I'm soliciting quotes to have a chimney repair done. Of the four places I called, two came over promptly. One hasn't called back yet (though to be fair it's only been a few hours). And one called back promptly, but...he wants to charge me $85 to produce a quote.

I know this type of thing happens sometimes, but with the economy limping along and companies desperate for work and customers, it seems that charging for a quote when one's peers aren't is a little over the top. I explained that quotes have come in the thousands of dollars, and that this isn't some small job that wouldn't be a good return on his investment if we chose him. He'd have none of it. No cash, no quote.

Sorry Erwin, you knocked yourself out of the running for this job.