Cyclart really couldn't assess the job until they saw the frame; so you really can't put much stock in whatever they told you before you sent it to them. Once they saw what was involved, they decided to decline it. Why? I don't know, and I wouldn't necessarily take their reasons at face value. What matters is: they didn't want to do it, and you couldn't make them want to. I can't really fault them for that.

Aside from that, I suspect you're better off this way. I'm not actually a big fan of Cyclart's work (but that's for another thread).