Don't mess with me Mr. Painter Dude

I was sitting in my office today when the receptionist called to tell me that someone was there to see me.

I walked out to the lobby to see an older gentleman standing there. I shook his hand, introduced myself and he did the same. He was a painter that I had called to give me an estimate on some office renovations, because yeah, apparently I'm on the office renovation committee now. Seriously guys, we are still going through a merger and my new boss thinks that painting the office and shit is top priority. How do people get in these high positions?

Anyways, the guy then looks at me and says, "You're the person I need to talk to?"

Confused, I nodded. I waved for him to follow me to the foyer where the renovations would start. I explained to him that wall coverings had to come off and then painted. He smiled and started doing some calculations in his head and walking around the foyer.

Now, its pretty common knowledge, even in 2011, a woman should always take a man with her to a car dealership or a mechanic as to avoid being screwed over. Well apparently, the same goes for painters.

Am I an experience painter? By no means. Did I do my research? You bet. Did I already have two other painters quote the same area, the same walls? Damn right I did.

The guy looks at me and says, "I'll send you a typed up estimate on our letterhead, but you're looking at about 8,000 for the whole thing."

I kinda stared at him for a minute.

He continued with, "Well we not only have to strip the wall covering but we'll have to plaster the walls and then do a coat of primer."

Which I actually knew, because the previous two paint companies told me the same exact thing.

I smiled, stuck out my hand to shake his and said, "I appreciate you taking the time to come out here for me, but don't bother writing that estimate up. We're not interested."

His jaw kind of dropped a little and then he said, "Lady, that's a good price."

"Not for me it isn't. I had two companies come out here and quote it for half the price."

Then he did the shameful head shake and frown. "Ok, I'll estimate it at $4,000."

"That's quite alright, Sir. Thank you again for your time." I turned around and walked back to my office.

He could have probably went to $2,000 and I would have still said no.