yeah most want to rape you as best they can. i took my car in for a muffler, they wanted to sell me a cat back for like 300, after complaining of that price they were like well i could do it for 175 lol
i wound up doing it myself, part by part over time for less still.
you dont know someone with a welder? this is a easy thing to do.
try calling some local garages too.