MasterDisaster, why would you feel hesitant to pay an extra stone for Burt (besides ideological reasons)? Since, for instance, I don't think that the Librarian is particularly good outside of Outcasts. They are fine at 7ss, but 8ss and loosing a lot of their healing powers makes them a questionable hire for me. I would also have some problem with paying 9ss for Sue. While I would paying 8ss for Burt under the right circumstances doesn't seem that far fetched to me.
My point being, we apparently have different views on what is worth to pay extra for, and what does that come down to?