To think if this firm goes bust they only have themselves to blame.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Back story.. Was looking to get my new cooker fitted, anyway was phoning around to get the best deal as you do. I phoned one particular company and they asked for my address, and I got told wait a minute, so I wsited. Next second she comes back to the phone, and says, sorry "He said it's too far".
It's not too far at all. It's about a 30 minute drive away, and I assume as a business man he must have a car. He keeps turning away business, they'll have no business
I just said to the women. I know it's not your fault, you're only passing on the message, but I've never someone to turn away custom.
Anyway got someone else now,

"withholding" even !!

Personally, I have no problem with people turning work down, or not quoting for it.

However, I have extreme problems with then hearing at every turn how there is "no work" around...

Personally, I have no problem with people turning work down, or not quoting for it.

However, I have extreme problems with then hearing at every turn how there is "no work" around

For me, the reasonableness or otherwise of a provider complaining about 'no work' would hinge on whether the potential jobs they were turning down were those that require them to run at a loss or earn an unrealistically low 'wage' in fulfillment of the contract.

Sadly, there's no shortage of work at all for people who are prepared to earn less than NMW/a living wage, which engenders a race to the bottom that benefits nobody, not those pitching for work or those purchasing services wherein corners are necessarily cut due to budget constraints.