Quoted from jrcmlc:This is bonkers to me... What kind of a douche would have you go through all that trouble, knowing what your time is obviously worth based on your prices and work, and then not pay you for that time or give you a piece of their end? I'd tell people to pound sand or charge up front. F all that.
Short answer, people suck. If i needed help from HEP on this the first paragraph of my email would be asking what I can pay Chris for his time to help. It’s just the kind and professional thing to do.