Being a contractor in a skilled trade I may be able to offer an explanation as to why some contractors do the things they do. You never want to tell a contractor that you are getting several bids or estimates. This is huge turn off, simply say that you are thinking of doing a project and are looking for a professional to do the job. Why would I want to come out and educate you on how your project needs to be done, share my ideas, spend all of the time to properly estimate the job, put it in a form that you can understand, then present it to you when you have already done this wasting the time of numerous other people? If I feel like I have a legitimate chance at getting the job and the customer doesn't talk down to me like I am a used car salesman or a member of congress I will do whatever I can to get the job.
My business has been thriving since I started 17 years ago. I still find it amazing how busy I am every day. One day recently I had 87 phone calls on my cell phone. We are a small company and I still where my tool belt every day. If my phone rings that many times of course I don't have time to answer it and still be productive. If you combine the amount of calls with all of the other hats I have to where (accountant, bill collector, estimator, project manager, engineer, equipment mechanic, parts delivery etc.) its difficult to cater to everyone's needs; so I find myself taking care of the low maintenance customers first. If you call a contractor and he doesn't get back to you right away he may be just that busy or you fall into the high maintenance category.
Another way to increase your chances of getting a contractor to come out is to ask him when it works for him. This might require you to have a little flexibility. He might not bother to call you back if you want to meet up after supper when it's convenient for you. Keep in mind that he probably started at 5:00 am worked his tail off all day in the outdoor elements and might just want to go home, shower and eat rather than be all smiles for you until 8:00 that night.
I know from a consumer standpoint (especially ER forum members) it makes sense to price shop. However, from a contractors standpoint there is nothing more annoying than someone getting numerous bids on $200.00 job. I have had this happen to me several times. This is the type of project that you need to find someone you can trust by asking your friends, neighbors, coworkers, the guy at the hardware store, or whoever who they can recommend and just have them do the job.
In an earlier post someone mentioned how much money they have saved in their semi-ER by obtaining several contractor bids for each of their projects. This got me to thinking on how much I could lower my prices if I didn't have to waste countless hours, pay office staff, pay for fuel, have an estimating program. etc. etc. etc. just to do estimates. So, I basically have to charge more to cover the elevated expenses therefore everyone pays a higher price because a few need extra services. Kind of has a governmental type ring to it!
I cant say whether a contractor would change his pricing in an upscale neighborhood. It would be hard to compare cost of a similar projects in a lower class area because of the different challenges of each project. I think this is more of an emotional feeling. I wanted to charge one woman a little extra a while back when I was doing a project for her. I was working in her house in an upscale neighborhood, when she got home from work she walked in and asked if it was normal for "you people" to park in the driveway! Apparently she had to park on the street because I was parked in her way. I didn't bother to answer her and didn't charge her any extra.
I feel better now!