[nextaccountic]

> But I'm also in a business where we don't. And the reason we don't is because hardware is involved, and so prices can vary by 2 to 3 orders of magnitude.

> In other words it takes time to gather up your requirements, which include hardware, software and crucially install and support services. From this we can generate a quote.

IOW, if the customer were afforded just a little bit of price discovery the business would tank.

Lots of companies have interactive websites where I can input all my requirements and it outputs exactly how much I'm going to pay, with no human in the loop involved.

[brabel]

But then, how can they overcharge you if they realize you're a noobie?

[bruce511]

The problem is that some customers pay 20k,some pay 2m. The range is too broad to make it as simple as filling in a web form.