[davismwfl]

The scope seems way too large to fit in 5 weeks for 1 developer. Not to mention 3k doesn't even come close to being realistic. I do wonder though, are you talking a mobile responsive website or a native mobile application? The "with CMS" makes me question that as does the online shop etc. Either way, still way too much for the timeframe at money.

Realistically, in the US at least, regardless of web app or mobile app you are looking at likely multiple 10's of thousands of dollars to do it right assuming it is all new code and design work still needs to be complete etc.

As an FYI, I have seen a few companies make these wild type suggestions to find out who NOT to use. If someone even entertains it they know the person has no clue and so they won't work with them.

[pyb]

As for your last point, I could see this trick easily backfire against the companies. Who'd want to work with them ?

[davismwfl]

I don't necessarily disagree with your point, but it is a quick way for larger companies to filter through the many small consultants who may or may not understand the risk and complexity of an issue. And I have two great long term relationships with enterprise clients that did this to me initially. It was just their filter.

You could easily argue it is underhanded, or slimy, but I don't think it is as uncommon as we would like to think. Just like an Enterprise level client who won't pay for a $99/month SaaS, but if you change that price to $999/month, suddenly you are a contender and taken seriously. The value proposition is about perception, not reality for many larger organizations, which I put health care and universities in too.