I asked for a representative from Shavitz heating ...

I asked for a representative from Shavitz heating to come to my new home and give me an estimate for a new mini-split A/C system. The sale person that came to my home was friendly and polite. He presented himself as a straight-forward person that would give me an honest estimate for the work. The estimate I received was simply an email with a price. I can say that the price is easily 2x what other HVAC people have quoted me for the exact same system, with the same supplier components.

I was a little taken aback, so I requested a detailed estimate including the estimated labor and material costs associated with the quote along with the exact model numbers of the equipment to be used. The sales person responded curtly, suggesting that the manufacturer information (again, in a single-line text format as if written on a phone) was enough and that they use an application to generate quotes and that he could not provide me with a detailed quote.

After this I once again pushed the sales person to go through the estimate in a line-by-line fashion so that I could appreciate the work they were estimating needed to be done, so that I could make an informed decision on which HVAC specialist to use. I don't mind paying for good service or better equipment, but I can't sign onto an estimate that is literally just a single price without even a pre/post-tax estimate.

The sales person responded very curtly this time thanking me for considering them and refusing to supply the requested information. Again, I don't necessarily mind paying a higher price, but this type of low-information estimate tactics is a very dishonest business practice.

This approach is meant to take advantage of the young first-time home buyer and the elderly and it is down-right sleazy.

You should not use a contractor that will not supply you with a detailed estimate of labor and material costs. This is a core principle of good business and as such should be addressed by Shavitz HVAC.