bwoodsdesign - 8:09 am on Oct 14, 2005 (gmt 0)

Man I call those people tire-kickers. If all they are interested in price, they'll never be happy anyway. The kind of clients you don't want.

However, if you feel like they might be worthy of a go, and insising on a consultation is too much, I'd go with the other posters here in agreeing that you ask at least their deadline, short term goal and budget.

When people stare at me after I ask them their budget I throw out "ballparks" from other designers in my area (whom I know are too expensive) and then when the final cost is shown to the prospect they're over the moon. It's a 50/50 situation, I guess.