The same logic applies to hiring technical services. Technical professionals, such as consultants and trainers, have a heavy investment in maintaining their expertise. That overhead cost is reflected in their fees. Firms that bill lower rates can charge less because they put less into maintaining their expertise. Emphasize quality before quantity.
Usability is as important as performance.
A friend used to enjoy rich, unhealthy foods. He didn't die young, but he did develop heart problems and his quality of life has been much poorer since. Besides being good for personal enlightenment, this story is also relevant here. What they really get is lower quality of use. Cheap computers, for example, tend to be harder to use and more prone to problems a constant source of frustration.