Craig, sorry to hear about your incident. Did this contractor happen to be part of a chain, or owned by a utility, supplier, or manufacturer? Up here, we have a number of contractors that fall into this category, and their prices are generaly 30 to 40 percent higher than the market average. Because of this, their salesmen pull some of the tactics you describe. We call it the "American" way of selling. (Ok everybody, don't start the attacks....)
With both you and Roger in the room, he would have pulled some very aggressive closing techniques, and you couldn't fall back on the old, "I have to talk to my spouse/partner before I make a decision".
Basically, with his prices so high, he has to be the first guy in and close it on the spot, or he really has no chance of getting the job once you comparison shop.
Shawn
