Reply #8: I well remember our family doctor in the 1950's who charged just $10 an office visit. Now I wonder [View All]

[sinkingfeeling]

how people will barter for a CAT scan or PET, which cost from $3000 to $8000 a pop. Will the labs start taking in autos as trade? What about a major heart surgery or cancer treatments, costing $150,000 to $900,000? Will hospitals now take fine real estate or 401K's in trade?

My grandfather was a 'Watkins man'. Basically, a traveling salesman of home and kitchen supplies. He had a van and a district that he crisscrossed. Many times he took something in trade... a live chicken, eggs, fresh cream, or vegetables. But again, the stuff he sold, like a can of black pepper or a bottle of vanilla, only cost $.50 to a couple of dollars. Things have changed since then.