Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken wall at a MP's house. One is from Luton, another is from Birmingham , and the third is from Leeds .
All three go with the parlimentary official to examine the fence.
The Birmingham contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about £9000: £4000 for materials, £4000 for my crew and £1000 profit for me."
The Leeds contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for £7000: £3000 for materials, £3000 for my crew and £1000 profit for me."
The Luton contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the MP and whispers, "£17,000." The MP, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"
The Luton contractor whispers back, "£5000 for me, £5000 for you, and we hire the guy from Leeds to fix the wall."
"Done!" replies the MP.
All three go with the parlimentary official to examine the fence.
The Birmingham contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about £9000: £4000 for materials, £4000 for my crew and £1000 profit for me."
The Leeds contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for £7000: £3000 for materials, £3000 for my crew and £1000 profit for me."
The Luton contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the MP and whispers, "£17,000." The MP, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"
The Luton contractor whispers back, "£5000 for me, £5000 for you, and we hire the guy from Leeds to fix the wall."
"Done!" replies the MP.