Free Acoustic Advice - Will you come to my place and spend an hour showing me how to cook?

I just got off the phone from yet another restaurant with noise problems. It's almost a daily occurrence.

Every single one says "can you come out and give us some advice on how to fix it?". When I tell them that I am happy to, but I will charge them there is usually a silence followed by something like "but I just want advice". I then explain that no one can just look at a room and/or listen to it and know what is needed. (sadly this has been created by acoustic products sales people who will say whatever it takes to get a sale and walk away with no responsibility for the outcome).

My point is though, if I were a bit quicker, that I should have said sure, I'll come and give you advice for free. Will you come to my place and spend an hour showing me how to cook?

This isn't limited to restaurants. Many places say they just want advice, thinking acoustics is something we have magic powers for and can just appear and tell them what to do AND get it right. Well we don't. What we do have is qualifications and experience and paying for our time is highly valuable in that it gives some assurance that spending money on fixing acoustic issues will be cost effective and actually work.

If you want free advice, just ask the acoustic foam sales guy. Oh and when you want cooking lessons, ask the tomato sauce sales guy....