Estimates are free for a reason, and if you dont want to do them dont do it. or in this case dont have a phone. Whether it be boats or cars etc. I will refuse to go to somebody that does not talk until they see money. Even you yourself when your looking around do you go with the first shop or contractactor you see? Probably not either because you didnt like them, had a change of heart or figured you could do it your self. Its called shopping.

I hear ya BIG Daddy and usually give the work to the first guy who shows up and willing to pay a lil xtra and pop for food & drink while the job is in progress if they can start right away and not get put on schedule 3 weeks down the road

i hate nothing worse then guys using free estimates to show to other contractors and cheapen there bids show up with a fair price for a good job and leave with 50% and GET R DUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

www.activethunderboats.com

We pick the best from all of them and deliver them in one package.

When free estimates only require a few minutes, it's no big deal, but when they require extended travel and multiple hours of work time it's something else altogether.

Unfortunately, in my business, someone once conceived of the notion of free estimates to generate business, but now the majority of the public seems to think its their given right to get one and many even believe the idea our time isn't worth as much as their own.

Do me a favor, next time you want a free estimate, give me a call so I can hang up on you. I'd rather talk to a realistic "prospective" client.

Sorry for the rant...didn't mean to side track the thread.

Happens to me all the time RL. I check a car for a noise or vibration. Use on avage of 1.5 to 2 hours and they say well X will do it for this. Im like you already know the issue and now you want to comepare pricing really???
-Mike

Well totally understandable and I agree if its a simple phone call estimate or somebody shows up for 30mins or something fine. But on the other side of the table, if you advertise free estimates then you advertise free estimates. Not everybody brings a fair price to the table and lot of contractors try to rip people off.

hate to state the obvious but Overtons.com and westmarine.com

http://www.mtboats.com/marineparts.html

http://www.mtboats.com/hiperf.html

http://www.mtboats.com/trailerparts.html

http://www.mtboats.com/miscsuppliers.html

http://www.mtboats.com/swimwear.html

http://www.mtboats.com