$125/hr in the Bay Area is fair. There’s no money in tv’s, Apple products, or the DVD player. The only profitable items are the speakers.
Asking for a discount could seem offensive to him. Personally, if I had a customer in your position, I’d be much more receptive if they asked “Hey, could you do this for $15000?” If he can’t, then it gives him the ability to counter back and maybe meet in the middle.
He did spend some time with you and you obviously like doing business with him, so it sounds like he’s adding value to you and the experience, rather than just being a box-pusher.
Asking for a discount could seem offensive to him. Personally, if I had a customer in your position, I’d be much more receptive if they asked “Hey, could you do this for $15000?” If he can’t, then it gives him the ability to counter back and maybe meet in the middle.
He did spend some time with you and you obviously like doing business with him, so it sounds like he’s adding value to you and the experience, rather than just being a box-pusher.