"At the first one I automated some testing for them what would free up 3 people they were having to hire for that job. They didn't like it. Thats because they don't have to bear the cost associated with hiring them."

This happens because client wants automation for free. If you keep doing it manually client pays for the man power happily but once you automate despite seeing a recurring cost eliminated, they do not even want to pay for one time effort of automation.

Everything exists for a reason. These practices are adopted because of clientele.