stomachfat

haha I smiled cause I can tell you're super friendly; you even gave me 'critique-sandwhich' where you end off with a compliment after all the criticism (thank you for that!)

With regards to dental surgery, I wonder if I were to call up some dental offices and ask for a price quote on surgery type X or surgery type Y if they would give me a price quote. (Not that that's the only factor your friend would choose for surgery. It could be a starting point).

I agree, a lot of the problems arises from 'how much you know about local service you are trying to get'. My friend thought she needed new rear drums and shoes, but didn't after we got inspected by a friend.

Hmmm you're definitely right with Physiotherapy, I wouldn't go on just price myself either.

Maybe I've got a strong case just for my specific car problem, but this doesn't extend well to other local services.

But with like computer repairs, I think it would be nice to just see a comprehensive list of what's out there accompanied with their prices, GeekSquad and IT-hobbyist included.

Hmmm you're right that the bigger challenge is properly defining problem, market, solution-fit. I have to find good use cases like the car one I had.

Btw thank you for all of this! I really appreciate that it jogged my brain and gave me some new ideas on what to do next!

What do you think of the above?

I totally agree; getting local businesses to agree is very tough. But I was just going to put their prices without their permission. Like I had to call a bunch of places anyway. Might as well share that with my friends (and whomever would find it useful).

I was hoping this would become crowd-sourced data somehow. Because I need a community of people always updating prices for this to continue working.

I didn't know Yelp was bringing business on-board for quotes. That would mean if I could get this to work ... I'd be competing with a giant.

What are thoughts on the above : ).

Btw, thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate the warnings and resources and ideas you gave.

So you're very right about the 'independent diagnosis' part, I took it to my friend's friend to give me an independent diagnosis. It was the only way I learned which brakes (rear, front, both, or neither) needed to be replaced.

I am already trying to monetize by revenue-splitting.

So what happened was, when I went price shopping, I found 2 other friends who wanted their brakes fixed. So I got the idea of calling up shops and asking if they'd revenue split with me: if they'd give me 10% if I could refer them a customer on the spot. 3 of the 10 shops I called for that agreed and said they would. The others were hesitant but not fully against it. 2 were totally against it.

Then I also found a hobbyist mechanic with a home-shop who would do it better than market-price and profit split with me 50-50.

So all in all, I think if I compile comprehensive price list for my city, I could start directing customers for a cut.

What are your thoughts on this part?

Also, thank you so much for the response! I really appreciate it!

Dear Jeff would you consider give me feedback on my thread too ?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11851027

Please and thank you