Ive got a mate:-

Have you ever heard some one say. 'Oh Ive got a mate that can do t cheaper', what about ' my neighbour is a plumber he'll do it for me'. What about a mate that says he can do it for a slab. Either you know of these people or certainly know the tradies. All to often you might need help on a project or something and someone will know someone that can help at a much better price. The problem with this 'bartering'  as a reciprocal exchange it is immediate and not delayed in time.

ask yourself how many times you asked for this favour, help and the other party dent show up for days, week, months and even years. You need to ask yourself do i want it now, can it wait is it worth a free service or cheap(er) service if you are in the hands of the other parties time. Sometimes it might be worth extra cost to have the service don't timely and in some cases properly (no corners cut).
Granted I'll give you not every tradie is punctual but you know it will be done right, by a licensed (plumber, builder, electrician etc.) And done in a timely manner, if that is your desire.

Your data/Information!

I was at an accountants office last week. We were working through a series of options. I soo noticed the accountant was typing data and information into his computer. It dawned on me that I 'the customer' have no idea what he/she is typing into the computer. Perhaps a slave screen that would allow me to see what he is entering into his system would be helpful.

I set about to see just how many other service providers sit on the opposite side of a desk/table and enter your data/information and you have no visual of that transaction.

Your local GP, Travel agents, Financial institutions (bank teller/clerk), some retail outlets. I think an opportunity for improvement and customer care would be to have a slave screen mounted on the back of the users screen so we the customer can se what data is actually being entered/recorded.

db