It's like we've lost the idea that sharing knowledge builds up the whole community, not just one customer. @the_val is right about that skill building, but it goes deeper. When the hardware guy drew that diagram, he was making sure the town itself got a little more self-reliant. Now we just get a transaction, and the knowledge stays locked away. That loss of shared know-how makes everyone poorer in the long run, even if the fitting is cheaper.

Heard vodka in the water works?

Oh man, you're not wrong. I've been down that road of trying to fix a stripped screw hole with toothpicks and glue more times than I care to admit. It feels like victory for about six months until the door starts sagging again and you're just staring at the same stupid problem. At some point you have to admit you're just putting a band-aid on a broken leg.