BadgerFiles

Looking for a side job? Or are you looking to hire a skilled professional who wants to work on the side? If you answer yes to either question, Side Job Trader might be the web site for you.

As a consumer, I enjoy saving a few bucks to have a skilled mechanic fix my exhaust manifold or a qualified mason build my basement.

Here’s an interesting quote from the site’s news page:

A neighbor owned a Jaguar, and new brakes were going to cost $800. A mechanic friend offered to do the job on a Saturday for $50, plus the cost of the brake pads and supplies. Elapsed time to change out all four brake pads: 1 hour.

At first glance, this seems likes a $750 savings or 94%. My first reaction is if you’re hiring side contractors to complete a job at this cost savings, they better be family/friends who you a favor. Otherwise, run.

On closer inspection, the press release uses some deceptive writing tactics. The quote only tells us the mechanic friend’s labor rate of $50/hour. It has been a while since I priced Jaguar brakes, so we’re left to speculate on the final cost.

Since Side Jobs Trader is a new site, there doesn’t appear to be much activity, and I admit that I’m thinking about placing a listing. It’s free until June 30, 2007. Anyone have experience with this site?