I have said it elsewhere but you have to factor in the divergent economic factors currently in play between the UK and Turkey. Turkish inflation has run at 9% for 2004 and 2005, an 18% jump in Turkish prices. Compared to about 5% inflation in UK prices over the same period. The YTL started out at 2.75 to the pound, it is now trading at around 2.2, an appreciation of almost 20%. These two factors alone will account for a significant increase in prices to UK visitors and residents. Next you have the import situation. The UK economy is 'benefiting' - I use the word guardedly, cynically and with caution - from cheap goods and services from China and India and indeed, eastern Europe. Many things are now MUCH cheaper in the UK than to tourists or ex-pats in Turkey, think Matalan, H&M and other outlets but also think about the cost of something like drawing up a will, around 99 pounds in the UK, two or three times that in turkey. An equalisation of expectations is long overdue and I am afraid it is the Turks who will have to give way or they will suffer economically ( I mean of course those greedy Turks, we all know examples of good honest people who aren't taking us for a ride). My maintenance company charge me £2-£4 per hour for odd-jobs to skilled labour, people should set their expectations around that kind of pricing for labour, it's not a high wage but it is one that will not distort the economy. And lets stop it with the excessive tipping by the way - todays bill with excessive tip becomes tomorrows new tourist price