Jim,

>snip<

>>
>>Perhaps I wasn't clear.. I'm just suggesting that if I know of a better alternative I should, for ethical reasons, at least let the client know about it I'd think. That's all really...
>
>Doug, I didn't think you were "getting on me" at all. Now I have to apologize for writing in a way that made you think possibly so < s >.
>
>I think we're on the same wavelength here. I was trying in fact to say that "find one" was not what I meant because that would mean too much UNPAID energy (as well as having potential later problems). You example of Quickbooks is perfect.
>JimN

This is just getting too nice.. I think we should start yelling again.. <g>

If I was to spend time investigating various approaches for a client I would view that as billable time. It's part of doing your business analysis & needs cases prior to developing a proposal. Definitely billable...