I have got quotes from many places on the goldcoast n the place I recommended *the one ya mate may have been -got quoted $1500) has always been the best value for money, but there work is the absolute best, n Ron is a perfectionist n his chrome work will last 25 yrs out in bad weather. (other companies I have tried apply the plating in far less microns-thickness, n wont give an outside warranty at all, let alone 25 yrs no matter what.
  
That's what Ron has always given me. His plating is thick. No re-do jobs from him in 3 or 4 yrs because job was done too cheap n too thin to start off with, unlike many others)
He supplies the thickest plating, not the thinnest like 90 percent of the competition. If u want the best, you have to pay a bit extra.
Many Harley shops n Hotrod car builders for Bumper Bars n all different people use Ron. He has a 40 yr reputation to uphold. No cheap rushed jobs from there.

However, dealing directly with the owner, Ron, the cash up front trick, and the not demanding the whole job be ready next week, but saying I will wait the 4 weeks or whatever the queue is, will get the $1500 down to about a grand. I would have expected the quote be $1000 to $1200 cash if I had of taken that stuff in and wanted the highest quality job.

This place receives work from many companies all over Australia from people/companies who want the absolute best job/quality n polishing/warranty, n they don't mind waiting. This place has not been a drop off n pick up next week place for over ten years, they are booked many months in advance usually. I always don't mind the price or the wait, cause looking at the big picture n the end result is why I keep going back n never go anywhere else, no matter what they promise or quote. Hope it helps, just my opinion...

Aye but there's quality and quality.. good luck to him if he only deals with the high end market and sees enough work to keep afloat. The prices certainly reflect that most enquiries don't turn into jobs. Most people are dropping prices as the economy bites harder.. those with big overheads are really feeling it and many are on borderline trading insolvent.
$1500 is far too much.. even a grand is far too much.
Pete will shop around a bit and see what price differences we can come up with