The tipping thing was something I thought of last minute to illustrate my perception of the difference in perceived value of a dollar. Maybe I didn't make success like Borat? People value the dollar differently based on earning power, personal psychology, supply and demand etc....a $ is not the same $ to everybody. I think one must learn not to be cavalier with other people's money as one must not be cavalier with other people's time, effort and knowledge. To wit; on Friday I needed to source a commercial grade gas dryer. Only place to get one is Harco (Maytag). I've used them before. They will not sell 1 to the public anymore but referred me to a local retailer. I asked what can I expect MSRP? They said $1300. I call the local retailer, he tells me $1499. I ask why so much? Retailer says "I need to make it worth my while, they charge $100 to ship here, I have to deal with paperwork and possibly warranty yada" So that's $199 over what is already an industry standard profit. So casual except I have to work most of a whole shift to cover the retailer's extra profit on top of his regular profit. It's not the money (who's kidding who it's always the money) it's the extra effort, sweat and time I need to expend in exchange for no added value that irks.
I believe Neil's story to be very representative of what goes on. How could it be any other way when dealing with Granny Smith? But there's a ying to that yang as well. I'd like to see that acknowledged even once.
