By the way, PJ...
"HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's Free demo now available online
So, intelligent people are supposed to be helpful and courteous. The smart technician knows he'll never actually lose any business by telling "homies" how to do the work. Half of them will screw it up, or it'll be over their heads, and they'll call him back, anyway. The other half wouldn't hire him at any cost, knowing they can muddle through 98% of the problems themselves. So he doesn't lose anything, and might gain a good reference, were he helpful.
It's no big deal to sit for the EPA-608 certificates. It's a big deal to treat people right - both customers and not - all the time, every time.
LLoyd