I think it's stupid to not let the price be told or known. When I was looking for my new machine several years ago I ran into the same thing. I was calling the machine dealers asking the price of what I wanted with no trade in before I drove miles out of my way to the shop. Only one gave me a price over the phone so that is the one I bought from and it was the furtherest one from me! She said she never heard of not being able to quote her prices, said it was frowned upon because the customer may be convinced to buy up once in the shop. I bought two machines from her that day. One for me and one for my DD. And stopped at three shops I passed on the way that wouldn't give me the price and showed them I bought two machines NOT from them and why. I have a mean streak like that.