Since they are getting the gear for you, you get paid "less" if you go by the standard gear cost.
Gear value during negotiation isn't the same as its face value.
First Cutting Aces gives a formula to calculate how much gear is worth as a form of payment. Said formula goes:
1. Increase the item's value by ten percent per point of Availability.
2. Divide the final result by two.
Example 1Ares Predator V
¥725
Avail 5
Step 1. ¥725 * (1+(5 * .1)) = ¥1087.5
Step 2. 1087.5/2=543.75
543.75 < 725
Next Cutting Aces
shows you a formula to determine the worth of an item as a form of payment. This second formula is presented as:
Negotiation Value = Price + (Price * [(Avail x 10)/100])
Example 2Ares Predator V
¥725
Avail 5
NV = 725 + (725 * [(5 * 10)/100])
NV = 725 + (725 * [50/100])
NV = 725 + 362.5
NV = ¥1087.5
1087.5 > 725
Now the shown formula both adds the Price into the calculation to determine its worth as payment and lacks the division of the previous formula, however in the third iteration of this calculation the division is present. This inconsistency invites obfuscation into determining what an item is worth as payment. I imagine the first formula is what is intended
because it actually makes sense. Trying to pay someone with things instead of hard cash is difficult because not always will the items be useful or wanted and will likely be pawned off, which is why more must be offered.
Imagine Tony the Arms Dealer trying to afford some help from Running Horse the Street Shaman. Tony is short on cash as his buyer recently was on the receiving end of a Powerbolt. Tony wants some protection so he can live to sell this shipment and get out of town. Running Horse charges ¥500 an hour for guaranteed magical safety. One Ares Predator V ought not cover 2 hours. Two on the other hand would be much closer to proper compensation as Running Horse has little need for pistols.
ETA: the example on page 162 better illustrates how gear as payment should work