I called to ask about the process for paying capital gains tax. The accountant became defensive when I asked a basic question about how it works and said he couldn't explain more without payment. I wasn't asking for free advice, just to understand the process before deciding to proceed. The conversation quickly became uncomfortable and unprofessional.
Edit: I've seen the owner's reply.
To clarify why this interaction felt unprofessional: I called to understand the process for paying capital gains tax, not to receive free calculations or avoid paying for work. When I asked a single, factual question ("Would renovation costs be considered when calculating capital gains?"), the accountant immediately became defensive and said he wouldn't answer unless I paid. Instead of explaining the general process or what information would typically be needed, he implied I was trying to get free advice and ended the call abruptly.
The owner's public reply, accusing me of "wanting everything for free," unfortunately reinforces exactly the unprofessional tone I experienced on the call. It's completely normal for a potential client to ask a few questions first, both to understand the process and to see whether the accountant actually understands the topic before deciding to engage their service.