“What has my transmission proven?? When it went it cost over 2 grand. same for a root canal. And did I mention the cost to redo a roof……”
To use the examples you list, your transmission, when done right, will give you years of reliable service, and taking it to a good mechanic (one who will stand behind the work that was done) commands a better price. Same goes for dental work. There is real overhead, real training, real results. And you can ask for accountablily, and be rightly miffed if you were mislead.
Is there such a concept in shadchannus? If there is, I’ve yet to hear of one such case. In the old days, substance was valued. Today, media spin is what gets peoples attention. And that is (IMHO) a disservice to the truly great boys and girls (and parents of both) who cannot come up with the artificial price tag.