I think it's more complicated than this Locksmith example. I think we are so used to being ripped off by "experts", many
with a lot of spinach behind their names; We start to think
everyone is trying to make the most amount of money they can
out of a situation(usually a bad situation). I have no problem paying someone for a job well done--if they do it
quick all the better. The problem I have encountered is the
expert did the job, but it was a half ass job and their mistake didn't show up until later. I'm now kind of jaded.
One other thing about experience. I have found experience
doesn't matter quite as much as I thought it did in a lot
of professions--especially the professions that are a mix
of science, and art--like medicine, and yes Programming. A little experience, but
still double checks their work, and is staying current--Gold mine! The pillar of their profession, with an ego to match--I run! (I noticed someone brought up the mechanic and the hammer story. A stuck pinion on a starter sometimes responds to
a hammer blow. I used to position a long dowel(broom handle)
on the stuck starter through the engine bay and whack the dowel with a hammer.) Oh yea, I have found that people who
don't overcharge(whatever that even means anymore) are well
liked amoung their peers, and customers.