Customer wants price quote, WTF

[o1racing03]

So I get this email and I reply, you guys might get a chuckle out of this. Some people just have no idea what is involved in the powder coating process. Here is the email and replies:
It started with this submission on my website:
“How much to clean,polish, and powder coat 1982–Yamaha
XJ1100? Email only.”
And then the replies:

Jimmy,
The whole bike? I need a few more details on what it is that needs to be
coated and what colors. If you can forward a pic of the bike and or
parts needing coating I can get you an estimate for them.
Thanks,

Marc,
Yeah man, I know it sounds kinda weird and I may not be able to afford
what I’d like to do but I’d like to do the entire bike–the pics are
attached. Basically, everything chrome or that is supposed to look like
chrome I’d like to do in a reflective chrome finish–so it looks super
shiny; the frame and other parts that are now black, I’d like to go back
with black. If you haven’t tackled such a chore, it would be a good way
to show off your work 🙂 and the possibilities that exist!!!! jimmy

Jimmy,
I can certainly handle your coating needs. I would need to see each part
that you require coating to be able to give you an accurate estimate. I
can easily see this job in the $750-$1000 range. I do the coating for
JIMMS motorcycle restoration here in town, mostly on 79-82 honda CBXs
and it runs in this price range. All parts would need to be disassembled
and as clean as you can get them to avoid additional prep charges. All
the chrome parts would require a 2 step chrome/clear coat process and I
just received a new chrome/clear to test and evaluate from one of my
suppliers that seems to retain the “pop” the chrome has by itself, while
the other chromes lose some “pop” once the clear is added. I look
forward to handling your coating needs and hope this estimate fits your
budget.

Marc,
I really do not have the expertise or the time to disassemble and clean
the parts so I would need the entire process handled. My budget for the
job is $500 but I could possibly go the $750 price if I could spread it
over a two month payment. Would you be interested in doing it for that?

Jimmy,
If disassembly and assembly is involved theres no way I could do it in
that price range. Good luck with your project. Thanks,
Marc

Alright man, thanks!

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