Cost of setting timing, on a V8 ??

@Oldmanmopar and @yellow rose
I think you both have good legit points and equally are overlooking the other's situation and perspective.
Not right to judge the mechanic he paid and his business model without more info. Many businesses are successful by focusing on higher end, higher paying clients - and that doesn't always mean their service or product is really that good, but they make it seem like it is. Point is they create a perception and the way they charge is a part of that.

But Steve's close by and would have helped the guy out 'cause he wants to, that it might pay off later in one way or another, that's just a different business model. Maybe it won't ever make him a big business. But lets say everything is paid for (no rent on the shop, etc) and he has some time to help just like he was a fellow hobbyist. Its not a drag on the business like it might be for a guy who has to commute to a shop that's rented and needs to move a certain amount of business through in the 8-10 hours he's going to put in.

Heck we're all here giving out free info to some extent or another. One reason I've done it is because others have done the same for me. I've actually got pretty specific goals on the web boards; finding and sharing arcane information and helping people learn to how to solve problems or goals. When I get off track, or just too busy, I take a break since at this point I feel I've generally paid my debts.