On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 23:54:25 GMT, "Gary Slusser" wrote:
"Gary Coffman" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 20:06:19 GMT, "Gary Slusser"
wrote:
What does that gain the home owner really? Seriously, I'd like to
hear
the rational behind the suggestion.

The major reason to do as Phil suggests is to get independent advice
from
someone who doesn't have a vested economic interest in selling you
particular
kinds of equipment or services. The PHIs also generally have a good
local
perspective on who *is* a reliable dealer or service person in their
area.

A secondary reason is since you're paying these public health guys'
salaries
through your taxes anyway, you might as well get some benefit from it.

Gary

The fact is that the Phils amongst us have vested economic interests in
their agency or department's continuation.

Which means that they have a strong incentive to do the best job they
can for the public, and give the best available advice to those who ask
for help. They have no profit motive which would tend to lead them to
try to sell the consumer things he doesn't need, or which show the best
profit margin for the dealer.

You, and other dealers, on the other hand, have a large pecuniary
interest in maximizing your profits. Thus I suppose it isn't strange
that you'd have such strong objections to consumers consulting
an independent expert with no such pecuniary interests.

Gary