[bkorte]

"I was interviewing two accountants to decide who I would use."

And this is what makes it a bad analogy to spec work. Spec work is when you say "You 10 people make me a logo, and I'll pay whoever makes the one I like best." Did you get two accountants to do your taxes and then pay the person who served you best? No, you spoke to them first, interviewing them, having them explain why they're best for the job and how they handled certain other situations. This is how it's supposed to happen in the design world too.

You need a logo designed? OK, let's talk about how I can make that happen and what results I've had in the past and how I can serve you best. That's how a mature and respectable industry does business.

(rambling rant over)