Because small variables can wildly change costs? Because generating a quote based on all pertinent information IS work, and has value. I make signs. A lot of times I will measure someone’s sign for free because I want the job and need this information to generate a quote - so I do this for free, include this info on the quote, and the customer takes the quote to another sign company who now has all the info at my expense.

What kind of business are you into ?

This question is impossible to answer without more information about what the business does.

What industry are you talking about though?

If somebody wants me to build them a website, I can’t just give them a quote without knowing what they need. They could want a 100+ page build with a bunch of custom content, or they could want a 1-page template with a contact form.

I don’t give a range because what I charge for the former is not comparable to the latter so I tell them “it depends”, which just means you get no quote until I learn what it is you actually want. I take that & estimate how many hours the job will take and i’ll provide a cost-effective quote and a more detailed quote.

Just wanted to provide some prospective from the other side of the coin.

Most likely it’s a local service based business. The main reasons is to filter out a legitimate customer versus someone who’s just price shopping.

2. Prices do vary and it’s better to come from a process not the customer service rep answering the phone.

3. If your given a price over the phone I would bet 1k that you would say ok thanks. “I’ll call you back later” and not call back later. You’ll then call few other companies to see who has the lowest price.

4. Companies spend a lot of advertising just to get the phone call and the evaluation price Harley breaks them even along with paying their employee to get to your house.

You kind of sound like the person who would hold a business to a number if they came in over an estimate and expect a rebate if they came in under estimate.

i do taxes… i give ranges of 100 to 1000. because you know, i have to evaluate the circumstandes first. but i dont have them pay for that evaluation since that is time where we are both checking each other out. after that evaluation i give them a course of recommended action and the price range is narrowed a lot more.

Depends on the business. Could be legal requirements. It could be a costly survey to find out and they don’t want to promise anything. Especially if the wide range is. Like 1000-20,000.

Without knowing the business or service it’s impossible to know.