I'm interested in the "do it yourself" mentality and its effect on these experiments. For example, I can probably pick a few types of locks with credit cards and I could probably recover files on my computer after a few google searches and some trial & error.
The less time an expert takes to perform an act, the more likely someone is to think that they could have done the job themselves with a minimal learning curve.
As a takeaway, if I owned a computer repair shop, should I tell everyone 5 days to increase their perceived utility even if a fix could potentially take two hours?
I can open many "Yale" locks (i.e. locks on a catch) with a credit card. My front door has a five lever deadlock, the standard for security. I can't open it without the key. (Bonus: it's also impossible to lock myself out)
Have you ever called a locksmith? Usually it's because you left your keys inside and you closed the door without realizing. When a door closes this way it doesn't matter what lock it sports: could be the best in the world but is still unlocked and easy to open. If it is not a credit card, is something slightly more sophisticated.
The price of a service is always dictated by competition. Obviously, there is not enough competition in the locksmith world.
I've found that almost all doors open with a business card, which bends around the corner. The only ones that don't open are the ones that fit the casing too well to squeeze in and manipulate the card through.
That trick has saved my friends' money on many occasions.
I've recovered some seriously screwed up hard drives.
I know the tools, I have the resources. I takes quite a bit of my time, plus I'm assuming some risk.
I therefore now direct corporate data loss issues to a contracted data loss company who has proven to be reliable and efficient (and can handle situations I can't)
Sure, they charge more for it - but I don't look at it and say "That's BS, I could have done that myself" - because I have a logical reason as to why I'm choosing them.
Similarly, having dabbled in lockpicking, I would be the one tipping the locksmith for showing up in a hurry and not damaging my lock - but only because I understand the alternatives (everything from me breaking my house somewhere to a crappy locksmith making me wait to the point of just about breaking my house, to a crappy locksmith showing up and mangling my lock for good).
If you own a computer repair shop you should give people reasonable estimates as to how long it takes to fix their problem and endeavour to always deliver just short of that time - consistently. Over time your reputation for consistency and reliability is more important than short-term money.
A simple job might be a simple 1 hour job - but you have other tasks as well, other customers, and you never know what complications might arise, so you have good reason to tell give a larger estimate.
They'll be more than happy when you call htem the next day saying "something opened up, everything went fine, here you go."
Locksmiths are in a weird spot because they don't, I think, get a lot of repeat calls (or if htey do, those repeat callers aren't the ones who don't appreciate them.) Many people probably go through life never having engaged a locksmith, and having a guy show up with a little kit, spending 30 seconds opening your door at 2am and hten charging you $75might feel like a ripoff - but presumably you called him because you had no alternative. He didn't accidentally leave your keys in your house or lose them at the bar.
The less time an expert takes to perform an act, the more likely someone is to think that they could have done the job themselves with a minimal learning curve.
As a takeaway, if I owned a computer repair shop, should I tell everyone 5 days to increase their perceived utility even if a fix could potentially take two hours?