Everyone keeps saying “go into the trades.” I get it — but here’s my real experience: Called a local company to fix an icemaker on a 2007 fridge that still runs great. Tech shows up. Takes a picture. Can’t fix it. Charges $99 just for showing up. Then quotes me $1,300 to replace the icemaker. So I do what everyone can do now: I ChatGPT the model number. In 2 seconds: • Exact replacement part • Direct phone number • Cost: $300 Installation? 2 screws. 10 minutes. I’ll do it myself. Same thing happened with my pool heater: Repair guy quoted $2,000. I bought the part directly and fixed it myself for under $200. The problem isn’t the trades. It’s that information asymmetry is gone — and some businesses haven’t realized it yet.