I'm missing it kbarch. Respect? I thought the OP talked to the bike shop guy on the phone and was quoted $25....money should be a non issue. It's really a straight forward job with no guesswork. But apparently not every customer deserves the same treatment/respect? Based on what? A scorned mechanic who is bitter because the customer has some mechanic ability and wants to save money by trying to do as much as he can on his own? Or because the customer bought the bike elsewhere so the bike shop guy is immediately offensive/ put off? That's not right! Now if the OP called names, became unfriendly :^) ,or was constantly seeking free advice and never giving his business to the shop...... I can see where that might cause an issue. But, it kinda seems like the bike shop guy went out of his way to offend the OP this time for whatever reason.

Honestly, I would've been upset with the guy for having me come in at $25, only to then charge double when I got there. That's deceptive and I value my free time. $25 is already over the top for cutting a steerer if you ask me. Should be $5-10 if you bring in the fork and not have the bike shop disassemble. Was it disassembled? If not, I can see the $25 max for having to take a couple extra steps. But that's pushing it.