Request for Comparison Quote

Hi everyone,

I got a call this morning looking for a "comparison quote". At least the gentleman was honest and said he was going to a meeting with his accountant in 30 minutes and would I oblige him by giving him a quote so he knows what the ballpark is. It was for payroll for X number of employees. I told him I would call back but he wanted an answer right away. I replied that I would need to think about it and asked for his email address. I was preparing for a meeting when he called and told him so, but he was quite insistent on getting the quote immediately. He wasn't interested in having a chat about his business or even getting information on who I was and what my qualifications were.

Anyway, I did respond by email within about 10 minutes, but had visions of him producing my email at the meeting with his current accountant as a stick to beat him/her with.

I have been in situations in my previous job where I have spent hours producing a quote for large jobs having more than a sneaking suspicion that we were one of the three alternative quotes with no hope of getting the business. I was right every time.

So my question is, in these situations are you better sending a quote anyway and not spending time on it, sending a detailed quote and/or requesting a meeting with the client (i.e. doing things "properly" like you would do with a real prospect) or telling them politely that you are not interested in being "one of their quotes."

I am new in business so I don't want to annoy any of my target market. I live in a small town where everyone knows each other. But I still don't want to be treated like an idiot.

Thanks!