly, because the investigation is ongoing. Which brings me to my next point. How many of us purchase services and pay too much ? This begs the question. How much is enough ? I hire a plumber because I have a leak and he wants to charge me $300 for less than two hours work. I'm sorry, but I missed the memo. When did my plumber become a brain surgeon? Maybe my hourly rate ain't high enough, but $300 for two hours work seems like an awful lot of cash. Here's another scenario. I hire a guy to fix my fridge. He's there for less than an hour and he wants to charge me $275. Did I enter the wrong profession.? Never mind, don't answer that question. I got accepted to law school but got a big fat rejection letter to refrigeration school.

When I'm hiring someone, anyone to perform a job for me, how come the cost of the job is such a mystery?

"Well sir, in order to determine the price of the job we have to determine what is broken."

"I'll tell you what's broken sir, my bank account because I don't know how much you playing brain surgeon is going to cost me. in two hours."

Why are repairs such a mystery ? Not only that, why is the cost of said repairs more of a mystery ? When the job is completed, it's no longer a mystery but more of a joyous revelation for the burly guy in the shiny red truck. Oh I forgot, beware of the repairman in the expensive rig with all the beautiful art work. I guarantee you that after he leaves, the only thing you will feel when you reach in your pocket is your leg. So my question remains, is there anyone out there who can explain why he charges what he charges? More importantly, is there anyone else out there who can tell me if I am paying too much ? Someday, I will know the answers to all these questions. Meanwhile, can somebody give me the name of a cheap plumber ?

Kevin Dunlap
Trident Investments Group - Las Vegas, NV

I suggest just getting a Home Warranty.  That way if they charge $150 or $500 it doesn't matter.  You only pay the deductible of $50 to $60.

Mar 14, 2010 02:46 PM
Charlie Gantz
Keller Williams Commercial, Tampa Bay - Saint Petersburg, FL
J.D., M.B.A.

I think you already know the answers to your questions.  If you are an attorney you are probably charging between $200-$1,000 per hour, depending on your experience, expertise, and uniqueness of the legal services you provide; therefore, you really shouldn't be concerned about the rate charged by the plumber.  After all, you can work as a lawyer as the plumber is working for you.

But, in any case you can always ask for referrals as to plumbers or any other providers of services who will charge a fair rate, and then further qualify them when you speak to them individually.  Charlie Gantz, Greenwood, IN; J.D., M.B.A.; Owner/Principal Broker, Atlas Commercial Real Estate, LLC

Mar 14, 2010 02:56 PM
Chip Jenkins
Jenkins rentals - Pentagon, DC

Charles I am lucky if i make $50.00 an hour buddy. I'm sure my colleagues at the law firms who make more per year than I do make even less than I do an hour. The plumber's hourly rate shouldn't be more than mine. Equal yes, more no

Mar 14, 2010 03:06 PM
Chip Jenkins
Jenkins rentals - Pentagon, DC

Thank you for your comment Charles. I hope you become a regular subscriber Charles. For all who read my blog, thank you for your support.

Mar 14, 2010 03:08 PM
Chris Wechner
CW Health Inc - Waterford, MI

Chip...This response comes from the mind of an investor.

You are suffering from two things:

1. You are trying to buy something in an area that you probably know nothing.  You know how much you should be paying for lawyer fees; so it would be hard to "trick" you into paying more than the market value.  As soon as you know nothing about a purchase you are going to make, you will have...you guessed it...NO negotiating leverage.  All you can say is that it doesn't "feel" right.

2. You didn't dig your well before you were thirsty.  You're doing that now by trying to find a quality service at a more competitive rate for the NEXT time you need it.  Unfortunately, you didn't do that before this past time.

Having said all of this, it's tough not to feel like you need to report something to the police for both robbing you blind and violating your physical well being.  Ouch!

Better luck next time.

Chalres...I'm not sure about you, but no matter how much money I make (or do not make), I never enjoy paying significantly more for services that I know that I should.  If you do, let me know what service you need, and I'll gladly oblige.  (That's not a serious offer; it's just a point.)

Mar 15, 2010 06:08 AM