The $XXX a business would spend on standards is insignificant compared to $XXXXX+ it has to give consultants in return for understanding how to actually comply with those impenetrable walls of text enough to pass an audit.
But you can easily pass an audit if you actually READ the standards...
I worked in automotive manufacturing at one point. We had to follow an automotive specific extension (ISO/TS 16949 at the time) to the ISO 9001 standard in addition to a set of AIAG Automotive Core Tools (a set of 5 books). Our auditor was being audited by one of the people who was on the extension work group and the Core Tools work group. We definitely read the standards and were found to have 13 major non-conformances. We were told there are courses the working group offers to "teach the proper way to read the documents."
Maybe it's different in other industries, but my experience is you have to buy the documents, buy the courses to learn to read the documents, buy the courses to learn how to do internal audits, and then maybe you'll have the knowledge to complete the certification. But as you say, it will be quicker to use a consultant, so you add on consulting fees after all of those other expenses. Then you pay annually to be audited so you can maintain the license.
It's the cost of doing business and definitely had a huge ROI where I worked.
Oh man I love this audits where you can get all nitty-gritty over the interpretation of the Standard...but most of them are straight forward. I am sorry that you had such a hard time with yours
It was a good experience for me. I went through some seriously easy audits and then one when the book was thrown at us, so to speak.