Not to have a dig at you personally Chris, was a bit sweary so I apologise.

Point still stands, and re: the Sativa guys - you'd probably find they were of similar minds, I had a similar chat with one of them a while about this sort of thing but won't speak for them.

Sometimes it's a bit of an unspoken thing - but to make it real simple, in the world we live in - stuff costs money, like it or not, that's what we have right now, and if you prefer alternatives then more power to you - go make merry in the free-party scene or whatnot - I hear it's great fun ;) And I mean that sincerely.

But as far as asking grown adults, with responsibilities and lifes to maintain, then it's a bit different and the least you can expect is someone's gonna ask you for what they think they are worth, if you can't match it - there's no point greetin about it.

Might seem boring, but it's a take it or leave it deal usually, the people you are asking don't need the exposure, they've probably had years of people taking advantage of them and have a buisness to run which will normally continue whether you book them or not...